Jawanda

= Jawanda Surname=

Jawanda is a Jat surname traditionally found in Northern India particularly in Punjab (India). Most Jawandas are Punjabis of the Sikh faith or born to Sikh parents.

Historical Context

The Jats/Jatts ( _hi. जाट, _pa. ਜੱਟ, _ur. جاٹ) of Northern India and Pakistan. In India, they inhabit the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. In Pakistan, they are found in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.

The Jats, like most South Asians, are mostly farmers; they are the dominant land owner caste, particularly in Panjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. However they are also found in many other professions. A large number of Jats serve in the Indian Army, including the Jat Regiment, Rajputana Rifles, Sikh Regiment and the Grenadiers, among others. Jats also serve in the Pakistan Army particularly in the Punjab Regiment.

There are numerous theories about the origin of the Jats. Jats are commonly considered to be of Scythian (Saka), Indo-European, Indo-Iranian or Indo-Aryan stock in view of the similar physical features and common practices. A recent study of the people of Indian Punjab, where about 40% or more of the population are Jats, suggest that the Jats are similar to other populations of the Indus Valley.

The Jats seem to have first occupied the Indus valley as far down as Sindh, whither the Meds followed them about the beginning of the present era. But before the earliest Muslim conquests the Jats had spread into Punjab proper, where there were firmly established in the beginning of the eleventh century.

Jats were previously ardent followers and supporters of Buddhism and Jainism, along with the Vedic religion, and its successor, modern Hinduism. Today, about 30% of all Jats follow Sikhism, especially in the Punjab, the rest are evenly split between Islam and Hinduism. Most Hindu Jats reside in India in the states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Most Sikh Jats reside in Punjab (India), though they have also spread throughout India and across the globe, especially in Canada, England, and Northern California in the United States.

Despite having followed different religions for centuries, Jats have maintained their ancestral Jat characteristics. The common clan names among the jats of various faiths and regions are an important proof of their common ancestry or ethnic background. Many Jatt clans are also cross-listed as Rajput, Choudhary, Zamindar, Gujjar, Tarkhan and Kamboj especially Sodhi, Sial, Kashyap, Kakkar (Khakkar/Ghakkar), Rai and Walia.

The Punjabi culture is one of self-dependence, self-reliance and hard work, which have made Punjabis statistically on average the wealthiest in India. These character traits comes from Punjab's difficult history, in particularly due to the number of outside invasions, (Greeks, Arabs, Turks, Iranians, Mughals and Afghans).

This heroism of Punjabis was highlighted with Alexander the Great's invasion of Punjab. In a letter to his mother he wrote, "I am involved in the land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a well of steel, confronting my soldier. You have brought only one son into the world, but everyone in this land can be called an Alexander”".

Punjab (India) historically forms a part of the larger Punjab region, which also includes the province of Punjab (Pakistan), the Indian states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and Delhi and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The state is the location of one of the world's first and oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization, India's first civilization. As a consequence it has some of the richest cultural history in the world.

The language of the people of Punjab, on both sides of the international border, is Punjabi; however, the alphabet used is different (Gurmukhi on the Indian side and Shahmukhi on Pakistani side).

The word "Punjab" is a combination of the Persian words 'Punj' (پنج) "Five", and 'Aab' (آب) "Water", giving the literal meaning of the "Land of the Five Rivers". The five rivers after which Punjab is named after are the Jhelum; the Chenab; the Ravi; the Beas and the Sutlej - all of them are the tributaries of the Indus river.

Sikhism is the fifth-largest organised religion in the world.Fact|date=May 2007 Adherents of Sikhism are known as Sikhs ("students" or "disciples") and number over 23 million across the world. However, most Sikhs live in the state of Punjab in India (Sikhism is the persuasion of about 60% [ [http://www.censusindia.gov.in/ Indian Census] ] of the population. ). Prior to partition, millions of Sikhs used to live in what is now the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Sikhism is a religion that began in sixteenth century Northern India with the teachings of Nanak and nine successive human gurus. Sikhism comes from the word "Sikh", which in turn comes from the Sanskrit root "IAST|śiṣya" meaning "disciple" or "learner", or "IAST|śikṣa" meaning "instruction." [cite book | last=Singh | first=Khushwant | authorlink=Khushwant Singh | year=2006 | title=The Illustrated History of the Sikhs | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=India | id = ISBN 0-19-567747-1 | pages=15] [pa icon cite book | last=Nabha | first=Kahan Singh | year=1930 | language=Punjabi | title=Gur Shabad Ratnakar Mahan Kosh/ _pa. ਗੁਰ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਰਤਨਾਕਰ ਮਹਾਨ ਕੋਸ਼| url=http://www.ik13.com/online_library.htm#mahankosh | accessdate=2006-05-29 | pages=720] The principal belief in Sikhism is faith in one God—"Vāhigurū"—represented using the sacred symbol of "unicode|ēk ōaṅkār". Sikhism advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The Harimandir Sahib, known popularly as the Golden Temple, is a sacred shrine for Sikhs.

The followers of Sikhism are ordained to follow the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus, or enlightened leaders, as well as the holy scripture—the "Gurū Granth Sāhib"—which includes the selected works of many authors from diverse socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. The text was decreed by Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, as the final guru of the Khalsa Panth. Sikhism's traditions and teachings are distinctly associated with the history, society and culture of the Punjab.

The term guru comes from the Sanskrit "gurū", meaning teacher, guide or mentor. The traditions and philosophy of Sikhism were established by ten specific gurus from 1469 to 1708. Each guru added to and reinforced the message taught by the previous, resulting in the creation of the Sikh religion. Guru Nanak Dev was the first guru and appointed a disciple as successor.

Guru Teg Bahadur became guru in 1665 and led the Sikhs until 1675. Teg Bahadur was executed by Aurangzeb for helping to protect Hindus, after a delegation of Kashmiri Pandits came to him for help when the Emperor condemned them to death for failing to convert to Islam. [cite book | last=Rama | first=Swami | year=1986 | title=Celestial Song/Gobind Geet: The Dramatic Dialogue Between Guru Gobind Singh and Banda Singh Bahadur | publisher=Himalayan Institute Press | id = ISBN 0-89389-103-7 | pages=7-8]

He was succeeded by his son, Gobind Rai who was just nine years old at the time of his father's death. Gobind Rai further militarised his followers, and was baptised by the "unicode|Pañj Piārē" when he formed the Khalsa in 1699. From here on in he was known as Guru Gobind Singh. [cite book | last=Singh | first=Khushwant | authorlink=Khushwant Singh | year=2006 | title=The Illustrated History of the Sikhs | publisher=Oxford University Press | location=India | id = ISBN 0-19-567747-1 | pages=37-38]

Jawanda Clan Earliest Recorded History

According to author H.S. Duleh ("History of the Jatt Clans", translation by Gurjant Singh):

The Jawanda clan derives its name from their ancestor named Jawanda. They are from the lineage of Dusal, the brother of King Rawal Jaisal of Jaisalmer.

Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput who founded Jaisalmer, was the son of King Rawal Dusaj of Lodhruva. King Dusaj appointed Jaisal's younger brother Vijayraj Lanjha as his successor. After Vijayraj took the throne, Jaisal was driven out of the kingdom and formed an army. Vijayraj Lanjha died on the battlefield in the resulting war. Following this war, other Bhati rajputs accepted Jaisal as their new king and stopped fighting among themselves; however, the city of Lodhruva was completely destroyed. With the waning of Buddhist influence and the re-emergence of Hinduism, some of the Bhati Rajputs split into Gujjars and Jats.

In the 12th century, the Jawandas settled in Bathinda, Mansa and Sangrur. In the 17th century, when ninth Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur, visited Malwa to popularise Sikhism, there were 22 villages of Jawandas. (Guru visited Malwa during his three successive trips to Kiratpur.)

A Harika Jatt named Durgu was also living there who was son-in-law of Jawandas. He served the Guru to his best. Guru told him that this area is going to be ruined and advised him to go back to his previous village in Doaba. Taloka, their chieftain, ignored the Guru.

Some time later the Jawandas were ruined by Moslem Sheikhs. Uprooted, some of the Jawandas went towards Saharanpur while others went to Bathinda (founded by Rao Bhatti), Mansa, Muktsar, Faridkot and Ludhiana. Presently they are settled mostly in the areas of Sunam, Barnala and Malerkotla.

Bhai Dharam Singh Ji, the second of Guru Gobind Singhji's Panj Piare (five beloved followers) was a Jawanda belonging to Hastinapur (Delhi). Before being baptized his name was Dharam Chand Jawanda.

Sucha Singh Soorma, who lived in the village of Sumau (near Sangrur in the Malwa Punjab) is a Jawanda. Sucha Singh is considered a folk legend (one of the famous Punjabi Kisse). He is widely admired in Punjabi culture for upholding the honour of his family by killing his sister-in-law Balbiro and her extramarital lover Ghukkar, who at one time was his own best friend.

Many Jawandas now live in Canada, United States and England. For example Rashpal Singh, Amrik Singh (former kabaddi player of Gravesend), Jaspreet Singh, Teja Singh, Daljit Singh, Gurpreet Singh and many more all live in England. Also, Chand Singh Jawanda of pind Kokri Butraan now resides in Surrey, BC, Canada.

Gurdit Singh Jawanda

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Port Alberni BC Canada

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image_caption = Entering Port Alberni


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seal_size =
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map_caption = Location of Port Alberni
website = [http://www.portalberni.ca/ portalberni.ca]
footnotes =

One of the first of the Jawandas to come North America was Gurdit Singh Jawanda, who arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1906, the same year the Khalsa Diwan Society was formed in Vancouver with its first temple on 1866 West 2nd Avenue.

Gurdit was from the village of Haripur Khalsa, in Punjab (India). More precisely, this village is in Jalandhar District (this part of Punjab is also known as Doaba). The village is just west of the town of Phillaur, slightly north of the Sutlej River, which also serves as the border with Ludhiana District, which is also in Punjab (India).

Soon after arriving in Vancouver, Gurdit was arrested by the Canadian authorities for not entering the country lawfully. In the early days of Canadian immigration policy, there were strict quotas and rules against Asian immigration. Although, Gurdit did not arrive on the infamous Komagata Maru, which docked in Vancouver eight years later, the attitude towards immigrants of that time was much the same. (A forthcoming movie about the Komagata Maru incident, called Exclusion, is being developed by internationally acclaimed director, Deepa Mehta and to star Bollywood legend, Amitabh Bachchan.)

Gurdit eventually escaped from the internment camp with a handful of other Punjabis. Gurdit, known for his work hard and play hard lifestyle, was able to somehow find employment in Vancouver. Years later he brought to the lower mainland area, his two sons. They settled in Port Alberni, British Columbia, a town on Vancouver Island that was a hub of the British Columbia forest industry at the time, and to a somewhat lesser degree today.

Not a very hospitable place for Indo-Canadian families at the time, the Jawandas did not begin bringing their wives to Canada until the grandchildren of Gurdit started to arrive in the early to mid 1960s. This Jawanda generation was the first to have their children born in Canada and raised as westerners. Until this time, Gurdit and his two sons would work to send money back to India to enhance the family farm holdings and treasury back in Haripur Khalsa.

A prominent gate built by Gurdit's sons with money earned from working in the saw mills of Port Alberni, still stands today at the entry point to the sprawling Jawanda farm. This 'triumphal arch' serves as a reminder to the family of the struggle and sacrifice of Gurdit Jawanda after adventurously entering Canada.

The progeny of Gurdit Jawanda to this day live mostly in the Greater Vancouver area and Vancouver Island. Some still work in the forestry and other blue collar industries, while many have also diverisified, making their livings as entrepreneurs, business and sales executives, middle managers, real estate developers, etc.

Haripur Khalsa Roots

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Phillaur | type = city | latd = 31.03 | longd = 75.78
locator_position = right | state_name = Punjab
district = Jalandhar
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 234
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 22,228| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
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unlocode =
website =
footnotes =
This coded generational tree below can be used to determine the male line of Haripur Khalsa Jawandas. Haripur Khalsa is a village just west of Phillaur, a town in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It is believed these Jawandas originally come from Ludhiana District.

Suppose we want to know Rashpal Singh's line, you'll need to check his number (1111141). Now cut one digit from the right side (1111141) which leaves you with (111114). Match this number with male from previous step (in this case Rashpal's father, Surinder Singh. Repeat this step to find (11111) Chanan Singh, and so on. In the end, you are left with Rashpal Singh's entire male line:

Rashpal Singh ---> Surinder Singh ---> Chanan Singh ---> Pal Singh ---> Ghanaia ---> Vadhava Singh ---> Khin

Generational tree of the Jawanda male line of Haripur Khalsa:

(1) Khin, (2) Danna, (3) Hari Singh, (4) Bannu Smadhwalla

Next Step

(11) Vadhava Singh, (12) Gulab Singh

(21) Butta, (22) Atroo

(31) Bhupa Singh(32)sroopa Singh

Next Step

(111) Ghanaia Singh

(121) Gurdit Singh, (122) Malla Singh, (123) Kartar Singh, (124) Hazara Singh

(211) Isher Singh, (212) Bholla Singh, (213) Sunder Singh, (214) Kaka Singh

(221) Bariam Singh, (222) Basant Singh, (223) Joginder Singh, (224) Kehar Singh

(311)Prem Singh

Next Step

(1111) Pal Singh, (1112) Harnam Singh

(1211) Gurbachan Singh, (1212) Rattan Singh

(1231) Bawa Singh, (1232) Gurdial Singh, (1233) Karnail Singh, (1234) Jarnail Singh, (1235) Ajaib Singh

(1236) Teja Singh, (1237) Gurmej Singh

(2111) Mall Singh, (2121) Nathu Singh, (2122) Dalip Singh

(2131) Kartar Singh

(2141) Dara Singh, (2142) Kheru Singh

(2221) Chain Singh, (2222) Parkash Singh, (2223) Darashan Singh, (2224) Sucha Singh, (2225) Lachhman Singh

(3111) Sohan Singh(3112)Mohan singh (311)Onkar Singh

Next Step

(11111) Chanan Singh, (11112) Lehmber Singh

(11121) Gurmej Singh, (11122) Harbans Singh, (11123) Avtar Singh

(12111) Amrik Singh, (12112) Balvir Singh, (12113) Kuldeep Singh, (12114) Jasvir Singh

(12121) Jeet Singh, (12122) Nirmal Singh, (12123) Palvinder Singh, (12124) Paramjit Singh

(12311) Avtar Singh, (12312) Butta Singh, (1233) Jagjeet Singh

(12341) Balkar Singh, (12342) Baljinder Singh, (12343) Ravinder Singh

(12351) Atma Singh, (12352) Jaskaran Singh

(12361) Daljeet Singh, (12362) Gurpreet Singh

(12371) Surjit Singh

(21221) Ujagar Singh, (21222) Harjit Singh, (21223) Jorawar Singh, (21224) Pargan Singh, (21225) Charan Singh

(21311) Pritam Singh, (21312) Sohan Singh

(21421) Jhalman Singh, (21422) Sohan Singh

(22231) Joginder Singh (22232) Jaswinder Singh (22233) Sukhwinder Singh

(22241) Kashmir Singh (22242) Harnek Singh

(31111) Balbeer Singh (31112)Parmjit Singh

(31121) Mejar Singh(31122) Gurpal Singh

Next Step

(111111) Sohan Singh, (111112) Kewal Singh, (111113) Gian Singh, (111114) Surinder Singh, (111115) Mota Singh

(111121) Harminder Singh

(111211) Kuldip Singh, (111212) Surjit Singh

(111231) Gurbinder Singh

(121111) Narinder Singh, (121112) Harinder Singh, (121113) Gurinder Singh

(121221) Davinder Singh, (121222) Sukminder Singh, (121223) Jatinder Singh

(212211) Mohinder Singh

(21222) Shingara singh (212222) Jeevan Singh (212223) Lakhveer Singh

(212231) Kulwant Singh

(212241) Kulwinder Singh

(212251) Maan Singh

(213111) Satnam Singh (213112) Sarbjit Singh (213113) Resham singh (213114) Makhan Singh (213115) Sukhdev Singh

(213121) Balihar Singh

(222311) Hardeep Singh

(222321) Harpreet Singh

(222331) Amandeep Singh

(222421) Gurwinder Singh (222422) Kushwinder Singh

(31111) Amarjeet Singh

(311211)Daljeet singh

Next Step

(1111131) Amrik Singh, (1111132) Balwinder Singh, (1111133) Makhan Singh

(1111141) Rashpal Singh, (1111142) Resham Singh, (1111143) Dharminder Singh

(1111151) Surjit Singh

(1111211) Ravinder Singh, (1111212) Gurpinder Singh

(1112111) Manpreet Singh, (1112112) Jatinder Singh

(1112121) Inderjit Singh

(1212211) Darian Singh

(212221) Gurpreet Singh

(2122221) Harmanpreet singh

(2122411) Sukhdip Singh

(2122511) Amanpreet Singh

(2122710)balwant singh(2122711)mastan singh(2122712)gurwinder singh(2122713)jaswinder singh

Next Step

(11111311) Jaspreet Singh

(11111321) Gurpreet Singh

Related Surnames

Alphabetical (incomplete) list of surnames related to Khin Singh Jawanda and his progeny through marriage:

* Bhatti
* Cheema
* Gill (clan)
* Johal
* Marzara
* Sahota
* Sihota
* Virk

References

* [http://www.jattworld.com/portal/modules/newbb_plus/viewtopic.php?topic_id=1716&forum=1 Jatt World Forum]
* [http://www.jattworld.com/portal/modules/mysections/viewcat.php?cid=8 History of the Jatt Clans] by Hoshiar Singh (H.S.) Duleh, translation by Gurjant Singh
* [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/sikh/index.html Becoming Canadian: Pioneer Sikhs in their Own Words]
* [http://www.mypind.com/jal/jalPage320.htm MyPind.com (Punjabi villages)]