Gurjars in Punjab

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Natasha6581
Last edited May 25, 2026


Gurjars in Punjab
Punjabi Gujjars
Two Punjabi Gurjars with a Gurjar boy from Rawalpindi district, Punjab, Pakistan.
Total population
~2,737,706 (greater than these estimates)Template:Efn-lr
Regions with significant populations
Pakistan Pakistan India India
Punjab, Pakistan23,00,000 (only for Pothohar/north Punjab)[1]
Punjab, India4,37,706 (1951 census)[2]
Languages
• PunjabiTemplate:Efn-lr • GujariTemplate:Efn-lr • Saraiki • UrduTemplate:Efn-lr • HindiTemplate:Efn-lr
Religion
 · Majority: Sunni Islam
 · Minorities: Hinduism, Sikhism
Related ethnic groups
Gurjar, Muslim Gurjars, Punjabis
Titles: Mihir,[3] Mir,[3] Mehr,[3][4] Chaudhary[4]
Map of undivided Punjab region (now divided as Punjab, India and Punjab, Pakistan including Haryana and Himachal Pradesh).

Gurjars in Punjab or Punjabi Gujjars,Template:Efn-lr are a community native to the larger region of Punjab now divided into Punjab, Pakistan and Punjab, India. They are descended from Gurjars who moved into this region during medieval times. They are scattered across almost all districts of Pakistani and Indian Punjab; They are densely populated in Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhelum, Faislabad, Bhakkar, Attock, Murree, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mianwali, Multan, Okara, Hoshiarpure, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Rupnagar (Ropar), Nawanshahr, Amritsar, Firozpur, Jalandhar, Patiala, Kapurthala, Faridkot, and Malerkotla districts, while Barnala and Rajanpur have the smallest Gujjar population. They adopted Islam in the medieval period, mostly through the influence of Sufism, from the 11th century to the 16th century. Now in Punjab the majority of Gurjars are Muslims, with Hindu and Sikh Gurjars as minority ethnoreligious groups.

They accounted among the largest ethnic group in Pakistani Punjab, and in 1961 census of India, they were the 8th largest ethnic group in Indian Punjab.[5][6] Gurjars make up majority in the western parts (West Punjab) and Jats make up majority in the eastern part (East Punjab) of the Punjab region.[7]

In historical era they ruled and gave names to several places in Punjab region: these places include Gujrat, Gujranwala, Gujar Khan, and Gojra.Template:Efn-lr

In Indian Punjab, Muslim Gurjars live in isolation and have not maintained marital relationships with Sikh and Hindu Gurjars, whereas Sikh and Hindu Gurjars often have marital ties with each other.[8]

Gurjar is a major landholding and agricultural ethnic group of the Punjab region along with Arain, Rajput, Jat, and other Punjabi communities.Template:Efn-lr

According to the 1931 census of British India, which was the last census to systematically count caste, the Gurjar population in the Punjab region was 6,96,442. Breaking down the population by religion, Muslim Gurjars made up about 75% (5,21,347), Hindu Gurjars accounted for around 24.5% (1,70,439), and Sikh Gurjars totalled about 0.5% (4,446).[9]Template:Reference page

In Punjab, they are part of the larger Punjabi community, holding a similar social standing to Rajputs, Jats, and other Punjabi communities, with no inherent hierarchy placing one above the others.Template:Efn-lr

Etymology and origin[edit | edit source]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word Gurjar is derived from two Sanskrit words: Gur (meaning enemy) and Jar (meaning destroyer). The phrase's literal meaning is "enemy destroyer".[10]

Origin[edit | edit source]

Historian Upendra Thakur has stated that the Gurjars of the Punjab region ethnically belong to the Aryan race.[11]

According to historian Ahmad Hasan Dani, Gurjars came to Pakistan and Punjab along with Huns (Hunas) from Central Asia, and some ruling families of Gurjars used to call themselves as Kushan-Gurjars during their rule.[12] He also notes that Gurjars' culture in Pakistan reflects the historical connection between Pakistan and Central Asia, shaped by migrations like those of the Kushans and Huns.[12]

Some historians believe the term 'Gujjar' is linked to word 'Gusar' mentioned in the coins of the Kushan kings, and Kalputra, meaning an individual born into a respected or noble family. The Kushan clan of Gujjars found in Pakistan and India is also linked to this historical context.[13]

Historian Richard V. Weekes, said that, Gurjars made their homes in Punjab, Kashmir, and parts of northwestern India. Places likes Gujranwala and Gujarat, now located in Punjab, Pakistan, still carry names that reflect the Gurjars's early presence in these regions, serving as evidence of their historical settlements.[14]

History[edit | edit source]

According to legends original name of the Gujrat was Udanagari. The old town of Udanagari was built in 7th century by a Gurjar king named Ali Khan or Ala Khana, ruler of the Taank kingdom in the Central Punjab region of present-day Punjab, Pakistan. Between 863- 901 AD, Shanker Verman (ruler of Lohara dynasty) attacked the Taank kingdom and destroyed the old town of Gujrat. The city was again ravaged in 1303 AD, a year known for the Mangol Invasion under the rule of sultan Alauddin Khilji.[15]

Some accounts suggest that the town of Gujrat was rebuilt by Gurjar rulers during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century.[16][17]

Scholar David H. Turner notes that around 100 B.C, Gurjar tribes formed the "Gujara Kingdom" in north India, blending in with the local Indian cultures. Over time, the kingdom weakened and eventually broke apart in the 14th century due to invasions by Mahmud of Ghazni, Mughals and Afghans. As a result, the Gurjars migrated to areas like Jammu, forest areas of Punjab, and the Himaylayas foothills in Himachal Pradesh.[18]

Dynasties/states[edit | edit source]

Taank kingdom[edit | edit source]

Taank Kingdom

Punjab region was a battleground for many notable dynasties in the 9th century. The Gurjar-Pratihars of Kanauj, Gurjar king Ala-Khana of Taank Kingdom, Laliya Shahi (Hindu Shahis), Utpala dynasty, and the Turk Shahis we're all fighting for the control of Punjab. In the 9th century, Ala-khana or Alkhana was a Gurjar king of Taank Kingdom in the Gandhara region, in present-day Central Punjab, Pakistan. His territory was known as Takadesa (Takka territory). He teamed up with Hindu Shahid to fight against Arabs, but they couldn't stop the Kashmiri ruler of Utpala dynasty (Harsha) Shankar Varman from taking over Takadesa. Shankar Varman wanted to conquer Takadesa, so he defeated Alkhana Gurjar and took Takka territory. The area is also mentioned as Takadesa or Takkavisya in Kalhana's Rajtarangani.[19][20][21][22]

Historian Sukhvir Singh Gahlot, notes that In the 9th century, north India was under the control of Gurjar rulers. He states that a king named Alakhana from the Gurjar community ruled over much of the Punjab, Pakistan, specially from Takkada (Takadesa) near the Indus River.[23]

Alkhana, the Gurjar ruler of the Taank kingdom, is mentioned in the kalhana's Rajatarangani as follows:

He dug up in battle the fortune of Alakhana, the king of the Gurjaras, which was firmly rooted, in an instant and planted prolonged misery. 149 By ceding to him with humility the territory of Takka, the ruler of the Gurjaras, like one’s own body at the cost of the finger, saved his realm. 150

— Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, Rajatarangini: The Saga of the Kings of Kásmīr[24]

Nawabs of Gujrat[edit | edit source]

During the 1857 unrest, Sultan Ali, a Gujjar leader of the Kalas clan in Ajnala, Gujrat, kept his area safe from looters.[25] The British government rewarded him with land and the title of Safed Posh for his bravery. His son, Fazal-e-Ali, continued doing good work by building schools, hospitals, and banks.[26] People loved and respected him so much that the British government gave him the title of Nawab.[25][27] He was popularly known as Sir Syed of the Punjab region.[25] Nawab Fazal Ali had two sons Nawab Mehdi Ali and Nawab Asghar Ali. Nawab Mehdi Ali died in 1958. Nawab Asghar Ali held several positions, including chairman of the District Board and Central Co-operative Bank. He also contributes to education by developing Zamindara High school into a degree college.[27][25]

Chiefs of Jhelum[edit | edit source]

In the 17th century in Punjab, Gurjars cleared the Chahal forest areas and established some settlements. Two Gurjar brothers of Poswal clan names Akbar and Shakar, arrived in Gujrat from the Jhelum area and founded two villages, Akbarpur and Shakarpur. Queen Sada Kaur wife of Gurbaksh Singh Kanhaiya merged these villages naming combined area "Kala", a term used in early Punjabi language to describe a large settlement.[28] In Later years, Suleman Poswal, a Gurjar from the same family, established his power in the areas of "Kala" in present-day Gujrat and Jhelum cities. Suleman Poswal had seven sons: Jalal, Jamal, Handhal, Mubarak, Essa, Musa, and Habib.[28][29]

According to scholar Mehakraj, Suleman Poswal Gurjar was a brave ruler of the Kala Gujran area, and he fought against the Gakhars of Jhelum and Janjuas for a long period.[30] He ruled Kala Gujran, and areas near the Rohtas Fort were also under his control. It's said that when Ahmad Shah Abdali came to Punjab, one of Suleman Poswal 's elders, Abdul Rahim Poswal and Raja Himat Khan Gakhar attended Abdali's court. He was by their influence in their areas and he appointed Abdul Rahim and Himat Khan as his servants, assigning them some duties in Punjab.[28][29]

Nawab of Dera Ghazi Khan[edit | edit source]

In the 18th century, Mahmud Khan Gujjar (or Mehmood) served as the de facto ruler and governor of the Dera Ghazi Khan from around 1738 to 1772. He was the son of Yusuf Khan. Previously he served as a grand wazir under Mirranis.[31] He teamed up with the Durranis to overthrow Mirranis and then initiated a project to build and restore canals in D.G Khan.[31][32][33] Punjab Government Gazetteer credit him with founding the settlement of Mahmud Kot and initiating canal works in the region.[33]

Mughal period[edit | edit source]

It is believed that Gurjars in the Sutlej, Beas, and Kandi regions of Indian Punjab came from Delhi during the Mughal rule in India, when Delhi was part of the Punjab region.[34]

In 1519, Babar Mughal, during his Punjab campaign, captured Bhera and the next year (1520) he invaded again, taking control of the territory up to Sialkot. He also forced the Gakhars and Gurjars to submission.[35]

According to some historical accounts, when first Mughal emperor Babur invaded India in 1525, he found that the Gurjars of Punjab, especially in the northern parts, had already embraced Islam religion. The conversion of Gurjars to Islam in Punjab region continued until the 1700s, during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, suggesting a prolonged period of religious transitions in the region.[36][37]

Babur's own account in the Babarnama of 1525, highlights the challenges he faced in Punjab. He noted that the Gurjars and Jats continued to resist even after he captured Sialkot district, targeting people affiliated with his camp. According to Babur, these groups would attack and loot travelers including the vulnerable, as they moved towards his camp. He wrote:

"The Jats and Gujjars come in huge numbers from the hills and plains to steal cattle. They attacked poor people leaving Sialkot for our camp and took everything they had."

— Babur, [38]

In 1526, Babur arrived in Lahore and then headed towards Delhi in Punjab region. Although he faced significant challenges, including Ibrahim Khan Lodi's large army of 1,000 elephant and 100,000 soldiers, Babur's focus remained on reaching Delhi. Meanwhile, he received news of Uzbek attacks on Kabul and other rebellions in his Afghan territories. Additionally, his army was constantly harassed by "Gurjars of the Punjab" region. Babur prioritized his Delhi campaign, deciding not to Get sidetracked these problems right away, since he knew it would ruin his whole plan.[39]

A Mughal-era historian, Abul Fazl, writes that Gurjars lived along the route through Sialkot (now Sialkot district of Punjab, Pakistan). Records from that era also show people in Bhimber and Sialkot districts complained about the Gurjars in these areas.[40]

Conflict with Sikh gurus[edit | edit source]

Painting depicting the Siege or Battle of Anandpur (1704–1705) in Punjab region under Mughal era.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Muslim Gurjars of eastern Punjab, along with the Ranghar Rajputs, were involved in a major conflict with the Sikh Gurus. They formed alliances with the hill chiefs of the Hill States in northern Punjab and the Mughal army. The Gurjars were led by a prominent leader named Azmatullah in this conflict. During the emergences of Sikhism in the Punjab region, there were Muslim Gurjars and Ranghars who often clashed with Sikh nobles. In the 17th century Ajmer Chand, the ruler of the Bilaspur state, got Gurjars and Rangars to join his army to fight against the Sikhs. These groups were Muslim by faith and loved in villages near present-day Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India in his territory. They were organized into various clans, each with a leader, and had a history of causing trouble and robbing Sikhs traveling to Anandpur area. Ajmer Chand likely appealed to their communal feelings and tendency to cause trouble to get them to work together again the Sikhs.[41][42]

Thereafter, the Mughal troops returned to Sirhind with unsure satisfaction of achieving although at a great cost, the limited objective of expelling the Khalsa from the territory of Ajmer Chand on the Eastern side of the River Sutlej. The Hill Rajas also withdrew to their respective states. Once Guru Gobind Singh and his family put up at the residence of the Raja while beautiful canopies were pitched in the suburb of the town for accommodating the Khalsa soldiers. The Guru stayed at Basoli for some days, resting and enjoying hunting and other sports. Soon, the Guru took initiative against Ajmer Chand leading incursions into his territory on the North of River Sutlej. He reached towards Anandpur. Later Guru Gobind Singh and his family stayed at the Raja's place, while fancy tents were set up outside the town for the Khalsa soldiers. The Gobind hung out in Basoli for a bit, chilling and doing some hunting and stuff. Before long, he started raiding Ajmer Chand's territory north of the Sutlej River.[41]

Something else happened in Bajraur village of Anandpur that's important to Sikh history. Some Gurjars and Ranghars from Bajraur attacked a group of Sikhs heading to Anandpur Sahib in 1701, stealing all their stuff. The Sikhs with nothing and told Guru Gobind Singh what happened.[43] Gobind Singh slowly made his way to Anandpur. At that time Gurjars and Ranghars from Kamlot village attacked the village.[42] Jiwan Singh a notable Sikh general, died in the fight. Since Wazir Khan had left for Sirhind, Amjeer Chand thought he'd gotten rid of the Guru, But  Gobind Singh returned to Anandpur, succeed in repairing damage, and restored the Anandpur's status as the headquarter of the Khalsa.[41] The Hill chiefs had to retreat, but the hill chiefs were still dead set on kicking the Guru out. They got ready for war, roped in the Gurjars and Rangars, and asked the Mughals for help. The Mughals had been keeping and eye on the Sikhs and they directly got involved in the war.[41]

Contributions for Punjabi literature[edit | edit source]

Main article: Punjabi literature

Gurjar personalities of Muslim Punjabi identity play an important role in the development of Punjabi literature.

Afarin Lahori (full name Faqirullah Afarin Lahori) was a 17th-century Punjabi poet from Lahore, born around 1660 and died in 1741. He's famous for his poem "Nāz - o - niaz or Hir-o-ranjha Ranjha, which tells the story of Heer and Ranjha.[44] He mostly wrote in Punjabi and one book in Persian. He is respected in Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Hazara for his work for his contributions for Punjabi literature. He was born 1660 in Lahore, Punjab during the Mughal Empire, into the Juiya clan of Punjabi Muslim Gurjar family.[45]

Ahmad Shah Gujjar was a 17th century Punjabi poet. He's known writing a version of the Heer Ranjha story offering a unique twist on the tale. "Here Ahonad", was popular among later Muslim poets, including Waris Shah, who wrote his famous version about 30 years later.[46] Ahmad Gujjar was the first Muslim writer to create a poetic version of this story. He was born in a Punjabi speaking Gurjar family in 1617 AD.[47][48]

Ghulam Rasool Alampuri Punjabi poet.

Ghulam Rasool Alampuri was a 19th-century Punjabi poet. He was born on January 29, 1849, and passed away on 7 March 1892. He's known for his notable works like "Dastan-i Amir Hamza" and Ahsan al-qasas", which showcase his spiritual and literary contributions in Punjabi. He was born in Alampur village in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, India in a Punjabi speaking family of Muslim Gurjars.[49][50]

Shrine of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh in Khari Sharif, Azad Kashmir.

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh was a 19th-century Punjabi Gujjar Sufi poet from Khari Sharif, Azad Kashmir. He wrote total 18 books, including Saif-ul-Maluk and Mirza Sahiban, mostly in Punjabi, with one Book in Persian.[51][52] He was born around 1830 in Khari Sharif, a place in what is now Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. He belonged to a Punjabi Muslim Gurjar family of the Poswal clan, originally from Gujrat district of Punjab, Pakistan.[53][54]

British period[edit | edit source]

According to William Crooke, Gujjars are an important agricultural and pastoral tribe. They are found in many areas including: Gujjar Khan, Gujrat and Gujranwala, which are named after Gujjar ethnic community. They are also found in areas like Rawalpindi and Jalandhar where they mainly work as farmers.[9]Template:Reference page

Several British-colonial era writers praise the Gujjars for their farming skills and good behavior. David Thomson says the Gujjars in Jhelum District are skilled farmers. Carolyn Stedman describes the Gujjars in Rawalpindi district as excellent as cultivating. In Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, India Gujjars are known for being peaceful and well-behaved.[9]Template:Reference page

In 1857, Gurjars took arms against the Britishers in Punjab and the United province; the chaos gave locals a chance to loot business areas. The British government's presence vanished instantly. Apparently, the Muslim Gurjars and Ranghars put the Muslim green flags, and all sorts of troublemakers gathered around them.[55]

In 1900, the British administrators in Punjab region introduced the "Punjab Alienation of Land Act", labeling certain groups as agricultural communities. This act created 'statutory casteism' by designating specific castes as castes as 'zamindar or agricultural tribes', effectively making Zamindar' synonymous with members of these agricultural castes.[56] The goal was to protect Punjab's peasantry, who were heavily indebted and losing land to moneylenders, mainly from non-cultivating trading classes. This was crucial since these peasants were key recruits for the British army and their instability could threaten British Raj. In the region of Punjab, the agricultural communities were identified as Gurjar, Rajput, Jat, Sayed, Moghal, Ahir and some other communities of Punjab. In later years, Taga, Arain, Ahir, Saini, Chauhan, Gaud Brahman, and Qureshi were also included, distinguishing them from non-agriculturist groups like Brahman, Khatris, Banians, and Scheduled Caste groups.[56][57]

A depiction of three Gurjar subadar-major amongst other British Indian Army troops. (Left to right 1. "Gurjar of Punjab", 113th Punjab Infantry, 2. Gurjar of Gujarat , 104th Wellesley's Rifles, Gurjar of Jaipur, 119th Infantry (119th Infantry (Multan regiment), 4. other British subedar-major from Rajasthan.)

Lieutenant-colonel J.M. Wikeley, a recruiting officer for Punjabi Muslims, In 1915, wrote a handbook on the 'martial race' of Punjabi Muslims. He said term "Punjabi Musalman" refers to Muslim communities in a specific area of Punjab and West Frontier Province, bounded by the Indus and Sutlej rivers, and south of the Himaylayas. This region includes Hazara district, Rawalpindi district, and parts of Jammu and Poonch in Kashmir. It's a label used for British military recruitment, not an ethnic classification. These communities can be grouped into total four classes: Rajput, Jat, Gurjars , and other foreign tribes.[58][59]

Lieutenant Colonel McMunn describes Gurjars, Jats, and Ahirs as distinct Hindu communities found in south-east Punjab, nearby Rajasthan, and western United Provinces (UP). He notes that Gurjars tend to be sturdy and are swarthier than Jats and Ahirs.[60]

In the 1920s the Shuddhi movement by Arya Samaj in the Punjab region focused on purifying higher-caste converts like Muslim Gurjars, Muslim Jats, and Muslim Rajputs, aiming to reintegrate them into their original Hindu community. Many of these converts still practiced Hindu traditions, making reintegration seems feasible. However, despite purification rituals, they faced rejection from their original Hindu caste biradari, leading to humiliation. This rejection contributed to the movements failure and hundred attitudes among converted communities, pushing some back to Islam religion.[61]

In the British colonial era, the Gujjar community was divided into various clans that played an important role in their social organization. British administrator Denzil Ibbetson, in his work "Castes of Punjab", notes a total of nineteen notable clans of Gujjars in British Punjab. These clans include: Tanwar, Chokhar, Rawal, Kalsian, Khatana, Kasana, Kalas, Gorsi, Chechi, Dhodar, Poswal, Lawi, Bijar, Khaindar, Melu, Thakaria, Chauhan, Monana, and Bhumls. According to Horace Arthur Rose, Chechi and Kasana were the major clans of Gujjars in the region of British Punjab.[9]Template:Reference page

Choudhry Rehmat Ali (seated first from left) with Muhammad Iqbal (center), Khawaja Abdul Rahim (right) and a group of other young activists during Iqbal visit to England in 1932

In 1930s, Choudhry Rahmat Ali, a Punjabi Gurjar was a key figure in the independence movement of Pakistan, he credited with coining the term "Pakistan" for a separate Muslim country in British India. He was born in Balachaur, Hoshiarpure district, Punjab, he pursued education in Lahore before moving to the Cambridge university. In 1933 he published an influential pamphlet title "Now or Never; Are we to Live or Perish Forever?", referred to as the "Pakistan Declaration ". This pamphlet was aimed at British and Indian delegates attending the Third Round Table Conference in London. Initially, his ideas failed to gain traction with politicians and delegates, taking nearly a decade to gain recognition.[62]

Demographics[edit | edit source]

Punjab, Pakistan[edit | edit source]

Divisions of Punjab, Pakistan

In Pakistani Punjab Gurjars scattered across almost all ten divisions including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Sahiwal.

A Gurjar man in traditional Punjabi dress from Gujrat district, Punjab, Pakistan.

Gurjars make a majority population or significant population in Jhelum,[63] Chakwal,[64] Attock,[65][66] Khanewal[67] Sialkot, Narowal,[68] Mandi Bahauddin,[69] Gujrat[70] and Gujranwala districts of Punjab, Pakistan.

Historical population[edit | edit source]

Population of Gujjars recorded in different census reports of the British India for present-day Punjab, Pakistan.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1911201,995—    
1921208,078+0.30%
1931227,015+0.87%
source: 1911 census[71] - 1921 census[72] - 1931 census[73]

Punjab, India[edit | edit source]

Error creating thumbnail: File with dimensions greater than 12.5 MP
Population distribution of Gurjars on Punjab, India.

In Indian Punjab Gurjars scattered across almost all five divisions including: Jalandhar, Patiala, Firozepur, Faridkot, and Ropar (Rupnagar). The permanent settlements of Hindu and Muslim Gurjars' are located in the Beas, Kandi, and Shivalik hills regions of Punjab.[74][34]

Gurjars population is distributed across various districts, with Muslim Gurjars being predominantly found in Hoshiarpure, Jalandhar, Firozepur, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Jalandhar districts. In contrast, Hindu Gurjars are mainly concentrated in Ropar, Hoshiarpure and Nawanshahr districts,[75] whereas Sikh Gurjars are primarily located in Jalandhar and Ludhiana districts.[76]

Historical population[edit | edit source]

Population of Gujjars recorded in different census reports of Indian Punjab.

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1911183,144—    
1921202,402+1.00%
1931230,474+1.31%
1951291,601+1.18%
source: 1911 census[71] - 1921 census[72] - 1931 census[73] - 1951 census[2]

In recent decades some tribal Gujjar families migrated from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, now they settled in the areas of Chabbewal, Chamkaur Sahib, Garshankar, Hoshiarpure, Ludhiana, Manchhiwara, Ropar, Nawanshahr, and Pathankot.[77] Now some got settled permanently and obtained voting rights and Adhaar cards. But they weren't able to secure special rights like ST status or forest rights that they had in Himachal Pradesh or Kashmir.[78]

When these Gurjars moved to Punjab plain, they socially were accepted as the part of already existing larger landlord Gurjar community of the area in Punjab, India by the non-Gujar communities.[79]

Social status[edit | edit source]

Social status of the Gurjars in Punjab, Pakistan is generally equal to all other ethnic groups of the region including, Rajputs and Jats.[80][81] In Indian Punjab Gurjars of all religious backgrounds are classified as other backward classes (OBC).[82][83] In 1974, Gurjars in Indian Punjab were given OBC status for a period of 5 years, and then in 1979, this status was made permanent by the Government of Punjab, India.[84]

Demands for ST status[edit | edit source]

Tribal Gurjars who have migrated in recent decades from Jammu and Kashmir are now settled in the northern areas of Punjab, India. They have demanded Scheduled Tribe status, but the Government of Punjab, India hasn't fulfill their demands yet.[85]

In 2009, the Government of Punjab, India released a survey report based on 12 communities. Report said eight tribes, including Tribal Gurjars and seven others qualify as Scheduled tribes (ST) in Punjab, India.[85]

Clan system[edit | edit source]

Gurjars have a system of clans called gotras (tribes), which are passed down through the father's line. They believe these clans connect them to a shared ancestor. The gotra (clan) a person belongs to determines who they can marry.[86]Template:Reference page

Among Punjabi Gurjars, there are Dhai gots (clans), especially Kushan (Kasana), Gorsi, and Barkat (Bargar). Mostly these gots don't have strict rules against marrying within them a Gurjar person can marry someone from the same clan or from the different clan.[74]

Clans[edit | edit source]

District wise[edit | edit source]

District wise population of some notable Gurjar clans in undivided region of Punjab.

District[92] clan population clan population clan population clan population clan population clan population clan population
Ludhiana Khatana 749 Kushan 695 Kalas 1,175 Gorsi 3,462 Cherhi 3,285 Chockar 0 Rawal 0
Jalandhar Khatana 546 Kushan 388 Kalas 565 Gorsi 1,457 Chechi 1,152 Chockar 0 Rawal 0
Amritsar Khatana 153 Kushan 134 Kalas 0 Gorsi 180 Chechi 645 Chockar 0 Rawal 0
Gurdaspur Tanwar 1,140 Chockar 336 Khatana 2,750 Kushan 1,133 Kalas 0 Gorsi 17,72 Chechi 4,010
Lahore Chockar 1 Rawal 13 Khatana 445 Kushan 82 Kalas 0 Gorsi 290 Chechi 1,020
Rawalpindi Chockar 280 Rawal 0 Khatana 5,646 Kushan 612 Kalas 1,318 Gorsi 1,232 Chechi 3,207
Jhelum Chockar 20 Rawal 0 Khatana 3,684 Kushan 882 Kalas 1,260 Gorsi 309 Chechi 1,621
Sialkot Chockar 3 Rawal 10 Khatana 1,020 Kushan 349 Kalas 0 Gorsi 277 Chechi 692
Gujranwala Chockar 0 Rawal 17 Khatana 125 Kushan 25 Kalas 60 Gorsi 38 Chechi 205
Firozepur Chockar 0 Rawal 0 Khatana 1,138 Kushan 312 Kalas 166 Gorsi 870 Chechi 779
Gujrat Chockar 269 Rawal 0 Khatana 21,449 Kushan 3,048 Kalas 3,560 Gorsi 3,312 Chechi 8,092

Religion[edit | edit source]

In east Punjab they're divided into three Ethnoreligious groups: Muslim Gurjars, Hindu Gurjars and Hindu Gurjars. Muslim Gurjars are spread throughout the Punjab, Pakistan and can also be found in the Kandi, Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions of Punjab, India. Hindu and Sikh Gurjars found in southern and eastern parts of Punjab, India. Prior to the partition of Punjab, the Gurjars in the region practiced Islam, followed by Hinduism and Sikhism.[76] Muslim Gurjars were predominantly located in western Punjab (present-day Punjab, Pakistan) and northern and western parts of present-day Punjab, India. The Hindu Gurjars were mainly found in the southeastern parts of Indian Punjab, and Sikh Gurjars were concentrated in Jalandhar and Ludhiana districts.[76]

In Indian Punjab, some Hindu Gurjars also practice the tradition of ancestor worship.[7] Every Gurjar clan have its own separate place of worship for ancestors.[93]

Conversion[edit | edit source]

It is believed initially Gurjars of Punjab were Hindus. Later, they first embraced Islam between the 11th to 16th centuries, and then a small part of their community also embraced Sikhism in the 17th century.

Sir John Malcolm noted that the Jats, who largely made up the Sikh community, and the Gujars were among the primary groups that initially adopted Sikhism in the 17th century in Punjab.[8] B.S Nijjar, noted that some Gurjars in certain areas of Hoshiarpure, Rupnagar, Nawanshahr districts in East Punjab became Sikh during and after Guru Gobind Singh's time in the 17th century, though they were relatively few in number.[94]Template:Reference page

In Punjab, they converted to Islam on different occasions, but most of their population converted to Islam in the 16th century. Hindu Gujjars of the Lahore district in present-day Punjab, Pakistan embraced Islam in the hands of Muslim saint Hazrat Data-Ali al-Hujwiri in the 11th century.[95]

The Gurjars of the Gurdaspur and Jalandhar districts in Punjab, India embraced Islam during the rule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century in Indian subcontinent.[96][97]

Culture[edit | edit source]

'Gurjars of Punjab' follow different religious practices. Hindu Gurjars are mainly Shaivism or Shaktism and are very devoted to worshiping Shitala Bhawanj, the goddess of smallpox. They also worship some minor gods including Chamar Pyareji, Baba Mohan Raam and Baba Sabha. Muslim Gurjars follow all Islamic laws and traditions and all of them are mainly Sunni Muslims.[94]Template:Reference page

Food[edit | edit source]

Typical Punjabi food (thali).

"Gurjars in Punjab", like other Punjabi communities, typically eat a simple diet that includes flatbread (Chhapati) made from wheat or corn, potatoes, very spicy onion curry, and lentils, and they usually don't eat meat. But on special occasions like Eid or other Muslim festivals, Muslim Gurjars eat meat dishes. They mostly drink milk, Lassi, and also eat butter with rotis. Gurjars like their tea sweet, and while they don't drink alcohol, they love Hookah, cigarettes and betel leaf.[86]Template:Reference page

Shrine visit[edit | edit source]

Shrine of Baba Farid.

Muslim Gurjars visit shrines of different Muslim saints including the shrine of Rauza Mandhali Sharif, Panj Pir Shrine, Sakhi Sarwar, Sharine of Data Ali Hajveri and the Shrine of Baba Farid. Although Punjabi Gurjars of all faiths in Punjab also visit shrines of Muslim Sufi saints.[94]Template:Reference page

Historian Varinder Shastri said, Hindu Gurjars in Punjab region often visit shrines of Muslim saints and they light candles there. Interestingly, Punjabi Sikh Gurjars also visit shrines. It seems that visiting shrines is a common practice among Gurjars of all religious backgrounds.[94]Template:Reference page

After death[edit | edit source]

Muslim Gurjars in Punjab on Thursday evenings (Jume-raat), offer food to their deceased ancestors. When someone dies, their family feeds beggars, hopping the food will reach the desceased in the afterlife.[94]Template:Reference page

Marriages[edit | edit source]

Most marriages among Punjabi Gurjars are based on parental approval, and they mostly prefer arranged marriages. Gurjar marriages usually happen when the kids are between 9 and 16 years old. In Gurjar communities girls aren't allowed to make their own decisions about getting married, and if an unmarried girl does something considered wrong, she's cut off from the community. She might be able to return if her partner is part of the tribe and she provides food for the community.[94]Template:Reference page

Marriage practices[edit | edit source]

Punjabi Gurjars follow different traditional marriage practices. Like other Muslim Gurjars communities Muslim Gurjars of Punjab usually have a nikah ceremony for weddings. Even so, many still follow some of their old customs. For example, when the bride arrives at her new home, her mother-in-law waves a tray (Parachhan/Chhadhar) over her head to keep away bad spirits.[94]Template:Reference page The wedding ceremonies are different Hindu Gurjars, but they often include giving away the bride (Kanyadan) and a procession where the couple walks around the wedding area (bhanwari).[94]Template:Reference page

Wedding rituals[edit | edit source]

The Gurjars in Punjab have some unique customs for weddings and births that blend Hindu and Muslim traditions. In Hoshiarpure district of east Punjab, there's a custom called "mudda ji rupaiya" where rich Gurjars give money to musicians (Mirasis) at weddings. They even give double to pregnant women.This makes them super respected, and they're called "gharbhan ka datu". Another custom, "bhaji", is like a long-standing financial connction between families. In the area of Nakodar, they still do some old-school stuff like "Pindwalna", where the groom's crew tries to surround the bride's village, but her peeps try to stop them. And in " Jhalka-bathi", girls won't let the brother-in-law light the wedding fire till he gets them a gift.[94]Template:Reference page

In Gurdaspur district Muslim Gurjars they make a cow dung idol when a son is born and have Brahmins bless the dad with sacred grass. They give gifts like clothes or money to the kid's female relatives. At weddings, they groom sits on a basket before getting dressed up, and they don't marry within their own clan (got/qabila). Some groups, like the Bhatia, don't follow this rule anymore. In Gujrat district of west Punjab, Muslim Gurjars follow similar customs with Muslim Jats. On Dhanteras, the mom takes a bath, and a Brahmin makes a Sacred square with a lamp. They. share food like rotis and halwa with clan members, but married daughters don't eat it since they're part of another clan group. At weddings, they do things differently than Hindu Gurjars.[94]Template:Reference page

Polygamy and Polyandry[edit | edit source]

In Punjab, Muslim Gurjars are mostly monogamous, but some also practice polygamy, where a man can have multiple wives. In contrast, Hindu Gurjars have traditionally practiced polyandry where a woman can have multiple husbands. Scholar Krishan Lal says that Hindu Gurjars used to practice polyandry where one woman would marry multiple brothers. This happened likely because of there weren't enough women in the tribe. The reason for this shortage was that people used to kill baby girls, a practice known as female infanticide, which was pretty common before the government made it illegal in 1870.[94]Template:Reference page

Cousins marriages[edit | edit source]

In Punjab, Muslim Gurjars often practice a type of marriage where people marry their cross-cousins, which creates repeating patterns of relationships between groups. With large families, it's not always possible to marry cross-cousins, so they look for more distant relatives or make new connections setting up future cross-cousins marriage.[86]Template:Reference page

Gender role[edit | edit source]

Men role[edit | edit source]

Men of the Gurjar communities typically spend their time looking after their fields, livestock, preparing food for them, selling dairy products, milk, and buying supplies from the market. The oldest man in the family is usually in charge, and older people are highly respected, getting to enjoy a more relaxed life compared to others. Many men take the lead in making decisions about religion and politics, but in some families, the oldest woman is the one who really calls the shots and has a lot of influence.[86]Template:Reference page

Women role[edit | edit source]

Gurjar women have a big role in their communities, and in traditional stories, they're often portrayed as brave and amazing. Gurjar women are in charge of cooking and cleaning. Often, each sister-in-law has her own cooking area in the hut, with continue to health issues like respiratory problems. While women fetch water, clean up, and cook, men typically relax, smoke, and sing. Women play a big role in family rituals and festivals, and they also pitch in with farm work, caring for animals, and gathering fuel when needed. The younger Gurjar women work really hard - they're up before anyone else and go to bed last. They cook meals, do laundry by hand, wash dishes, collect firewood, get food for the livestock, and do lots of other tasks throughout the day.[86]Template:Reference page

Language[edit | edit source]

The majority of 'Punjabi Gurjars' speak Punjabi as their primary language, with many also speaking additional languages such as Saraiki, Pahari-Pothwari, Hindi and Urdu.[98] In northwestern areas of Punjab, Pakistan, some Gurjars also speak Gujari. In Punjab India certain Gurjar communities who have migrated from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh use Gujari as their mother tongue. Meanwhile, in southern areas of Punjab, Pakistan some Gurjars communicate in the Sarakai dialect of Punjabi.

In the 2011 Indian census, the Gujari-speaking population in Punjab, India was recorded as 7,024, spoken by Muslim Gujjars in the Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot districts.[99]

Ragani[edit | edit source]

Gujari Ragani or Gujari is a traditional melody associated with the Punjabi Gurjar community, who have a long history in Punjab. According to tradition, Hindu Gurjars were devotees of Lord Krishna. This particular melody is typically sung during morning worship regardless of the season. It's a style that reflects the character of a robust and down-to-earth people known for their straightforwardness and simplicity.[100][101]

Gujari (raga)[edit | edit source]

Gujari, Gurjari, or Gujri Raga is a Raag in Indian classical music. It was originated in the Punjab region among the Punjabi Gurjars. It's also believed that the name of the raga is based on the traditional folk music of the tribal Gujars of Punjab region.[102][103][104]

Population[edit | edit source]

In 1951 census of India, the total Gurjar population in Punjab, India was 4,37,706. As per same census, 66.62% of the Gurjars followed Islam, while 33.38% were Hindus. The total Muslim Gujjar population was 2,91,601, (out of Punjab's total population of 91,60,500).[2]

In recent decades, some tribal Gurjars migrated from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, India. Now there are approximately 4,000 Gurjars living in Indian Punjab, mainly belonging to the Bakarwal tribe.[77]

In the northern parts of Pakistani Punjab, particularly in the Pothohar region, a total of 23,00,000 Gurjars reside there.[1]

Education[edit | edit source]

In East Punjab, most Tribal Gurjars lack basic education. Their kids often don't go to formal school. If they do, they usually don't go regularly. The problem is, school isn't taught in their native language, and it's hard for them to attend because they move around a lot. The teachers are also from different backgrounds and not from the Gurjar community. The few who start school tend to drop out because they aren't interested, their families need them to work, they can't afford things like transport and uniforms, or they get married young.[86]Template:Reference page

See also[edit | edit source]

Notables[edit | edit source]

Politics[edit | edit source]

Literature[edit | edit source]

Military[edit | edit source]

Cricket[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zahra, Fatima Tuz; Hussain, Manzoor; Khan, Khushbukhat; Aslam, Muhammad Adeel; Shafique, Muhammad; Rubab, Aqsa; Javeed, Shahzadi (2020-07-01). "Genetic polymorphism of Y-chromosomal STRs in Gujjar population of Punjab". International Journal of Legal Medicine. 134 (4): 1333–1334. doi:10.1007/s00414-019-02227-6. ISSN 1437-1596. PMID 31858262. Approximately 18 ethnic groups dwellin 4 provinces of Pakistan. Among which Gujjar is one of the largest ethnic tribes of Pakistan whose approximately 2.3 million population reside in the north side of its Punjab province.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Estimated Population By Castes, 21 Punjab - Census 1951". Census of India by Government of India. 1951. p. 16.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Paik, Shailaja (September 30, 2011). "Mahar–Dalit–Buddhist: The history and politics of naming in Maharashtra". Sage Journals. 45 (02): 221. doi:10.1177/006996671104500203 – via Sage Publication. Both in the Punjab and in Rajaputana the title of respect to a Gujar is Mahar, Mihir, or Mir.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Organization (Pakistan), Census (1962). Population Census of Pakistan, 1961: District Census Report. Manager of Publications. p. 15.
  5. ↑ General, India Office of the Registrar (1962). Census of India, 1961. Manager of Publications. p. 382. The Gujars are the eighth largest caste in the Panjab, only the Jats, Rajputs and Pathans amongst dominant castes, the mixed caste of Arains, and the Brahmans, Chamars, and Chuhras exceeding them in point of number.
  6. ↑ Dar, Dr Humaira; Batoo, Qudsia; Khan, Dr Mumtaz Ali; Alam, Imraan (July 2020). "The Role of Biradarism in Punjab Politics: A Case Study of Sialkot" (PDF). Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan. 57 (3). University of Punjab, Pakistan: 84. Gujjar biradari is among the prominent biradaries of Punjab and others included Jats, Rajput, and Pathans, Kashmiris, etc.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Pandey, Dr Anshumali (2023-01-29). Culinary History of the Gangetic Plains. Notion Press. ISBN 979-8-88923-986-4.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Marenco, Ethne K. (1974). The Transformation of Sikh Society. HaPi Press. p. 64.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Hussain, Rafaqat; Idris, Mohammad (2024). "Socio-Cultural and Economic Conditions of the Gujjar Community in the Punjab (1849-1947 CE)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 83. ISSN 2249-1937.
  10. ↑ Bonded Labour in India. India Book Exchange, Calcutta: [exclusive distributors, K. P. Bagchi]. 1976. p. 35. The Gujjars take their name from the Sanskrit (word) Gurjara'. In the course of their migration from Northern India into Central and Western India they gave their name to several places (e.g. Gujristan in Afghanistan, Gujranwala in the Rehna Doab, Gujarat in the Chaj Doab and Gujarkhan in the Sindh Sagar Doab and the name of Gujarat State).
  11. ↑ Thakur, Upendra (1974). Some Aspects of Ancient Indian History and Culture. Abhinav Publications. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-88386-289-6. The Gujars of the Punjab are unquestionably Aryan by race.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Dani, Ahmad Hasan (1993). New Light on Central Asia. Sang-e-Meel Publications. pp. 36–37. ISBN 978-969-35-0294-7.
  13. ↑ Dar, Dr Humaira; Batoo, Qudsia; Khan, Dr Mumtaz Ali; Alam, Imraan (July 2020). "The Role of Biradarism in Punjab Politics: A Case Study of Sialkot". Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan. 57 (3). University of Punjab, Pakistan: 84. The other linked them to the word „Gusar‟ (Gujjar) which is also referred to the Kushan king and „Kulputra‟ which means "Man or Woman born in a high family". (Kushan) Kashan was a Gotra (part) of Gujjars, who are living in Pakistan and India.
  14. ↑ Weekes, Richard V. (1984). Muslim Peoples: Acehnese. Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). Greenwood Press. p. 298. ISBN 978-0-313-24639-5.
  15. ↑ Ganie, Younus Yousuf; Yawar Yousuf, Ganie (2024). "A STUDY OF PUNJAB UNDER SULTANATE RULE". South India Journal of Social Sciences (SIJSS). 22 (04): 168. ISSN 3048-6165.
  16. ↑ Shashi, Shyam Singh (1971). Himachal: Nature's Peaceful Paradise. Indian School Supply Depot. p. 102.
  17. ↑ Contemporary Social Sciences: Volumes 7-10. Research Foundation. 1975. p. 18.
  18. ↑ Turner, David H. (1999). Genesis Regained: Aboriginal Forms of Renunciation in Judeo-Christian Scriptures and Other Major Traditions. P. Lang. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-8204-4404-8.
  19. ↑ Singh, Amit (2025-06-10). Varaha: Hunnic Migration to Hind (Defenders of Bharat Lost in History). Motilal Banarsidass Publishing House. p. 131. ISBN 978-93-6853-345-0.
  20. ↑ Jan, Changez (2022-07-18). Forgotten Kings: The Story of the Hindu Sahi Dynasty. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-93-92099-01-4.
  21. ↑ Aziz, Khursheed Kamal (1987). Rahmat Ali: A Biography. Franz Steiner. p. 30. ISBN 978-3-515-05051-7.
  22. ↑ Society, Gujarat Research (1939). Gujarāta Saṃśodhana Maṇḍaḷanuṃ Traimāsika. Gujarat Research Society. p. 17. This powerful Gujar Kingdom in the Punjab had acquired sufficient importance in the ninth century to be mentioned in Kalhana's Rajatarangini as an important conquest by Sankaravarma of Kashmir, The hordes of Guiars, Huns and other allied tribes.
  23. ↑ Gahlot, Sukhvir Singh; Dhar, Banshi (1989). Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan. Jain Brothers. pp. 114–115. ISBN 978-81-85287-00-3. In the 9th century, practically whole of Northern India was in the hands of the Gujars. Takkada-the land between the Vyas on the East and the Indus on the west-i.e., nearly the whole of the Punjab was under the sway of the Gujar King Ala-Khana.
  24. ↑ Kalhaṇa; Pandit, Ranjit Sitaram; Nehru, Jawaharlal (1935). Rajatarangini: The Saga of the Kings of Kásmīr. Sahitya Akademi. p. 198. He dug up in battle the fortune of Alakhana, the king of the Gurjaras, which was firmly rooted, in an instant and planted prolonged misery. 149 By ceding to him with humility the territory of Takka, the ruler of the Gurjaras, like one's own body at the cost of the finger, saved his realm. 150
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Nimra Nisar, Chima (January 2025). "Role of Muslim Collaborators in Socio-Economic Transformation of Gujrat District of Punjab Under the British Rule (1849-1947)". Journal of Development and Social Sciences (JDSS). 6 (01). University of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan: 618–619.
  26. ↑ Chopra, Gulshan Lal (1940). Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab. Vol. 2. Government Printing. pp. 188–189.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Rahi, Javaid (2012-01-01). The Gujjars Vol: 01 and 02. Jammu and Kashmir Acacademy of Art, Culture , Languages , Jammu. pp. 606–607.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 زار, محمدالدین (1984). تذکرہ جہلم از [Bibliography of Jhelum]. اسلام پور پبلشر. pp. 87–88.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 چوہان حسن, رانا علی (1960). تاریخ گرجر [History of Gurjars] (in Urdu). اردو بازار کی اشاعت. pp. 349–50.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  30. ↑ سلطان شہباز, از انجم (2006). اقوام پنجاب [Tribes of Punjab (Nations of Punjab)] (in Urdu). اردو بازار کی اشاعت. pp. 67–566.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Gilmartin, David (2020-04-14). Blood and Water: The Indus River Basin in Modern History. Univ of California Press. pp. 36–37 & 48. ISBN 978-0-520-35553-8.
  32. ↑ Pakistan (Pakistan), West (1968). West Pakistan District Gazetteers, Volume "A" Compiled. Printed at the West Pakistan Government Press. p. 33.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Extracts from the District & States Gazetteers of the Punjab, Pakistan. Research Society of Pakistan, University of the Punjab. 1976. pp. 193 & 240.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Grover, Neelam; Singh, Kashi N. (2004). Cultural Geography, Form and Process: Essays in Honour of Prof. A.B. Mukerji. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 97–98. ISBN 978-81-8069-074-7.
  35. ↑ Gupta H. R. (1969). History Of The Punjab. U.c. Kapur and Sons, Kashmere Gate, Delhi. p. 19.
  36. ↑ Vishav, Jyoti (2012). Pastoral Life of Muslim Gujjars: A Study of Life of Gujjar in Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Govt. Degree College : Darlaghat, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh.
  37. ↑ Encyclopedia of World Cultures: South Asia by David Levinson· (1991) p.89
  38. ↑ Ahsan, Aitzaz (2005-08-01). The Indus Saga. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5194-073-9.
  39. ↑ Chakravarthy, Pradeep (2022-10-24). Leadership Shastras: Lessons from Indian History. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5492-765-2.
  40. ↑ Magray, Mohammed Bashir (2003). Tribal Geography of India Jammu and Kashmir. Oberoi Book Service. p. 52. The Mughal historian Abul Fazal mentions the presence of Gujjars along this route across Sialkote. Contemporary historical record also mentions many complaints made by the inhabitants of Bimber and Sialkote districts against the Gujjars.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 Gandhi, Surjit Singh (2004). A Historian's Approach to Guru Gobind Singh. Singh Bros. pp. 257–266. ISBN 978-81-7205-306-2.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Gandhi, Surjit Singh (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1606-1708 C.E. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. pp. 820–823. ISBN 978-81-269-0858-5.
  43. ↑ Singh (Major.), Gurmukh (1995). Historical Sikh Shrines. Singh Bros. p. 145. ISBN 978-81-7205-151-8.
  44. ↑ Kia, Mana (2020). Persianate Selves: Memories of Place and Origin Before Nationalism. Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-1-5036-1196-2.
  45. ↑ Template:Encyclopædia Iranica
  46. ↑ Mukherjee, Sujit (1998). A Dictionary of Indian Literature: Beginnings-1850. Orient Longman. p. 8. ISBN 9788125014539.
  47. ↑ Shah Hashmi, Hameed Ula (1992). Punjabi Adhab di Tareekh (in اردو). Taaj Book Deepu. p. 115.
  48. ↑ Ahsan, Abdushshakur (1981). پاکستانى ادب [Pakistani literature] (in Urdu). اداره تحقيقات پاکستان، دانشگاه پنجاب،. p. 209. ISBN 978-969-425-034-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  49. ↑ Shackle, Christopher (2013). "Ghulām Rasūl". In Fleet, Kate; Krämer, Gudrun; Matringe, Denis; Nawas, John; Rowson, Everett (eds.). Encyclopaedia of Islam, THREE. Brill Online. doi:10.1163/1573-3912_ei3_COM_24431. ISSN 1873-9830.
  50. ↑ Ahmed, Sahibzada Masud. "Introduction of the saint and poet Maulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri". Academy of the Punjab in North America. Archived from the original on 1 June 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  51. ↑ Sen, Geeti (1997). Crossing Boundaries. Orient Blackswan. p. 135. ISBN 978-81-250-1341-9. The decades and centuries after Bulleh Shah's death in 1758 saw a number of well - known Punjabi mystic and secular poets . These included Mian Mohammed Baksh, author of Safrul Ishq, popularly known as Saiful Malook...
  52. ↑ "Mian Muhammad Bakhsh – A great Punjabi Sufi Poet". nation.com.pk. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  53. ↑ Jahangir, Emperor of Hindustan (1999). The Jahangirnama memoirs of Jahangir, Emperor of India. Freer Gallery of Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. doi:10.5479/sil.849796.39088018028456.
  54. ↑ "Mian Muhammad Bakhsh – A great Punjabi Sufi Poet". The Nation. 2017-08-30. Retrieved 2020-10-08. Mian Sahib's great grandfather belonged to a clan Paswal (Poswal) Gujjar. He came to Khari Sharif from village Chak-Behram of Gujrat, Punjab. Gujrat is an adjoining district to Mirpur, Kashmir.
  55. ↑ Boparai, Hari Singh (2000). Revolt of 1857 in Punjab and Role of the Sikhs. Gain Sagar Publications. pp. 60–68. ISBN 978-81-7685-083-4.
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Chowdhry, Prem (2013). "Militarized Masculinities: Shaped and Reshaped in Colonial South-East Punjab". Modern Asian Studies. 47 (3): 719. ISSN 0026-749X.
  57. ↑ Bhupinder, Singh (23 February 2024). "Agrarian transformations in British India: A case study of colonial Punjab". Altmetric Articles. 8 (1): 322–336. doi:10.1080/17448727.2024.2318875.
  58. ↑ Roy, Kaushik (2013). "Race and Recruitment in the Indian Army: 1880– 1918". Modern Asian Studies. 47 (4): 1325. ISSN 0026-749X.
  59. ↑ Farooqui, Amar (2015). "'Divide and Rule'? Race, Military Recruitment and Society in Late Nineteenth Century Colonial India". Social Scientist. 43 (3/4): 56. ISSN 0970-0293.
  60. ↑ Williams, A. Hyatt (December 1950). "A PSYCHIATRIC STUDY OF INDIAN SOLDIERS IN THE ARAKAN*". British Journal of Medical Psychology. 23 (3–4): 159. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8341.1950.tb00379.x. ISSN 0007-1129.
  61. ↑ Chowdhry, Prem (1996). "Contours of Communalism: Religion, Caste and Identity in South-East Punjab". Social Scientist. 24 (4/6): 146. doi:10.2307/3517794. ISSN 0970-0293.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 Mangat, Devinder Singh (2023-02-11). A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SIKHS (MULTIDIMENSIONAL SIKH STRUGGLES). SLM PUBLISHERS. p. 520. ISBN 978-93-91083-40-3.
  63. ↑ "Tribes of Jhelum". Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
  64. ↑ "Tribes of Chakwal". Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
  65. ↑ "Tribes of Attock". Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
  66. ↑ Anatol, Lieven (1 August 2011). "The Pakistan Problem: Military Exceptionalism in Pakistan". www.tandfonline.com. p. 58. doi:10.1080/00396338.2011.603562. Retrieved 2026-03-31. Gujars landlord caste of Attock. The way in which individual landowners are embedded in landowning clans (such as the Gujjars of Attock, the subject of a classic study by Stephen Lyon) gives them tremendous strength and resilience, and allows them to go on controlling the politics of the countryside, and indeed of the country as a whole.
  67. ↑ "Tribes of Khanewal". Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
  68. ↑ "Tribes of Narowal district". Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
  69. ↑ "District Gazetteer of Mandi Bahauddin" (PDF). Government of Punjab, Pakistan. 2021.
  70. ↑ "Tribes of Gujrat district". Government of Punjab, Pakistan.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 Census Of India 1911 ed.VIII-a Part II p.6
  72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Census of India 1921 vol.15 Punjab and Delhi pt.2 p.217
  73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 Census of India 1921 vol.17 Punjab pt.2 p.289
  74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 Punjab (India) (1980). Punjab District Gazetteers: Gurdaspur. Controller of Print. and Stationery. pp. 68–69.
  75. ↑ Balgir, R. S. (1992-07-01). "Regional and genetic variations among the Hindu Gujjars of Northwestern India". International Journal of Anthropology. 7 (3): 35–41. doi:10.1007/BF02447608. ISSN 1824-3096.
  76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 76.2 Kaur, Dr Manveer (2022-12-28). 19th Century Punjabi Society. Abhishek Publications. p. 86. ISBN 978-93-5652-134-6.
  77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 "Gujjars, Bakarwals leave behind scenic scapes to call Punjab their home". The Times of India. 2018-05-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  78. ↑ Shah, Alpa; Lerche, Jens; Axelby, Richard; Benbabaali, Dalel; Donegan, Brendan; Thakur, Vikramaditya; Raj, Jayaseelan (2017-11-20). Ground Down by Growth: Tribe, Caste, Class and Inequality in 21st Century India. Pluto Books. ISBN 978-1-78680-205-7.
  79. ↑ Ray, Ranjana (2011). Development, Displacement, and Marginalisation. Asiatic Society. p. 225. ISBN 978-81-920615-1-1.
  80. ↑ Minocha, Aneeta A. (1996). Perceptions and Interactions in a Medical Setting: A Sociological Study of a Women's Hospital. Hindustan Publishing Corporation. p. 68. ISBN 978-81-7075-043-7.
  81. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :Moghal
  82. ↑ "OBC list Punjab, India" (PDF). National Commission for Backward Classes, Government of India.
  83. ↑ Garg, Chhavi (27 May 2020). "Media usage profile: a study of Gujjar community of India". www.tandfonline.com. p. 4. doi:10.1080/01296612.2020.1764721. Retrieved 2026-03-31. Gujjars are given the status of Scheduled Tribes in states of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh while in some other states including Punjab and Haryana, they are given the status of Other Backward Classes.
  84. ↑ "List of Backward classes/other backward classes – Punjab Govt (Gujjar)". 2017-01-23. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  85. ↑ 85.0 85.1 "Punjab: Nomad Gujjar mothers who never went to school now making their daughters read". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-03-25.
  86. ↑ 86.0 86.1 86.2 86.3 86.4 86.5 86.6 Dorrell, Janet C. (2002). "Community needs assessment among the Gujjars in Northern India". Journal of Baylor University. 1 (1) – via Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
  87. ↑ 87.0 87.1 87.2 Cultural Geography, Form and Process Essays in Honour of Prof. A.B. Mukerji (2004) p.106
  88. ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 88.3 88.4 Asghar, Joiya (2020). "GAZETTEER OF THE SHEIKHUPURA DISTRICT" (PDF). Government of Punjab, Pakistan. p. 27.
  89. ↑ 89.0 89.1 89.2 89.3 89.4 89.5 Caste, Tribes & Culture of India:Volume 6 By Krishna Prakash Bahadur, Sukhdev Singh Chib (1977). P.21
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 Borne, Charlotte S. (1910-09-30). "Occult Powers of Healing in the Panjab". Folklore. 21 (3): 313–334. doi:10.1080/0015587X.1910.9719941. ISSN 0015-587X.
  91. ↑ Singh, Nau Nihal (2003). The Royal Gurjars: Their Contribution to India. Anmol Publications. p. 58. ISBN 978-81-261-1414-6
  92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 92.2 Origins and History of Jats and Other Allied Nomadic Tribes of India: 900 B.C.-1947 A.D. By Bakhshish Singh Nijjar· (2008) pages:225 - 227.
  93. ↑ Cultural Geography, Form and Process Essays in Honour of Prof. A.B. Mukerji (2004) p.103
  94. ↑ 94.00 94.01 94.02 94.03 94.04 94.05 94.06 94.07 94.08 94.09 94.10 Hussain, Rafaqat; Idris, Mohammad (2024). "Socio-Cultural and Economic Conditions of the Gujjar Community in the Punjab (1849-1947 CE)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 83: 684–696. ISSN 2249-1937.
  95. ↑ Grewal, J. S. (1969). Guru Nanak in History. Publication Bureau, Panjab University. p. 33.
  96. ↑ Hussain, Rafaqat; Idris, Mohammad (2024). "Socio-Cultural and Economic Conditions of the Gujjar Community in the Punjab (1849-1947 CE)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 83: 690. ISSN 2249-1937.
  97. ↑ Origins and History of Jats and Other Allied Nomadic Tribes of India: 900 B.C.-1947 A.D. By Bakhshish Singh Nijjar (2008) p:203
  98. ↑ Dorrell, Janet C. (2002). "Community needs assessment among the Gujjars in Northern India". Journal of Baylor University. 1 (1): 41 – via Baylor University, Waco, Texas. The Gujjars speak Gojari as their heart language and either Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, or Pashtu as their trade language. Many of the women only speak Gojari. Gojari is at present an unwritten language although an alphabet has recently been developed and reading primers are being published.
  99. ↑ "India - C-16: Population by mother tongue, Punjab - 2011". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  100. ↑ Hardev, Singh (1963). The Missionary. Vol. 4. Hardev Bahadur Singh. p. 55.
  101. ↑ Siṅgha, Tārana (1992). Guru Nanak, His Mind and Art. Bahri Publications. p. 142. ISBN 978-81-7034-066-9. Gujari is a ragni of the Gujar tribe which inhabited the Punjab in very early times.
  102. ↑ Kumar, Ashwini (1977). Casual Symphony. Kalyani Publishers. p. 36. The Gujari Raga owes its origin to the Gujar tribe of the Punjab, and so does Raga Sohni which is intimately associated with the legend of Sohni Mehiwal.
  103. ↑ Singh, Dr Manjit (2025-12-10). Decoding the Musical Signatures of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. BlueRose Publishers Pvt Ltd.
  104. ↑ Gosvami, O. (1978). The Story of Indian Music: Its Growth and Synthesis. Scholarly Press. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-403-01567-2.
  105. ↑ Humaira, Dar; Qudsia, Batool; Khan, Mumtaz Ali; Imran, Alam (July 2020). "The Role of Biradarism in Punjab Politics: A Case Study of Sialkot". Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan. 57 (03): 74 – via Punjab University, Pakistan.
  106. ↑ Jalal, Ayesha (2012). The Oxford Companion to Pakistani History. Oxford University Press. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-19-940734-7. Ilahi, Chaudhry Fazal Illahi (1904-1982). Chaudhry Fazal Ilahi was born into a Gujjar family of Gujrat district.
  107. ↑ "Chaudhry Rehmat Ali's birth anniversary marked with tributes nationwide". The Nation. 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  108. ↑ Siddiqui, Naaz (1978). ساحر لدھیانوی - شخص اور شاعر [Sahir Ludhianvi - Person and poet] (in Urdu). Delhi: Punjabi Pushtak Bhandar, Kalan, Delhi. p. 13. ساخته ۸ مارچ ۱۹۲۱ کو لدھیانہ (پنجاب) کے ایک جاگیردار گھرانے میں پیدا ہوئے ۔ پہلی اولاد نرینہ ہونے کی وجہ سے ان کی پیدائش پر بڑا جشن منایا گیا۔ والدین نے قرآن شریف دیکھ کر عبد الحنی نام رکھا - ساخر کے اجداد قوم کے گجر تھے-{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  109. ↑ Raza, Muhammad Musa (2003). جامع اردو انسائیکلوپیڈیا [Complete Urdu Encyclopedia] (in Urdu) (1 ed.). Delhi: National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, New Delhi. p. 302. ساحر لدھیانوی (1980-1921): اصلی نام عبدالکی تھا۔ کالج کے طالب علم تھے، تو شعر بھی کہنے لگے، اور لاہور کی ادبی فضا نے ان کے ذوق کو جلا بخشی۔ ساحر کے والد ایک گجر گھرانے سے تھے۔{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  110. ↑ Zarren, Dr. Zareen (16 January 2022). "ساحرؔ کی حیات اور ان کی نظم نگاری کا اجمالی جائزہ" [Complete overview of Life and poetry of Sahir Ludhianvi.]. Urdu Research Journal – via Urdu Links. ساحرؔ کے آبا و اجداد گوجر قوم سے تعلق رکھتے تھے۔ ان کے دادا فتح محمد لدھیانہ کے نامور امیر ترین جاگیردار تھے۔ ساحرؔ کی والدہ سردار بیگم کشمیری تھیں۔ ان کے دو بڑے بھائی محمد شفیع اور عبد الرشید اور بڑی بہن شاہ بیگم تھیں۔
  111. ↑ Akhtar, Dr Nabila; Fatima, Dr Qamar (2021-06-30). "Political Dynamics of Biraderi Politics An Empirical Analysis of District Toba Tek Singh". Journal of Political Studies. 28 (01): 89–106. ISSN 2308-8338. The political power holders have prone the non-democratic norms like Biraderism in Pakistan. That's why General Zia-UL-Haq, General Sawar Khan and General Rao Farman Ali in their turn raised the status of the biraderies i.e. Arain, Gujjar and Rajpute respectively.
  112. ↑ "Naik Fazal Din VC, 10th Baluch Regiment". Burma Star Memorial Fund.
  113. ↑ "Retelling The Tale Of Brigadier Kuldip Singh". Times of India. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2021

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

  • Singh, Mamta (2016). Gujjar kabile da Sabyachaar [Cultural Aspects of Gurjar tribe] (in Punjabi). Gracious Books, Patiala.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Sukhadewa Siṅgha, Sekhoṃ (2003). Gujjara kabīle dā loka sāhita: Saṅkalana, khoja te wishaleshaṇa (in Punjabi). Wārisa Shāha Phāuṇḍeshana.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Bīta de gujjarāṃ dā sabbhiācāra (in Punjabi (Gurmukhi)). Pabalīkeshana Biūro Pañjābī Yūnīwarasiṭī (Publication Bureau Punjabi University, India). 2010.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Bharadwaj, A. N. (1994). History and Culture of Himalayan Gujjars. Jay Kay Book House.
  • Sharma, J. C., (1984). "Gujars". In Muslim Peoples: A World Ethnographic Survey. Vol. 1. edited by Richard V. Weekes. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press.
  • Singh, Pritam; Thandi, Shinder S. (1996). Globalisation and the region : explorations in Punjabi identity. Coventry, United Kingdom: Association for Punjab Studies (UK). ISBN 978-1-874699-05-7
  • Sohrdvi, Kamran Azam (2012). Gujjar Qabail - گجر قبائل [Gujjar tribes] (in Urdu).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  • Azam, Kamran (2012). Encyclopaedia aqwam-e-Pakistan.

Notes[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gurjars_in_Punjab&oldid=549389"
Discover more