Mohyal

Mohyals
Regions with significant populations
Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab (India), other parts of Northern India
Languages
Punjabi and Hindi
Religion
Hinduism, Sikhism


Mohyal (alternate spellings include Muhiyal, Muhial, Mhial, Mohiyal or Mahjal) is the name of an endogamous ethnic group that originates from the Gandhara region and consists of seven Brahmin lineages of that area that left the usual priestly occupation of Brahmins long ago to serve as soldiers and in government services.

Most Mohyals are Hindus. Many are Sikhs - largely as a result of the role played by Mohyals in the formative days of the Sikh religion and also because of a tradition once popular in Mohyal families of bringing up the eldest male child as a Sikh.

Mohyal clans

The Mohyals are divided into seven gotras (clans):[1]

Origin

The Mohyals developed a warlike culture and reputation that has led to them being compared to the Pashtuns and Rajputs.

In India, they are also called ‘Hussaini Brahmins’ as Muhiyals proudly claim that though being non-Muslim, a small number of them fought in the battle of Karbala on the side of Hussain. Muhiyals are very close to Pushtuns in their character. For centuries, they never or seldom paid in their revenue until coerced by a military expedition involving a number of casualties on both sides. On one occasion, they fought three sanguine battles against Babur's army as they refused to surrender a khatri girl to Mughals who had sought their protection. The testament to their chivalry is the fact that during Muslim rule, they were the only non-Muslim group on whom the title of Khan or Sultan was ever bestowed. During British rule, a number of them were residing in the military belt of Campbelpur, Rawalpindi and Jhelum area. A number of Muhiyals served with distinction in British Indian army especially cavalry. They served in many regiments especially 9th, 11th, 13th, and 19th Lancers, 3rd, 4th and 15th Punjab Cavalry and Guides Cavalry.[1]

The legend of Rahab Sidh Datt

As per Mohyal folklore, a Mohyal of the Dutt clan had fought on behalf of Imam Hussain in the battle of Karbala, more specifically in the storming of Kufa- sacrificing his seven sons in the process. According to legend, Rahab Sidh Datt (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala. The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an Al-Hindiya in existence today.[2] This legend occupies an important part in the Dutt clan's oral history,[3][4] and is considered a source of pride for them.[5]

Notable people

Sikh history

References

  1. 1 2 Defence Journal, Pakistan- June 2003:Tribes and Turbulence by Hamid Hussain
  2. ↑ Reg-i-Surkh: Dut Brahman Imam Husain se Rabt o Zabt, by Mahdi Nazmi, Abu Talib Academy, New Delhi 1984, Pages 63-71.
  3. ↑ Alnataq (Urdu), by Shah Nazir Hashmi, Lucknow 1926
  4. ↑ Mohyals, Muslims and Mustafabad: The Tribune, Chandigarh (8 August 1993).
  5. ↑ Reliving Karbala: Martyrdom in South Asian Memory, by Syed Akbar Haider, Oxford University Press 2006, Page 175

Further reading

External links

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