Sohlan clan

The Sohlan are a Rajput tribe of Panhwar Rajput descent which is a sub-branch of the Paramara dynasty Rajputs. They are connected with the Narma as both are descended from Panhwar Rajputs.

The Muslim section is found chiefly in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir, with small numbers found in Jhelum, in Pothohar (Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi, Muree) and Gujrat Districts.

They are culturally close to the Narma Rajputs.

Sohlan in Azad Kashmir

Their areas include Bani (Mirpur), Dalyala, Ghaseetpur Sohalian, Mehmunpur, Sahang which are the centres of the tribe in Mirpur District. These mainly centre around Khari Sharif which has historically been ruled by this family. Since the development of the Mangla Dam, old Jabot Village was submerged underwater causing many families to move back to Khari Sharif, the ancestral area of the clan and to set up New Jabot.

During the time of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals the reigning authorities never levied taxes in the Solhan rules areas, in lieu of peaceful passage to Kabul. That is why you will find the Sohlan villages across the Jhelum River. Sohlan areas came under the rule of the Sikhs during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's ascendancy whose armies captured Jammu and Kashmir in 1819. This rule lasted until 1857 when areas north of the Jhelum river were handed over to the Gulab Singh Dogra in an agreement with the British as part of the Treaty of Amritsar.

As the British viewed Rajputs as a martial caste, many members of the clan served in the British Indian Army in both World Wars seeing action in Egypt and Burma by travelling into British ruled Punjab and signing up at Jhelum. Joining the army was often the best way to supplement family incomes since most families lived off their land.

Many elders of this clan were rulers including Sardar, Zaildars and lambardars and were responsible of collecting taxes on behalf of the Dogra Maharajah of Kashmir who ruled the Azad Kashmir area. Raja Sajjawal Khan was first Muslim and Sohlan Rajput grade one Zaildar in Khari Sharif who defeated Hindu Zaildar Badrinath in elections.

Legend has that Mangla Devi an ancestor of the tribe and after whom Mangla is named after was the first person from the tribe to convert to Islam. Since then the family has been involved in religious affairs providing land on which the shrine of Pir-e Shah Ghazi and more famously Mian Muhammad Bakhsh now stand.

The Sohlan clan are connected with Panwar Royal family from Kashtwar; Raja Sohlan Singh is said to be the ancestor of Sohlan Rajputs according to the history book called 'Tehreek e Jammu'. Raja Sohlan Singh was the 27th ruler of the Princely state of Kashtwar, conquered Surur and Bonjwah, adding them to his domains and founding the village of Salhana above Kandani.

In Azad Kashmir the term "Sohlan-Sulehria" is often used, though they are two different Rajput clans.

Sohlan in Punjab

The Sohlan are also found in Jhelum District, and like those of Azad Kashmir, claim descent from the Panwar Rajputs. Their villages are found north of the city of Jhelum, the principal settlement being Sohan. Other villages include Gatiali, Pakhwal Rajgan, Chitti Rajgan, Pind Ratwal Tahlianwala, Dhok Sohlnan, Piraghaib and Langerpur. They are closely connected to the Chibs, who are their neighbours.

Former Governor of Punjab Lieutenant General Raja Saroop Khan was a Sohlan Rajput.

See also

• Narma
• Muslim Rajputs
• Ethnic Groups of Azad Kashmir