Muslim Gujjars[α] also spelled Gurjar or Gujar, are an ethno-religious group of the larger Gurjar ethnic community, who follow Islam and are native to the north-western regions of South Asia. They are primarily found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and also in various regions of northern India. They embraced Islam from the medieval period onwards. They are divided into several sub-groups and clans. In Pakistan, they traditionally belong to the agricultural class of the country[β] and are a politically influencial community.
In the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, most of them are nomads with some settled communities. In Indian Punjab and Uttar Pradesh they traditionally belong to agricultural class. Based on their occupation nomad Muslim Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and HP are divided into classes like Van Gujjar, Bakarwal, Banjara, and Dodhi Gujjars.
In north India, Muslim Gujjars live in complete geographical and biosocial isolation from Hindu Gurjars,[3] with whom they have not maintained relationships, and marriages between the two groups are restricted. In contrast, intermarriages are common among Muslim Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh and Muslim Van Gujars of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.[γ]
History
Muslim Gujjar dynasties/states
Swat (princely state)
In 1849, Saidu Baba a Muslim saint of the Gujjar community,[6][7] established the Swat (princely state) in present-day Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The state existed as an autonomous region until it was dissolved and merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in 1969.[8] After Saidu Baba's death in 1877, swat didn't have a clear leader until 1915, when Abdul Jabbar became the leader. Later in 1918, Miangul Abdul Wadudu, Saidu's grandson, took over as the ruler of Swat. The British government soon recognized Swat as a princely state.
Sangu dynasty
In the 17th century a Gujjar of Sangu clan Rooh Ullah Khan established Sangu dynasty or state in Poonch region of Kashmir.[9] During the reign of Raja Bahadur Khan, Ruhullah rose to such prominence that he was appointed the post of Wazir.[10] In 1797, Abdullah Khan, the Nazim of Kashmir, attacked Poonch and appointed Wazir Ruhullah Khan as its ruler in 1798.[11][12][13] Ruhullah Khan died in 1819 and was succeeded by his grandson Mir Baz Khan. Kashmiri historian Muhammad Din Fauq described Ruhullah Khan as a remarkable and brave ruler.[13][10]
In June 1814 Ranjit Singh's army moved towards Poonch and Rajauri. But Ruhulla Khan, the ruler of Poonch stopped Mazhar Ali's artillery from passing through. A fight broke out and about 500 people were wounded or killed on both sides. Aghar Khan then helped Ruhullah and told people the Sikhs were losing. This made locals attack the Sikhs, stealing their supplies, including many guns and swords. After this the two local leaders started attacking the Sikhs with their armies.[12][14]
Jagir of Kot Najibula
In the 17th century, a Gujjar of the Khatana clan[15][16] in the Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the chief of Jagir of Kojnajibula. Later, he lost his Jagir to Tareen tribe.[16] In the 18th century, Ranjit Singh, the founder of the Sikh Empire, granted Muqaddam Musharaf, the Jagir of eight villages in the Hazara region in exchange for 15,000 rupees. The villages comparised Kokalia, Pandori, Jharr, Dedra, Dingi, Chamba Pind-Gujran, Kot Najibullah and some other.[15][17][18][18]
After the death of Muqaddam General Sir James Abbott gave the Jagir to his son, Mir Muqaddam Ahmad. Mir Ahmad died on 12 October 1849.[15] After Ahmad's death, Jagir was given to his elder son, Mir Ghulam Muhammad.[17] Ghulam Ahmad died on 1st May 1880, and later his jagir was given to his elder son, Mir Abdullah.[15]
Nawab of Dera Ghazi Khan
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.[19] He teamed up with the Durranis to overthrow Mirranis and then initiated a project to build and restore canals in D.G Khan.[19][20][21]Punjab GovernmentGazetteer credit him with founding the settlement of Mahmud Kot and initiating canal works in the region.[21]
Nawabs of Gujrat
During the 1857 unrest, Sultan Ali, a Gujjar leader of the Kalas clan in Ajnala, Gujrat, kept his area safe from looters. 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.[22] People loved and respected him so much that the British government gave him the title of Nawab.[23] 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.[23]
In the 1947 Partition of India, communal violence broke out in Jammu and Kashmir. Muslim soliders were disarmed, while soliders of other faith were not. According to Ian Stephens, Maharaja Hari Singh supported violence against 'Muslim Gujjars' and even ordered his forces to fire at them.[32] Eyewitnesses also accused Hari Singh of directly participating in killings, including shooting three 'Muslim Gujjars' at Mishriwala.[33]
After the partition of India many Muslim Gujjars migrated from Indian Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to Pakistan. Before the partition of Punjab in 1947, Gurdaspur became part of Indian Punjab 80 villages of the Muslim Gujjars migrated from Gurdaspur to Sialkot in Punjab, Pakistan. Some other Muslim Gujjars from other districts of Indian Punjab also migrated to Pakistani Punjab and settled in Sheikhupura and Sargodha districts.[34]
The Gujjar people have lived in Afghanistan for centuries, with an estimated 1.5 million residing in the country today.[37][38] They primarily inhabit the northeastern regions, including provinces like Kapisa, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Khost.[37][38] In some areas of Afghanistan and Kunar province local radio stations air programs in Gujari, Nuristani and other languages.[39]
In Upper Asqalan, local elders once requested a former mujahideen commander to take on the role of a Taliban commander to provide protection and leadership for their area (interview, 20 July 2007).[40] Similarly, in Burka, the leaders of the prominent mir family in Kokah Bulaq reached an agreement with a Gujjar commander—who had previously fought alongside them during the resistance against Soviet forces—to assume responsibility as the Taliban commander for the Full Valley, with the aim of safeguarding the local population (interviews, 5 September 2007 and 26 March 2009).[40]
Among eighteenth Pakistani ethnic groups found across four provinces, the Gujjar is one of the largest ethnic group in Pakistan.[42] An estimated 20% of Pakistan's population is Gujjars.[43][44]
They enjoy good status in Pakistani society and in numbers their population is estimated to be 33 million.[45][46]
Initially Gujjars of Pakistan were predominantly Sun worshipers, later most of them converted to Hinduism.[47]
In 1999, British anthropologist Stephen Lyon estimated that the Gujjar population in Pakistan was around 30 million. He also introduced the concept of "Gujarism"—the idea that Gujjars in Pakistan are aware of their distinct identity and frequently engage in social activities, including local political participation, based on this awareness, a phenomenon he refers to as kin-network activism.[48]
Punjab, Pakistan
The Gujjars of Punjab racially belonged to the Indo-Aryan race.[49] In Punjab, their primary occupation is agriculture, while many are also engaged in small businesses, local politics, and government jobs.
They have lent their name to several places in Punjab, Pakistan; these places include Gujranwala, Gujarat, Gujar Khan, and Gojra, among others.[52]
In Punjab they follow the ideology kinship of Gujjarism that helps them in building influence in local politics of Punjab.[34]
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Gujjars are also present in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where they're the third largest ethnic groups after the Pashtuns and the Awan, found in the Hazara region as well places like Dir, Swat, and Bajaur, often being conversant in Pashto, the provincial language.[53]
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa their settlements are found in various regions, including Hazara, Chitral, Kohistan, Waziristan, Fatah and other areas of KPK. They are predominantly found in the districts of Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral, Hangu, Kohat, Peshawar, Mansehra, Malakand, Abottabad, Battagram, Haripur, Upper Dir, Lowe Sir, Charsadha, Shangla and Swat.[54]
In Swat, Pir Samiullah was a Gujjar community leader who was the first to raise a private tribal army against the Pakistani Taliban, with around 10,000 men, but was eventually defeated and executed by the Taliban in 2008, who then desecrated his dead body by hanging it publicly.[55]
They speak Pashto and Gujari language in main areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Hazara they speak Hindko and Gujari language,[56] while in Chitral valley they speak Kohistani, Chitarali and Gujari language.
Gujjar Qaumi Movement (GQM), a Gujjar organization based in the lower dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, filed a petition in the peshawar high court, demanding for the inclusion of Gujari language in the list of 2023 census forum. The court ordered the provincial government to include the Gujari language, but the remains unimplemented.[57]
In Azad Kashmir, they are single largest ethnic community of the region,[58][59][60] by some estimates even being considered the single largest group with 800,000 individuals[61] and they found in almost every districts of Azad Kashmir. They mainly belong to agricultural class of the AJK.[58]
Muslim Gujjars have influence in local politics of the state, In 2021 in the state assembly election of Azad Jammu and Kashmir many Gujjar politicians were elected.[60]
They are mainly found in Ghizer, Nagar, Shighar, Gilgit, and Hunza districts, and Naltar Valley. There are no restrictions among the women of Muslim Gujjars in the region for the following of Islamic tradition of Purdah.[66] They speak Shina language in the areas of Gilgit district and Khowar language near the Shandpur Pass.[66]
In Balochistan Muslim Gujjar claimed to be the original inhabitants of the region but they were likely settled in the region and came here during the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar in the Indian subcontinent.[71]
The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir are a predominantly Muslim community. In Kashmir they are the third-largest ethnic community after Dogari and Pahari speaking linguistic groups.[74][75]
Gujjars constitute approximately 88% of the total tribal population in Jammu and Kashmir, with an estimated population of 20-25% of the state's total population and they are located in all districts of Indian adminsntrated Kashmir.[74] The community is scattered across the state, with the largest concentration in Poonch (40%) and Rajouri (33.1%), while they are absent in the Leh district.[76][77]
In Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjars are predominantly Muslims and are divided into settled, nomadic, and agro-pastoralists groups.[76] These Nomadic Gujjars are further divided into Bakarwal, Van-Gujjar, and Dodhi subgroups.[78]
Geographical Distribution of Gujars in The Indian Himalayan states of, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh
There are notable population of the Gujjars spread throughout the state. Their settlements are mostly found in the valleys of Kangam, Kukernag, Kanghan, Tral, Doru, Pahalgam, Shopian, Kulgam, Handwara, Karnah, Kupwara. Also in all Tehsils of Uri district, tehsils of Haveli, Naushera, Sunderbani, Mendhar, and in the districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Kathua, Soda, Gool, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.[77]
The Muslim Gujjars are predominantly found in Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur and make up to 100% districts population. They are also found in good numbers in Solan and Bilaspur districts.[82]
In 2001, the Himachal Pradesh Government granted Scheduled Tribe status to the Gujjar community. As per the 2011 census out of the state's Scheduled Tribe population of 2,92,126, Gujjars accounted for 92,547 individuals, comprising 23.6% of the state's Scheduled Tribe population.[82] Approximately 86% of the total Gurjar population in Himachal Pradesh are Muslim and 14% are Hindu, in numbers their population is 79,590.[83]
The majority of them are nomadic, with a smaller number of settled Muslim Gujjars. Traditionally, they are pastoralists, moving with their livestock across the region's mountainous terrain.[80]
In the Indian state of Punjab Gujjars are mostly found in the Kandi region that covers the districts of Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpure, Gurdaspur, Mohali, Rupnagar, and Nawanshahr.[84][85] Beside Kandi region their population is also found in Amritsar, Bathinda and Malerkotla, Dasuya, and Pathankot districts.[86] They are mostly Muslim some are Sikh and Hindu. In Punjab they belong to settled class of Punjabi farmers.[87] In recent years some Muslim Gujjars are also migrated from Jammu and Kashmir.
In Kandi region there are total one hundred fifty five settlements and one hundred eighteen are of Gujjars.[88]
Before the partition of Punjab in 1947, Gurdaspur became part of Indian Punjab eighty villages of the Muslim Gujjars migrated from Gurdaspur to Sialkot in Punjab, Pakistan. Some other Muslim Gujjars from other districts of Punjab, India migrated to Pakistani Punjab and settled in Sheikhupura and Sargodha districts.[34]
In Punjab along with Hindu and Sikh Gujjars, they are listed in Other backward classes list of the State government.[89]
Ladakh
The Muslim Gujjars and Bakarwal communities in Ladakh are traditionally pastoralists, grazing livestock in areas like Rangdum. Recently, disputes over land encroachment and unauthorized construction have arisen. In 2024, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh intervened to address these issues, including the illegal occupation of grazing land and the ongoing legal dispute over land rights in the region.[90][91][92]
Uttarakhand
The Muslim Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand, with a population of around 70,000,[93] are a semi-nomadic pastoral community living mainly in the Shivalik Hills, bordering Tibet. Traditionally herders, they practice transhumance, migrating with their buffalo herds between the foothills in winter and alpine pastures in summer. Known for being lactovegetarians, they rely solely on milk from their buffaloes. Despite the Indian Forest Rights Act of 2006 granting them forest land rights, they face conflicts with state authorities over access to reserved parks. The community distinguishes itself from other Gujjars by adopting the prefix "Van" ("forest-dwelling") in the 1980s.[94][95][96][93]
This community has historically been influential in local politics, often rallying behind candidates from their ethnicity, irrespective of their religious identity. Despite being a minority in the broader context, Muslim Gujjars in these areas hold a demographic and political sway, particularly in rural settings.[102][103][104][99]
In a 2003 genetic study, it was revealed that Muslim Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh are genetically different from Hindu Gujjars of Indian Punjab. The study was conducted using samples from Hindu Gujars of the Ropar and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab and Muslim Gujjars of the Chamba and Kangra districts of Himachal Pradesh.[109]
Jammu and Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the predominant haplogroup found among Muslim Gujjars is R1a, occurring at a frequency of 78%. This is followed by haplogroup H, while haplogroup L is found at the lowest frequency.[110]
Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Jammu & Kashmir
Recent genetic study shows that Muslim Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir have genetic similarity with the Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan and Sindhis.[111] But they are genetically different from other tribes of India.[112]
Pakistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Research on the NJ tree among Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's ethnic tribes revealed a strong genetic link between the region's Gujjars and Muslim Gujjars in Punjab province.[113] In KPK, they exhibit a high frequency of the R1a haplogroup.[113]
The majority of Muslim Gujjars in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's districts of Swabi and Buner belong to the R1a haplogroup, with frequencies of 61%[114] and 48%[115] in Swat district, respectively.
Gujjars in the districts of Swabi and Buner belong to the R1a haplogroup, with a frequency of 61%; the L haplogroup, 20.97%; J2a haplogroup, 4.84%; R2 haplogroup, 4.03%; J2b haplogroup, 1.61%; Q1a haplogroup, 1.61%; O3-M122 haplogroup, 0.81% and H haplogroup, 4.84% .[114]
Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Buner & Swabi districts
This research also indicates that in the Gujjars, the highest frequency of the West Eurasian lineage about 62.3%, South Asian is 33.61%, and 4.1% East Eurasian was found.[116]
In the Swat district, they belong to the R1a haplogroup, with a frequency of 48%; M33 haplogroup, 45%; and N5 haplogroup, 7%.[115][117]
The study also revealed that the haplogroups found in Gujjars are predominantly 42%; South Asian, 37%; followed by West Eurasian, 2.7%; with smaller positions of Eastern Asian, 1.4% Eastern European, and 1.4%; Northern Asian haplogroups.[117]
Gujjars in the district of Mansehra belong to the H haplogroup, with a frequency of 58.97%; the M haplogroup, 27.69%; and R haplogroup, 14%.[118]
Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Mansehra district
In 2019, genetic research indicated that genetically, Gujjars of Punjab are closely related to other Pakistani groups, including the Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochs, Pashtuns, and people of Azad Kashmir.[119]
Culture
Muslim Gujjars adhere to the fundamental principles of Islam, believing in the oneness of Allah and performing the five times daily prayers. They also observe basic Islamic practices including Roza, Zakat, and believe in the day of judgement and the concept of Jannah.[120][121]
Purdah
Gujjar women in Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas of Pakistan and Northern India typically do not observe the tradition of Purdah or wear Burkas.[122][123] However, in some areas of Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gujjar women do observe purdah.
Attire
In various regions of North India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Muslim Gujjars wear traditional attire similar to that of other local Muslim communities. In Jammu and Kashmir, men from the Gujjar community traditionally wear Shalwar and Kurta, similar to other Kashmiri Muslims. Their women wear a kurta paired with Churidhar pyjama.[124][125]
Child birth
In Gujjar communities the birth of a girl child is viewed as a direct blessing from Allah.[124] Gujjar families treat girls and boys equally, and uniquely, they celebrate the birth of a girl child, setting them apart from some Muslim communities.[126] When a child is born in Muslim Gujjar communities, they usually cover the child's face to protect them from the evil eye.[127]
Most of Muslim Gujjar families are small consisting of parents and children. When sons get married, they often start their own households, moving out of their parents' home. This usually happens when there are multiple sons, as it's hard for everyone to live together. Traditionally Gujjars lived together in Joint families and looked out for each other. Marriage and family also provide a safe space for couples and protection for all members.[141]:318
Inheritance
In Muslim Gujjar families, property and land are usually passed down to the sons after the father dies. Women are entitled to a share of the property under Islamic law, but in practice, they often don't get it. Instead, women typically receive a dowry from their family when they get married.[141]:319
Marriages
Muslim Gujjars mostly live in joint families. The divorce rate is low among them, and their divorce system is distinct from other Muslim communities.[142][143]
Arrange marriages
Arranged marriages are common among Muslim Gujjars, typically taking place with the parents' approval on both the bride's and groom's sides.[121]
Gifts
When a couple gets married, both families exchange gifts and money. The groom's family gives, the bride's family pays her Haq Mahr and gives her dowry. Relatives and friends also give gifts and money to both families.[141]:324
Endogamy
Muslim Gujars practice endogamy, meaning they marry within their own community. They prefer their own clans, but can also marry other Gujars from different clans.[141]:320
Monogamy and Polygamy
Most Muslim Gujar men have one wife and stay with her their whole life. The first marriage is a big celebration. However, some men have more than one wife. Sometimes a man may marry again if he doesn't have a son, or for other reasons like revenge or personal desire.[141]:320
Exchange marriages
Gujars don't like to exchange marriages, where one family marries their son to a girl from another family in exchange for marrying their daughter to the other family's son.[141]:321
Divorce
The divorce rate is low in Muslim Gujjars and parents arrange marriages. If the couple doesn't get along, they might divorce. This can happen if one partner cheats. Sometimes the wife leaves her husband for someone else and gets Khula. After divorce male and females are allowed to remarry according to Islamic law.[141]:321
Jirga (Panchayat)
Gujjars in tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir follow the Jirga system to resolve everyday issues, including land disputes, political, social, educational, and community-related matters.[144][145] In June 2018, a Jirga was convened by Gujjars in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a committee was formed to advocate for their rights to education, healthcare, and transportation in the area. The Jirga also decided to support a candidate in the upcoming elections who would address these issues.[146]
In September 2018, the district government of Torghar district convened a local Jirga to resolve a land dispute between the Gujjars and Akazai Pashtuns in the districts of Torghar and Mansehra.[147][148] The Gujjars filed a case in the Senior Civil Judge's (SCJ) court, and following the court's order, they were permitted to harvest their wheat and grass crops on the disputed land. Consequently, 90% of the disputed land in Torghar district was granted to the Gujjars after the court's order.[149][150]
In Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Gujjars and Bakarwals used to have their own councils called Jirga to settle disputes. Many still use this traditional system, but some prefer to go to the police or courts instead. Nowadays, a new system of local government called Panchayat Raj is being used in some areas of Jammu and Kashmir.[151]:105
In India, 23,59,926 (2.36 million) Muslim Gujjars live mainly in the regions of North India.[ι] They are predominantly Muslims, including Van Gujjars of UP, Uttarakhand, HP, Punjab, and Haryana,(1,59,784)[ε]Bakarwal and Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir(10,93,852)[ζ] and, Muslim Gujars of Himachal Pradesh (75,590)[η] and Uttar Pradesh (2,67,000).[θ]
In Afghanistan, they are mostly found in eastern parts of the country, and their population is estimated at 1.5 million as of 2021.[37]
Nepal
In Nepal, they belong to a smallest miniority groups, and their population is estimated to be around 700 individuals.[182]
Politics
Pakistan
Gujjars actively participates in the Politics of Pakistan, especially in the local politics of Punjab, Gilgit-Baltistan, Hazara,[183] Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the 1990s, the Syed and Gujjar Communities were in conflict that resulted in sporadic violence between the two communities, which eventually led to the founding of "Gujjarism" - a movement focused on uniting Gujjars. Sardar Mohammad Yusuf began his political career in 1990 by creating the Kisan Mahaz Tenzeem, a coalition of Gujjars formed for the purpose of obtaining independence from the Syed and Swati Landowners to develop the Gujjar Community.[184]
Additionally, as Gujjars became increasingly aware of their strength in numbers to determine election outcomes, they became more politically aware. In 1971, Sardar Abdur Rahman Gujjar's campaign against the Syed leader during the elections was an important indicator of the Gujjar Community's awakening, especially since there had been several elections since that time, and many Gujjars were still unaware of their political power.[184][185]
In 1947, Muslim Gujjar migrants from Jammu established a close relationship with other local Gujjars In Sialkot district of Punjab, Pakistan by developing a common identity that allowed them to create a large political network. Their ability to use their identity as Gujjars has helped them to develop a cooperative community that has what is commonly known as the "Gujjarism". In recent years, Gujjars have demonstrated a remarkable degree of skill in forming alliances that assist them in achieving electoral success. The Gujjars have successfully transformed themselves from an impoverished migrant population to a major player in local politics, largely because of the policies of the State.[190]
In Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjars make up a significant voting population in 21 assembly constituencies. In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election, many Gujjars participated and 9 of them were elected as MLAs. This was a notable achievement, especially in Poonch and Rajouri districts where 5 out of 7 elected MLAs were Gujjars.[151]:108[192] In 2020 in the first District Development Council (DDC) election in Jammu and Kashmir total 38. The 26 members won from Jammu division, and the 15 were tribal women from the community.[193][194]
Muslim Gujjars are dominant in the local politics of the Uttar Pradesh,[195] especially the Hassan family of Iqra Hassan and Nahid Hasan and Anwar Hasan, who also command a significant vote bank of Muslim Gujjars in the area.[99]
↑Ziad, Waleed (2021-11-16). Hidden Caliphate: Sufi Saints Beyond the Oxus and Indus. Harvard University Press. p.227. ISBN978-0-674-24881-6. Later known as the Akhund of Swat, he was arguably the region's most beloved personality of the nineteenth century. Originally from a poor family of Gujjar pastoralists, at age eighteen he de-voted himself to religious studies.
↑Pati, Biswamoy (2007). The 1857 Rebellion. Oxford University Press. p.289. ISBN978-0-19-569076-7. Ludhiana seems to have been the one prominent town where the discontents of certain unstable groups-Kabul refugees, Kashmiri artisans, and Muslim Gujars-coalesced with the rebellious mentality of the Hindustani garrison at the fort, causing an uprising in the town.
↑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. ISSN1437-1596. PMID31858262. 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.
↑Butt, Nasir Faried (30 November 2017). "Position of Women Folk among the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir". International Journal of Research Culture Society. 1 (9): 324. ISSN2456-6683– via IJRCS.ORG. In Pakistan they comprise almost 20% of the population. Gujjars can also be Muslim, Sikh, Christian and presumably Buddhist.
↑Ullah, Inam (3 March 2018). Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Swat and Dir Districts Through Dental Morphology and Dna Analysis. Hazara University: Department of Genetics Hazara University Mansehra. p.26. Today the Gujjars are famous in agriculture, urban professions and have great contribution in civil cervices, occupying large scales of land especially in northern parts of Pakistan and India. The population of Gujars in India is approximately 30 million while, in Pakistan their population is about 33 million.
↑Ahmed, Mukhtar (2016-04-18). The Arains: A Historical Perspective. Createspace. ISBN978-1-5327-8117-9. It appears that the Gujjars of Pakistan were sun-worshipers who later got absorbed in the greater mass of Hinduism as they migrated to the East. Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun.
↑Zahra, Fatima Tuz; Hussain, Manzoor; Khan, Khushbukhat; Aslam, Muhammad Adeel; Shafique, Muhammad; Rubab, Aqsa; Javeed, Shahzadi (July 2020). "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. ISSN1437-1596. PMID31858262. 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.
↑There was Once a King: Folk-tales of Pakistan. Lok Virsa Publishing House. 1989. pp.IV. Gujjars been good settlers, because they gave ( and left ) their names to many towns in the Punjab, like Gujar Khan, Gujrat, Gujranwala, or Gojra.
↑Shahan-e-Gujjar (Urdu), by Maulvi Abdul Malik, Second Edition 1986, p. 399
↑Baloch, Muhammad Amin (1999). Inside Ormara. M.A. Baloch. p.101.
12Tyagi, Vidya Prakash (2009). Martial races of undivided India. Kalps. p.225. ISBN978-81-7835-775-1. The Jhalwan Gujjars speak both Balochi and Sindhi languages and claim to be natives of these regions without having ancestry of any foreign element in so far as their ethnic traditions are concerned. In the region the Zamindars (landlords) are called Baloch. The other Pakistani Blauch and adjoining Irani Bluches are of one ancestry but against this we hail from separate Gujjar community. As per one tradition they have come from Delhi to this area and speak Sindhi language. In Markan, near border of Iran, the Gujjars are Ziki by faith and claim to have come from Mewar during the time of Akbar, the elderly Gujjars added.
↑Dabral, Shweta; S.L, Malik (2004). "Demographic Study of Gujjars of Delhi: I. Population Structure and Socio cultural Profile". Journal of Human Ecology. 16 (1). Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi: 18. ISSN2456-6608. They were originally Hindus, however, Muslim Gujjars are found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand) and Uttar Pradesh (Verma, 1954; Singh, 1998).
12Butt, Nasir Faried (30 November 2017). "Position of Women Folk among the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir"(PDF). International Journal of Research Culture Society. 1 (9): 324. ISSN2456-6683– via IJRCS.ORG. Several identities existing in Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjar is one of the important one, since they form the third largest ethnic group in J&K with a total of 20-25% of the population of the state.
123Baldi, Dr. Shrikant (2019). SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY OF GUJJARS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH. Planing department Government of Himachal Pradesh Shimla. pp.2 & 3.
↑Baldi, Dr. Shrikant (2019). SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY OF GUJJARS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH. Planing department Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. p.3. Out of the total Gujjar population in the State 14.0 percent of them are Hindus and 86.0 percent are Muslims. It is found that 100 percent Gujjars of Chamba, Sirmaur & Kangra are Muslims whereas, Gujjars residing in Solan District have only 1.4 percent Muslims and 98.6 percent Hindus.
↑Manku, Darshan Singh (1986). The Gujar Settlements: A Study in Ethnic Geography. Inter-India Publications. p.18. ISBN978-81-210-0072-7. In such villages Gujar families bave migrated from other Gujar settlements, purchased the land, and have settled. There were many Muslim Gujar settlements in the Pathankot tahsil of district Gurdaspur, Dasuya and Hoshiarpur.
↑Balgir, R. S.; Sharma, J. C. (March 1988). "Genetic markers in the Hindu and Muslim Gujjars of Northwestern India". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 75 (3): 401. Bibcode:1988AJPA...75..391B. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330750310. ISSN0002-9483. PMID3163234. The genetic distance measure lends further support to the serogenetically derived hypothesis that the Muslim Gujjars are genetically distinct from the Hindu Gujjars. The dichotomy of Hindu and Muslim Gujjars is compatible with the documented historical and cultural records (Munshi, 1954; Ibbetson, 1970; Bingley, 1978), somatometric measurements and demographic data (Balgir, 1980, 1983), dermatoglyphic studies (Balgir and Sharma, 1986), and serogenetic markers (Balgir, 1980). The genetic distance data support the con-tention that the Jats, Hindu Gujjars, and possibly the Rajputs genetically belong to one ethnic stock.
↑Dev, Kapil; Kesharwani, Lav; Kushwaha, Pushpesh; Kumar, Akshay; Srivastav, Kunwar Veer Vikram; Bhasney, Varsha; Kumawat, R. K.; Dixit, Shivani; Srivastava, Ankit; Chaubey, Gyaneshwer; Shrivastava, Pankaj (21 May 2021). "Molecular characterization of 23 Y chromosomal STR markers in the Gurjar population of National Capital Region (NCR), India". International Journal of Legal Medicine. 136 (2): 556. doi:10.1007/s00414-021-02623-x. ISSN1437-1596. PMID34059972– via SPRINGER NATURE. Hindu Gujjars showed common ethnic origin with Jats and Rajputs and showed divergence with the Ahir population, based on serogenetic markers. "Muslim Gujjars and the Hindu Gujjars showed significant differentiation which may be attributed to their geographical dispersal in diverse habitats". This could also be attributed to the inflow of genes from Islamic invaders as well as non-Islamic surrounding populations, the inbreeding effect, and the comparative breeding isolation.
↑Balgir, R. S.; Sharma, J. C. (December 1986). "Dermatoglyphic studies among the two breeding isolates of Gujjars of northwestern India". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 71 (4): 474 & 475. Bibcode:1986AJPA...71..467B. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330710410. ISSN0002-9483. PMID3812661. Page (474): The distribution of phenotypic frequencies of dermatoglyphic features among the Hindu (Hindu Gujjars) and Muslim Gujjars provides strong evidence that these populations have become distinct in the course of their history. Page (475): The tests of significance and an overview of these distributions show resemblance between the Hindu Gujjars and Rajputs, Jats, and Ahirs of northwestern India.
↑Balgir, R. S.; Sharma, J. C. (December 1986). "Dermatoglyphic studies among the two breeding isolates of Gujjars of northwestern India". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 71 (4): 475. Bibcode:1986AJPA...71..467B. doi:10.1002/ajpa.1330710410. ISSN0002-9483. PMID3812661. As revealed by the statistical tests of significance, the Muslim Gujjars of the Himalayan regions, however, significantly differ from the neighboring populations like Brahmins, Rajputs, Khatris of Himachal Pradesh, and Pandits of Kashmir in the distribution of dermatoglyphic features including finger-print patterns and indices and patterns occurring in the palmar configurational areas just as they do in the serogenetic markers (Balgir, 1980b; 1983).
↑Balgir, R. S. (2003). "Morphological and regional variations in body dimensions of the Gujjars of different localities in North-Western India". Anthropologischer Anzeiger. 61 (3): 279 ~ 280. doi:10.1127/anthranz/61/2003/275. ISSN0003-5548. JSTOR29542470– via JSTOR. It is interesting to note that the Muslim Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh in the present study significantly differ from the counterpart Hindu Gujjars of the Ropar District in Punjab with respect to 12 biological measurements and 5 anthropometric indices (Table 3), suggesting the biological diversity between the two populations... The Muslim Gujjars of the Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh also differ from the Hindu Gujjars of the Hoshiarpur District in Punjab for 9 somatometric measurements and 6 anthropometric indices (Table 3).
↑Mushtaq, Najma (5 May 2023). "Tribes in India: Tracing the Origin of the Gujjar Community". International Journal of Novel Research and Development. 8 (5): 492. ISSN2456-4184– via IJND.org.
12Tariq, Muhammad (17 February 2017). Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Buner and Swabi Areas through Dental Morphology and DNA Analysis. Hazara University, Mansehra: DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA. pp.178–179.
12Ullah, Inam (March 3, 2018). DENTAL MORPHOLOGY AND HAPLOTYPIC DIVERSITY IN THE MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS OF SWAT AND DIR DISTRICTS. Hazara University, Mansehra: DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA. p.128.
↑Tariq, Muhammad (2017). Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Buner and Swabi Areas through Dental Morphology and DNA Analysis. Hazara University, Mansehra: DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA. p.135.
12Ullah, Inam (May 2017). "Mitochondrial genetic characterization of Gujar population living in the Northwest areas of Pakistan"(PDF). Advancements in Life Sciences - International Quarterly Journal of Biological Sciences. 4 (3): 86 – via als-journal.com. The haplotypes of Gujjar population were assigned to mega haplogroups which revealed that the most frequent among them was R with the frequency of (48%) followed by haplogroup M (45%) and N (7%).
↑Ahmed, Mukhtar (2016-04-18). The Arains: A Historical Perspective. Cspace. ISBN978-1-5327-8117-9. It appears that the Gujjars of Pakistan were sun-worshipers who later got absorbed in the greater mass of Hinduism as they migrated to the East. Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun.
12345678Rizvi, S. H. M. (1998). Muslims. B.R. Publishing Corporation. ISBN978-81-7018-980-0. Once a Gujar king of Jammu ceded Gurjardesa to the king of Kashmir. About 380 gots (clans) are reported among Muslim Gujars. The most important of which are Batar, Haman, Khatana, Tomar, Rathe, Bhatti and Chandela
1234Ghosh, Anandamayee (2007). The Bhotias in Indian Himalayas: A Socio-linguistic Approach. B.R. Publishing Corporation. pp.109 to 113. ISBN978-81-7646-569-4. Gujjars (Muslims and Hindus and of no particular religious identity) are Dodhi Gujjars , Banjara Gujjars , Bakerwal Gujjars with minor subgroups like Hakla, Bajjar, Kohli, Chechi, Khatana, Badhana, Bagdi, Goosi and Kalas etc.
123456789101112131415Rahi, Javaid. The Gujjars -Vol 04 (Gujjars History & Culture) by Dr. Javaid Rahi. Jammu and Kashmir Acacademy of Art, Culture , Languages , Jammu. The names of the gotras are common to Hindu Gujjars, Sikh Gujjars and Muslim Gujjars in the Indian sub-continent. A few frominent gotras are Khatana, Hakla, Bajjar, Chechi, Rathore, Chauhan, Bhatti, Rana, Thekria, Noon, Bhadana, Gorsi, Bagri, Kasana, Bajran, Kohli, Khari and others.
↑Epilogue, Vol 3, Issue 11. Epilogue -Jammu Kashmir. p.47. Most of the Chauhans live in Jammu and Kashmir and some of them have embraced Islam. They are recognized as sub caste of Gujjars.
123456789Rawat, Ajay Singh (1993). Man and Forests: The Khatta and Gujjar Settlements of Sub-Himalayan Tarai. Indus Publishing. p.113. ISBN978-81-85182-97-1. Despite their conversion to Islam, the Gujjars have main-tained many rituals and practices of their Hindu ancestors. They have retained the 'Gotra" system, though they are not clear about the genesis of their gotras, except that it refers to their Hindu ancestry. Their important gotras are Kushan (Kasana), Lodha, Padhana, Bagri, Dinda, Dhetra, Chabra, Pathan, Kasani, & Bhainsi.
1234Epilogue, Vol 3, Issue 11. Epilogue -Jammu Kashmir. p.47. Their means of substances is cattle rearing. Some are leading semi nomadic life they never extend matrimonial relation with other Rajputs except Salaria, Kataria, Soods, Sango etc which are the sub castes of Muslim Gujjars.
↑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. ISSN1437-1596. PMID31858262. 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.
↑Nasir Faried, Butt (2017). "Position of Women Folk among the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir". International Journal of Research Culture Society. 1 (9): 324 – via IJRCS.ORG. In Pakistan they comprise almost 20% of the population. Gujjars can also be Muslim, Sikh, Christian and presumably Buddhist.
↑Ullah, Inam (3 March 2018). "Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Swat and Dir Districts Through Dental Morphology and Dna Analysis". Hazara University: Department of Genetics Hazara University Mansehra. p. 26. Today the Gujjars are famous in agriculture, urban professions and have great contribution in civil cervices, occupying large scales of land especially in northern parts of Pakistan and India. The population of Gujars in India is approximately 30 million while, in Pakistan their population is about 33 million.
↑Ahmed, Mukhtar (2016-04-18). "The Arains: A Historical Perspective". Cspace. p. 52. ISBN: 978-1-5327-8117-9.
↑Baldi, Dr. Shrikant (2019). SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY OF GUJJARS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH. Planing department Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. p.3. Out of the total Gujjar population in the State 14.0 percent of them are Hindus and 86.0 percent are Muslims. It is found that 100 percent Gujjars of Chamba, Sirmaur & Kangra are Muslims whereas, Gujjars residing in Solan District have only 1.4 percent Muslims and 98.6 percent Hindus.
↑Sharma, Anita (2021). "Communications from the Field: The Tale of Two Gujjar Communities". Nomadic Peoples. 25 (1): 138. doi:10.3197/np.2021.250116. ISSN0822-7942. JSTOR27139551. Effectively, the recent elections of the District Development Council in J&K have opened up a favourable democratic space for the first time since the 2019 clampdown. The Gujjar and Bakkarwal have won 38 seats (fifteen going to women) out of 280. Another 28 candidates from the community are believed to have lost by only a narrow margin.
↑Muslim Gujjars, Musalmān Gujjars, Muslim Gurjars, or Muslim Gujars (Gujari/Urdu/Punjabi: مُسَلمَان گُجَّر, Pashto: مسلمان ګوجر, Persian: مسلم گوجار, Hindi: मुस्लिम गुर्जर, (Gurmukhi Punjabi: ਂਉਸ੍ਲ੍ਇਮ੍ ਙ੍ਉਰ੍ਜ੍ਅਰ੍ਸ੍, (Pahari: M𑚄𑚨𑚶𑚥𑚮𑚢𑚶 G𑚄𑚤𑚶𑚑𑚤𑚶𑚨𑚶)
↑Gurjars in Pakistan are a traditionally agricultural community.[1][2]
↑Muslim Gujars in Himachal Pradesh are closely related to Van Gujars in UP, HP & Uttarakhand. They often intermarry with each other.[4]:108[5]
↑Gujari mostly spoken by Muslim Gujars. In 2011 census speakers of Gujari in Jammu and Kashmir (9.5%),[137] Himachal Pradesh (0.21%),[138] Uttarakhand (0.03%),[139] & Punjab (0.02%).[140]
12Van Gujjar's population for Uttarakhand 70,000,[176] for UP, Punjab & Haryana 80,000[177] and for Himachal Pradesh is 9,784.[178] their total population is 1,59,784.
12In 2011 census, the population of Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir was (1,13,198) and Gujjars was (9,80,654).[179]their total population was 10,93,852.
12In Uttar Pradesh's Gangoh (57,000),[100]Kairana (1,50,000)[99] and Amethi (60,000)[101] assembly constituencies total 2,67,000 Muslim Gujjars live. Their population in other areas of UP is not included.
↑Sum of all Muslim Gujars in north India is 2.36 million (Van Gujjar[ε] Bakarwal-Gujjars of Kashmir[ζ] Muslim Gujjars of HP[η], UP[θ] & Haryana).[97]
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