Khakha

The Khakha Rajputs (also spelt "Khaka", "Kakha", "Khake") of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan are a powerful and highly renowned Royal Warrior Clan of Muslim Rajputs ["Culture and Political History of Kashmir" by Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai, MD Publ. Ltd., 1994, p669] who have inhabited the Kashmiri region since the 13th century after the conquer of Janjua warlord Raja Khakha of the region of Upper Jhelum Valley of Kashmir.

They are a branch of the powerful Janjua Rajput dynasty of Northern India and Pakistan ["Tehreek-e-Janjua" by Raja Muhammad Anwar Khan Janjua, Sahiwal Press 1982, v1, p67] . Known for their fierce resistance against all invaders, from the Afghans, Mughals and the Sikhs, the Khakha Rajputs managed to retain their independence through their refractory policy and warlike exploits. They were so influential during their rule, that they aided Mughal Emperors first ever defeat in Kashmir in the Battle of Bulaysa, they defied the Afghan invaders and later terrorised the Sikh governors of Kashmir.

The highly warlike and fierce repute of the "Royal Khakha Janjua Warlords" earned them an undisputed position in the Jhelum Valley of Kashmir as the most powerful tribe in the region. Their tribal kings, princes and Rajas were renowned for their heroic rebellion against Afghans, Sikhs and British invaders.

Today they occupy major positions within the Azad Kashmir government and are a still a powerful tribe of respected position.

History

The "Khakha Rajputs" are a branch of the Janjua Rajputs. The famed dynasty that has ruled western Punjab since the 13th century in a powerful and warlike fashion. ["The Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu" Sang-e-Meel, 2002, p34] Janjua Rajputs are known as the ""'most valiant Kshatriyas (warriors) in Punjab". ["History of Mediaeval Hindu India" by Chintaman Vinayak Vaidya, Cosmo Publ. 1979, p129]

The Janjua Rajputs are the descendants of Maharaja Janamejaya, Emperor of Hastinapur and great-grandson of the valiant warrior prince Arjun of the Mahabharata, also known as the "Achilles of India". The "Khakha Lords" are essentially Pandavas. Today, they are entirely Muslim by faith. ["Punjab Chiefs" by Lepel H. Griffin, Lahore Press, 1909, p214]

Raja Mal Khan

"Raja Dhrupet Dev", the King of Mathura, was exiled from his kingdom by the famed general "Kutub-ud-Din Aibak", in 1195 AD. The Raja and his brother "Shripat Dev" conquered Chakwal region of Rajghar and settled there.

But it was son illustrious son, Raja Mal who established the fortune of the royal house. He was the first Muslim convert from the Janjua Rajput dynasty. He conquered the entire region of "Rajghar" and renamed it "Malluki ki Dhani" with its capital at "Malot", where he built a large famous fort. [The History of the Muhiyals: The Militant Brahman Race of India By T P Russell Stracey, General Muhiyal Sabha, Lahore, p77]

Raja Mal Khan's young son, Raja Khakha Khan is the apical ancestor of the "Khakha Rajputs". His elder brothers included "Raja Jodh Khan of Makhiala" (Jhelum), "Raja Bhir Khan of Malot" (Chakwal), "Raja Kala Khan" of Kahuta and "Raja Tanoli" of Amb (Hazara).Bace of khakha is village kachili in muzffrabad ak most famous families of khakha is in this village.

The Khakha Rajputs during the Mughal Period

The Khakha Rajputs have played an important part in the history of Kashmir by creating alliances with other Kashmiri tribes against many powerful rulers, such as the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The feudal Khakha lords had allied with "Yakub Shah" against the Mughal army of Akbar at the battle of Bulyasa and were victorious. [http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:EYjwklX5dyAJ:www.kashmir-information.com/Baharistan/chapter8.html+khakha+akbar+yusuf+shah&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=2]

Khakha Rajput Resistance to the Sikh Empire

During the Sikh Conquer of Kashmir, The Khakha Rajputs united with their age old allies, the Bhamba tribe and fought hard against the invading Sikhs.

It is recorded, that upon a British Officer's visit to Kashmir in 1822, he had to return from Uri as the Khakha chief would not allow him to pass. ["Culture and Political History of Kashmir" by Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai, MD Publ. Ltd., 1994, p637] .

The fierce and warlike Khakhas began to intensify their raids in consequence to the weakening Sikh power. Eventually, when Maharaja Gulab Singh assumed rulership of Kashmir, he managed to drive back the Khakhas with great difficulty. But knowing the unrelenting fierce reputation of the rebellious Khakhas, he immediately installed strong garrisons in the forts guarding the passes. ["Culture and Political History of Kashmir" by Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai, MD Publ. Ltd., 1994, p637, p669, p670]

Despite facing the best of the Sikh power to subdue them, they still enjoyed a highly privileged position ["Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu", Sang e Meel, 2002, p9, p34] , paying little if any taxes, openly wearing arms and defying orders where possible. ["History of Operations in Jammu & Kashmir, 1947-48" by Sri Nandan Prasad, Dharm Pal, Govt. of India 1987, p4]

Ancestral Title and Reputation

The "Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu" records, "The Khakhás, who enjoy the proud title of Rájá, are Musalmán Rájputs, and trace their descent to Rájá Mal......They regard themselves as belonging to the Janjuah tribe." ["Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu", Sang-e-Meel, 2002, p34 [http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:_W5yECuFZK0J:www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/people.htm+Gazetteer+of+the+Dera+Ghazi+Khan+District+janjua&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1] ]

The Khakhas are renowned for being a "powerful and fiercely warlike Musalman Rajput tribe".

During the period of the Afghan overlordship over the region of Kashmir it is recorded, "..paid little to their overlord and were practically independent." " Even when the Sikh empire tightened their hold over the Jhelum Valley of Kashmir, the Khakhas retained a privileged position. ["Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu", Sang e Meel, 2002, p9, p34] In fact, the privilege was such that they would openly wear their weapons and arms in defiance. ["History of Operations in Jammu & Kashmir, 1947-48" by Sri Nandan Prasad, Dharm Pal, Govt. of India 1987, p4]

Their power and dominance aided "Yakub Shah" in his defence of Kashmir, in what was the first defeat of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1582 on his first incursion into the Kashmir valley. But Akbar eventually returned more powerful, and finally conquered the region in 1586. ["Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu", Sang e Meel, 2002, p25, p34]

The "Khakha Rajputs" have also continued their ancestral tradition of recording of the family lineal tree. The above all indicate a strong a continuance of the Janjua traditions by the "Khakha Rajas", making them a highly successful and powerful branch of the Janjua dynasty. They have always been a force to be reckoned with in the "Jhelum Valley" and their reputation as a fierce warlike tribe is well renowned. Though converted completely to Islam, they continued their traditional title of Rajput a many centuries on. ["Kashmiris Fight for Freedom" by Muhammad Yusuf Saraf, Ferozson 1977, p77]

A strange fact recorded about the tribe, is that their fierce, often predatorial raids during the Sikh age earned them a localised legend, that mothers would tell their children "..the Khakhas are coming..." to frighten them. ["Kashmiris Fight for Freedom" by Muhammad Yusuf Saraf, Ferozson 1977, p78]

Sir George Campbell of the British Raj referred to them as "...a curiously handsome people."

This was also corroborated by J.M. Wikely, a Recruiter for the British Indian Army, who called them a handsome race.

The Khakha and the Khasas

The Khakhas are sometimes confused with the ancient Khasas ["History of the Panjab Hill States "by John Hutchison, J. PhVogel, Jean Philippe Vogel, Asian Educational Services 1994, p698] of the Mahabharata, but this is purely theoretical and based simply on phronetic grounds.

There exists no record of the clan having made any reference to descendancy from the Khasas, although independent historians have made mention of Raja Mal Janjua's son Raja Khakha Khan's entry and conquer and residence of the Jhelum Valley region. This is also coroborated by the Khakhas own records. ["Imperial Gazetteer of Kashmir and Jammu" Sang-e-Meel, 2002, p34]

Family Tree of the Khakha Rajas of Jagarli

The Dineal, Jagarli Khakha Kingdom's rulers and still current inhabitants, have provided a family tree for reference to their connection to the great Janjua Rajput.
Maharaja Dhrupet Dev Janjua - ruler of Mandu Fort and Mathura State [http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:uDsCFRzZmBcJ:www.mohyal.com/gms/m_member.htm+raja+mal+mohyal&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=5]
Maharaja Ajmal Dev Janjua/a.k.a Maharaja Mal Khan Janjua
Raja Khakha Khan
Raja Manghi Khan
Raja Ali-Sher Khan
Raja Panja Khan
Raja Feroz Khan/Pirouz Khan
Raja Goun /Junaid Khan
Raja Dard/Daat Khan
Raja Souroj Khan
Raja Jogh Khan
Raja Ismail Khan
Raja Jehra Khan
Raja Jang /Rang Khan
Raja Khaki Khan (ruler of Jaglari)
Raja Kabul Khan (Tomb Jaglari, Chota, Azad Kashmir)
Raja Shuja Khan
Raja Manda Khan
Raja Neka Khan
Raja Kalou Khan
Raja Mahnja Khan
Raja Hansou Khan
Raja Neka Khan
Raja Rahmat Khan
Raja Hamat Khan
Raja Dina Khan (of Dineal)
Raja Marcha Khan
Raja Mangha Khan (of Chaprian Jaglari) | Raja Hansou Khan
Raja Fakir Khan (Tomb Raval Pindi Rata Punjab, Pakistan)
Raja Fateh Noor Khan | Raja Abdul-Khaliq Khan - Raja M. Rafaq Khan - Raja Taj M. Khan - Raja M. Bashir Khan

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Raja Muhammad Rafaq Khan
Raja Elias Khan Raja Dahoud Khan Raja Samiullah Khan Raja Taj Muhammad Khan
Laila Khan Tara Khan Raja Tariq Khan Kalsoum Shima Raja Asif Khan Raja Khaliq Khan
Zareena Khan Yasmeen Khan Raja Amar N. Khan Raja Asim N. Khan Raja Muhammad Bashir Khan | Raja Imran Saida Raja Niaz Raja Siab Raja Iftikhar Raja Ibrahim

Note: 1)Raja Muhammad Rafaq Khan translated the original Urdu, French and English. 2) Raja Asim N. Khan Posted this work

Famous Khakha Rajas

A famed Khakha chief of his time was Raja Ghashu Khan Khakha who is still remembered by the Kashmiri tribes as a fair and courageous ruler of his kingdom.

Other present day Khakha Rajputs are highly influential in the region of Azad Kashmir and hold key positions in government. These include:

*"Raja Muhammad Haider Khan" (Former President AJK Muslim Conference Of AJK)
*"Raja Muhammad Niaz Khan" (Former Secretary to the Government Of AJK)
*"Raja Muhammad Latif Khan" (Former MLA, AJK assembly)
*"Raja Muhammad Farooq Niaz Khan" (Senior Member Board of Revenue and Secretary to Government Of AJK)
*"Raja Farooq Haider Khan" (Former Caretaker Prime Minister, Senior Minister, Advisor to Government Of AJK)
*"Raja Qayum Khan" (Minister, Government of AJK)
*"Raja Rehan Ul Mustafa Khan (Director of Azmat-e-Mustafa Association Azad Kashmir)
*"Raja Abdul Qayum Khan Late" (Advocate and Founder of Rajput Foundation AJK & Pakistan)
*"Raja Muhammad Khalid Niaz Khan" (Director Auqaf, Government Of AJK)
*"Raja Muhammad Yaseen Khan" (Leislative Assembly Member, Government Of AJK)(Former Minister AJK)
*"Raja Mohammed Saddiq Khan" Late Ex Candidate AJK Assembly Dheerkot Bagh 1
*"Raja Mir Hussain Khan" Dpty Accountant General (Rtd)
*"Raja Atif Khan" (Ex Senior Vice-President of Bar Council Azad Kashmir)

References

raja sajaad ahmed khan ex vice chairman of ajk bar council from dhir kot raja muhammed khan retired from British armyRaja muhamme yousaf khan late founder member of JKLL

References

#"The Punjab Chiefs" by Lepel H. Griffin (Lahore Press, 1909, p214).
#"Tehreek-e-Janjua" by Raja Muhammad Anwar Khan Janjua (Sahiwal Press 1982, v1, p67)
#"Chronicles of Early Janjua" by Dr. H Khan, (iUniverse 2003, p17,p26)

See also

* Muslim Rajputs
* Janjua
* Jarral
* Ranial Rajputs
* Shahi
* Thakial Rajputs