Okara District - Castes

Castes

Maitla

Jat Clan: Maitla Distribution Punjab (Pakistan), Punjab (India) and Sindh Religion Islam Languages Punjabi and Seraiki Maitla or Metlo is a Jat gotra or clan found in the Punjab province of Pakistan and Punjab (India). Maitlas mainly inhabit in the districts of Jhang, Sargodha, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Gujranwala, Sheikhpura, Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Narowal, Sialkot, Okara, Sahiwal, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan in the Punjab and Ghotki, Sukkur, Khairpur, Naushahro Feroze, Sanghar, Larkana, Dadu, Nawab shah and Badin in Sindh. They are mostly agriculturalists and own lands. They are also found in Sindh (where they are called maitlo or metlo) and the northern regions of Pakistan (Gilgit in particular). They are a clan in Jahania city, district Khanewal. These Maitlas are descendants of Hazrat Dawood Jahanian(Daddo jahanian)disciple of Hazrat Jahanian Jahan Gusht (grand son of Hazrat Jalal o Din Surkhposh Ooch sharif waly).In fact one of the main commercial area of Jahania city is named as Maitla Chowk. There is a railway station named Maitla located on main line and a crossing called Chowk Maitla on main highway near Liaqatpur in district Rahim Yar Khan. In Sargodha they live in the locality of Miani. A railway station named Pir Muhammad Metlo is located near Larkana in Sindh.

Rajab Ali Maitla S/o Dawood Ahmad Maitla Bheela Gulab Singh (Okara).The most Papolar Dowood Ahmad Maitla And Agha M Saleem Maitla .Rajab Ali Maitla, M Ramzan Maitla, M Imran Maitla, Irfan Ali Maitla.

• Rao

The Rao, are a Rajput tribe of Suryavansha origin, after independence of Pakistan, the Haryana Ranghar have settled down mainly in the districts of Okara, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Rahim yar Khan District (specially in Khanpur tehsil), Layyah, Vehari, Sahiwal and Multan of Punjab. They speak a Haryanvi dialect which is often called Ranghari. Ranghar communities are also found in Mirpur Khas and Nawabshah Districts of Sindh. Recent studies of the Ranghar communities in Pakistan have confirmed that they maintain a distinct identity. They have maintained the system of exogamous marriages, the practice of not marrying with in one's clan, which marks them out from neighbouring Punjabi Muslim communities, which prefer marriages with first cousins. In districts of Okara, Pakpattan and Bahawalnagar which have the densest concentrations of Rangarh, they consist to be brave, with many serving in the army, police and Civil Services. They maintain an overarching tribal council (panchayat in the Rangharhi dialect), which deals with a number of issues, such as punishments for petty crime or co-operation over village projects.

Most Ranghar are now bilingual, speaking Punjabi and Sindhi, as well as still speaking Ranghari. A large number of Ranghars are also found in the capital city of Islamabad. They speak Urdu with Ranghari accent.

Okara is home to a lot of Politician, Doctors, Lawyers and Big Landlords including Rao Sikandar Iqbal (Late), Shabbir Ahmad Rao (Late), Rao Jamil Akhtar, Dr. Rao Ali Bahadur Khan (Late) {Okara's First Doctor} and more.

• Syed

There are many Syed clans settled in the district, who have been in the area for a long time, and have a great impact & history in the district. The main Syed families are the Kirmanis of Shergarh, the Gilanis of Hujra Shah Muqeem, Satghara, Shaikhu and Depalpur, & the Mashdis of Mustafabad. All these towns are in Depalpur Tehsil except Satghara Sharif and Shaikhu Sharif, these are in Okara Tehsil. Their ancestors were Sufis, all of whom migrated from Iran,and converted many tribes of the area to Islam. They are revered as saints by the people of the region, and thousands attend the respective shrines daily. The ancestor of the Saadat of Shergarh, Hazrat Daud Bandagi,a renowned follower of the Qadiri Order is revered by millions all around Punjab, and his urs is attended by many in March.

The ancestor of Sadaat Gilani of Depalpur and Satghara, is Muhammad Ghaus Bala Peer, a renowned Shaikh of Ghousiyah Qadiriyyah Order is revered by unaccountable people throughout Pakistan and India. The town of Balakot in Azad Kashmir is named after him. His Urs is on first Naochandi Thursday of every lunar month, it is a miracle of the time. His shrine is near Satghara, about 8 km and 10 to 15 minutes journey on own car or motor bike.

The Syeds also play an important role in the politics of the district. The previous nazim was Syed Sajjad Haider Kirmani, who belonged to the Syed clan of Shergarh, and was a very well known and respected leader of the region who died in May 2009. The current Nazim, Syed Assad Ali Gilani, is also a Syed, from the town of Hujra Shah Muqeem.Syeds of Mustafabad also play an important role in the politics of the city.

• Sial

The Sial tribe is Also Present in the Area of tehsil Okara. Renala Khurd and Depalpur but in lesser amount.

• Baloch

The Baloch have a long history in the area. Their 15th century folk hero, Mir Chakar Rind, migrated from Sibi, with a large army to this area and made Satghara his capital. Many Baloch can still be found in the District, especially near the Ravi, but also have many villages around Shergarh . They are mainly of Lashari and Rind stock. They are the only people of the region who did not revert to agriculture prior to the development of the irrigation system in the region. They still practice the ancient tradition of rearing cattle along the courses of the rivers as their main source of livelihood.

• Wattu

The Wattu are a Muslim Rajput tribe who reside mostly in the eastern part of Okara District, namely Depalpur Tehsil. They can be found along the Sutlej, & have many villages around towns such as Basir Pur, Haveli Lakha, Hujra Shah Muqeem & Mandi Ahmedabad all the way up to Pakpattan District. Their sub-clans include the Ladhuka, Maneka, Shamadka, Pablika etc. They claim that their pastoral ancestors were converted to Islam, by Baba Farid of Pakpattan

• Joiya

The Joiya, are also a Muslim Rajput tribe of Chandravanshi origin. They too, like the Wattoos live in areas around the Sutlej and can also be found on the other side, in Bahawalnagar District. They are native to Depalpur Tehsil, & can be found around towns such as Hujra Shah Muqeem, Shergarh, Haveli Lakha, Basir Pur etc. They too, like many native clans of the region, had ancestors that were mainly pastoral, but reverted to agriculture after the development of the irrigation system.

• Jakhar

The Jakhar are settled in the district They reside in 8 villages and in Okara city. On the Okara-Faisalabad Rd., the Jakhar Chowk is famous.

• Ranghar

The Ranghars are a Rajput community of considerable influence in the district. Their ancestors were alloted plots of land all over the district, after the partition of Sub-Continent. They were the prime choice of the British for recruitment in the British Army, as they were skilled warriors, and were later awarded the title of Martial Race. Their ancestors migrated from Haryana, Rajputana and East Punjab.They spoke Ranghari. Prior to partition, they started adopting titles such as Rao, Rana etc. Today, they wield significant power in the running of the district's affairs, and have gained substantial landed property through the decades.

• Dogar

The Dogar are settled in the district .Mainly settled in Depalpur Tehsil. They migrated from Ferozpur & Gurdaspur districts.

• Arain

The Arain are primarily an agricultural caste of Okara district. They are settled all over the district. They are hardworking, honest, and dedicated people. Most of the Arain in this area migrated from East Punjab, from districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur etc. They were also rewarded plots of land by the British, upon the development of irrigation in the area.

• Kharal

The Kharal are a tribe of both Rajput & Jatt origin. They are Jaanglis, and speak the Jaangli dialect of Punjabi. Rae Ahmed Nawaz Khan Kharal, a Kharal from Gogera is famous for rebelling against the British, in 1857. The Kharals are native to the region around the Ravi River, majority live around towns like Baman Bala, Chuchak, Gogera, Satghara, Jaboka etc., and can also be found on the other side of the river, in Sheikhupura, Faisalabad & Toba Tek Singh districts. Their ancestors were converted mainly by Baba Farid of Pakpattan, and Daud Bandagi Kirmani of Shergarh. Their subclans include the Rabera's,Gogera's Jurrera's, Masrera's, Lakhwera's, Sangoka's, Beguka's etc. They were the most powerful and influential pastoral clan of their time. However due to the mass migration of immigrants from East Punjab, and the development of the canal colonies by the British, their power declined and they became absorbed in the agrarian society. The ones of Rajput origin use the prefix 'Rai', whereas many of Jat origin will use another prefix such as 'Chaudhary'.

• Awan

The Awans, although originating in the Potohar region, can also be found in the district. They live all over, and have many villages in Renala Khurd Tehsil & Depalpur Tehsil