Pakhral

Pakhrals also known as Minhas and Jamwal, in different regions were founders of the city and the state of Jammu and its governors from ancient times. Their ancestors were Rajput warrior clans who later accepted Islam after the Muslim influence in the Indian Region and moved from Rajasthan (India) to Kashmir and Pakistan. Pakhral Rajputs are known to be warriors, hospitable and aggressive people. Pakhrals reside mainly in Pothohar Plateau including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Upper Salt Range region, while some tribes are in Azad Kashmir, Indian-administered Kashmir, Punjab, Hazara and Dera Ismail Khan. Potohar area is famous as Pakhral Rajputs area. Raja is mostly used as a title in Pakhral Rajputs which is derived from the word Rajput. Many Pakhral Rajputs were included in the so called khana number 10 during the British rule in India. Since partition Pakhrals have been involved in different enterprises, while many adopted government careers, law, politics, anthropology, education etc. and a good chunk are in foreign countries.

Origin

When Kashmir was sold to Gulab Singh the descendants of raja Jambu Lochan moved to Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Potohar, and other areas. It is said that they were in fact four brothers who moved from Kashmir to these areas (today these areas are Rawalpindi (Naizian, Sagri, Pagh, Sahang, Mastala, Adhi, Chak rajgan, Natha Chatar, Daultala, Nata, Dhokabdal, Mora Nori(karsal - doke rajganetc.) Jehlum, Chakwal (Dhoda, Jandala Pakhral, Ghazial, Khokhar Rajgan and Saba Mohra), Azad Kashmir and some parts of Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa). Some sons of these four brothers also moved to the modern day places Gujar Khan.

Genealogical trees

This is a strong tradition that exists among the most distinguished of Rajputs of all faiths, the registration of surnames and the length of the family tree. Prominent Muslim Rajputs remain and continue to record their family trees from their Hindus beyond even after their conversion to Islam, right up to the present day. Rajput inheritance applicants more than likely will have no ancestral records of family lineage. Like other Rajputs People the Pakhral Tribe also attach great importance to their Family Tree.

Notable people

• Rashid Minhas was awarded Pakistan's top military honor, the Nishan-E-Haider, and became the youngest man and the only member of the Pakistan Air Force to win this award.
• Farzana Raja, a serving member of the President's Support Program and the Benazir Income National Assembly.
• Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the 17th Prime Minister of Pakistan.
• Allama Raja Nasir Abbas , Chairman (MWM) Majlis-e-Wahdat Al Muslimeen.
• General Shahswar Khan, General Of Subcontinent army
• Raja Sadaan Abbas,