The Gakhars had engaged in a long-running struggle for sovereignty over the Salt Range.[5] After the arrival of Muhammad of Ghor to medieval India, the Gakhars converted from Hinduism to Islam.[2]
The history of this region (the Salt Range) from the thirteenth century onward had been a sickening record of wars between various dominant landowning and ruling clans of Punjabi Muslims including the Janjuas, Gakhars, Thathals and Bhattis for political ascendancy.[6][7]
Kamal Khan Ghakkar defeats Sultan Adam Ghakkar
Rajah Ali Gour, a Ghakkar chief
18th century
Topographical map of Punjab
In the early 18th century, Gakhars gained independence from Mughals. They controlled major regions of Potohar between Jhelum and Indus, including Rawalpindi, Pharwala, Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Fatehjang and Rohtas.[8] The notable Gakhar chief Muqarrab Khan conquered cities of Gujrat and Jhelum in 1740.[9] He issued his own coins in which he claimed to be ruler of tract between Attock and Chenab.[9] He defeated the Yusafzai Afghans and Jang Kuli Khan of Khattak and overran as far north as Bhimber.[9] However, the Bhangi misl under Sardar Milka Singh forced him to give up control of Gujarat in 1765 and he returned to Jehlum.[9] In 1769 he was treacherously captured and put to death by a rival chief, Himmat Khan of Bugial clan. Ultimately Sikhs conquered Rawalpindi too in 1767 and Gakhars were left with only Phurwala and Jhelum under their control.[9] Muqarrab's son succeeded to his dominions, until Jhelum (1810) and Pharwala (1818) fell to the Ranjit Singh's invasions.[9]
^Van Donzel, E. J., ed. (1994). Islamic Desk Reference. BRILL. p. 106. ISBN978-9-00409-738-4.
^ abGandhi, Surjit Singh (2007). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1469-1606 C.E. Atlantic Publishers. p. 3. ISBN978-81-269-0857-8. The story of most of the Gakhars is that they conquered Kashmir and ruled in that region for many generations but were eventually driven back to Kabul whence they entered the Punjab. They professed the Hindu faith and were converted to Islam, probably after the Ghori rule.
^Singha, Atara (1976). Socio-cultural Impact of Islam on India. Panjab University. p. 46. After this period, we do not hear of any Hindu Gakhars or Khokhars, for during the next two or three centuries they had all come to accept Islam.
^Chandra, Satish (2006). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals. Vol. 2 (Revised, 2nd ed.). Har-Anand Publications. p. 45. ISBN978-8-12411-066-9.
^Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society, Volume 54, Issues 1-2. Pakistan Historical Society. 2006.
^Bakshi, S. R. (1995). Advanced History of Medieval India. Anmol Publ. p. 142. ISBN9788174880284.
^Punjab District Gazetteers: Rawalpindi District (v. 28-A). Haideri Press. 1909.
^ abcdefGazetteer of the Rawalpindi district. "Civil and Military Gazette" Press. 1895.
Further reading
Gakkhar, A. S Bazmee Ansari, in Encyclopedia of Islam, 2nd ed.,Edited by J.H.Kramers et al., E.J Brill, Leiden, pp. 972–74.
April 11, 2024
gakhars, gakhar, punjabi, گاکھر, punjabi, clan, found, predominantly, jhelum, district, gujranwala, district, punjab, pakistan, predominantly, follow, islam, after, conversion, from, hinduism, during, islamic, rule, north, india, jātirajputreligionsislamlangua. The Gakhar Punjabi گاکھر are a Punjabi clan found predominantly in the Jhelum District and Gujranwala District in Punjab Pakistan 1 The Gakhars now predominantly follow Islam after conversion from Hinduism during the Islamic rule of north India 2 3 4 GakharsJatiRajputReligionsIslamLanguagesPunjabiCountry PakistanRegionPunjabEthnicityPunjabi Contents 1 Medieval history 1 1 18th century 2 See also 3 References 4 Further readingMedieval historyThe Gakhars had engaged in a long running struggle for sovereignty over the Salt Range 5 After the arrival of Muhammad of Ghor to medieval India the Gakhars converted from Hinduism to Islam 2 The history of this region the Salt Range from the thirteenth century onward had been a sickening record of wars between various dominant landowning and ruling clans of Punjabi Muslims including the Janjuas Gakhars Thathals and Bhattis for political ascendancy 6 7 nbsp Kamal Khan Ghakkar defeats Sultan Adam Ghakkar nbsp Rajah Ali Gour a Ghakkar chief18th century nbsp Topographical map of PunjabIn the early 18th century Gakhars gained independence from Mughals They controlled major regions of Potohar between Jhelum and Indus including Rawalpindi Pharwala Gujar Khan Kahuta Fatehjang and Rohtas 8 The notable Gakhar chief Muqarrab Khan conquered cities of Gujrat and Jhelum in 1740 9 He issued his own coins in which he claimed to be ruler of tract between Attock and Chenab 9 He defeated the Yusafzai Afghans and Jang Kuli Khan of Khattak and overran as far north as Bhimber 9 However the Bhangi misl under Sardar Milka Singh forced him to give up control of Gujarat in 1765 and he returned to Jehlum 9 In 1769 he was treacherously captured and put to death by a rival chief Himmat Khan of Bugial clan Ultimately Sikhs conquered Rawalpindi too in 1767 and Gakhars were left with only Phurwala and Jhelum under their control 9 Muqarrab s son succeeded to his dominions until Jhelum 1810 and Pharwala 1818 fell to the Ranjit Singh s invasions 9 See alsoSarang Gakhar Chief of Gakhars List of Punjabi tribes Gakhar MandiReferences Van Donzel E J ed 1994 Islamic Desk Reference BRILL p 106 ISBN 978 9 00409 738 4 a b Gandhi Surjit Singh 2007 History of Sikh Gurus Retold 1469 1606 C E Atlantic Publishers p 3 ISBN 978 81 269 0857 8 The story of most of the Gakhars is that they conquered Kashmir and ruled in that region for many generations but were eventually driven back to Kabul whence they entered the Punjab They professed the Hindu faith and were converted to Islam probably after the Ghori rule Singha Atara 1976 Socio cultural Impact of Islam on India Panjab University p 46 After this period we do not hear of any Hindu Gakhars or Khokhars for during the next two or three centuries they had all come to accept Islam Chandra Satish 2006 Medieval India From Sultanat to the Mughals Vol 2 Revised 2nd ed Har Anand Publications p 45 ISBN 978 8 12411 066 9 Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society Volume 54 Issues 1 2 Pakistan Historical Society 2006 Bakshi S R 1995 Advanced History of Medieval India Anmol Publ p 142 ISBN 9788174880284 Rajput Gotain Punjab District Gazetteers Rawalpindi District v 28 A Haideri Press 1909 a b c d e f Gazetteer of the Rawalpindi district Civil and Military Gazette Press 1895 Further readingGakkhar A S Bazmee Ansari in Encyclopedia of Islam 2nd ed Edited by J H Kramers et al E J Brill Leiden pp 972 74 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gakhars amp oldid 1209241576, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
