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| | '''Cheema''' may refer to: |
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| '''Cheema''' (Shahmukhi: '''چیمہ''', : '''ਚੀਮਾ''') (also spelled '''Chima''') is a typical group of people of the [[Jat]] cast found in [[India]] and bordering [[Pakistan]] '''(In the world any family of Cheema they must be connected to the Sialkot sub city Sahowala, Because this is the beginning place of Jatt Cheemas)''' who are also known as warriors.<ref name="ReferenceA">''(Glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|NWFP]], H A Rose)''</ref> [[Jat]]s are a large and important group in [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. Cheema's are one of the few major subclans of [[Jats]]. They speak [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], and usually own vast farmlands. Majority of Cheema clan who are [[Muslim]]s are found in West [[Punjab (Pakistan)]], and many who are [[Sikh]]s are found in East [[Punjab region|Punjab (India)]]. | |
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| == History == | | {{tocright}} |
| The Cheema tribe was called "Shaka" in India, from the name [[Saka]] used by the Persians. From the time of the [[Mahabharata]] wars (1500-500 BC) Shakas were mentioned many times in texts like the Puranas, the [[Manusmriti]], the [[Ramayana]], the Mahabharata, the Mahabhasiya of Patanjali, the Brhat Samhita of Vraha Mihira, the Kavyamimamsa, the Brihat-Katha-Manjari, the Katha-Saritsagara, and many other old texts.<ref>Chowduri, J. (2012). Caste system, social inequalities and reservation policy in india: Class, caste, social policy and governance through social justice. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.</ref> it is belived that There are three Royal Families of Jatt in every punjab. In indian punjab there are the (Cheema, Sandhu and Gill) "sikh jatts" And the Royal Families of the pakistani punjab are (Chattha, Cheema and Warraich) "muslim jutts". It is also said that Cheema/Chattha Jatts are the decedents of Maharaja Prithvi Raj Chohan the sovereign of delhi.
| | == People == |
| | * [[Cheema (surname)]] (including a list of people with the name) |
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| === Invasion of India (180 BC onward) === | | == Places == |
| The Vanaparava of the Mahabharata has a [[prophecy]] saying that the kings of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Bahlikas, and Abhiras shall rule unrighteously in Kaliyuga (MBH 3/188/34-36).
| | === Punjab, India === |
| | * [[Cheema, Sangrur]], a town in Sangrur district |
| | * [[Cheema, Dhuri]], a village in [[Dhuri]], Sangrur district |
| | * [[Cheema, Gurdaspur]], a village in Gurdaspur district |
| | * [[Cheema, Barnala]], a village in [[Barnala district]] |
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| === Alexander's invasion of Punjab === | | === Pakistan === |
| [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] overran the [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenid Empire]] in 331 BC and marched into what is now [[Afghanistan]] with an army of 50,000. His scribes do not mention [[Gandhara]] or [[Kamboja]]; instead, they name twelve small countries in those territories. This means that Gandhara and/or Kamboja must not have been very great [[kingdom]]s in the late 4th century BC. In 326 BC, most of these twelve or so countries that used to be in the Gandhara Kamboja [[Mahajanapadas]] were conquered by the [[Macedon]]ian conqueror. | | *[[Banka Cheema]] |
| | *[[Dilawar Cheema]] |
| | *[[Dilawar Cheema Kalan]] |
| | *[[Wadala Cheema]] |
| | *[[Kalaske Cheema]] |
| | *[[Jamke Cheema]] |
| | *[[Shamsa Cheema]] |
| | *[[Adamke Cheema]] |
| | *[[Baddoke Cheema]] |
| | *[[Sui Cheemian]] |
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| Alexander invited all the chieftains of the former satrapy of Gandhara to come to him and submit to his authority. [[Ambhi]], ruler of [[Taxila]], whose kingdom extended from the [[Indus River|Indus]] to the Hydaspes ([[Jhelum River|Jhelum]]), complied. After confirming him in his satrapy, Alexander marched against the [[Saka]]s (Cheemas are considered to be decadents of the Sakas) and [[Kamboja]] highlanders of the [[Kunar River|Kunar]] also [[Swat River|Swat]] [[valley]]s known in Greek texts as [[Aspasios]] and [[Assakenois]] (q.v.) and in Indian texts as [[Ashvayana]] and [[Ashvakayana]] (names referring to their [[Equestrian nomad|equestrian]] nature), who had refused to submit to Alexander.<ref>For Kamboja and [[Ashvaka]] (Assakenois/Aspasios) relations, see: ''Panjab Past and Present, pp. 9-10; History of Porus, pp. 12, 38, Dr. Buddha Parkash; Histoire du Bouddhisme Indien, p 110, E. Lamotte; Political History of Ancient India; 1996, p 133, 216-17, (Also Commentary p 576 fn 22), Dr H. C. Raychaudhury, Dr B. N. Mukerjee; Hindu Polity, 1978, pp 121, 140, Dr K. P. Jayswal; Ancient Kamboja, People and Country, 1981, pp 271-72, 278, Dr J. L. Kamboj; These Kamboj People, 1979, pp 119, 192, K. S. Dardi; Kambojas, Through the Ages, 2005, pp 129, 218-19, S Kirpal Singh etc etc''. Dr J. W. McCrindle says that the modern Afghanistan -- the Kaofu (Kambu) of [[Hiun Tsang]] was the ancient Kamboja, and the name [[Afghan]] evidently derives from the Ashavakan, the Assakenoi of Arrian (Alexandra's Invasion of India, p 38; Megasthenes and Arrian, p 180, J. McCrindle); Sir Thomas H. Holdich, in the his classic book, ''(The Gates of India, p 102-03)'', writes that the [[Aspasians]] ([[Aspasios]]) represent the modern [[Kafirs]]. But the modern Kafirs, especially the [[Siah-Posh Kafirs]] ([[Kamoz]]/[[Camoje]], [[Kamtoz]]) etc are considered to be modern representatives of the ancient [[Kambojas]]. Other noted scholars attesting Ashvakan-Kamboja equation are Dr Romilla Thapar, and Dr R. C. Majumdar.</ref> The ''Ashvayan'', ''Ashvakayan'', Kamboja and allied [[Saka]] <ref>For [[Saka]] reference see [[Invasion of India by Scythian Tribes]]</ref> [[clan]]s offered tough resistance to the invader and fought him to a man. When worse came to worst, even the Ashvakayan women took up arms and joined their menfolk on the field, thus preferring ''"a glorious death to a life of dishonor"''.<ref>Diodorus in Mcgrindle, p 370</ref>
| | == See also == |
| | * [[Chima (disambiguation)]] |
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| Thereafter, Alexander marched east to the [[Hydaspes]], where [[Porus]], ruler of the kingdom between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and the Akesines (Chenab) refused to submit to him. The two armies fought the historic [[Battle of the Hydaspes River]] on the riverbank outside the town of Nikaia (near the modern city of Jhelum). Porus's army fought bravely, but was no match for Alexander's. When the defiant Raja (though wounded and having lost his sons) was brought before Alexander, a legendary conversation took place in which Alexander inquired of Porus, "How should I treat you?", the brave Porus shot back, "The way a king treats another king." Alexander was struck by his spirit. He not only returned the conquered kingdom to Porus, but added the land lying between the Akesines (Chenab) and the Hydraotis (Ravi), whose ruler had fled. Alexander's army crossed the Hydraotis and marched east to the Hesidros (Beas), but there his troops refused to march further east, and Alexander turned back, following the Jhelum and the Indus to the Arabian Sea, and sailing to Babylon.
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| In the middle of the [[2nd century BC]], the [[Yuezhi]] tribe of modern China moved westward into Central Asia, which, in turn, caused the [[Saka]]s (Scythians) to move west and south. The Northern Sakas, also known as the [[Indo-Scythian]]s, moved first into Bactria, and later crossed the [[Hindu Kush]] into India, successfully wresting power from the Indo-Greeks. They were followed by the Yuezhi, who were known in India as the [[Kushan]]s or Kushanas. The Kushanas founded a kingdom in the 1st century that lasted for several centuries. Both the [[Indo-Scythians]] and the [[Kushans]] embraced [[Buddhism]], and absorbed elements of Indo-Greek art and culture into their own. Another Central Asiatic people to make Punjab their home were the [[Hephthalite]]s (White Huns), who engaged in continuous campaigns from across the Hindu Kush, finally establishing their rule in India in the fifth century.
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| === Muhammed Bin Qasim's invasion of Punjab ===
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| The ''[[Chach Nama]]'' is a romantic work influenced by the 13th-century history, not a historical text of the 8th-century, states [[Asif]], a historian and professor at Columbia University in New York City of Pakistani origin.
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| Many Jatt/Cheema were oppressed by Hindu king [[Raja Dahir]] who ruled over Punjab where the majority of the population followed Buddhism ([[Ram Swarup Joon]]: ''History of the Jats'', [[Rohtak]], [[India]] (1938, 1967)). The Jat made strong [[alliances]] with the Muslim [[Arabs]] and hailed the [[invasion|conquest]] of [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] an Arab general. Muhammad bin Qasim defeated the Hindu [[Raja Dahir]] in alliance with [[Jat]]s and other Buddhist [[Rajas]]. On his arrival at the town of [[Brahmanabad]] between six and sixteen thousand men died in the ensuing battle. Buddhists and the [[Jat]], [[Meds (tribe)|Meds]] and [[Bhutto (tribe)|Bhutto]] tribes hailed him as a rescuer from tyranny at the hands of ''Chach'' and his kin (regarded as Cusurpers of the [[Rai Dynasty]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uidaho.edu/class|title=College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences|website=www.uidaho.edu}}</ref>
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| Historian [[Baladhuri]] records the local sentiments upon Qasim's recall,
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| “'''''people of Hind wept for Qasim and preserved his likeness at Karaj'''''”.
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| While the “[[Chach-Nama]]” notes the following as highlights of Qasim’s rule:
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| * He permitted all to practice their religion freely
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| * Hindus were included in the [[Ahl al Kitab]]
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| * the status of [[Dhimmi]]s (protected people) was conferred upon [[Hindu]]s and [[Buddhist]]s
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| * Property destroyed during hostilities was compensated for.
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| * As a sign of respect to his Hindu populace an edict was issued banning cow slaughter in [[Sindh]] and [[Multan]].
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| As the Chach-Nama is a non reliable and non contemporary source of history, it has no authenticity and it holds no historical value (According to Pakistani Origin historian [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manan_Ahmed_Asif Dr. Asif])
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| === Oppression of the Jats ===
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| The rulers before [[Islam]] were: [[Siharus]], [[Sahasi II]], [[Chach]], [[Dahir]]. The first two were [[Buddhist]] [[Rajputs|Jatt]] , and the last two were [[Hinduism|Hindu jatt]] . The new Brahmin rulers were not friendly to the many Buddhists in [[Sind]] at that time, and they were cruel to the Jats and [[Meds]], who were most of the peasants. Bad conditions were put on the Jats and they lost many [[civil right]]s. "When Chach, the Brahmim chamberlain who usurped the throne of chach King went to [[Brahmanabad]], he enjoined upon the Jats and [[Lohanas]] not to carry swords, avoid velvet or silken cloth, ride horses without saddles and walk about bare-headed and bare-footed".<ref>(''Sindhi Culture'', by [[U.T Thakur]] [[Bombay]] 1959 )</ref> It was because of this background that [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] received cooperation from the Buddhists as well as the Jats and Meds during his campaign in Sind (''An advanced history of India'' by '''Ramesh Chandra Majumdar; Hemchandra Raychaudhuri; Kalikinkar Datta''' [[Delhi]]: Macmillan [[India]], 1973).
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| In fact he was hailed as deliverer by several sections of local population. The position of the Buddhists in Sind seeking support from outside can be read in the [[Chach Nama]].
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| Mohamammad Bin Qasim came as a deliverer for the ancient tribes of Jats and Meds and he defeated the oppressing King of Sindh. From then the war between Budhists and Hindus saw another contender who's future followers of the monotheistic Islamic faith would change the history of India forever.
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| === Cheemas Today ===
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| The Cheema clan hold a largest number of [[Political]] seats in the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] and [[Senate of Pakistan]] in Punjab, Dr Nisar Ahmad Cheema from NA-79 leads the Cheemas in the national assembly today, His ancestors have done so over the past 6 decades.
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| This Cheema family has been and still his the largest and the most powerful family, belonging to Wazirabad, this family has had a large number of Civil servants, Judges, Police officials, Federal Ministers and Provincial Ministers and even a President of Pakistan. In the current generation, IG Police Zulfiqar Ahmad Cheema has gained nationwide popularity and is regarded as the best cop the country has ever produced. Many Cheemas have immigrated, establishing successful careers in aid agencies, and armies amongst other professionals. Cheemas have a very strong political control in many districts such as Gujranwala. Cheemas are the owners of many Rice and floor Mills such as Ghulam Haider Cheema from Aroop used to have the biggest rice and floor business in Pakistan.
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| Late Sardar (Captain) Autar Singh Cheema was the First Pakistan born but an Indian national to climb the highest peak of the world Mount Everest on 20 May 1965. He belonged to and after retiring from active service in the Indian army lived in his ancestral village at Chak Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan India.<ref>Ajay Singh Cheema contact no in India 09779177770</ref>
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| Many Cheemas have now settled in England after participating in both WW1 and WW2 Indian army for British forces. Mostly misled for thinking they would get the freedom of India at the end of world, which was not. Approximately 1.3 million Indian soldiers served in World War One - and more than 74,000 of them lost their lives.
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| The Cheema Clan located in Nurmahal (Cheema Kalan and Cheema kurd) are situated on the lands of former Noor Jahan (The Persian Queen) the twentieth and last wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The Queens secret underground passage ways are located on the Cheema land now. Most of the Cheema lands located in Nurmahal were gifted to the Cheema clan for their bravery, hard work and centuries of dedication in Indian Armed forces and Navy.
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| Cheema Clans are found World Wide now including; America, Canada, England and Australia
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| == Hindu scriptures ==
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| === In the Mahabharata ===
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| The Udyogaparava of the [[Mahabharata]] ''(5/19/21-23)'' tells us that the composite army of the Kambojas, Yavanas, and Shakas participated in the [[Mahabharata war]] under the command of [[Sudakshina Kamboja]]. The epic repeatedly says this composite army was very fierce and wrathful.
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| Mahabharata, too similarly groups the Shakas with the Kambojas and Yavanas and states that they were originally '''noble [[Kshatriyas]]''' but got degraded to ''vrishala'' status on account of their non-obersvance of the sacred Brahmanical codes.<ref>[[Mahabharata]] 13/33/20-2.</ref>
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| :''See main article: [[Kshatriya]]
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| === In the Manusmiriti ===
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| [[Manusmriti]] places the [[Shakas]] with the [[Kambojas]], [[Yavanas]], [[Pahlava]]s, [[Paradas]] and labels them all as degraded Kshatriyas ([[Holy]] Warriors) defying the [[Brahmana|Brahmanical]] codes and rituals.<ref>Manusmiriti X.43-44</ref>
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| === In the Puranas ===
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| In the "[[Puranas]] Darada" the Jatt sub-tribes have been called degrading terms such as [[Rakshasas]] (demons) not having [[darshan]] of the [[Brahmin]].<ref>[[Ram Swarup Joon]]: ''History of the Jats'', [[Rohtak]], [[India]], 1967. (Available online in files section on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JatHistory/)</ref>
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| == Geography ==
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| [[File:Punjab 1909.jpg|thumb|300px|right| [[Punjab region|Punjab]]]]
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| Cheema are most numerous in the [[Amritsar]] district. There are also 42 villages in the [[Patiala]] district. According to Cunningham, this area used to be called "Chima des" ("Des" or "Desh," in the Hindustani language and Punjabi language, means "country"). Many people settled in Montgomery ([[Sahiwal]]) and [[Sandal Bar]] when the British ruled Punjab because of the construction of a large canal network in these areas. The Cheema also have few villages scattered across [[Rawalpindi]], [[Bhawalpur]], [[Amritsar]], [[Gurdaspur]], [[Jalandhar]], NurMahal or Noor Mahal, [[Moga]], [[Ludhiana]], and [[Sangrur]].
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| In the western Punjab plains, Cheema communities are not generally found past ''Chaj Doab''. In the eastern Punjab plains, they are not were found past the [[Sangrur]] district, until 1947, when many Sikh Cheemas moved from [[Sialkot]] and [[Gujranwala]] to settle in [[Patiala|Village Chak 4e Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan Patiala]], [[Karnal]], and [[Sirsa]] after partition of the [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. Some families also moved afterward [[Udhamsingh nagar]](Uttrakhand), [[Pilibhit]], [[Puranpur]], and [[Rampur]] (Utter pradesh). This region is called Mini Punjab and the Terai Region.
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| In Pakistan, [[Sialkot]] and [[Gujranwala|Gujranwal]] districts both have large Cheema populations with many Cheema villages, such as Chak 4e in Sri Ganganagar (Raj) Begowal, Verowala Cheema Jamke Cheema, Tajokay Cheema, Adamkay Cheema, Bhopalwala, '''Nishterabad,(Nishterabad village have only one family of Cheema Named Nazar Mohamad Cheema)''' Sahowala, Kamalpur, [[Manpur]], and Lodikay Cheema, and in [[Gujranwala District|Gujranwal]], Baddokey Cheema, Kot Inayat Khan,[[Delawar Cheema]], [[Saroki Cheema]], [[Bharoki Cheema]],Varoki Cheema,[[Mansorwali Cheema]], [[Ratti Thatt]], [[Bankay Cheema]], [[Kathor|Kathor, Kalay Wala]], [[Kheway Wali]], [[Wadala Cheema]], [[Phaloki Cheema]], [[Marday Ki]], and [[Chabba Cheema]]. In [[Rawalpindi]] district, there is a [[Gujranwala|village]] near [[Gujar Khan]] which is named [[Sui Cheemian]] and it has a substantial population of Cheemas.
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| In southern Punjab, [[Bahawalpur]] and Yazman have considerable numbers of Cheema families, in great enough numbers that the area elects more than a dozen cabinet members.
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| In India, the Rupnagar and Mohali districts of the Punjab state have large Cheema populations with many Cheema villages, such as Salaura.
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| == Reference and Notes ==
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| {{Reflist}} | |
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| ==Further reading==
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| * [[The Chach-Nama]]. English translation by [[Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg]]. [[Delhi]] Reprint, 1979.
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| * [[40 Families of Pakistan 1947]]
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| * Sir [[Denzil Ibbetson]], Delhi 2002, p115 (''Panjab Castes'')
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| * [[Ram Swarup Joon]] - ''[[History of the Jatt]]''
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| * [[Arabian]] historian [[Ahmad Ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri]]
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| * [[Annals]], [[James Todd]]; ''[[History of Sikhs]]'', [[Alexander Cunningham]]; ''Glossary of Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and NWFP''
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| * [[H A Rose]] - ''Glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|NWFP]], ''
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| [[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
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| [[Category:Pakistani tribes]]
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| [[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
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| [[Category:Punjabi people]]
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