Mangral
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The Mangral (alternately Mahngral, Mangarpal; Urdu: مہنگرال، منگرال) are a Rajput warrior clan and the historical founders and rulers of the Punjab Hills States of Kotli and Poonch.[1]
Their ancestor, Raja Mangar Pal, founded the city of Kotli in modern Azad Kashmir. The Mangrals ruled Kotli State until 1815 and Poonch State until 1819, after which both states were incorporated into the State of Jammu by the Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Today, Mangrals are primarily based in Kotli District, Poonch District (AJK), Trar Dewan Rawalakot (AJK), and Poonch in Indian-administered Kashmir. They are also found in Kahuta Tehsil of Rawalpindi District in Punjab, Pakistan. They predominantly speak the Pothwari-Pahari dialects of the Punjabi language. Many Mangrals have emigrated to Europe and the United States.
Many members of the clan use the surname Khan, following their ancestor Raja Sehns Pal Khan, who founded the city of Sehnsa and was the first Mangral to adopt Islam. Mangrals are a Rajput clan descended from Raja Mangar Pal. His grandson, Raja Sehns Pal, migrated to the present area of Saila (Sehnsa Kotli) and founded the Mangral State, known as Kotli Mangrallan.
Raja Muhammad Yaqoob Tariq, District Inspector of Schools for Mirpur and author of the history of the Gakhars, met Sahib Din, a descendant of the Mirassi family, and collected historical information about the Mangral Rajputs of Kotli Mangrallan. He published his findings in a monthly magazine in 1955 under the title “The Valley of Sehnsa Kotli,” which provided a brief history of the Mangral Rajputs.
The first more detailed account of Mangral history, *Hust-O-Bood*, was written by Mian Ejaz Nabi of Gujarat, Pakistan. Additionally, Sir Denzil Ibbetson's *A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province*, based on the 1883 Punjab census report, references the Mangral. Under the section on Western Rajputs, Ibbetson notes the presence of Mangral Rajputs in the western hills, including the Salt Range Tract,
It is also noted that the Mangrals migrated from Jangladesh to Sialkot and later settled in Kotli, Kashmir. An article titled "KohTali Sey Kotli tak" by Sagar Kashmiri, published in the college magazine *Naveed-e-Sahar* (Kotli, Azad Kashmir), further explores their history.
Chandravanshi Rajput Origin of Mangrals
[edit]The Mangrals are a Chandravanshi Rajput clan, descended from Raja Mangar Pal, the son of Hani Dev. In the 12th century A.D., Raja Mangar Pal migrated from the Jangladesh region of northern Rajasthan to present-day Sialkot. Hani Dev's brother, Nirmal Dev, remained in Jangladesh, a barren and wild area until it was conquered by Rao Bika, a Rathore Rajput, in the mid-15th century, after which it became known as Bikaner.
In Hindu mythology, the Chandravanshi lineage is one of the three main branches of the Kshatriya caste, alongside the Suryavanshi (descended from Surya, the Sun God) and Agnivanshi (descended from Agni, the Fire God). The Chandravanshi trace their origins to Chandra, the Hindu Moon God, in the Lunar Dynasty. The Yaduvanshi, a major branch of the Chandravanshi, claim descent from Yadu, the son of King Yayati and Devyani, with Lord Krishna being a notable figure born into this lineage. Raja Bijai Pal, who founded the princely state of Karauli in 995 A.D., claimed to be the 88th descendant of Lord Krishna.
Hani Dev settled in the Royal Court of Kashmir in Sialkot, which served as a winter capital, while his brother Nirmal Dev continued to reside in Jangladesh. Following the death of his father, Raja Mangar Pal relocated to Kashmir, where he ruled the regions of Kotli (now a Tehsil and District in Azad Kashmir) and Poonch (now divided between Pakistan and India).
The Mangral Rajputs trace their ancestry through the Yaduvanshi lineage, a prominent branch of the Chandravanshi Rajputs. The Yaduvanshis claim descent from Lord Krishna, who was born into the Chandravanshi dynasty. The name "Dev" is derived from the Sanskrit word *Deva*, meaning "divine" or "god-like." In Hinduism, Devas are celestial beings that govern natural forces such as fire, air, and wind. The title "Dev" was adopted by the royal family during their migration to Kashmir, signifying royalty. The term "Deva" was historically attached to the names of kings and queens in both masculine and feminine forms. This royal designation is reflected in the traditional Rajput salutation "Jaidea!" or "Jai Deva!" which may have originally been a distinctive greeting for Rajput rulers in the hills. The full Sanskrit phrase "Jayatu Deva!" translates to "May the King be Victorious!"
Kotli Mangrallan and Poonch
[edit]According to *History of the Panjab Hill States* by J. Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel, "Kotli was founded around the fifteenth century by a branch of the royal family of Kashmir. Kotli and Poonch remained independent until they were subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1815 and 1819, respectively." The royal family referred to by Hutchinson and Vogel is that of Raja Mangar Pal, from whom the Mangral Rajput clan descends. Historically, Kotli was known as Kotli Mangralan.
A well-known saying in Kashmir reflects the rulers of different regions:
- Kotli is ruled by the Mangrals
- Rajouri is ruled by the Jarrals
- Bhimber is ruled by the Chibs
- Mirpur is ruled by the Gakhars
Hutchinson and Vogel also note, in *History of Panjab Castes*, that 22 states (16 Hindu and 6 Muhammadan) formed the State of Jammu after Raja Ranjit Singh's conquest in 1820. Among the Muhammadan states, two (Kotli and Poonch) were ruled by Mangrals, two (Bhimber and Khari-Khariyala) by Chibs, one (Rajouri) by the Jarrals, and one (Kishtwar) by the Khashtwarias. Of these 22 states, 21 aligned with Ranjit Singh to form the State of Jammu. Poonch, originally ruled by the Mangrals, was awarded to Hira Singh, a nephew of Gulab Singh, and maintained a state of semi-autonomy. Following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, Poonch was divided between Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Poonch District in Azad Jammu and Kashmir) and Indian-administered Kashmir.
Kotli Mangrallan, Ranjit Singh and the Dogras
[edit]The Mangrals ruled the Kotli state for several centuries until they were defeated by the army of the Sikh leader Ranjit Singh, following three intense battles. Locally, Ranjit Singh was derogatorily referred to as 'Kaala Kaana'—a reference to his dark complexion and the fact that he had only one eye. Under the leadership of Raja Shah Sawar Khan, the Mangrals successfully repelled the Sikh forces in the first two battles (1812 and 1814), though at great cost in terms of lives lost. In 1815, the Sikh army returned with 30,000 soldiers, leading to a final confrontation. After suffering heavy losses, the Mangrals agreed to a compromise, ceding control of the city (then located in Baraali, near modern-day Kotli) to Ranjit Singh, while retaining control of rural areas. These lands remained under Mangral families as jagirs from Jammu until 1962, when Pakistan's Land Reform Acts transferred land ownership to tenant farmers without compensating the landowners.
Ranjit Singh merged the Punjab Hill States into the state of Jammu, granting control to Kishore Singh, father of Gulab Singh. Gulab Singh, a distant relative of Raja Jit Singh of Jammu, had risen through the ranks of Ranjit Singh’s army since 1812 and was rewarded with control of Jammu for his service.
The 27 years of Sikh rule, followed by 100 years of Dogra rule, are remembered as a period of great hardship for the people of Kashmir. Despite the region's Muslim majority, many mosques were closed, cow slaughter was banned, and the population was burdened with heavy taxes. Ranjit Singh imposed taxes on the poor, which had never occurred under previous Muslim rule. Muslims were denied access to education, banned from carrying arms, and excluded from military service, leading to mass emigration to Muslim-majority areas in Punjab, where they found refuge, education, and military employment.
Ranjit Singh populated Kotli with Sikhs brought from Punjab, who set up blacksmith workshops to supply weapons for the Sikh army. These weapons were not only used in warfare but also to oppress and terrorize the civilian population of Kashmir. In 1921, Muslim scholars visiting Srinagar reported the brutal treatment of laborers by the military, who assaulted them with weapons.
After Ranjit Singh’s death in 1839, the Sikh Empire quickly declined. His son, Kharak Singh, briefly succeeded him but was removed from power, and his grandson, Nau Nihal Singh, was later killed under mysterious circumstances. It is believed that his death was orchestrated by the Dogra brothers, Gulab Singh and Dhian Singh, who later took power. Gulab Singh was eventually granted Kashmir by the British in 1846 after betraying the Sikhs during the First Anglo-Sikh War, receiving Kashmir as a fiefdom for the sum of 7.5 million rupees.
Gulab Singh's rule in Kashmir was marked by cruelty, and he faced resistance from various local groups, including the Mangrals of Kotli, the Gakhar of Mirpur, the Jarral of Rajouri, and the Chib of Bhimber. Despite their earlier betrayal of the Sikhs, the Dogras later conspired with Russia in an unsuccessful plan to invade India, which led the British to replace Pratap Singh, Gulab Singh’s grandson, with his brother, Amar Singh. Amar Singh’s son, Hari Singh, was the last Dogra ruler, as his heir apparent, Karan Singh, never ascended the throne.
Under Dogra rule, the Muslim population of Kashmir, which comprised 96% of the total population, suffered immense hardships, with a literacy rate of just 0.8%. The dire conditions of the people were captured in a 1921 poem by the Kashmiri poet Allama Iqbal: "In the bitter chill of winter, shivers his naked body, whose skill wraps the rich in royal shawls."
In 1947, the Dogra regime was overthrown as part of the broader liberation of Kashmir. Brave leaders like General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan, Raja Colonel Mahmood, and Raja Saif Ali Khan led the people to victory, expelling the Dogras and establishing what is now Azad Kashmir. In recognition of his leadership, Raja Sakhi Daler Khan was honored with the title "Fat-e-Kotli" by the War Council.
Raja Sensphal Khan and Establishment of Sehnsa
[edit]Raja Sensphal Khan was the grandson of Raja Mangarpal and he established the City of Sehnsa which is now one of the largest town’s in the Pakistan side of Kashmir known as Azad Kashir (AJK). Raja Sens Pal the grandson of Raja Mangar Pal was the first mangral to convert to Islam and was given the title Khan meaning ruler. The Mangral's have carried this title since together with the title of Raja.
Raja Sensphal Khan had four sons from whom all the Mangral trace their origins:
1. Raja Raheem Khan (settled in Malot)
2. Raja Daan Khan (settled in Sehnsa)
3. Raja Shahstra Khan (settled in Bratla)
4. Raja Menda Khan
Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan
[edit]Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan was the Mangral tribal chief of Bratla, assassinated on the orders of the Hindu Dogra rulers of Kashmir. His assassination was carried out by a Sikh assassin who had been promised a reward of gold bracelets. The assassin lay in wait as Raja Qadir Baksh Khan descended on horseback from the hilltop village of Bratla. When Raja Qadir Baksh Khan dismounted at the base of the hill, the assassin, who had been hiding behind bushes, sprang out and beheaded him with a single blow from his sword.
However, the assassin’s escape was short-lived. He was soon tracked down by the Mangral men of Bratla. A spear thrown from a height of about 100 feet severed his arm at the shoulder. The assassin was then killed, and his remains were brought back to Bratla, where his flesh was fed to the village dogs.
The body of Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan rests in a martyr's grave at the highest point of Bratla Village. The location of his assassination at the foot of the hill is marked by a large boulder.
The following verse from the Qur'an is often cited in remembrance of martyrs like Raja Qadir Baksh Khan:
*"And do not say about those who are slain in the way of Allah: 'They are dead.' Nay, they are alive, but you are not aware of that."*
**(Qur'an 2:154, Surah Al-Baqara)**
Raja Madat Khan
[edit]Raja Madat Khan, son of Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan, served as the tribal chief of Bratla and was the founder of the village of Koi. The name "Koi" is derived from the Pahari word meaning "snatched," referencing the circumstances under which the land was seized from a rival clan by the Mangral men of Bratla under Raja Madat Khan's leadership. The dispute centered around the boundary between Bratla and a neighboring clan regarding the river Mool. While Raja Madat Khan claimed the boundary extended beyond the river, the rival clan insisted their territory included the Bratla side of the river. Control of the river, a valuable resource, was at stake, leading to a battle in which Raja Madat Khan's forces drove out the rival clan and secured the land now known as Koi.
Under Raja Madat Khan's leadership, Bratla flourished, experiencing a period of great prosperity. It is said that during his reign, the abundance was so great that the men of Bratla reportedly used milk in their hookahs (shisha pipes) instead of water.
Raja Madat Khan was renowned as a fierce warrior, expanding the boundaries of Bratla through numerous battles. In one notable battle, the Dogras sent one of their largest and strongest men to fight Raja Madat Khan. This adversary hid in a tall tree at the top of Bratla village during the conflict. Raja Madat Khan, with his skill in archery, shot him in the eye, killing him instantly. Only when the man fell from the tree did the people of Bratla realize his enormous size—he was nearly seven feet tall, the largest man they had ever seen.
Raja Madat Khan was also known to have a personal bodyguard of 50 to 70 men on horseback who accompanied him, further emphasizing his prominence as a leader and warrior.
Village Koi, District Kotli
[edit]
Waterfalls on the river Mhool running through Village Koi, Near Bratla in District Kotli, Azad Kashmir.
This is close to where the famous battle of Dabrian took place. A few heavily armed Dogra soldiers managed to escape to Jammu by following the path of the river Mhool.
HE IT IS who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has traced out for you ways of livelihood thereon, and who sends down waters from the sky: and by this means We bring forth various kinds of plants. Eat, then, of this produce of the soil, and pasture your cattle thereon.
In all this, behold, there are messages indeed for those who are endowed with reason: out of this earth have We created you, and into it shall We return you, and out of it shall We bring you forth once again.''
(From the Message of the Quran translated and Explained by Muhammad Asad Pakistan's first Ambassador to the United Nations and a Jewish convert to Islam)''
Raja Baz Khan
[edit]Raja Baz Khan of Bratla served as the Chief of Military and Vizier for Nawab Mohammed Bahawal Khan IV of Bahawalpur, who died in 1866 under suspicious circumstances, possibly due to poisoning. The Nawab was succeeded by his four-year-old son, Sadeq Mohammed Khan IV. During the young Nawab’s minority, the Mangrals of Bratla, under Raja Baz Khan's leadership, administered the state of Bahawalpur and safeguarded the Nawab. Despite holding significant power and influence, the Mangrals, known for their honor and loyalty, remained true to their word and protected the Nawab during his most vulnerable years, refraining from seizing control of the state.
Raja Baz Khan constructed a fort in Bratla, modeled after the fort he maintained in Bahawalpur. The remnants of this fort still stand today. He also built the Jamia Mosque in Bratla, designed as a replica of the famous Jamia Masjid of Bahawalpur.
Raja Baz Khan was married to Baaqra Begum, the daughter of Raja Madat Khan. He died mysteriously in Bahawalpur without leaving any heirs and was buried in Bratla alongside his wife Baaqra Begum and his second wife.
Raja Ali Mardan Khan
[edit]Raja Ali Mardan Khan of Bratla was renowned for his extraordinary physical strength, earning a reputation as the strongest man in all of Jammu & Kashmir during his time. He participated in and won numerous weightlifting and wrestling competitions. In one notable event, unable to find a match for Raja Ali Mardan Khan among the Dogras, they called upon a renowned Sikh strongman from Punjab to compete against him. Fearing that even this might not suffice, they secretly added extra shingle (bajri) to the weights assigned to Ali Mardan. Despite this, he lifted the weight with ease, winning the competition and leaving the Dogras in awe of his unparalleled strength.
Raja Ali Mardan Khan’s physical power was further demonstrated in a reported incident where he subdued two bandits and, using only his bare hands, tore off one ear from each. Remarkably, after punishing them, he compensated them with money. The bandits later worked as porters in the markets of Raja Bazar in Rawalpindi, and when asked about their missing ears, they would recount their unforgettable encounter with Raja Ali Mardan Khan of Bratla.
Mangrals and the Pakistan Movement
[edit]The Mangrals were instrumental in the Pakistan movement and were a huge contribution in the struggle to free Kashmir from Dogra rule. It is noted that the Mangrals of Kotli Mangrallan together with the Gakkar of Mirpur rose up in revolt against the Dogra forces of Gulab Singh. Furthermore, the Mangral, led by Colonel Mahmood chased the Dogra forces out of Throtchi Fort and defeated them in a historic Battle at Dabrian which was a key battle in the freeing of Azad Kashmir from Dogra rule.
Colonel Raja Mahmood Khan, Throtchi Fort and Dabrian
[edit]Raja Sakhi Daler Khan is reported to have defeated a company of the Dogra army at Punjer, prompting the Dogra forces to retreat towards Throtchi Fort near the town of Gulpur. Local forces, led by Colonel Raja Mahmood Khan and Subedar Raja Sher Baz Khan, launched an attack on Throtchi Fort, successfully driving out the Dogra forces. The retreating Dogras fled to Dabrian, near the village of Joona (close to Koi as previously mentioned). The Mangral forces pursued them, culminating in a decisive battle at Dabrian, where the majority of the Dogra soldiers were killed. A few heavily armed Dogra fighters managed to escape to Jammu by following the river Mool.
Subedar Raja Sher Baz Khan later donated land in Bratla for the construction of Bratla High School.
Raja Sakhi Daler Khan
[edit]Raja Sakhi Daler Khan, born in the village of Sarsawa (now Sakhi Daler Abad) in Kotli Mangrallan, is celebrated as one of the most prominent heroes of the war to liberate Kashmir from Dogra rule. In recognition of his significant contributions to the freedom struggle, the War Council awarded him several honors, including:
- General
- Fath-e-Kotli (Liberator of Kotli)
- Fakhr-e-Kashmir
- Ghazi-e-Kashmir
- Commander in Chief Tehreek-e-Azaadi
- Chief Convenor Jammu & Kashmir Historical Committee
- Khadam-e-Din
The village of Sarsawa was renamed Sakhi Daler Abad in his honor.
Raja Sakhi Daler Khan joined the Indian National Army and was promoted to the rank of Major General. However, sensing his duty towards the liberation of Jammu and Kashmir, he resigned from his post and joined the Muslim League on June 6, 1946. Following a meeting with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he visited the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Ram Chandra Kak, and Maharaja Hari Singh to discuss the possibility of Kashmir joining Pakistan in accordance with the wishes of the people, as outlined in the British proposal for post-Independence India and Pakistan.
After reporting back to Quaid-e-Azam at his residence on Aurangzeb Road, Delhi, in 1946, it became clear that an alternative plan was needed to liberate Kashmir. Consequently, Raja Sakhi Daler Khan, along with other ex-army officers, established a War Council on September 5, 1947. He then led numerous battles against the Dogra forces, particularly in Kotli and Rajouri.
Under his leadership, the Muslims of Rajouri rose against the Dogra rulers and liberated the region. Unfortunately, Rajouri was later subjected to a heavily armed assault by the Fiftieth Parachute Brigade, the Eightieth Brigade, and the 19th Brigade of the Indian Army, supported by tanks of the Central Indian Horse. Overwhelmed by superior firepower, Rajouri fell on April 12, 1948, and is now part of the Indian-administered state of Jammu & Kashmir.
General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan exhibited the classical qualities and attributes that Mangrals take pride in. During the 1947 war of liberation, some of the fiercest fighting occurred in the Sehnsa district. In one encounter, Raja Sakhi Daler came across a critically injured Dogra soldier. The soldier, realizing he did not have long to live, expressed his dying wish to die among his own people, ensuring his funeral rites were conducted according to his religious requirements and that his family would be informed of his death.
Raja Sakhi Daler wrapped the soldier in a blanket and personally carried him into the enemy camp. The Dogra commander, amazed to see his own soldier being carried by an enemy, asked Raja Sakhi Daler his name. Upon learning his identity, the Dogra commander, also a Rajput, acknowledged Raja Sakhi Daler’s noble qualities, stating that he truly lived up to his name: “Raja” for his noble descent, “Sakhi” for his compassion, “Daler” for his bravery, and “Khan” for his leadership.
Lachmi Pattan freed and Renamed as Azad Pattan
[edit]The Mangral led by Raja Sakhi Daler Khan defeated the Dogra forces at Lachmi Pattan which was renamed as Azad Pattan.
Bratla and Tradition of Rajput to Live in the Highest Places
[edit]The Rajputs of the Hill States, due to their high status, have traditionally chosen to reside in the highest physical locations, with their subjects occupying the lower lands. This preference for elevated areas is why Kotli and Bratla have been natural settlements for the Mangral Rajputs. High locations also provide a strategic advantage against invading forces. The village of Bratla is situated at a high point on a steep plateau, where the traditional homes of the Rajputs are located. The name “Bratla” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Barra-tilla,” meaning “the highest point.”
Barali
[edit]
Barali is a picturesque village and union council situated between Kotli and Gulpur. Nestled in a beautiful valley, it boasts vast fields and stunning views. The Mangral Rajput chieftains, including Raja Samat Khan, Raja Karmudi Khan, Raja Shadman Khan, and Raja Sattar Muhammad Khan, valiantly fought against the Dogra Army in an effort to liberate the territory. The village was invaded by Dogra army commander Sher Singh, who was subsequently defeated by Raja Karmudi Khan.
The Mangrals of Fagoosh are descendants of Raja Sattar Muhammad Khan. Notable personalities from Fagoosh include Raja Azeem Khan (commissioner), Brigadier Raja Akbar Khan (former chairman MDA), Raja Isaaq Khan (U.K.), Raja Wali Dad Khan, Subedar Raja Fazal Dad Khan, Raja Umer Khatab Khan, Raja Abdul Qayum Tehsildar, and Master Raja Muhammad Riaz Mangral, a senior teacher residing in Nur Pur.
The Mangrals of Kartoot Sarhota near Danna are descendants of Raja Sakhi Waliat Khan, who was the nephew of Raja Shahsawar.
Khan (The last Mangral ruler)
[edit]The Mangrals of Choki Mong trace their lineage to Raja Naasar Khan, who was the brother of Raja Shahsawar Khan. Notable personalities from this line include Raja Abdul Karim from Kotli city and Raja Parvaiz Khan of Choki Mong.
Poverty
[edit]In Barali, there is a noticeable gap between the rich and the poor. Families with relatives abroad, particularly in England, receive more financial support and build larger houses, while the majority of villagers earn their living as farmers. Despite the widespread poverty, some residents own land. The wealthier families, predominantly from the Mangral Rajput clan, benefit from remittances sent by their overseas relatives. Recently, development has begun with the installation of a new telephone exchange and fiber optic broadband for the villagers.
Roads
[edit]In recent years, a new road has been constructed, connecting Kotli and Gulpur through Barali. Legal matters are typically resolved out of court, with an older, respected individual serving as a mediator.
Mangrals in the British Army
[edit]The Mangrals, of Rajput origin and classified by the British as a martial race, readily joined the British Indian Army and participated in several notable campaigns. Kotli served as a significant recruiting ground for the British Indian Army, with an estimated 80,000 men recruited from the area to fight in the Second World War. Some of the campaigns in which the Mangrals fought include:
- Cassino Campaign
- War in Burma
Notable Mangral Rajput Personalities
[edit]Notable Descendants and Figures:
- Raja Tatar Khan: Ancestor of all Mangrals of Barali (Fagoosh), Bratla, and Throochi Gulpur.
- Raja Qandhar Khan
- Raja Janab Khan
- Raja Muratib Khan: One of his descendants, Raja Noor Khan, migrated to Mandala Islamabad.
- Raja Shah Sawar Khan: The last ruler of Kotli Mangralan and a descendant of Raja Daan Khan.
- Rani Hashu: The last Rani of Kotli Mangralan.
- Raja Samat Khan (Barali)
- Raja Karmudi Khan (Barali)
- Raja Shadman Khan (Barali)
- Raja Sattar Khan (Barali): Grandson of Raja Tatar Khan and ancestor of Mangrals of Fagoosh.
- Raja Noor Khan (Bratla): Descendant of Raja Tatar Khan.
- Shaheed Raja Qadir Baksh Khan (Bratla)
- Raja Mahmood Khan (Bratla)
- Raja Sharf Ali Khan (Bratla)
- Raja Madat Khan (Bratla)
- Raja Ali Mardan Khan (Bratla)
- Raja Baz Khan (Bratla): Vizier and interim ruler of Bahawalpur State.
- General Raja Sakhi Daler Khan (Sarasawa)
- Colonel Raja Mehmood Khan of Gulpur: Of Dabrian fame and a national hero of Pakistan.
- Haji Raja Muhammad Maqbool Mangral: President of Mangral Rajput Welfare Association, Rawalpindi.
- Master Raja Muhammad Shafi Khan (Master Shafi Paravia): Reader and secretary to Dogra Assembly Member from Mehndar Poonch, Sardar Fateh Muhammad Khan Karelvi. He established the first primary class at Dattot (Shamsabad), now a college, and was a teacher to Sardar Master Hafiz Khan of Gaala and Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan. He joined the British Army and fought in World War II, training many Mujahids during the freedom struggle.
- Subedar Raja Sher Baz Khan (Bratla): Fought against the Dogras at Throtchi and Dabrian. Donated land for the building of Bratla High School.
- Lieutenant Raja Karam Dad Khan of Garruhtta, Tehsil Sehnsa: Buried at Keri Garruhtta. He had two sons, Raja Mohammed Saleem Khan and Raja Mohammed Nawas Mangral.
- Subedar Raja Mohammed Wazir Khan (Chichlar, Sehnsa): Fought alongside Raja Sakhi Daler Khan and Lieutenant Raja Karam Dad Khan in the war of independence.
- Raja Mohammed Aslam Khan: Advocate MLA of Bratla (Minister).
- Raja Mohammad Shafiq Ahmad: Zamindar in Village Mooriyan (Islamabad) Barrister at High Court (Rawalpindi).
- Brigadier Raja Zia Ul Hasnain Raja
- Brigadier Raja Muhammed Akbar Khan (Maneel, Fagosh): A top scholar of Darul Uloom Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, India. Chairman of the Mirpur Development Authority (MDA), which built modern-day Mirpur.
- Naib Subedar Raja Walidad Khan (Maneel, Fagosh): Ex-soldier of the British Indian Army and elder brother of Brigadier Raja Muhammed Akbar Khan.
- Raja Fazal Dad Khan (Minister)
- Raja Akbar Khan (Sehr Mondi): Collector of Taxes.
- Raja Naseer Ahmed Khan (Sarasawa): Minister for Local Government & Rural Development.
- Raja Majeed (Law Secretary, Sehr Mondi)
- Raja Mehmood: Chairman of Sehr Mondi.
- Raja Matloob Inqalabi (Sehr Mondi): Advocate and District Leader of PPP.
- Nawabi Mangrals (New Afzal Pur, Sehr Mondi)
- Raja Azeem Khan of Fagoush Barali: Commissioner.
- Raja Abdul Kareem (Kotli City): Descendant of Raja Nasar Khan, brother of Raja Shah Sawar Khan.
- Raja Riasat (Kotli City): Muslim Conference, Chairman of Zakat Committee.
- Professor Raja Matloob Khan (Bratla): Former Principal of Kotli College.
- Raja Mohammed Isaq Khan Mangral (Fagoosh): Prominent Manchester businessman and Chairman of Davenport Green Hall.
- Raja Hafiz Ullah Khan (Koi, Bratla): Prominent London businessman and Chairman of Quadreen Plc.
- Raja Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Mangral (Maryland, USA): An authentic writer of Mangral history.
- Raja Nazir Ahmad Khan Mungral of Shakrial, Rawalpindi.
- Raja Swar Khan of Chajana, Murree.
- Raja Haq Nawaz Khan of Galhotian, Sehensa, AJK.
- Namardar Raja Muhammad Iqbal Khan of the UK.
- Raja Arif Khan (Burnley, UK): Councillor and retired Justice of Peace.
- Raja Mohammed Arif (Chichlar, Sehnsa): Justice of Peace in Luton, UK.
- Raja Zia Ullah Khan (Koi, Bratla): Senior Partner at E.C. Brown & Batts Chartered Accountants.
- Raja Mohammed Idrees: Conservative Party Councillor and Chair of North West Conservative Islamic Forum.
- Raja Qurban Hassain (Former worshipful Lord Mayor of Sheffield)
Modern Day Mangrals
[edit]Mangral Population and Migration
The last official count of Indian castes was conducted by the British during the 1931 census of India. At that time, they recorded 4,500 adult male Mangrals. Considering women and children, and the likelihood of underreporting, it is estimated that the total Mangral population in 1931 was close to 10,000. Based on this figure and subsequent extrapolation, it is estimated that the global Mangral population in 2008 exceeded 100,000. Most Mangrals remain in Azad Kashmir, but significant numbers have migrated globally.
During the 1960s and 1970s, many Mangrals emigrated to the United Kingdom for economic reasons. Initially, they settled in the Midlands, in places like Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent, but later dispersed across the country to regions such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, and the South (including London, Luton, and St. Albans). Migration to the UK has continued through marriage, work visas, and student visa arrangements.
Traditionally, Rajputs, including Mangrals, viewed war as their primary occupation, with the sword as their weapon. The plough was considered a symbol of an inferior calling, and the term “hal-bah” (plough driver) was used derogatorily for any Rajput engaged in farming. However, in modern times, Rajputs have adapted to changing environments, with education becoming the new weapon. Many Mangrals have excelled in various fields, leveraging their royal heritage and pride in their ancestry to make significant contributions to their communities.
Today, Mangrals are employed in diverse professions, including the armed forces, medicine, law, and information technology. Some have become successful businessmen, while others are known for their athletic prowess in sports such as cricket, football, boxing, cross-country running, and martial arts.
Mangral Families are Present in the Following Locations:
- Azad Kashmir: Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, Poonch District, Rawalakot (Trar Dewan), Bagh, Kashmir
- Jammu & Kashmir: Poonch
- Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Murree, Faisalabad
- United Kingdom: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Burnley, Bradford, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Luton, St. Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Slough, Aylesbury
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
- Bahrain
- United States: New York, Maryland
- Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
Mangral Rajputs in the United Kingdom
The Mangral Rajputs Association proudly supports the Quadreen Development Foundation (QDF), a registered charity in the United Kingdom. QDF focuses on providing aid to South Asia, with a particular emphasis on the Kotli region of Azad Kashmir.
One of QDF’s notable projects was a fundraising dinner held in 2005 to support the victims of the Kashmir earthquake.
QDF operates as an independent charity, ensuring full transparency and clarity in its objectives. The foundation prioritizes directing funds to those in need rather than administrative costs.
QDF is registered in the UK under charity number 1112042.
Lineage of Mangrals
[edit]Lineage of Mangrals
By Raja Sarfraz A Mangral (USA)
Raja Burj Pal
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Raja Chhatar Pal
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Raja Aori Pal
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Raja Hani Dev Raja Nirmal Dev
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* Raja Mangar Pal (The ancestor Of Mangral Rajputs)
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Raja Hindu Dev
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*Raja Sehns Pal( Converted To Islam)
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Raja Daan Khan Raja Tatar Khan Raja Qandhar Khan Raja Janib Khan Raja Muratab Khan
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Raja Pareetam Khan
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Raja Sara Khan
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Raja Musahb Khan
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Rai Gagar Khan Raja Sawa Khan Raja Autam Khan
References
[edit]- ^ Prasad, Shankar (2005). The Gallant Dogras - scroll down to Dogras - The Land and the People - (Group of Rajput States) (page 16). p. 16. ISBN 8170622689.
Sources
[edit]- A Hand Book on Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pirzada Irshad Ahmad. Nawab Sons Publication, 2003
- History of the Panjab Hill States by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel
- Studies in Indian History: Rajasthan Through the Ages - The Heritage of Rajputs by R.K. Gupta
- Hust-O-Bood by Mian Ejaz Nabi
- "KohTali Sey Kotli tak" by Sagar Kashmiri, published in the college magazine *Naveed-e-Sahar* (Kotli, Azad Kashmir)
- History of Panjab Castes by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel