Chib

Chib Rajput
चिब राजपूत , چب راجپوت

The Chibs are mostly either a Muslim Rajput Clan or a Hindu Rajput Cast
Regions with significant populations
Pakistan • India
Languages
Potwari • Punjabi • Hindi • Dogri • Urdu
Religion
Islam • Hinduism

The Chib (Chibb, Chibh) (Hindi: चिब, Urdu, Potwari: چب) are a dogra chandravanshi Rajput or clan found in the northern parts of India and Pakistan or as a Hindu Jatt Clan of Jammu and Kashmir. The majority of Chib Rajput have accepted Islam, while some remained Hindus and a few became Sikhs. After independence in 1947, nearly all Muslim Chib migrated to Pakistan, while Hindu Chibs moved to India.

Early history

According to the Tawarikh-i-Rájgan, Zilla Kangra, by Mian Raghunath-Singh and the Tawarikh-i-Rajgan, by Thakur Kahan-Singh, Billowria, the Chib States were founded by a cadet of the Katoch royal line of Kangra, about AD 1400. Raja Megh-Chand of Kangra, AD 1390, had three sons, named Hari-Chand, Karm-Chand and Partap-Chand. As already related, Hari-Chand succeeded his father, but fell into a well while out hunting, and after a long search was regarded as dead. His brother, Karm-Chand, was installed in Kangra (Kangra-Lambagraon), and on his recovery he founded Guler State. Partap-Chand, the third son, set out with a force, as was often done in those unsettled times, to carve out a kingdom for himself. He first settled at a village called Malura on the plains near Bhimbar, and having married the daughter of the local ruler, ultimately succeeded to the State and made Bhimber his capital. He had two sons, Chib-Chand and Kharakh-Chand, of whom the elder became Raja of Bhimber and the younger founded the State of Khari-Khariyali, with its capital at Mangla Fort(Prior to 1947, Mangla was known by the name of Mangla Fort). The name Chibban is attributed to Chib-Chand from whom the Chib tribe is said to be descended.[1][2][3][4] The chibs named the territory between river jhelum and river chenab as chibhal.[5][6][7][8][9] The inhabitants of Chibhal were referred to as Chibhalis.[5] Later on, the state of Khari Kharyali was merged in Chibhal with Bhimber as capital in about early half of sixteen century. Alexander Cunningham in his book The Ancient Geography of India writes that "Bhimber and Kharyali were divisions of the Chibh, or Chibhan, branch of the Somvansi (chandravanshi) Rajas of Kangra and Jalandhar".[10][11] Another reference of Chib`s Genealogy can be found in Gazetteer of the Gujrat District, 1921, which quotes from Henry Samuel Price Davies book "Customary Law of the Gujrat District".

"They are Soma-vansi Rajput of exceptionally pure descent tracing up their lineage to one of the Katoch Rajas of Nagarkot or Kangra".[12][13]

Mughal Era

Baba Shadi Shaheed tomb, Bhimber

Originally Rajput, the ruling family embraced Islam at a later date which is uncertain, but probably not later than the time of Babur, from whom the head of the family, named Shadi/Baba Shadi Shaheed, is said to have received a confirmation for his possessions. He took the name of Shadab Khan, and is said to have accompanied Humayun on some of his expeditions, and was finally killed by one, Pir Haibat, of Kandahar, and has ever since been venerated as a saint. His tomb is near Bhimbar, and is a place of pilgrimage to which both Hindus and Muslims resort. The shrine is called Sur Sadi Shahid. At his shrine every Chib child must be presented on attaining a certain age, so that the lock of hair, specially retained for the purpose, may be cut off with much ceremony; without this he cannot become a true Chib.[4] Raja Dharam Chand was the seventh Raja of the Chib Chand line. At present on dated 27 March of every year Hindu chibs of Jammu and Kashmir region celebrate the birth of Maharaja Dharam Chand at the placed called Nud ka Khu appx. 35-40 kilometer from Jammu toward Akhnoor. At that place a temple in name of maharaja Dharam Chand and Rani is setup (on occasion of the day is called mael).[14] Raja Shadab Khan also served as Governor of Kashmir[15] and kandahar[16] during Akbar rule.

Sadip Chand, adopted the Muhammadan faith in the Court of the Emperor Babar, and was confirmed by that monarch in his possessions, taking the name of Shadab Khan. This Chief accompanied the Emperor Humayun on many of his expeditions, and was killed in a quarrel.[17]

In early 18th century, the kharikharyali/Mirpur Kharian, Saraialamgir and pabbi hills of jhelum were captured by Sultan Mukarrab Khan. Sultan Mukarrab Khan was the last independent Gakhar Chief, and in his day the power of the Gakhars was very great. He defeated the Yusufzai Afghans and the Chief of the Khattaks, and captured Gujrat, overrunning the Chib country as far north as Bhimbar".[18] When Sultan Mukarrab Khan was finally defeated and pushed to the other side of river jhelum by powerful Sikh chief sardar Gujjar singh in 1765,[19] the Khari Kharyali / Mirpur area was captured by Chib prince and he redesignated it as independent state with the name Khari Kharyali. Sardar Gujjar Singh Bhangi, having captured Gujrat from the Ghakkars, turned his arms against them, but was not able to strike much impression upon them as their country was very difficult for an attacking force. Sahib Singh, son of Gujar Singh, and Mahan Singh Sukarchakia later attacked Mangla without success, and its reduction was left for the great Maharaja Ranjeet Singh himself.[20]

Sikh Wars

Bhagsar Fort, Samhani valley overlooking Baghsar Lake, Bhimber

In 1810 attempt was made to subdue the states of bhimber and khari-kharyali by Sikhs. At that time Raja umer khan was the raja of khari-kharyali while Bhimber was ruled by Raja sultan khan. Sikh faced stiff resistance from Raja Sultan Khan but eventually he was subdued and had to pay Bs 40000 in tribute. Raja sultan khan again revolted in 1812 and retired to the strong fort of Bhimber. Ranjeet singh despatched a strong force to subdue sultan khan but were defeated and had to retreat. Reinforcements were sent but meanwhile negotiations were opened with sultan khan by Sikh commander Kharak Singh. The terms offered to Sultan Khan were that the territories will be restored and Raja will be treated with honour. But Ranjeet Singh refused to agree with terms and Sultan Khan was imprisoned in Lahore on his arrival. The state was conferred as Jagir to Kharak Singh. In 1819 Sultan Khan was freed by Ranjeet Singh on the condition that he will furnish large contingent of dogras for conquest of Kashmir. Due to this cooperation with Ranjeet Singh some of the territories were restored and given back to Sultan Khan. William Moorcroft (explorer) writes that in 1822 the town of Bhimber may be considered the head of a small Raj of that name which extends some distance beyond Naushera Seral. Its whole length does not exceed twenty-five km. It is bordered on the north and north-east by Rajaouri, to the east by the district of Pauni Bharak, to the south by Kotla and Jalalpur, and to the west by the petty chiefship of KhariKhariali. It contains three towns Bhimber, Samani and Mangal Devi. The brothers Dian Singh and Gulab Singh were alarmed at the prospect of an extension of Sultan Khan's territories, and determined to be rid of him. He was invited to visit Jammu, and was there assassinated by Gulab Singh’s servants while engaged in prayer on the walls of the newly built Mandi Palace. The Maharaja professed great anger at the news of this treacherous murder, and permitted Sultan Khan's son Faiz Talib Khan, to succeed to the chief ship, then worth nearly nine lakhs of rupees per annum.[20][21]

Ramkort Fort Aerial View

In 1810, after Ranjit Singh marched northward and reduced the fort of Chunian, held by Raja Umer Khan who retired to his still stronger fort of Mangla, The Sikh Army then marched against Mangla when Raja Umer Khan, thinking resistance useless sent his son Akbar Ali Khan to sue for peace. Before an answer could be received the chief died, and Ranjit Singh, not wishing to drive Akbar Ali Khan to extremities, left him half of his father’s possessions, which he only lived six months to enjoy.[20]

Later Ranjit Singh married daughter of Chib Khattri of Dev Batala Bhimber, in Jammu. Her name was DEVNO DEVl. She later immolated herself on the burning pyre of her husband on 28 June 1839.[22]

Chibs under British Raj

The Muslim Chibs supported the English during the mutiny against British rule in the Jhelum Cantonment which was in rebellion. When the mutineers were half way across the Jhelum river on an island, the Chibs and the British attacked and defeated the mutineers.[23]

Marble Lectern in memory of 35 British soldiers in Jhelum

Jhelum in Punjab saw a mutiny of native troops against the British. Here 35 British soldiers of Her Majesty's 24th Regiment of Foot (South Wales Borderers) were killed by mutineers on 7 July 1857. Among the dead was Captain Francis Spring, the eldest son of Colonel William Spring. To commemorate this event St. John's Church Jhelum was built and the names of those 35 British soldiers are carved on a marble lectern present in that church.

The Chibs, as a reward for their service to the British received the honorary title of 'Raja'.[23] The fighting characteristics of chibs were also recognised by British. They were heavily recruited into the Army and Parkash singh chib was the first Indian during World War II to win the Victoria Cross. Chibs also won a seat for the first time in 1920 in the 38-member Punjab legislative council from jhelum.[24] Chibs though originally dogra Rajputs were at some time characterised under the Chibhali community, which in fact consisted mainly of muhammadanised dogras. Fredrick Drew in his book writes that "The chibhalis are more muscular and stronger then the others and are quite active".[5][8]

Like the Dogra Rajputs, the Chibs look upon service as the sole career for a man, both Hindus and Musulmans. They are a fighting people, and the spirit of adventure takes them out of their own country. They follow the caste rules of the Hindu Rajputs, but are perhaps stronger and more muscular than the Dogras to the east.[25]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1947

During Indo-Pakistani War of 1947 Hindu Chibs sided with Indians/Kashmir state forces. Especially the Hindu Chibs of Deva Batala gave a valient fight but eventually had to retreat to Jammu as refugees because of shortage of supplies.[26] On the other hand, Muslim Chibs took active part in mutiny against state / Indian forces. Mention should be made of Brigadier Raja Habib ur Rehman of district Bhimber who was instrumental in organising and training locals Muslims against state forces. For this act he was given the title of Fateh-e-Bhimber (conqurer of Bhimber).

Sub Clans

The Chibs are further divided into seven sub clans also called Mui, namely[23]

Titles used by Chibs

Notable Chibs

References

  1. ↑ Himalayan principalities in Jammu, Kangra, and Bhadarwah, P. K. Kaul, page 22
  2. ↑ People of India, Jammu & Kashmir, Anthropological Survey of India, 2003 by Kumar Suresh Singh, K. N. Pandita, Sukh Dev Singh Charak, Baqr Raza Rizvi, page 269
  3. ↑ Gulabnama of Diwan Kirpa Ram: A History of Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu & Kashmir, page 41
  4. 1 2 “History of the Punjab Hill States “by Hutchison and Vogel, reprinted edition, 2 volumes in 1 CHAPTER XX IV. 1933 AD
  5. 1 2 3 Gazateer of Kashmir and Ladakh 1890, page 267-268
  6. ↑ The highlands of India By Major General D.J.F. Newall, 1882, page 212
  7. ↑ Linguistic Survey of India 1927
  8. 1 2 The northern barrier of India, a popular account of the Jummoo and Kashmir territories by Frederic Drew 1877, page 30-31
  9. ↑ Marriage Among Muslims: Preference and Choice in Northern Pakistan By Hastings Donnan page 37
  10. ↑ The Ancient Geography of India page 134 1871
  11. ↑ Report of the Archaeological Surveyor to the Government of India during Season 1863-64 , page 16
  12. ↑ Gazetteer of Gujrat District, 1921, page 47
  13. ↑ Customary Law of the Gujrat District by Henry Samuel Price Davies - 1892
  14. ↑ The History of the Poonch Tribes - Muhammad Din Fawk (1934)
  15. ↑ “The Punjab Chiefs”Vol II Revised edition By SIR LEPEL H. GRIFFIN, K. C. S. I.,And of “CHIEFS AND FAMILIES OF NOTE IN THE PUNJAB,” By COLONEL CHARLES FRANCIS MASSY, INDIAN STAFF CORPS. Revised and corrected the orders of the Punjab Government. By W.L. Conran, Major, Indian Army, and H.D. Craik, Indian Civil Service under heading Jhelum District, sub heading “RAJA MUHAMMAD AKBAR KHAN, CHIB”
  16. ↑ “The Punjab Chiefs”Vol II Revised edition By SIR LEPEL H. GRIFFIN, K. C. S. I.,And of “CHIEFS AND FAMILIES OF NOTE IN THE PUNJAB,” By COLONEL CHARLES FRANCIS MASSY, INDIAN STAFF CORPS. Revised and corrected the orders of the Punjab Government. By W.L. Conran, Major, Indian Army, and H.D. Craik, Indian Civil Service under heading Lahore District, sub heading “SADOZAI FAMILY OF LAHORE”
  17. ↑ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE, K.C.I. E. "The Golden Book of India", 1893 AD, Page 17 under the heading ALI BAHADUR KHAN (of Saidpur),Raja.
  18. ↑ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE, K.C.I. E. "The Golden Book of India", 1893 AD, Page 234
  19. ↑ Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 14, p. 152.
  20. 1 2 3 The Punjab Chiefs”Vol II Revised edition By SIR LEPEL H. GRIFFIN, K. C. S. I.,And of “CHIEFS AND FAMILIES OF NOTE IN THE PUNJAB,” By COLONEL CHARLES FRANCIS MASSY, INDIAN STAFF CORPS. Revised and corrected the orders of the Punjab Government. By W.L. Conran, Major, Indian Army, and H.D. Craik, Indian Civil Service.
  21. ↑ History of the Punjab Hill States “by Hutchison and Vogel, reprinted edition, 2 volumes in 1 CHAPTER XX IV.
  22. ↑ http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/biographies/famous-women/devno-devl-rani
  23. 1 2 3 The Gujrat District Gazetteer of 1921
  24. ↑ The Garrison State: The Military, Government and Society in Colonial Punjab By Tan Tai Yong, page 263
  25. ↑ Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 15, p. 101.
  26. ↑ Kashmir: The storm centre of the world by Bal Raj Madhok, page 44
  27. 1 2 People of India, Jammu & Kashmir, Anthropological Survey of India, 2003, by Kumar Suresh Singh, K. N. Pandita, Sukh Dev Singh Charak, Baqr Raza Rizvi, page 207
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