Khokhar

Khokhar are a Punjabi community native to Pothohar Plateau of Pakistan, and the adjoining areas of India. Khokhars now predominantly follow Islam, though a minority continue to follow Hinduism. Many Khokhars converted to Islam from Hinduism after coming under the influence of Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar. The Persian historian of the medieval period, Firishta, has called the then Khokhar people a "barbaric race without religion and morality".

History

Muhammad Ghori undertook many campaigns against the Khokhars in Punjab before he was assassinated by the Khokhars at Dhamiak located in the Salt Range in March 1206.

Under Delhi Sultanate

In 1240 CE, Razia, daughter of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, and her husband, Altunia, attempted to recapture the throne from her brother, Muizuddin Bahram Shah. She is reported to have led an army composed mostly of mercenaries from the Khokhars of Punjab. From 1246 to 1247, Balban mounted an expedition as far as the Salt Range to eliminate the Khokhars which he saw as a threat.

Although Lahore was controlled by the government in Delhi in 1251, it remained in ruins for the next twenty years, being attacked multiple times by the Mongols and their Khokhar allies. Around the same time, a Mongol commander named Hulechu occupied Lahore, and forged an alliance with Khokhar chief Gul Khokhar, the erstwhile ally of Muhammad's father.

In 1320, Ghazi Malik launched an attack with the use of an army of Khokhar tribesmen and killed the then Sultan of Delhi, Khusro Khan to assume power.W. Haig (1958), The Cambridge History of India: Turks and Afghans, Volume 3, Cambridge University Press, pp 153-163Mohammad Arshad (1967), An Advanced History of Muslim Rule in Indo-Pakistan, , pp 90-92

Independent Chieftains

Mustafa Jasrat Khokhar (sometimes ''Jasrath'' or ''Dashrath'') was the son of Shaikha Khokhar. He became leader of the Khokhars after the death of Shaikha Khokhar. Later, he returned to Punjab. He supported Shahi Khan in the war for control of Kashmir against Ali Shah of Sayyid dynasty and was later rewarded for his victory. Later, he attempted to conquer Delhi, after the death of Khizr Khan. He succeeded only partially, while winning campaigns at Talwandi and Jullundur, he was hampered by seasonal rains in his attempt to take over Sirhind.

Colonial era

In reference to the British Raj's recruitment policies in the Punjab Province of colonial India, vis-à-vis the British Indian Army, Tan Tai Yong remarks: In reference to the historical residence of Khokhars at their traditional seat, the Salt Range:

See also

* List of Rulers of Pothohar Plateau
* Tribes and clans of the Pothohar Plateau
* List of Punjabi tribes

References

Citations

Bibliography

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{{Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab
Social groups of Punjab, India
Punjabi tribes
Social groups of Punjab, Pakistan