| Johiya | |
|---|---|
| Joiya | |
| Jāti | Rajput [ citation needed ] |
| Religions | Predominantly  Islam |
| Languages | Rajasthani, Punjabi |
| Country |  Pakistan  India |
| Region | Punjab, Rajasthan |
| Ethnicity | Rajasthani,Punjabi |
The Johiyas are a social group native to the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent. They have been classified as Rajputs.[ citation needed ]
Alexander Cunningham derived the term "Johiya" from "Yaudheya", and theorized that the modern Johiyas were representatives of the ancient Yaudheyas. A.B.L. Awasthi, however, connected modern Rajputs to Yaudheyas instead; historian R. C. Majumdar finds Awasthi's identification more probable. [1] Yet another theory connects the Admera sub-group of the Johiyas to the ancient Audumbaras. [2]
During 700-1200 CE, the Johiyas were among the dominant communities of north-eastern and north-western Rajasthan (historically known as Jangladesh), along with various other Rajput [3] and Jat [4] clans. By the 15th century, the Johiyas had accepted Islam, and claimed Rajput descent.[ citation needed ] They were especially powerful in the Bikaner area. [5]
During 18th and 19th century, the Muslim Johiya chieftains - who were vassals of Bikaner State, had ongoing tussle for the control of northeast Rajasthan (Hanumangarh) and northwest Haryana (Sirsa, Fatehabad, Rania and Hisar) with Bhatti, Ranghar Rajputs and Jat Sikh rulers of Patiala and Jind States. [6]
There is good reason to believe that parts of the present north-eastern and north-western Rajasthan were inhabited by Jat clans ruled by their own chiefs and largely governed by their own customary law.