Waraich

Waraich is a warrior ethnic clan of the Jat people of India and Pakistan who are descendants ofIndo-Scythian tribes. Alternate spellings include Baraich, Braich, and Varaich, depending on which Punjabi dialect is being used. According to historians the Varaich clan are to be descendants from the Muslim clan of the north-western province of Iqulawri. They actually originate from the rulers of the Great Persian empire. After losing the war to Muslim invaders, they escaped and settled in Afghanistan. Later on, they migrated from Afganistan and settled within Punjab in 1621 due to the great plague of Iqulawri. Waraich has its own importance and place in jatt community. Their ancestor is known to be Suryavanshi rajput. They are known as warriors, stubborn hardliners and egoistic natured persons.

Population distribution

According to 1881 census waraich population in combined Punjab was 64235. Wlone in the Gujarat it was 35253.Second most populated district was Gujjaranwala with waraich population of 10783 and in Ludhiana district it was only 1300.The Waraich population was 38,070 in Amritsar district during the 1911 British Punjab Census. In the Patiala district it was 19,950.One village is known to be in Doaba region, Two in Ludhiana district, one in Fatehgarh District, one village known as Lad Banjara in Sangrur and One Kariwala village in Ropar district.

Geographic distribution

Western Punjab

The Waraich is mostly found in western Punjab, Pakistan, in the two districts Gujarat and Gujranwala. They occupy 141 villages in Gujarat and 84 villages in Gujranwala. In the Gujranwala there were 41 villages

In Gujarat there the family of this clan started growing and they captured areas of Gujjars nearly about 2/3 area of district Gujarat with total number of 170 villages in possession. During the reign of Aurangzeb Waraich people moved to areas of Uttar Pradesh mainly Meerut and Moradabad

Eastern Punjab

In eastern Punjab in India the clan is found in large numbers in the Majha and Malwa regions. Historically they are known as land owners and tenant farmers and many are employed by the Indian and Pakistani armies. In Indian Punjab the clan occupies about 315 villages. After 1947 a large number of Waraich moved into areas of Karnal and sirsa in Haryana . Some people also settled in Muktsar district after migration of 1947.Now a days they are in areas of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Sangrur ,Nawanshar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Patiala districts. Some of Waraich’s have settled in foreign countries from Doaba and Malwa area and doing their best in those countries.

Mythical history

According to Sir Lepal Griffin, the tribe migrated to Punjab during the reign of Mohammad of Ghazni and settled in Gujarat, in present day Pakistan.[4].

According to legend, a Jat named Waraich had five sons who moved from Chenab to the two cities Gujarat and Gujranwala. Around the tenth century A.D., their descendants moved down to the Jhelum River in large numbers. Until the thirteenth-century AD they continued to fight with Gujjar tribes. .. Today the Waraich occupy a very compact area comprising 360 villages in a region called Jatat. During the period of Feroz Shah Tughlaq, a certain Haria leader of these Waraich Jats converted to Islam and founded a village later named Hariawala after him.

During Sher Shah Suri's conquest of Bengal he defeated the brothers, who left the area and traveled westwards. They settled on the banks of the Chenab river. This new home was on the lands previously used by Gujjars for grazing cattle. This settlement led to rivalry between the Waraich Jats and the incumbent Gujjars. Traces of clan presence is alleged to be evident from the name "Gujarat" - though this name is evidence from the medieval period and was named after the very same region now the state of Gujarat in India.

The Waraich clan gradually spread out to places beyond Gujarat such as Gujranwala and Sargodha.,Other traditions have these variously labelled Jats or Rajputs or both ruling over Shergarh and Nagaur and other cites until 275 AD

According to second myth a king named Karan came from Kisra Nagar to Delhi. After obeying the Emperor Ferozshah Khilji he started living in area of Hisar (Haryana).

According to third myth in 680 B. Waraich is known to be grandson of King Salwaan, son of King Buland and brother of Bhatti Rao who occupied Sialkot in Pakistan and Waraich occupied Gujarat. A famous historian Kartar Singh Dakha has also proved Waraich to be successor of King Salwaan.

According to Mr.B.S Dahiya Waraich is known to be one of the oldest tribe of Mahabharta times.

More details can be obtained from Book named “PUNJAB CHIEFS” by Sir Griffin.

Religion

Members of the Waraich in western Punjab are Muslim.

In eastern Punjab and Haryana, the clan is Sikh and are refugees and descendants of refugees from western Punjab.

Traditions and Culture

 Waraich are known to be agriculturists and tenants. Some people in Shakargarh ,Gurdaspur are Jariams. They have joined armies and adopting various professions to earn their livings.

Both sikh and Muslim Waraich’s follow hindu traditions during their marriages and functions.

Marasi, Nai and Brahmin are known to be their Laagis.

Personalities of Ancient Times

1. Mann Singh Waraich was the great warrior during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

2. S.Gurbaksh Singh was known to be a great fighter of Majha area who left his village Chala in 1780 and    captured 50 villages of Wazirabad .

3. Bare Khan Waraich was known to great fighter during Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule.

4. In Gurdaspur district some people adopted Islam religion Fakir Jhangi Baktshah Jamal was famous whose mansion is also there.

5. Mr Manwinder Singh Waraich is known to be great scholar of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.s history.

References

 1911 census of British Punjab - Major General Barstow.

Professor B. S. Dhillon (1994). History and study of the Jats. Beta Publishers. ISBN 1895603021.

 Professor B. S. Dhillon (1994). History and study of the Jats. Beta Publishers. ISBN 1895603021.

 Sir Lepal Griffin. "Chiefs of Punjab". p. 409

          Ram Swarup Joon - History of the Jatt

          History of the Jatt Clans - H.S Dule