Sohlan clan

The Panhwar Sohlan Rajput are a Muslim branch of Paramara dynasty Royal Rajputs.

The Muslim section is found chiefly in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, with large numbers also found in Jhelum, in Pothohar (Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi, Muree) and Gujrat Districts.

Panhwar Sohlan in Azad Kashmir

Their areas include Bani (Mirpur), Dalyala, Ghaseetpur Sohalian, Mehmunpur, Sahang which are the centres of the tribe in Mirpur District. Their seat in region is Khari Sharif which has historically been ruled by this family. Since the development of the Mangla Dam, old Jabot Village was submerged underwater causing many families to move back to Khari Sharif, the ancestral area of the clan and to set up New Jabot.

During the time of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals the reigning authorities never levied taxes in the Solhan rules areas, in lieu of peaceful passage to Kabul. That is why you will find the Sohlan villages across the Jhelum River. Sohlan areas came under the rule of the Sikhs during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's ascendancy whose armies captured Jammu and Kashmir in 1819. This rule lasted until 1857 when areas north of the Jhelum river were handed over to the Gulab Singh Dogra in an agreement with the British as part of the Treaty of Amritsar.

As the British viewed Rajputs as a martial caste, many members of the clan served in the British Indian Army in both World Wars seeing action in Egypt and Burma by travelling into British ruled Punjab and signing up at Jhelum. Joining the army was often the best way to supplement family incomes since most families lived off their land.

Many elders of this clan were rulers including Maharajas, Nawabs, Sardars . Zaildars and lambardars were responsible of collecting taxes on behalf of the Dogra Maharajah of Kashmir who ruled the Azad Kashmir area. Raja Sajjawal Khan was first Muslim and Sohlan Rajput grade one Zaildar in Khari Sharif who defeated Hindu Zaildar Badrinath in elections.

Legend has that Mangla Devi an ancestor of the tribe and after whom Mangla is named after was the first person from the tribe to convert to Islam. Since then the family has been involved in religious affairs providing land on which the shrine of Pir-e Shah Ghazi and more famously Mian Muhammad Bakhsh now stand.

The Sohlan clan are connected with Panwar Royal family which ruled Malwa region.

Panhwar Sohlan in Punjab

The Panhwar are also found in Jhelum District , They have strong family relations with Janjua Rajputs and Gakhar Kayani's . They have historically ruled this area for centuries and have a high Social status and reputation , due to their powerful royal and aristocratic history they are considered as one of the most superior Rajputs , their villages are found north of the city of Jhelum, the principal settlement being Sohan. The Nawabs villages are Pakhwal Rajgan , Chitti Rajgan , Gatiali , Pind-Ratwal , Tahlianwala , Dhok Sohlnan , Piraghaib and Langerpur. They are closely connected to the Chibs, who are their neighbours.

The Sohlan are also found in village Sahang and Dhok Sohlan near Tehsil Gujar Khan district and Morah Sohlan in district Islamabad.

Notable

Zaildar Raja Sajjawal Khan was first grade Muslim Zaildar of Khari Sharif who belonged to Mehmunpur Rajgan.

Nawab Maharaja Mohammad Hassan Ali Khan late was the Nawab of Jhelum and father of late Nawab Maharaja Mohammad Kala Khan of Jhelum , Nawabzada Raja Mohammad Dilawar Khan Late , Nawabzada Raja Mohammad Aslam Khan Late , Raja Mohammad Khan Late , Nawabzada Raja Rab Nawaz Khan , Raja Kamyab Khan.

The present chief of Panhwar Sohlan is Nawab Maharaja Mohammad Adam Ali Khan Panhwar , He belongs to Jhelum district and is the present Nawab of Jhelum Khass and resides in Islamabad.

Former Governor of Punjab, Pakistan Lieutenant General Raja Saroop Khan was a Panhwar Rajput. Former Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Raja Naveed Zaman Khan is also a Panhwar Rajput.

See also

• Narma
• Muslim Rajputs
• Ethnic Groups of Azad Kashmir

References