Malik (Kashmir)

The Malik (Kashmiri: मालिक (Devanagari), ملِک (Nastaleeq)) is a caste of Rajput status, Malik is a title used mostly by Rajputs of Kotli District. ^[1][2] found in principally in the Darhal Valley of Jammu & Kashmir, India and over the Pir Panjal mountains in Poonch (both Indian & Pakistani administered), Jammu and few are also found in the Kotli and Mirpur Districts of Azad Kashmir. The Maliks are perhaps the largest clan of the Rajputs in Azad Kashmir. They are commonly found in Kotli district, as well as Mirpur and Bagh districts. In Kotli they use the title "Malik" and represent a majority in the whole area of "Raj Mehal", including Goi, Dhanwan, Hillan, Gharad, Janjora, Kalhar, Makrali, Phagwari, Ghazan, Rhiyan, Tinda Kalah,Roli Kurti Kotla and Gunni Malkan, etc. Malik Nawaz, senior Minister Azad Kashmir, belongs to the Minhas clan of Rajput. The Hindu branch of this tribe produced the Maharajahs of Jammu and Kashmir.^[3] Accorduing to the 1931 census, their male population numbered 19,000.

The Maliks are also found within the Kashmiri diaspora communities in Punjab region, namely in the cities of Amritsar and Ludhiana, where their traditional occupation has been soldiery History, They describe themselves as having been brought into Poonch by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to guard the passes into Kashmir from the Punjab.^[4].

Malik is title given to the tribe, according to their traditions by Emperor Akbar. They were required to defend the passes that led into Kashmir, and appear in the field for the Emperor when required. In return they were given villages.^[5]

See Also

• Ethnic Groups of Azad KashmirMalik Waqas Kashmiri is famous student Leader and a software engineer and young Phil scholar of Kotli Azad Kashmir.
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Muslim Rajputs
• Kashmiri Muslims

References

1. ^ A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Nirmal Publishers and Distributors. http://books.google.com/books?id=LPsvytmN3mUC&pg=PA479&dq=malik+kashmir+caste&hl=en&ei=OPjxTISOA4GC8gb92eThDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCIQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=malik%20kashmir%20caste&f=false. Retrieved 2007–03–25. "Caste or designation: Malik / Corresponding to: Rajput" 
2. ^ Census of India, 1901. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India. http://books.google.com/books?id=z64JAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA572&dq=malik+caste+kashmir&hl=en&ei=3PXxTLH2N8L78Aa35bikDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=malik%20caste%20kashmir&f=false. Retrieved 2007–03–25. "Entry in Provincial Table: Malik / Number of Persons: 25,871 / Province in which found: Andamans, Kashmir and Rajputna / Head under which claimed in Imperial Table: Main Caste." 
3. ^ People of India Jammu & Kashmir Volume XXV K. S Singh editor
4. ^ PUNJABI MUSALMANS Lt. Col. J.M. Wikeley Second Edition THE BOOK HOUSE
5. ^ People of India Jammu & Kashmir Volume XXV K. S Singh editor