Bhakral, 1 Population 6,600 (Census 1931)

2. Locality. — In the Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi tahsils of the Rawalpindi district, also a few villages in the Chakwal tahsil of the Jhelum district.

3. Chief families. — There are several pensioned Military officers belonging to the tribe notably at Saba Mora in the Chakwal Tahsil (Jhelum) and Kamtrila in the Gujar Khan tahsil (Rawalpindi).

Punjabi Musalmans; Copyright © www.panhwar.com 55 4. History and particulars. - The Bhakral claim to be Punwar Rajputs, and since the 1901 census was taken, a large number have returned themselves as such. They probably came from Jammu territory across the Jhelum river. The tribe now ranks as Rajput and appears to hold a high place in the social scale. They do not appear to marry outside the tribe. They are good cultivators, of fine physique, fond of military service, and make excellent soldiers.

13. Bhatti.

1. Population in the Punjab. —Rajput.— 319,800, Jat, 41,500. (census 1931).

2. Locality.— The Bhattis are found throughout the Punjab, but are most numerous in the Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Giijranwala and Sialkot districts. 3. History and particulars. The Bhatti is one of the best known of the Rajput clans, the modern representatives of the ancient Yadubansi Rajputs, and supposed to be the “Baternae” mentioned by Pliny.

Their traditions connect the tribe with Bikaner, Jaisalmer and iht old fortress of Bhatner. In each locality appear variations of the story of their origin. The most common story is that they were driven across the Indus, from the East, in very early times, and that they returned across the river some 700 years ago, when they took possession of the country to the south of the lower Sutlej. The tribe gives its name to the Bhattiana, and to the Bhattiora tracts, as well as to various places such as Bhatinda, Bhatner, Pindi Bhattian, etc.

The various branches of the Bhatti differ in social status and characteristics according to the locality in which they are found.

Probably the best representatives of the tribe are now to be found in the Bhattiora tract north of the Chenab (in the Sarghoda tahsil and the Chiniot tahsil of Jhang). Here, they are “fine race of men, industrious agriculturists, good horse breeders, and very fond of sports” and they have also now proved themselves good soldiers.

In the Gujar Khan tahsil of the Rawalpindi district there are also to be found good represenetatives of the tribe.

The Bhattis of Gujranwala enjoyed considerable political importance and still hold 86 villages in that district. The Bhattis of the Sialkot district will not give their daughters in marriage to any of the neighbouring tribes. In the Salt Range the Bhatti seem to hold ordinary position.

Punjabi Musalmans; Copyright © www.panhwar.com 56 Muslim Bhattis were converted about the end of the 15th century.

14. Chaddar.

1. Population.— Jat 17,000, Rajput — 3,600. (census 1931).

2. Locality.— The tribe is found along the whole length of the Chenab and Ravi valleys, but is most numerous in the Chenab Colony and Jhang.

3. History and particulars.— The Chaddars of Jhang claim to be Rajputs, elsewhere they rank as Jats.

They say that they left their original home in Rajputana in the time of Muhammad of Ghor and settled in Bahawalpur, where they were converted by Sher Shah of Uch. Thence they came to Jhang, where they founded an important colony and spread in smaller numbers up the Chenab and Rabi. The Chadder are of Tunwar Rajput origin.

Their chief sub-tribes are: —

The Rajokes, Kamokes, Jappas, Luns, Pajiken, Deokes, Bullankes, and Sajokes.

They are described as being good agriculturists.

The name of this tribe is, better represented by the spelling Chaddrar. 15. Chattha.

1. Population.— 4,600. (census 1931).

2. Locality.— This tribe is chiefly found in the Gujranwala district, and also in small numbers scattered about the central Punjab.

3. The Chattha is a Jat tribe. They claim Chauhan Rajput descent. From Chattha, a grand-son of Prithi Raj, the Chauhan King of Delhi. Some 500 years ago, Dahru came from Shambhal in Moradabad, where the bards of the Karnal Chauhan still live, to the banks of the Chenab, and married among the Jat tribes of Gujranwala. They were converted to Islam about 1600 A.D. The tribe rose to considerable importance under the Sikhs, and their leading family is mentioned in the “Punjab Chiefs.”

Punjabi Musalmans; Copyright © www.panhwar.com 57 16. Chauhan.

1. Population in the Punjab. 71,000. (census 1911).

2. Locality.— Chiefly found in the Amballa and Karnal districts, in small numbers in the Lahore, Jhulem, Rawalpindi and Multan districts.

3 Particulars. — The Chauhan is one of the 36 royal Rajput tribes. Pirthi Raj, the last Hindu ruler of Hindustan, was of this tribe. Ajmer and Sambhar seem to have been their original home before they moved to Delhi. In the Punjab they now retain their dominant position. They are found scattered throughout the Punjab. Many tribes of doubtful status claim to be Chauhans.

17. Chib.

1. Mole population in the Punjab and Jammu. — 10,800. (census 1931).

2. Locality. — This tribe is found chiefly in the Kharian tahsil of Gujrat, and also in the adjacent territory of Jammu.

3. Chief families. —The Pothi family is head of the tribe, the present representative lives in the Jhelum and receives a pension from Government. In Besa the family of a late Risalhar-Major of the 12th Cavalry is well known, and there are other good families in the same village. In Mirpur (Azad Kashmir) there are well-known representatives of the Chibs in Panjeri, Kosgoma, and Lehri. 4. History and particulars. — The Chib is a Rajput tribe of high standing. It gave its name to the Chibhal, the hill country of Kashmir on the left bank of the Jhelum river along the Hazara border, though it no longer occupies those hills. The tribe claim descent in the female line from the Katoch and Kangra, and their eponym, Chib Chand, is said to have left Kangra 14 centuries ago and settled near Bhimbar. Sur Sadi was the first of the tribe to become a Muslim, his tomb is still venerated, and no male child is considered a true Chib until his scalp-locks have been offered up at this tomb. Sur Sadi’s (or Shadi Khan’s) Hindu name was Dharam Chand. He was famed for his skill in medicine and was summoned to Delhi to attend the Emperor Jehangir. He was successful in effecting a cure and received a daughter of the Emperor in marriage, became a Muslim and changed his name to Shadi Khan. He deserted his bride and fled home, and was eventually killed in an invasion of his country by the Moghals.

Punjabi Musalmans; Copyright © www.panhwar.com 58 The tribe is divided into three social grades— Mandiai, Garhial, and Dherial, feeling still runs high on the point of these distinctions even though it is difficult to say who is Mandial and who Garhial. The Garhial stand high and will not give their daughters to the others. The Chibs seek marriages for their daughters among Sayads and Gokkhars whom they admit to be their superiors.

There are fourteen septs: — Baranshahia, Barwana, Daphral, Darwesal, Dhural, Ghaghila, Ghanlyal Jaskal, Malkal, Malkana, Mamdal, Miana, Rupyal and Samwalia,

The tribe is one of short stature, and their men are rather thick set. They are deservedly popular as they make excellent soldiers.

18. Chima.