Clans

Rachyal

رچیال Rachial, Richyal, Harchial, Harchahal The Rachyal or Harchahal are a Jat clan found primarily across Mirpur Division and adjacent Gujrat. Origins The Rachyal are generally believed to originate from the Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh. From Chamba, they moved gradually through Jammu and Gujrat before entering and spreading across Bhimber and Mirpur. According to the Hindu Jat Rachyal of Nowshera, the Rachyal belong to the Chandan gotra and are connected to Raja Mandlik, a mythical folk deity associated with the Naga cult and revered in the foothills of the Western Himalayas, from Jammu to Sirmaur in Himachal. Raja Mandlik, also known as Gugga Ji among many other epithets, was a Chohan and a legendary prince of Dadrewa, Rajasthan.[1] They also revere Mangla Devi. An alternative tradition from the Mirasis points to a certain Rachan Dev as the eponymous ancestor of the Rachyal. Rachan Dev was perhaps a Katoch or Dogar from Chamba. His descendants left Chamba, migrating to Jammu, then to Gujrat, before eventually settling in southern Mirpur. One family tree suggests the first to convert to Islam was Behram or Bikram Chand and he adopted the name Allah Bakhsh. His lineage is as follows: Bikram Chand, son of Baad Chand, son of Ram Chand, son of Rachan Dev. Distribution The Rachyal are found in several villages of District Gujrat such as Sardhoke, Harchahal, Chak Mehmand, Larr, Sheikhpur, and Hazara near Gulbahara. The Rachyal are one of the largest Jat clans across Bhimber and they are believed to originate from Hazara. Their villages in Bhimber include Kas Khadora, Maira Ghazi, Mokeriala, Cha Mochian, Islamnagar, Jhillah, Gora Nakka, Kas Gopal, Kund near Panjeri, Jabbi, Fakhroat, Daura, as well as Samahni. The Rachyal are also present across District Mirpur. It is said that there were once over six hundred ‘chulley’ (hearths) belonging to Rachyal, referring to six hundred households, in the Laddar-Panyam region. Their villages include Rachyal in Chakswari, Rachyal near Phurnal, Shamdian-na-Mohra, Hatti-na-Mohra, Loharan-na-Mohra, Baavayan-ni-Moohri, Gorsian, Laddar, and Chhappran. In Tehsil Mirpur, they are also found in Balah (upper and lower Balah), Mohra Dolu, Sangot, Pothi, Bhalyala, Chamba, Mohri, Chhappran (Gurra Domal), Mawa Kaneli, Pind Khurd (Gurra) and Harchial (near Pulmanda). In Tehsil Kotli, the Rachyal are predominantly in the Rajdhani area, in Mohra Peeran, Mochha, Ditwal, Karmal, Bindi, Lamman, Nakka, Mohalla Kanjal, Mohra Moqadam, rarla and parla Andraal, Thangri. They are also in Talaara, Naar, and areas of Khuiratta (Seri Chattar). In Tehsil Dadyal, the Rachyal reside in Kandore (Dhok Rachyal and Khadda), Samlotha, Sandal, Bloh, and Bihari. Some from Kandore settled in Moohri Palahan near Jabbar (Islampura), in Tehsil Gujarkhan. There are Hindu Jat Rachyal across Tehsil Nowshera, in Bhowani, Chowki, Kalsian, Kalal, Manpur, Dhanaka, Ser Makri. There are also Rachyal in Jammu City and R.S. Pura. [1] Reference: Naga Cults and Traditions in the Western Himalaya, Omacanda Hāṇḍā Indus Publishing, 2004.

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Kalyal

کلیال Kalyal, Kalial, Kulyal, Kaliaal, Kalyaal The Kalyal clan is among the largest in the Mirpur division, where they are considered Jatts, and in the Pothohar region, where they hold variable status as Jatts and Rajputs. Origin The origins of the Kalyal clan are varied, with several stories suggesting different lineages. Most accounts trace their roots back to Sialkot in the 16th century, from where they spread to Pothohar and Mirpur. Due to their large numbers, it appears there were multiple waves of migration. One early settlement is Kalyal near Tope Mankiala. In his Glossary of Tribes, Rose notes: ‘Sombanai descent and Rajput ancestry i.e., a last status as Rajput— are claimed by the Kalial’ The name Kalyal is derived from the suffix -aal, meaning “children of,” and the clan’s ancestor, who is variously named Quli Khan, Kala Khan, Kalu Khan, or Kaley Khan. There is a common belief that the Kalyal are a sept of the Bhattis, with many in Gujarkhan identifying as Bhatti Rajputs. One genealogical record from the Mirasis suggests that Rai Kaley Khan had brothers who founded other clans: Neeli Khan (Doyal or Nagrial), Sohal Khan (Sohlan), Maghar Khan (Magral), and Jet Har (Jet Hal). The Kalyal reportedly descend from Rai Kaley’s sons, Kalach and Manik, who converted to Islam. Another version preserved by the Mirasis claims that the Kalyal are Suryavanshi Rajputs descending from ninety-five rulers in Delhi, India. The last ruler, Sri Karpal, converted to Islam, gave the call to prayer on the throne, abdicated, and migrated to Bihar, then to Sialkot, where he established Dhok Kalyal and Dhok Jaal. He was known for his charitable deeds. Over time, some descendants moved to Gujarkhan and Rawat, and later to Mirpur. Another lineage suggests that before arriving in Sialkot, they were Arabs, descended from Abu Jahl (Amr ibn Hishām al-Makhzumi), a notable opponent of the early Muslims in Mecca. This latter account bears resemblance to the origin stories of the Ranjah Jats but is likely a later fabrication. Distribution In Tehsil Gujarkhan, the Kalyal are located in Alamabad, Bewal, Bher Kalyal, Chak Bagwal, Tangdew Syedan, Daryala Kalyal, Dhok Dheri near Paleena, Dhok Kalyal, Gura Kalyal, Kolian Hameed, Harchiari Kalyal, Manjotha, Mankiala Muslim, Teriala Kalyal, Sohawa, and Nothia Kalyal. In Tehsil Rawalpindi, they are found in Kalyal, Mohra Kalyal and Top Kalyal. In Tehsil Kallar Syedan, they are in Balimah, Choha Khalsa, Dhok Lass, Dhok Mera near Paleena, Khandot, Mohra Bakhtan, Arazi Khas, Chhappar, Gurmali, and Mohra Khoo. In Tehsil Kahuta, there is also a village Kalyal. In District Jhelum, Kalyal villages include Boharian, Boura Pindi, Dalyal, Dandi, Dhok Rajju, Dhok Kalyal, Domeli, Hon Kalyal, Janjeel, Johda, Kikri, Kalyal, Mahl, Mohra Kalyal (near Sohawa), Sidh Tajpur Alia, and Padhri. In neighbouring Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan, their main village is Kahana, while in District Chakwal, they are found in Chak Kharak, Dhok Qutub Deen, Dhoke Wadhan, Kalyal, and Kotla Kalyal. The village of Katha Saghral in District Khushab is also home to several Kalyal families. In Tehsil Mirpur, Kalyal settlements include Palaak, Tarnot, Arnoh, Kotli Sarsawa, Mohra Gindian (in Kot Qandu Khan), Dheri Phalli or Pind Kalan (in Murian-na-Mohra, Mohra Moqadam, Mera, Banni-aly near Mohra Tiyal, Mera, Thothalan, Hilla, and Theekrian), Bughoar (Moqadam, Jataal, and Maandri), Kalyal in Chakswari, Add-ni-Plai, Laddar, Domal, Pura Domal, Tangdew, Panyam (Sarr-ala-Mohra and Moohri), Mawa Kaneli, Mera Kandi, Gaderi, Balwara, Sukian Ban, Nakka, Dheri Nasarullah, Dheri Bhaanan, Dheri Ramu, Kalyal Sheru, and Kas Kalyal near Khari Sharif. In Tehsil Dadyal, they are found in Bihari, Badaar, Arra-Jattan, Potha Sher, Potha Bangash, Mohra Agru, Siakh, and Chhatroh. In District Kotli, Kalyal settlements include Bharand, Chak Nasru, Aghar Jamalpur (Gulhar Sharif), Treeyan, Kotla, Sehnsa, Sagri, Rajdhani (Mohalla Kassi), Danna, Samror, Batal, Baratla, Gowand, Prahi (Hilla), Dullyah-Jattan, Baleri, and Gahi. In Poonch, the main Kalyal settlement is Sehra in Tehsil Hajira. In Tehsil Barnala, Bhimber, they are found in the village of Khairowal in the Chhamb region. There is a single village in Kharian Tehsil of Gujrat District: Dak Kalyal.

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Rupyal

Rupial, Roopyal, Roopial, Ruplal, Rooplal The Rupyal clan resides in District Mirpur, where they are recognised as Jats. They also have a presence in Tehsil Kallar Syedan and northern Jammu-Kashmir, where they are considered Rajputs and use the title Choudhary. Origin The Rupyal clan traces its lineage to Roopa or Roop Chand, from whom the clan name is derived. However, some believe the name means ‘handsome’ (roop-wala), others suggest ‘wealthy’ (roopey-wala), while another theory posits it as a corruption of ‘Alpial’. All Rupyal in District Mirpur stem from the village of Chhatroh in Tehsil Dadyal. Their tradition states they originated from Chhappar near Arazi in Tehsil Kallar Syedan, or from Dheri Chakri in Rawalpindi. In Kallar Syedan and Chanam, the Rupyal associate with the Alpial of Chakri, and claim descent from the Manj Rajputs, specifically from Raja Salvahan’s son Bisal through Achhal, founder of Jaisalmer. Tulsi Das (Tulsi Ram) was the first of their line to convert to Islam in 1323 under the guidance of Pir Hazrat Makhdum Shah Jahaniya Jahangasht of Uch. Tulsi Ram adopted the name Sheikh Sirajuddin or Sheikh Chachu, and his descendants spread to Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Talwandi. During Emperor Akbar’s reign, Rai Kamal Khan of the Rupyal clan was killed, leading his brother Rai Jalal Khan and family, including Rai Kamal Khan’s son Sultan Khan, to seek guidance from their spiritual leaders in Uch. Advised to move north into the Soan Valley, they settled in Rawalpindi. After Rai Jalal Khan’s death, his sons divided the land and requested their cousin, Rai Sultan Khan, to find land elsewhere. Consequently, Rai Sultan Khan travelled east of Rawat into the Kallar Syedan region and established the village of Chanam, naming it after his mother Rani Channo. Rai Sultan Khan, also known as Sheikh Sultan Khan, had five sons whose offspring settled in various places: An alternative family tree from the Mirasis gives Roop Chand as the father of these five brothers rather than Sultan Khan. In northern Jammu-Kashmir, the Rupyal are documented as Ruplal or Rooplal. According to Fauq, they claim descent from Roop or Roopa, the sixth of Raja Salvahan’s fifteen sons. Raja Mal (twelfth in descent from Raja Roopa) was the first to convert to Islam, taking the name Rai Jalal Deen. In the 15th Century, Rai Jalal Deen Khan left his homeland of Makhiala in Pind Dadan Khan, Jhelum, and migrated to Poonch, settling in Dehra Khas in Sadhroon. The family used the title Choudhary. When the Mughal Emperor Jahangir visited Kashmir, the Ruplal provided him with excellent hospitality, and as a result, the Emperor granted them Sadhroon as a jagir. Distribution In Tehsil Mirpur, Rupyal villages include Palaak, Kotli Sarsawa, Pind Khurd (Thaathi, Mohra Densaran, Mohra Baarian, Mera, Mohra Rupyal, Apli Rupyal), Bughoar, Ganoi, Theekrian, Panyam, and Kaneli, while in Tehsil Dadyal, they are found in Chhatroh and Chalayar. In District Kotli, they are in Rajdhani (Raipur), Nalla, Khadda, Anderwali, Bardla, Naar, Amban, Daryara, Chaloota, and Kaladab. In Tehsil Haveli, Rupyal communities are present in Miani Basti, Chhoi, Degwar Maldyalan, and Chhaatra. A second cluster of Rupyal villages is found in Mang Dhangron, District Sudhnoti. In District Rawalpindi, the Rupyal clan can be found in Doberan, Balimah, Nothia Sharif, Mohra Rupyal, Chhappran, Chapri Akkoo, Chanam Sharif, and Chauntra. In Jhelum, they are found in Makhiala.

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