Demography of Rawalpindi District

The Demography of Rawalpindi District, a district of Punjab in Pakistan, has undergone significant changes over the years. It has been affected by turmoil in the surrounding countries.

According to the 1998 census the population of the district was 3,363,911 of which 53.03% were urban, making Rawalpindi the second most urbanised district in Punjab.^[1] By 1998 the population was estimated to be 4.41 million - a rise of over a million. The main tribes of the district are the Gakhar Kianis, Awan, Dhund Abbasi, Dhanyal, Bhatti, Chauhan, Janjua, Maliar, Mangral, Jasgam (Abbasi), Mughals, Pashtuns, Qureshi, Rawal, Satti and Sayyid.^[2]

History

1901 census

The 1901 census was carried out during the period of British rule, the population of the district in 1901 was 558,699, the area of the district at the time was 558,699 square miles^[3]

The main tribes of Rawalpindi District at that time were the saduzai(or most often known as sudhun),satti, Awan, Dhund Abbasi, Dhanyal, Gakhars, Gujjars, Jasgam, Jats, Kashmiris, Khattar, Paracha, Rajputs and Sayyid.^[4]

According to the census of 1901, the population of the main tribes were: Awan (38,768), Dhund Abbasis (23,462), Gakhars(13,328), Gujjars (25,953)Janjua Rajputs(7,557), Jats (34,556), Khattar(1,014). Miscellaneous Dhanyal(10,991), Satti (15,343) and Sayyid(12,508).

According to the 1901 census Muslims numbered 466,918, or more than 83% of the total population, while Hindus and Sikhs numbered 57,325 and 26,363 respectively.^[5]

Jat clans

The principal divisions of the Jats, according to 1901 census were:

Tribe	Total
Aura	1,629
Bains	1,371
Bhogial	590
Chhina	998
Dhamial	2,202
Dhamtal	695
Gondal	792
Kalial	1,781
Kanial	907
Khatril	1,578
Mial	599
Mogial	596
Sudhun	1,765
Sial	603
Thathal	534

^[4]

Rajput clans

The principal divisions of the Rajputs according to 1901 census were:

Tribe	Total
Adrah	909
Baghial	5,655
Bhakral	9,922
Bhatti	30,633
Chatha	500
Chauhan	2,560
Dhamial	2,838
Dhanyal	3,903
Gakhar	581
Hon	1,366
Janjua	3,195
Jatal	1,450
Kahial	652
Kanial	2,176
Kethwal	2,251
Manhas	3,694
Mial	699
Nagral	919
Nagralwal	580
Ranial	1,344
Sarral	1,292
Satti	3,013
Thathaal	4,019

^[4]

Other Rajput clans in the district include the Nagyal, Mathyal, Ratial, Sehngral, Sohlan, Sulehria, Langrial, Mangral, Khingar, Chib, Dhudhi, Ghik, , Hafyal, Hattar, Malal, Bhutial, Jamsral, Sainswal, Bijnial, Ramial, Hayal, Janjil, Tharjial, Khumbal, Bharial, Salhal, Toor and Dogra.^[6]

After independence

After independence in 1947 there was a large scale population transfer between India and Pakistan, refugees from East Punjab^[7] Kashmir and other areas arrived in Rawalpindi.^[8] While it is accepted that population of urban Rawalpindi has been transformed since partition, the rural population in the Kahuta, Kallar Syedan, Kotli Sattian, Gujar Khan and Murree Tehsils still comprise overwhelmingly of the tribes referred to in 1901 census.^[9]

Distribution

Murree Tehsil

The Muree Tehsil, barring the town of Muree itself which has a multi-ethnic population, is almost entirely held by the Dhund Abbasi tribe, with a few villages held by the Dhanyal and satti. Indeed, the dialect of Punjabi spoken in the tehsil, is often referred to as Dhundi-Kairali language.

Kotli Sattian Tehsil

This tehsil is largely held by the Dhanyal, Satti and Kethwal tribes, with a sprinkling of Jasgam and as well as a few other minor Muslim Rajput tribes.

Kotli Sattian in fact means the fort of the Sattis, and the tehsil is a stronghold of the tribe.

Kallar Syedan Tehsil

This tehsil is generally home a number of Rajput clans, such as the Bhakral, Bhatti, Janjua, Langrial, Baghial, Kahial, Hon Rajputs among others. The tehsil also has a fair amount of Gakhar and Awan villages.

Gujar Khan Tehsil

Gujar Khan Tehsil is home to a variety of communities; the town of Gujar Khan is multi-ethnic, having taken in refugees from Kashmir and East Punjab, as well as immigrants from others parts of the country.

The rural Union Councils are generally held by Gakhar, Gujar, Jat, Rajput (Mial, Manhas, Bangial, Kanyal, Bhakral, Bhatti, Janjua, and Gungal etc) and Awan tribes.

This tehsil is only one in Rawalpindi District where there is a substantial community of Jats. Along the Kallar Syedan Tehsil border, there are several villages of Sandhu Jats, who arrived in the region in the 18th century. Other clans in the tehsil include the Cheema, Chhina, Bains, Kalyal, Aura, and the Khingar, some of whom are Rajput, while others are Jats.

Kahuta Tehsil

Another district dominated by Rajput tribes, such the satti, Janjua, Mangral, Kethwal, Khatril and Bhatti. The hilly portion of the tehsil is held by the Jasgam Abbasi and Dhund Abbasi. In addition, the district is also home to a large number of Gakhars and Awans.

Taxila Tehsil

This tehsil is home to Awan, Khattar, Gujar and Alpial Rajputs.

The border with Attock District is almost entirely held by the Awan, Gujjar and Khattar tribes.

The family of the Alpial Chaudrys of Chakri is fairly prominent.

Rawalpindi Tehsil

Rawalpindi Tehsil includes the city of Rawalpindi and sarrounding countryside. The city is multi-ethnic, with large communities of immigrant Pashtuns. However, two communities, the Parachas and Kashmiris have always been historically connected with city. The rural areas are home mainly to Mughal, Gakhar, Rajput and Awan tribes. The Dhamial and Ranial Rajputs are two important clans, with villages near the city. Other important Rajput clans are the Bhakral, Bhatti, Minhas and Janjua, who form the four largest tribes in the tehsil. In addition, other Rajput clans include the Adrah, Baghial, Bhakral, Bains, Chauhan, Kanyal, Mattal, Mial, Nagyal, Nagral, Nagrawal, Ratial and Sarral. The tehsil is also home to small community of Jats, the Gondal, Chatha and Thathal are three important Jat clans in the tehsil.

See also

• Tribes and clans of the Pothohar Plateau
• Jat clans of Rawalpindi Division
• Muslim Rajput clans of Rawalpindi Division

References

1. ^ 1998 Census details
2. ^ District Profile: Northern Punjab - Rawalpindi
3. ^ Rāwalpindi Division - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 262
4. ^ ^{a b c} District Gazetteer of Rawalpindi District
5. ^ Rāwalpindi District Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 266.
6. ^ The Customary Law of the Rawalpindi district. Revised edition By J. M. Dunnett, H. St. J. B. Philby
7. ^ Troubling historical roots
8. ^ Residents of Auqaf houses threaten siege of parliament
9. ^ ELECTIONS 2002 (Rawalpindi Division)