Dhanial ((Urdu: دھنیال, or Dhanyal) is one of the largest tribes living in the Potohar plateau and Lower Himalayas for the last eight centuries.This tribe traces its lineage to Hazrat Ali Ibne Talib (Karam-Ullah-Wajho) Most of the Dhanyals are settled in Kahuta, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and in Murree Hills. Some families of the tribe live in Kashmir, Abbottabad, Sialkot and Hazara.
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The name 'Dhanyal' is derived from Mohazzam Shah which was the name of chief and famous Sufi saint of Lower Himalayas who shifted from Dhanni (old name of Chakwal) in late 12th century. Forefathers of Mohazzam Shah who were Arab Muslims - migrated from Iraq into Multan during the era of Shahab Ud Din Muhammad Ghori. Descendants of Mohazzam Shah ruled Multan state for about 190 years. Some family members of the community were migrated from Multan to Sindh around 1200 and still they living in Sindh and their current incumbent is Pir Pagara - a prominent political figure in Pakistan. Mohazzam Shah supported Muhammad Ghori to curb the activities of Hindu Rajputs who aggressively attack Muslim army of Muhammad Ghori. Due to influence of Mohazzam Shah alias Hazrat Baba Dhanni Pir, many non-Muslims of this area converted to Islam. The forefather of Dhanyal tribe was inspired by Syed Ali Hamdani alias Shah-e-Hamdan of Srinagar, Kashmir. Mohazzam Shah sacrifices his life with the battle of Hindu Dogra Rajputs in Kashmir in 13th century. Mohazzam Shah was the spiritual leader of Dhanyal, Satti and Abbasi tribes in the area of Murree Hills, plain area of Potohar and Kashmir.
The history of dhanyal tribe until the commencement of the A.D. 1001 is fragmentary and incomplete, interrupted by long periods of which we have no definite record. Certain incidents stand out as recorded facts and establish historical landmarks. Between these, nations, races and dynasties appear and disappear, leaving but faint traces of their existence to be unraveled by the Archaeological experts from their coins and inscriptions on stone and brass. Hazrat Baba Dhanni Pir's shrine is situated in Mouri Sayyaedan, a valley on Lehtrar Road, Islamabad, Pakistan. An urs (annual death anniversary) is held every year in April at his shrine.
Dhanyals are famous for their bravery. Members of this tribe were recruited into the armies of the Mughal Empire, British Raj and after Independence, into the Pakistan Army. Dhanyals in urban areas have turned to other fields as well, such as education, medicine, engineering, business and social sciences. The literacy rate of this tribe is 100%. Some members of Dhanyal tribe symbolize themselve as Raja and it does not mean that they are any offshoot of Rajput cast. They are Alvi and Arab Muslims like Awan and Shaikh or Qureshi, Abbasi and Sayed. Some member of the tribe called themselves as Shah, Sardar, Mallal and Hashmi etc.. It is proved that Dhanials/Dhanyals are non-Fatimid descendants of Hazrat Ali.
During the era of British rule, they were counted as Rajput tribe in 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1931 census (which was wrong).
| “ | The name Dhani appears to give their name to the Dhanial Rajputs and to be so called from Dhan , wealth [1] | ” |
| “ | Dhanial ,a tribe of Rajput status which belongs to the group of hill tribes of the Salt Range Tract . It is from them that the Dhani country in the Chakwal tehsil of Jhelum takes its name [2] | ” |
The Gazetteer of the Rawalpindi District 1893 and 94 also lists the Dhanial under Subdivisions of the Rajputs,[3]