Gakhars

The Gakhar (گاکھر) is a historical Punjabi Muslim tribe with origins in the northern Punjab, Pakistan. The Gakhars now predominantly follow Islam after conversion from Hinduism during the Islamic rule in Punjab.

History
In the Muslim historiography, the Gakhars have been frequently confused with the Khokhars, who inhabited the same region, and it has been challenging to separate the events of both tribes. Gakhars formed an important part of the army of Shāhis of Gandhāra. Around 30,000 Gakhars fought against Maḥmūd of Ghazna in 1008 CE near Peshawar but were defeated. By the time of Sultan Muʿizz al-Dīn Muḥammad Ghūrī Gakhars had converted to Islam.

In the following centuries, Gakhars engaged in a long-running struggle for sovereignty over the Salt Range with the neighbouring tribes: "The history of this region (the Salt Range) from the thirteenth century onward had been a sickening record of wars between various dominant landowning and ruling clans of Punjabi Muslims including the Janjuas, Gakhars, Thathals and Bhattis for political ascendancy."

For a period, Gakhars were superseded by the Khokhars who under their chieftain Jasrat gained control of most of upper Punjab in the 15th century. However, by the time of Mughal emperor Bābur's invasion of subcontinent, Gakhars had regained power. Under their chief Hātī Khān, Gakhars attacked Babūr in 1525 when he marched against the Delhi Sultanate. Babūr seized Gakhar fortress of Phaŕwāla and Hātī Khān fled, but when Hātī Khān offered his submission to Babūr and provided supplies for the Mughal army, he compensated Hātī Khān well and conferred on him the title of Sultan. During the reign of Humāyūn, Sulṭān Sārang Khān gained much prominence. He refused to acknowledge Shēr Shāh Sūr as new emperor when the latter defeated Humāyūn, as a result Shēr Shāh led an expedition against Sārang Khān who was defeated and executed. His tomb is in Rawāt.

Sārang Khān's brother, Ādam Khān succeeded him. In 1552, Humāyūn's rebel brother prince Kamrān sought shelter with Ādam Khān but he was betrayed and given up to Humāyūn, who rewarded Ādam Khān with the insignia of nobility for the treachery.

In 1555, Ādam Khān was defeated and killed by his nephew Kamāl Khān, a son of Sārang Khān, possibly on the instigation by emperor Akbar to strengthen his hold over the Gakhars. Further a daughter of Kamāl Khān's brother, Sayd Khān was married to prince Salim.

18th century
In the early 18th century, Gakhars gained independence from Mughals. They controlled major regions of Potohar between Jhelum and Indus, including Rawalpindi, Pharwala, Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Fatehjang and Rohtas. The notable Gakhar chief Muqarrab Khan conquered cities of Gujrat and Jhelum in 1740. He issued his own coins in which he claimed to be ruler of tract between Attock and Chenab. He defeated the Yusafzai Afghans and Jang Kuli Khan of Khattak and overran as far north as Bhimber. However, the Bhangi misl under Sardar Milka Singh forced him to give up control of Gujarat in 1765 and he returned to Jehlum. In 1769 he was treacherously captured and put to death by a rival chief, Himmat Khan of Bugial clan. Ultimately Sikhs conquered Rawalpindi too in 1767 and Gakhars were left with only Phurwala and Jhelum under their control. Muqarrab's son succeeded to his dominions, until Jhelum (1810) and Pharwala (1818) fell to the Ranjit Singh's invasions.