Sudhun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sudhan is a Kashmiri tribe settled in Kashmir region of Pakistan and India. Sudhuns can be found in the Poonch area in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and in Pakistan's portion of Kashmir in the areas of Kahuta, Murree, Kotli Sattian in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
Sudhans stronghold is the city of Rawalakot. In addition Palandri and Mong are also centres of Sudhans.
The Sudhans of Bagh, Kotli and Kahuta are equally a proud lot who make their presence felt wherever they are. Outside Azad Kashmir, the largest number of Sudhans are in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Currently these twin cities are now the main cultural center of the Sudhans in Pakistan.
Internationally Sudhuns have a large community in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Texas,and Utah in the United States, Toronto and Calgary in Canada, London and Manchester in Great Britain. Sudhun settlers moved to the various cities from Poonch in search of jobs.
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[edit] Theories of Origins
Major Tilla Mohammad, now deceased, a political leader in Peshawar, Pakistan wrote books on the subject of Sudhan tribe and stated that Sudhans had immigrated to Azad Kashmir from Ghazni and Kandahar, Afghanistan during the 14th century. Major Tilla Muhammad was himself from Rehara, Kashmir and his ancestors had immigrated to Peshawar from Kashmir.[1]
There are few Sudhans who have adopted the name Sadozai, this started after the publication of the articles by Tila Muhammad. There are many Pathans who are shopkeepers in Sudhan areas such as Rawalakot.
Like all areas of ethnic mix, Sudhan areas also have families who have mixed in with the majority community, but retain their oral traditions pointing to indigenous Hindu roots as well as other backgrounds.
Lehr Muni (ancestor of Sudhan) s/o Bawa Muna (chief of Katas Tirath) migrated from Katas to Poonch in 11th century. One of his descendants Sudh Sain/Pal is the patriarch of Sudhans. Sudhan Chander Bansi dynasty ruled from the capital of Sudhnuti. Sudhans are Muslims as well as Hindus.[2]
Many of Sudhans are also of the opinion that they are descendants of Hindus. Research on this subject was conducted by Col. Dr. Khalil, a Sudhan who lived in Rawalpindi. There are a lot of Hindus who are members of the Sudhan tribe, most of these live in Indian Occupied Kashmir.[3][4]
According to Dr. Khalil Sudhans were converted to Islam by Auranzeb [1]
It has also been mentioned by certain Mohyal sources that Sudhans may also be descended from the Mohyal (Warriors of Brahmin ancestry);
| “ | By origin the Mohyals are certainly Sarsuts and still take wives from that group in Gujarat, while in Rawalpindi the five superior sections (Sudhan, Sikhan, Bhaklal, Bhog and Kali) of the Bunjahi Sarsuts used to give daughters Bhimwal (Bhibhal) Mohyal Sarsuts AND occasionally to other Mohyal sections"[5] | ” |
[edit] DNA Research
A research project comprising DNA lineage study has been commenced to determine the ancestry of the Sudhans.
[edit] Education
Sudhuns are a tightly knit community. Female education is highly prized in Sudhan areas.
Dr. Rehana Kausar MD
Dr. Rehana Kausar MD, was the first woman doctor from the Sudhan tribe. She graduated in 1975 and is a practicing Anesthesiologist in the State of Texas, USA. She was the past President of the Islamic Medical Association of North America Imana. She is active in community affairs. She hails from Rawalakot.
Maqbool Hamidullah Khan
The first Sudhan woman, Maqbool Hamidullah Khan, to receive a Masters Degree in English from Punjab University in 1962. She retired as a professor of English from Government College for Women in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Both of her sons are Physicians in the United States.
Her recently published auto biography "Budhi Budhay say Shakespeare Tak Ek Safar(Published by Dharty Publication Rawalakot) captures the struggle of a woman for higher education. Her brother Dr. Yunus Khan is an eminent eye surgeon in Wales, the United Kingdom and has trained many eye surgeons now holding positions of high rank in the Pakistan Army.
Nasreen Tassadaq Khan
Nasreen was the first Sudhan woman to win a gold medal in the Masters of English from Punjab University. Thereby starting a flood gate of men and women of the Sudhun tribe who won medals and scholarships in the fields of study.
Nasreen's older sister was the first women from Azad Kashmir to be a news caster on Pakistan Television during the 1970s. She hosted the daily evening news in English.
Sudhuns have produced a high number of PHDs from various Universities.
Sudhans have excelled in business in the countries where they have settled, they operate oil and gas exploration and production companies, hotels, restaurants and communications companies, mining and other enterprises. Their are yet a lot of figures to be mentioned.
[edit] Language
The Sudhun mother tongue is the Pahari language. Sudhuns generally learn and speak the language of the area of settlement but take pride in speaking it. A common joke being that when a Sudhun is in a good mood he speaks pahari and when his temper is on the rise he usually starts with Urdu and when he is on the warpath he speaks English. Sudhans living in Karachi and other elite classes have become accustomed to using English and Urdu.
[edit] Sudhans in Army
Due to a lack of resources, Sudhans joined the British Indian Army. Sudhans fought in the First and Second World Wars. Some Sudhans fought against the British Occupation of India with the Indian Natinal Army.
[edit] Pakistan Army
The sudhans have risen to very high ranks in the Pakistan Armed Forces. Sudhans won a many gallantry awards in 1948, 1965 and 1971 wars fought by Pakistan Army.The most prominent being Colonel Hidayat Khan from Balouch.He fought the freedom war against HIndu dogras.
[edit] Religion
It has yet to be ascertained if Sudhans are Hindu converts or they are a brach of sudozai tribe. However, Sudhuns are Sunni Muslims of the Hannafi branch of Islam. With mushrooming of religious madrassas all sects of sunni islam have crept into the sudhan belt There is lately, Wahabi influence, that has crept into Sudhans. Traditionally they believed in and revered saints/holy men and visited holy places with enthusiasm. Many renowned religious scholars have been produced by Sudhans. e.g Maulana Ghulam Haiider jandalwi who played great role in liberation movement of 1947 , MAULANA muhammad youssaf Muhtamam Darul Uloom Palandi and Maulana abdul aziz Thorarvi. Maulana Ishaq of mong is presently biggest scholar of Islam who prides himself with an exegesis of holy quraan.
[edit] Employment
Poonch District Area (850 km²) [1000persons/km²].
Area of Sudhnuti is 550 square kilometers.
Current population figures are approximately half a million sudhan tribe
Having a few natural resources resulted in Sudhuns joining the military, initially joining the British Indian Army during the First World War and later during the Second World War.
During the Second World War Sudhans fought in Burma, North Africa and particpated in the liberation of Europr. Some Sudhans who participated in the War are receiving war compensation from the Government of Japan.
Greatest resources of the Sudhans being their intellect. Sudhans are well represented in the military, government and business.
[edit] Notable Tribal Members
Akhlas Hafiz Khan, also known as the Prince of Kashmir.
Doctor Muhammad Javed Usman Khan The first Sudhan who was awarded the Gold Medal in Biology.
Maulana Ghulam Haider Jandalvi First Defence Minister of the first cabinet of Azad Kashmir.
Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan Founder and First President of (Free) Azad Kashmir.
Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Hayyat Khan former President of Azad Kashmir.
Maj Gen (Retd) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan former President of Azad Kashmir.
General (Retd) Muhammad Aziz Khan former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) Pakistan Army. He was instrumental in the coup that brought dictatorship and led to the appointment of Pervez Musharaff as President of Pakistan.
General (Retd) M. Rahim Khan, the former Division Commander Pakistan Army in East Pakistan, Chairman Pakistan International Airlines, former Chairman Pakistan Chrome Mines Ltd and Secretary General Ministry of Defense.
Justice Sardar Mohammed Nawaz Khan, Chief Justice of High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from Rawalakot
Sardar Mukhtar Khan Lawyer- Renowned Freedom Fighter-Politician- Writer.- Azadi Ka Khawab Pasrishan –Publication 2005
M. Rashid Khan Chairman Pakistan Banking Council.
Mullana Abdul Aziz Thorarvi- Judge, Religious Scholar, Freedom Fighter,Social Worker, Politician. Death-December 31 1987
Lt. Col. Tassadaq Hussain Khan former Chief of the Military of the Sultanate of Oman
Captain Hussain Khan Shaheed a former British Army Officer. Colonel Khan Muhammad Khan of Mong was most legendary officer who conquered Mirpur with handful of men.
Ambassador Masood Khan, the former spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Pakistan and current Ambassador of Pakistan to United Nations at Geneva. He is one of the finest examples of an intellectual-diplomat hailing from Rawalakot.
Tasneem Aslam, Spokesperson and Director General(UN), Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[6]
[edit] Earthquake of 2005
The city of Rawalakot, the capital of the Sudhan tribe, suffered significant damage from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake; although most of the buildings were left standing, many of them were rendered uninhabitable, and some of the population was left homeless. Most of the buildings have been reconstructed, though without the help of the Governments of Pakistan or Azad Kashmir.
In District Rawalakot the Press for Peace team in the supervision of divisional coordinator, Sardar Abid Siddique started its rescue and relief work soon after the disaster.
Dr. Rehana Kausar, a medical doctor from Fort Worth, Texas, USA was instrumental in providing surgicl equipment to Civil Military Hospital, located in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. Doctors at Rawalakot hospital did a remarkable job of relief service to injured and sick victims of the earthquake.
Cuba along with other countries Czech Republic and Jordan provided medical assistance to the population of Rawalakot for which the populace is forever grateful.
[edit] References
- ^ :Frederic. Jammu & Kashmir Territories.
- ^ : Gazetteer of Kashmir & Ladakh (1890)
- ^ :Din, Mohammad (1932). The History of Poonch Tribes.
- ^ Tribes & Castes of Punjab & North West Frontier Province by Ebbetson.
- ^ A glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and north-west provinces, compiled by H A Rose, vol II Page 121
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Under the main heading of Brahmans or Khatris, Sudhan is shown as one of the 12 communities in Hazara during the Vedic age. Sodhan is described as a Rajput tribe. Sud race is settled in East Punjab. The history of POONCH tribes written by Mohammad din fok:
Reigning Family of Lahore by Carmichael Smyth.
Sud were originally called suwdik, one of the nomadic tribes who settled in Iran in 900 BC. The name changed to Sogdian-Sulik-Sud due to dialects of Chines, Sogdian & Punjabi writers. Sudrakas (sud race in South Punjab) fought battle with Alexander the Great and gave Alexander a tough time in Sogdian (Summarkand).
Political & Social Movements in Ancient Punjab by Buddha Prakash
Sogdiana (Summarkand & Bokara) and Sogdae (Thar), Sogda (Rohri). The resemblance of names of the places shows that the Sogdian people lived in Sind.
Alexander the Great by Hammond
Sogdiana was Iranian province. Iranian tribes were present in Punjab & Summerkand.
Alexander the Great by Robin Lane
Darius conquered Sogdiana (521 BC), Punjab & Sind (512 BC)
KASHMIR SAGA BY SARDAR MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM KHAN, FIRST PRESIDENT OF AJK
History of Persia by Percy Sykes.
Chibhal. An important and high caste is Sudhan
Jammu & Kashmir. Territories by Frederic
Migrated from Ghazni to the present location in 14th century.
The Sudhan Revolt (The News 19 October 1997.) By Sardar M. Saleem Khan.
Sudhan, and important and high caste of Chihalis-Rajputs (Aryans).
Gazetteer of Kashmir & Ladakh (1890)
Lehr Muni (ancestor of Sudhan) s/o Bawa Muna (chief of Katas Tirath) migrated from Katas to Poonch in 11th century. One of his descendants Sudh Sain/Pal is the patriarch of Sudhan. Sudhan Chander Bansi dynasty ruled from the capital of Sudhnuti. Sudhan are Muslims as well as Hindus
Rajgan J&K and Rajputan Punjab by Tahakar Kahan Singh.
Mohammedan Rajas of Poonch loosely resemble Khakhas.
Ancient Geography of Kashmir by Cunnigham.
Sulikas were present in North & Northwest of India in Vedic age.
Alberunis' India by Sachu.
History of Sudhuns. by:
Colonel Retired Dr. Muhammad Khalil 10-C St 1, New Lalazar Rawalpindi Cantt. Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Modern academic studies that mention the Sudhans include Alexander Evans's 2005 article in Asian Affairs: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/raaf/2005/00000036/00000001/art00003
[edit] Typical Sudhan Members around the world
.jpg/120px-Raw_(7).jpg) Typical Sudhan family Rawalakot |
 Sudhan family Peshwar |
 Sudhans in New Jersey United States |
 Sudhans Eatontown New Jersey USA |
 Sudhans Delaware United States |
 Sudhans Reno, Nevada United States |
 Sudhans Salt Lake City United States |
 Sudhans Sierra Mountains, California United States |
 Sudhans Family in US |
Typical Sudhan Tribal Member |
