Hanjra

Hanjra is the tribe of Jutt & Rajput status. Mostly Hanjras in Punjab considered themselves Jutts but some are Rajputs  whereas in Pothohar Hanjra considered themselves Rajputs. Hanjra in Punjab use titles of Chaudary, Malik, Sardar and Mian depending upon residing area of one's living while  Hanjra in Pothohar use title of Raja like other Rajput tribes of Pothohar.

Hanjra also has small presence in Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

Dr.Lal Bux Naich (from Mirpur Mathelo, Sindh) who has written extensively on the Tribes of Punjab & Sindh gives the following geneology:

Mool raj → Chalak Raj (Suraj Bansi) → Sutrak Raj (Taxila Sarkup university Founder)→Saroya →Hanjra

Hanjra word is written differently in different areas like Hinjra, Hunjra, Hanjrah, Hinjrai, Hinjraon, Hajira, Hanjirah, Hanjraw, Hajra, Hinjral, Hanjral, Hanj etc.

Religion

Hanjra tribe accepted Islam in between 1550-1575 A.D. at the hands of Hazrat Daud Bandagi Kirmani (R.A), a Sufi Saint of Qadri Order.

Hanjra living in Pakistani Punjab are Muslims while Hanjra in India are Sikhs and Hindus.

History

Mr. Morris writes that centuries ago they peopled more than half the Hafizabad District.
Hanjra is one of the aboriginal tribes of Gujranwala district ; they claim Solar (Suraj bansi Rajput) descent from one Hanjra, whose son "Lakat" 25 generations ago came from Hindustan, and settling in this district founded a city called Uskhab, the ruins of which near Kolo Tarar still exist ; he married the daughter of one Ruchand, with whom he lived for some years. Subsequently he returned to his native country in Hindustan, leaving his wife and his son "Mal" a growing youth, behind him. "Mal," on arriving at years of discretion, set out in search of his father, and found him ; at the same time discovering several new relations, in the sons of his father by a second marriage, did not agree, so the former returned to his mother in this district and founded a Village called "Mandiala Malanwala," the ruins of which are close to Dohattah Azmat. Presently a brother named "Dhol" arrived from Hindustan ; he was heartily welcomed by Mal, who gave him land ; and from these two brothers this tribe has spread till they occupy 37 villages and a large area of country. There are 9 sub divisions, named after Mal and his 8 half brothers. Seven of these are located in the Dehli Division, and two in this district. The tribe intermarry With all other sub-communities. Being principally Musalman, the custom of pagri-vand obtains. Their leading man is Chaudri Bahadur of Jurian. 

Reference: Report on the Revision of the Land Revenue Settlement of Gujranwala district,1866 page no.4

The Hanjra of the Gujranwala bar are a pastoral tribe, perhaps of aboriginal extraction. They own 37 villages in Gujranwala which is their home, but have spread both east and west under the hills. They claim to be Saroha Rajputs, and that their ancestor Hinjrano came from the neighbourhood of Hissar to Gujranwala and founded a city called Uskhab, the ruins of which still exist. Their immediate ancestors are Mal and Dhol,and they say that half their clans still live in the Hissar country. It would be interesting to know the names of these clan, and to examine the alleged connection between the two sections of the tribe. In the Hissar Settlement Report it is stated that " the Hinjraon pachada trace their origin to a Saroha Rajput ancestor called Hinjraon. They are all Muhammadans in this district though in other places Hindu Hinjraon Pachhadas are to be found".

Reference: The Punjab Castes book by Sir Denzel ibbeston published in 1916, page 115 and 117.

Hanjras trace their origins to the Saroya Rajputs. The Saroi Nagar in Rajasthan was founded by the Saroya Rajputs. Saroi Nagar area was held by them. Their ancestor name was Hanjrao/Hinjrano. The Hanjrao along with their clan, left Hissar and settled in the Hafizabad pargana of Gujranwala district. He established a village called Uskhab , the ruins of which are still found. They had 37 villages in Gujranwala district. The two great Dhol and Mal of this tribe were very famous persons. The Hanjras were popularly known as Hinjraon Pachadhe in Hisar and Sirsa area. They became Muslims in large numbers. Beyond Sirsa, they also came to the Malwa region of the Punjab. Muktsar (City in East Punjab) once had Hanjra population and they were Landlords. 
Maharaja Ranjit Singh confiscated half of their land and gave it to the Bains and Bhandars clans of Muktsar. In the Hissar Settlement Report it is stated that " the Hinjraon pachada trace their origin to a Saroha Rajput ancestor called Hinjraon. The Hanjra Jats are in minority in the areas of Sirsa, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Malerkotla, Amritsar and Gurdaspur. But are in majority in Western Punjab in the areas of Sialkot, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujarat, Muzaffargarh. The Hanjra Jats becomes largely Muslims in Shahpur and Montgomery (Sahiwal) district. As per the census of 1881, the number of Hanjras in the United Punjab was 25,265.

Hanjra Jats also live in the Sardul Garh area of ​​Mansa. Now the number of Hanjras in Punjab is low. Hanjra Jats are very Brave and Warriors.

Refference : Book ''History of Jats'' by Hoshiar Singh Duleh Originally from Book "Jattan da ittehas" in Punjabi by Gujrant Singh

Hanjra, Hinjrai, Hinjraon is an important Jutt Tribe, indigenous to the Gujranwala Bar. Once a pastoral tribe, perhaps of aboriginal extraction, they own 37 villages in Gujranwala which is their home, but have spread both east and west under the hills. They claim to be Saroha Rajputs by origin and say that their ancestor Hinjraon came from the neighbourhood of Hissar to the Haflzabad pargana in Gujranwala and founded a city called Uskhab, the ruins of which still exist. Their immediate ancestors were Mal and Dhol, and they say that half their clans still live in the Hissar country. 

A clan ofthe Muhammadan Pachadas, found in Hissar and also claiming descent from Saroha Rajputs. The Hanjra are also found in Shahpur, as an Agricultural clan, and in Montgomery, in which latter District they are all Hindus.

Refference: The Glossary of Tribes and Castes of Punjab and NWFP by H.A Rose Vol.2, page 333

Hanjra claim to be of Chandra Bansi Rajput origin, and where original inhabitants of Hissar. Hanjras are found chiefly in Gujranwala and Sialkot.

Refference: The Encyclopedia of Sikh Religion and Culture by RC DOGRA, page 218.

Hanjra is an old Tribe of Rajputs. Some people attribute them with Jutts. Their ancestor came from east punjab and settle down in west punjab.Hanjras present in Layya district came from Gujranwala.Hanjras are Landowners.

Refference: Book " Layyah di Tareekh" by Nasir Malik, Chapter no.9 Layya de Qabail te Zata.

The Bar tract of Sheikhupura Tehsil appears to have been held in Mughal times by Hinjra and Jag Hindu Jats and most of the numerous ruins of what were once apparently flourishing settlements are identified with the days of their ascendancy. When the central authority became enfeebled at the beginning of the last century, these industrious but un warlike Hindu tribes fell a prey to the more vigorous Muslim tribes (Kharals and Bhattis) who speedily ejected them from all but a fraction of their villages.

Refference: Sheikupura District Report 1961.

Following Jat Clans are Sub divisions of Saroya Sangha

Kalerawan, Balra, Bhore, Ghanghas, Hinjrawan, Kajla, Khot, Sarawat, Saroya, Sori.

Refference: The Glossary of Tribes and Castes of Punjab and NWFP by H.A Rose Vol.2, page 376

Distribution

According to Punjab Castes Abstract no.74 Hanjra had following population distribution in 1881 Census (About 25,000).

• Rawalpindi District (122)
• Gujrat District (1,170)
• Jhelam District (20)
• Gujranwala District (12,645)
• Sialkot District (2,515)
• Shahpur(Sargodha) District (829)
• Lahore District (1,495)
• Jhang District (482)
• Multan District (64)
• Muzaffargarh District (220)
• Montgomery(Sahiwal) District (600)
• Amritsar District (2,227)
• Gurdaspur District (366)
• Jalandhar District (2,050)
• Firozpur District (267)
• Total East Plains (58).

According to 1901 Census of India, Hanjra was the Tenth (10th) largest  Muslim Jutt Tribe in United Punjab.

Muslim Hanjra = 15,952
Sikh Hanjra= 4,661
Hindu Hanjra= 1,842
Total= 22,455

• Chenab colony 1810
• Jhang 370
• Multan 170
• Muzaffargarh 402
• Sargodha 528
• Gujrat 2448
• Ferozepore 304
• Lahore 1511
• Gurdaspur 595
• Gujranwala 7881
• Sialkot 2423
• Amritsar 1788
• Hissar 2365
• Patiala 1380
• Sahiwal 535
• Native states (Faridkot, Kapurthala, Malerkotla) 1471

According to 1911 Census of India, Hanjra had following population distribution in United Punjab.

Hanjra Population as per 1911 Census
Division	District/Tehsil	Muslim	Sikh	Total
Rawalpindi	Gujrat  District	2751		2751
	Tehsil Gujrat	1874		1874
	Tehsil Kharian	613		613
	Tehsil Phalia	264		264
	Shahpur (Sargodha) District	790		790
	Tehsil Shahpur	356		356
	Tehsil Bhera	170		170
	Tehsil Sargodha	264		264
Lahore	Lahore District	838	353	1191
	Tehsil Lahore	94	60	154
	Tehsil Chunia'n	633	284	917
	Tehsil Kasur	111	9	120
	Gujranwala District	4334	1424	5758
	Tehsil Gujranwala	838	638	1476
	Tehsil Wazirabad	826	60	886
	Tehsil Hafizabad	1347	466	1813
	Tehsil Khanqa Dogra	736	256	992
	Tehsil Shikarpur	587	4	591
	Sialkot District	1744	405	2149
	Tehsil Sialkot	325	26	351
	Tehsil Pasrur	967	30	997
	Tehsil Zafarwal	55	46	101
	Tehsil Raya	214	144	358
	Tehsil Daska	183	159	342
	Amritsar District	142	1528	1670
	Tehsil Amritsar	38	1106	1144
	Tehsil Tarn Taran	23	40	63
	Tehsil Ajnala	81	382	463
	Gurdaspur District	181	261	442
	Tehhsil Gurdaspur	181	66	247
	Tehsil Batala		195	195
Multan	Jhang District	1176		1176
	Tehsil Jhang	908		908
	Tehsil Chiniot	139		139
	Tehsil Shorkot	129		129
	Faisalabad District	805		805
	Tehsil Faisalabad	548		548
	Tehsil Samundari	218		218
	Tehsil Toba Tek Singh	39		39
Patiala State	Patiala		1341	1341
		12,761	5,312	18,073

Villages

          Villages in Hafizabad and Gujranwala 

                                         

Village Name	District	Founder Name	Detail
Kot Mubarak	Hafizabad	Mubarak	Founder Mubarak Born in the 22nd generation of Hanjra
Madharianwala	Hafizabad	Banhu	Founder Banhu Born in 11th generation of Hanjra
Bagh kahna	Hafizabad	Sev	Founder Sev and Banhu were  brothers and sons of Beharta (10th generation of Hanjra)
Kot Mian	Hafizabad	Omar	Founder Omar was born  in the line of Sev and in the 24th generation of Hanjra
Thatha Omar	Hafizabad	Omar	Founder Omar
Bagh Nu	Hafizabad	Omar	Founder Omar
Mag'huke	Hafizabad	Mag'hu	Founder Maghu was son of Bokan as Bokan was brother of Beharta. Maghu & Sev were Cousins
Mamna	Hafizabad	Mamna	Founder Mamna was Born in 9th generation of Hanjra
Bagga wala	Hafizabad	Muhammad	Mamna & Sanda were brothers and sons of Chag. Founder Muhammad was born in 9th generation of Sanda (18th from Hanjra)
Lala Pur	Hafizabad	Suhare	Founder Suhare Born in 12th generation of Hanjra
Qilla Ramkor	Hafizabad	Ramkor	Founder Ramkor  Born in 20th generation of Hanjra
Prem Kot	Hafizabad	Aorang	Founder Aorang Born in 19th generation of Hanjra
Malhianwala	Hafizabad	Mohr Singh	Founder Mohr Singh Born in 22th generation of Hanjra
Karyala	Hafizabad	Musa	Founder Musa Born in 15th generation of Hanjra
Dangi	Hafizabad	Bakht mal	Founder Bakht Mal Born in 8th generation of Hanjra
Wichuke	Hafizabad	Wichu	Founder Wichu Born in 9th generation of Hanjra
Qilla Sahib Singh	Hafizabad	Sardane	Founder Sardane Born in 15th generation of Hanjrav
Channi Hanjrawan	Hafizabad	Kher	Founder Kher Born in 22th generation of Hanjra
Kot Hanjrawan	Hafizabad	Behr dana	Founder Behr dana Born in 16th generation of Hanjra
Moza Behr Dana	Hafizabad	Behr dana	Founder Behr dana Born in 16th generation of Hanjra
Hanjrawan wala	Hafizabad	Jojara	Founder Jojara Born in 16th generation of Hanjra
Hanjrar	Hafizabad	Hanjar	Founder Hanjar Born in 14th generation of Hanjra
Shehzada	Hafizabad	Shehzada	Founder Shehzada Born in 8th generation of Hanjra
Jurian	Hafizabad	Juri	Founder Juri Born in 4th generation of Hanjra. Hanjra > Lakaat > Dhol > Attu > Juri
Piro Chak	Gujranwala	Chad	Founder Chad was born in the 5th generation of Sev (16th from Hanjra)
Madan Chak	Gujranwala	Manya	Founder Manya Born in 18th generation of Hanjra
Kalu Wali	Gujranwala	Joda	Founder Joda Born in 16th generation of Hanjra
Dargah Pur	Gujranwala	Sokha	Founder Sokha Born in 12th generation of Hanjra
Gobind Pura	Gujranwala	Ghadi	Founder Ghadi Born in 8th generation of Hanjra
Nahala	Gujranwala	Nahala	Founded by Nahala
Mahya	Gujranwala	Mahya	Founded by Mahya.
Tunga Wale	Gujranwala	Ram Singh	Founded by Ram Singh
Baig Pur	Gujranwala	Salabat	Founded by Salabat
Gahu Man	Gujranwala	Punjab Singh	Founded by Punjab Singh Born in 19th generation of Hanjra
Bure Wali	Wazirabad	Chatt	Founded by Chatt Born in 18th generation of Hanjra
Saro Wala	Wazirabad	Asaip	Founded by Asaip
Bahngo	Wazirabad

          

Refference : Book Tareekh-e-Gujranwala by Munshi Gopaal Das Assistant Commissioner District Gujranwala 1873

Gujrat District

Hunjra  an ancient village near Bareela Sharif was founded by man named Mojo from Hanjra tribe in Gujrat. Mojo Hanjra came from Moza Madhara Gujranwala.After Mojo Hanjra his seven Generations lived and flourished in that area but due to famine village was deserted. The people settled again after famine but village was again deserted due to attacks & looting's of Chib tribe. After that in second Generation Kareem Bakhsh, Jahan Khan and others settled the village with consensus at another place. After that village was never deserted again and still there till date.

Hanj is another Hanjra tribe village founded by Doulat Khan Hanjra in Tehsil Kharian. It is also known as Hanj Dholjak.

Refference: Gujrat Pedia

            

Sialkot District

There are three villages of Hanjra in Sialkot .

Hanjra in Tehsil Pasrur. 

Veer wala in Tehsil Daska. 

Dhane in Tehsil Sialkot.

Hissar District

As per 1901 census of Punjab there were 2365 Hinjrao Pachhada in Hissar. There were 12 Villages of Hanjra tribe in the surroundings of Fatehabad, Hissar (Now Haryana) before 1947. 
1) Wade Hanjra ( Hanjra Kalan)
2) Chote Hanjra ( Hanjra Khurd)
3) Musekiali
4) Noorkiali
5) Chuggekiali
6) Sattarkiali
7) Nakhatiya
8) Nakhta
9) Nagpur
10) Chankothi
11) Khumber
12) Vanawali (Banawali)
During partition many muslim Hanjras migrated from India and settled in Okara, Vehari, Arif Wala,Faisalabad and Kasur (Hanjrai Kalan) areas. Migrated Hanjras claim to be Rajputs, more over Hanjra living in Pothohar also claim to be Rajputs.

Rawalpindi/Islamabad District

Sambal Korak Village Near Shakarparian Islamabad had Significant Hanjra Population. Due to shifting of capital from Karachi to Islamabad (early 1960s), this area was also vacated by CDA along with other villages. The only thing left is shrine of Hazrat Syed Sakhi Muhammad (Uncle of Hazrat Bari Imam famous shrine in Islamabad).
Residents of Sambal Korak village are now living in adjacent areas of Rawalpindi like Shakrial, Dhok Kala Khan, Kotha Kalan.
Tumair Village in Islamabad also had Hanjra presence. 

As per 1881 census of Punjab there were 122 Hanjra residing in Rawalpindi District. Overall 142 Hanjras in Pothohar region as 20 were also present in Jhelum District.

District Kasur

Hanjrai Kalan is an important and ancient village of Hanjra community in District Kasur. According to traditions Hanjras present in Fatehabad (Hissar) were descended of Saalem Hanjra belonged to Hanjrai Kalan whom migrated to Fatehabad and founded Wade hanjra and chote hanjra villages near Fatehabad.

Hanjrai khurd is another village in Kasur.

District Chiniot

Village Moza Burkhurdar is in Tehsil Bhowana district chiniot where the Mizar of Sufi Islamic Hafiz Burkhurdar (رحمۃ اللہ) located and is about 7 km away from Bhowana.

Moza Samunder is a village about 6.5 km far from lari adda Bhowana, Chiniot. The Hanjra family is the only landholding family and own large swath of land in the village, and are generally considered to be one of the most richest, educated and talented tribe in the area.Hanjra family in Samunder is descent of a Sufi Islamic Scholar Hafiz Mian Barkhurdar. This family is very well known for their intelligence, and name Samunder was given to this village because of high level of education and wisdom.

 Mangoana Village is a locality close to the city of Bhowana has Hanjra Population                                                             

• Scan pages:

   

Punjab Castes

The Glossary of Tribes and Castes of Punjab and NWFP

Report on the Revision of the Land Revenue Settlement of Gujranwala 

Encyclopedia of sikh religion and Culture

Sheikhupora District Report 1961

Hissar District Gazetteer 

The Glossary of Tribes and Castes of Punjab 








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