History of Rajputs of Pakistan

The centuries from the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of Northern India, from the middle of the 7th century to the close of the 12th century, is called the Rajput Period. India assumed a new significance during this period in view of the continuous threat of the Persian invasion. Geographically, during this period the Rajputs were the pratiharas, or doorkeepers of India. India remained immune to the foreign invasions because of the Rajputs.

Namdar Khan and the families of Kapurthala and Batala are Bhatti Rajput, Saeeda Khan and the families of Bahawalpur and Nabha are Chauhan Rajput, and the Bhai Masum Khan and the families of Patiala are Manj Rajput.

The Punjab Rajputs

The Rajputs of the Punjab are broadly divide into four groups. The Rajputs of the Delhi territory and Jumna valley, belonging to the great tribes of Chauhan and Tunwar which gave Delhi its most famous dynasties. Next come the Rajputs of the river valleys of the western plains belonging for the most part to the Bhatti of Jaiselmer and Bikaner, and their predecessors the Punwar. The third group is the Rajput of the western hills belonging to the Janjua and Mongol Rajputs and descendants of the Yadubansi (Bhatti) dynasty of Kashmir. Finally we have the Rajputs of the Kangra hills, so ancient that their origin and advent to the present abodes are lost in the past.

The origins of the Rajputs is either solar (suraj bansi), lunar (chandra bansi), or agnikula (fire sprung). The following are the Rajput tribes of the Punjab.

Bhatti (or Bhati, as Rajputs of Jaisalmer are actually called)- As a tribe, the Bhattis are of some antiquity; their legends connect them with Jaisalmer in Rajasthan (earlier Rajputana). The Bhatti's in early times were driven across the river Indus, and returned just 700 years ago and founded Jaisalmer. The leader under whom they recrossed the river Indus was Bhatti, and his two sons Dasal and Jaisal (the state Jaisalmer was named after its leader Rao Jaisal). The Bhatti's of the Punjab started converting to Islam in the 15th century during the time of Bahlol Khan Lodhi.

Chauhan - According to the Rajput bards the Chauhan is one of the four Agnikula or 'fire sprung' tribes who were created by the gods in the anali kund or 'fountain of fire' on Mount Abu to fight against the Asuras or demons. Chauhan is also one of the 36 (royal) ruling races of the Rajputs. The Chauhans come from Ajmer, Rajasthan (earlier called Rajputana), and were considered the most valiant of the whole Rajput race, and to them belonged Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the last Hindu Ruler of India. The Chauhans of the Karnal district being closer to Delhi and influenced by the many Muslim kingdoms started converting to Islam in the 16th and 17th Century.

Tunwar -
Manj -

Khokar - The Khokar as a tribe is appears to be connected to the Awans, and their pedigree records the fact that they were disciples of Qutb Shah, and converted to Islam.

Varya -
Punwar -
Janjua -
Bajoha -
Nipal -
Naru -