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KASHAMIRI SUDHANS

Sudhans are one of the major tribes from the districts of Poonch, Sudhanoti, Bagh and Kolti in Kashmir.

Rawalakot, in the Poonch District and Pallandri, in the Sudhanoti Districts of Azad Kashmir are major Sudhan strongholds. Internationally Sudhans are settled all over the world and have large communities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. A significant Sudhan diaspora is now present in Australia, Denmark, Norway, Germany and Belgium. Sudhans are also found in large numbers in Middle East and South Africa.

Major G. Carmichael Smyth in his book A History of the Reigning Family of Lahore states: "About the year 1832, several independent hill-tribes inhabiting the north western regions of the Punjaub [Punjab] were reduced into subjection to the Lahore state. These were the Doondh, Soodhun (Sudhan), Suthee, Hoteels(Muhgals) and Murdiall(Mughals) tribes. The Doondh tribe lived chiefly on the banks of the Jhelum...was in number about fifty or sixty thousand... The Soodhun tribe inhabited a large tract on the eastern bank of the same river opposite the country of the Doondhs, and numbered about forty thousand souls."[Full citation needed]

Contents 1 Theories of origins 2 Education 3 Language 4 Sudhan Rebellion against Pakistan Army 5 Sudhans in Army 6 Religion 7 Employment 8 Notable members 9 Earthquake of 2005 10 Typical Sudhan members around the world 11 See also 12 References 13 External links

[edit] Theories of originsThe history of the Sudhans is replete with conflicting controversies. Whether they came from Ghazni or Kandhar or their ancestor converted to Islam may never be resolved, but it is a fact that they are a distinct tribe whose history demands detailed research.

There are two different theories about the origin of Sudhan; Afghan and Brahmin ancestry.

Afghan Ancesty or Rajput Ancestry According to Major (Retd) Tilla Mohammad, now deceased, a political leader in Peshawar, in his books on the Sudhan tribe stated:

"Sudhans had immigrated to Azad Kashmir from Ghazni and Kandahar, Afghanistan, during the 14th century."

Major (Retd) Tilla Muhammad was himself from Rehara, Kashmir and his ancestors had migrated to Peshawar from Kashmir.

Some Sudhans adopted the name Sadozai, after the publication of the articles by Major (Retd) Tila Muhammad.

Some members of the Sudhan tribe claim that the Sudhan tribe are descendendts from Afghan Pathan tribes; this may just be because Ahmed Shah Durrani's empire consisted of what is now known as Kashmir and the Sudhans just a by-product of the subsequent invasions. However none of this been ascertained by historical or genealogical proof. The only evidence given to this theory is through oral traditions.[1][Full citation needed][2][Full citation needed]

Brahmin ancestry According to Col. (Rtd) Dr. Khalil Khan, a dermatologist from Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir. "Sudhans were converted to Islam by Aurangzeb Bahadur Alamgir the sixth Mughal ruler".[3][dubious – discuss]

By origin the Mohyals are certainly Saraswat and still take wives from that group in Gujarat, while in Rawalpindi the five superior sections (Sudhan, Sikhan, Bhaklal, Bhog and Kali) of the Bunjahi Sarsuts used to give daughters Bhimwal(Bhibhal) Mohyal Sarsuts and occasionally to other Mohyal sections.[4] The name Sudhan also occurs in the Mahabharata mythology, as a descendant of the vedic rishi Angiras, this is also further corroborated by the reference above, although there is no reference of the tribe itself claiming descent from the mentioned Angiras's son Sudhan. Also in the Gazetteer of Rawalpindi, there appears no mention of the Sudhan's Mohyal or Brahmin connection. There are Hindu Sudhans, mostly living in India-controlled Kashmir, and Sikh Sudhans in Indian Punjab and Kashmir.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Castes and Tribes of Poonch by Muhammad Din Folk “Sudhan is shown as one of the 12 communities in Hazara during the Vedic age. Sodhan is described as a Rajput tribe. Sud race is settled in East Punjab”.[Full citation needed]

Reigning Family of Lahore by Major G. Carmichael Smyth “Sud were originally called suwdik, one of the nomadic tribes who settled in Iran in 900 BC. The name changed to Sogdian-Sulik-Sud due to dialects of Chines, Sogdian & Punjabi writers. Sudrakas (sud race in South Punjab) fought battle with Alexander the Great and gave Alexander a tough time in Sogdian (Summarkand)”.[Full citation needed]

The Sudhan Revolt (The News 19 October 1997.) By Sardar M. Saleem Khan. "Sudhan, and important and high caste of Chihalis-Rajputs (Aryans)".[Full citation needed]

Gazetteer of Kashmir & Ladakh (1890) "Lehr Muni (ancestor of Sudhan) son of Bawa Muna (Chief of Katas Tirath) migrated from Katas to Poonch in 11th century. One of his descendants Sudh Sain/Pal is the patriarch of Sudhan. Sudhan Chander Bansi dynasty ruled from the capital of Sudhnuti. Sudhan are Muslims as well as Hindus".[Full citation needed]

[edit] EducationLiteracy rate in Azad Kashmir soars to 78 percent, leaving the rest of Pakistan behind.[15] The Sudhan tribe in particularly is well educated composing of high literacy rates both among its female and male members.[citation needed]

LanguageThe Sudhan mother tongu

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e is the Pahari language. Sudhans generally learn and speak the language of the area of settlement but take pride in speaking Pahari. Sudhans living in Karachi and other elite classes have become accustomed to using English and Urdu.

[edit] Sudhan Rebellion against Pakistan ArmySudhans rebelled against the Pakistan Army. Pakistan sent the Punjab constabulary along with a Brigade of Pakistan Army, to crush the rebellion. This rebellion damaged the careers of some Sudhans, however, Sudhans supported the rebellion against the Pakistan military.[citation needed]

Sudhans were not given security clearance until 1972, and were not accepted in the Pakistan Military Academy regular course until 1965

Sudhans are found among Muslim, Hindu & Sikh religious communities. Muslim Sudhans are mostly Sunni of the Hannafi branch of Islam. With mushrooming of religious madrassas all sects of Sunni Islam have crept into the sudhan belt. There is lately, Wahabi influence, that has crept into Sudhans communities being brought by Saudi Arabian authorities. Traditionally they believed in and revered saints/holy men and visited holy places with enthusiasm as most Sudhans were converted to Islam by Sufi saints.

[edit] EmploymentSudhans are well represented in the military, government and business.[citation needed]

[edit] Notable membersSardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, founder & first President of AJK.[17] Baba-e-Poonch Khansahib Col. Khan Muhammad Khan, member of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly from 1934 to 1946. Chairman War Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir in 1947 and then member Defence Council. Founder of Sudhan Educational Conference. Col. Sardar Sher Ahmed Khan, 4th President of Azad Kashmir.[17] Ghazi Muhammad Ameer Khan, Ex-British Army Soldier, Freedom Fighter and Former State councillor of Poonch Azad Kashmir. Major General (Retd.) Muhammad Hayyat Khan, 14th President of Azad Kashmir.[17] Major General (Retd.) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, 25th President of Azad Kashmir.[17] General (Retd.) Aziz Khan, former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) Pakistan Army. [18]

Sardar Muhammad Aslam, former Justice Supreme Court of Pakistan. Sardar Muhammad Ashraf Khan, Former Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Azad Kashmir.