Gondal

Gondal (गोंडल)/(गोंदल) Godal (गोंडल) is Gotra of Jats in Kashmir in India and also in Pakistan. Godal (गौदल) live in Uttar Pradesh.

Origin

Gondal are said to be the descendants of King of Kashmir Gonanda/Gonarda.

Branches

There are other traditions which refer to the first convert being Ghanon, ninth in line from Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the last Hindu Jat of ruler of north India, and accepted Islam at the hands of Baba Fareed. Ghanon had four sons Raja, Dhir, Badher and Budha. The principal Gondal clans, the Boosal and Chimmu are descended from the sons of Badher. In addition to the Boosal and Chimmu, the Jaspal, Ghugh, Tulla and Sandrana are all branches of the Gondal tribe.

History

Ram Swarup Joon writes that some Gondal people call themselves descendants of the Chauhans, but others associate themselves with Lord Krishna. According to historical evidence Jarija and Yadu Bhan were two brothers in the dynasty of Krishna. Jarija established his rule in Kathiawar, Gujarat. The present chieftains of Jamnagar, Dharol, Rajkot, Gonal and Morvi belonged to this very dynasty but all of, them now claim to be Rajputs. The Gondal of Rawalpindi, Cambalpur, Shapur, Mainwali are called Jats. Bosal, Tole, Jaspal, Sanatana and Gogh are branches of the Gondals.

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Ram Sarup Joon writes that...The Gondal, Tiwana, Janjeha, Dahiya, Chhonkar, Khokhar Rajputs converted from Jats in comparatively recent times.

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H.A. Rose writes that Gondal (गोंदल) Jat clan is found in Shahpur, Multan, and in Montgomery. They hold the upland known as the Gondal Bār, running up the centre of the tract between the Jhelum and Chenab. They are also numerous in the riverain on the right bank of the former river in the Jhelum district, and a few have spread eastward as far as the Ravi. They are said to be Chauhans, but they are now of Jat status and intermarry with other Jat tribes. 'Physically they are a fine race, owing doubtless to the free and active life they lead, and the quantities of animal food they consume ; and if we except their inordinate passion for appropriating their neighbours' cattle, which in their estimation carries with it no moral taint, they must be pronounced free from vice.' They say their ancestor came from Naushahra in the south to Pakpattan, and was there converted by Baba Farid ; and if this be so they probably occupied their present abodes within the last six centuries.

H.A. Rose writes that Gondal (गोंदाल), a tribe of Muhammadan Jats in Gujrat which claims Chauhan Rajput origin. Its eponym came from the Deccan to visit the shrine of Bawa Farid and Pakpattan and embraced Islam.

According to Bhim Singh Dahiya they are the people who were known in the history of Kashmir by the name Gonand. Their history is well known. They ruled over Kashmir for centuries. The name, Gonad, became Gonadal and was Sanskritised into Gonanda. It is worth noting that the Nand Jats (pre-Mauryan) are now called Nandal/Nander.

Some of these people call themselves descendants of the Chauhans, but others associate themselves with Lord Krishna.

According to historical evidence Jarija and Yada Bhan were two brothers in the dynasty of Krishna. Jarija established his rule in Kathiawar, Gujarat. The present chieftains of Jamnagar, Dharol, Rajkot, Gonal and Morvi belonged to this very dynasty but all of, them now claim to be Rajputs. It should be noted that a princely state in Gujarat is called Gondal. Historically, there is no evidence to suggest a connection between Gondal caste and Gondal state. But there is a strong evidence that Gondal state was first inhibited by Jadejas who are said to be descendants of Krishna. Thats why, it is possible that Gondal state of Gujarat was named after an elder of family of Krishna called Gondal.

The Gondal of Rawalpindi, Cambalpur, Shapur, Mainwali are called Jats. Bosal, Tole, Jaspal, Sanatana and Gogh are branches of the Gondals.

In 1506 C.E. a Gondal Jat Chief Bahauddin established a settlement namely Pindi Bahauddin, after his migration from Pindi Shah Jahanian to this area. The town was named Mandi Bahauddin (or Market Bahauddin) after establishment of a grain market in the area.

According to Bhim Singh Dahiya the Gondal clan represents the “Go-nanda” dynasty of Kashmir, the Lohar jats are the descendants of the Lohar kings of Kashmir, just as the Lalli, the Sahi, the Balhara, the Bring, the Takhar, the Dhonchak, the Samil, the Kular, and so on represent the people mentioned in the Rajatarangini of Kalhana.

According to Ram Sarup Joon Gondal call themselves descendants in of the Chauhans, but others associate themselves with Lord Krishna. According to historical evidence Jarija and Yada Bhan were two brothers in the dynasty of Krishna. Jarija established his rule in Kathiawar, Gujarata. The present chieftains of Jamnagar, Dharol, Rajkot, Gonal and Morvi belonged to this very dynasty but all of, them now claim to be Rajputs. The Gondal of Rawalpindi, Cambalpur, Shapur, Mainwali are called Jats. Bosal, Tole, Jaspal, Sanatana and Gogh are branches of the Gondals.

History of Saidoo and Dhiloo

The tribe is connected with the story of the brothers Saidoo and Dhilloo, which has become part of the folk myth of Punjab .It is said that when Nadir Shah (AD 1736), the Persian ruler, invaded India, and as he was moving through Punjab on his way to Delhi, he faced resistance from the various Punjabi tribes. At the Indus-Jhelum doab, the Khattars, Ghebas and Gakkhars fought against him but lost. After he crossed Jhelum, the Gondal Jatts took him on, under the leadership of the brothers Saidoo and Dhioo. The brothers are said to have fought bravely against the Shah, although they lost, the Shah forgave them as he was impressed by the bravery of the Gondals.

Distribution in Pakistan

The Gondal are found mainly in Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Jhelum, Chakwal and Sargodha districts. They claim descent from the Chauhan Rajputs. The Gondal of Rawalpindi claim to be Rajputs. Makhdoom due to family of Hazrat Makhdoom Burhanuddin (RA) are also descent from the Gondal. The Gondal are one of larger Jat clans of Northwest Punjab.

• Gujrat District had, According to 1911 census, the Gondals as the principal Muslim Jat clan with population- 23355
• Sargodha District - Gondal (28,623)
• Faisalabad District - Gondal (997)
• Jhang District Gondal (900)

Villages in the Gondal Bar

In the Bar, now divided between Sargodha and Mandi Bahaudin, Gondal settlements are found near Bhalwal and Kot Momin in Sargodha and Miana Gondal in Mandi Bahaudin. In Mandi Bahaudin district, the historic Gondal Bar now forms part of Malakwal Tehsil, and is home to many Gondal villages. The larger Gondal villages in Malakwal include Ajjowal, Badshahpur, Balhar, Barmusa, Bosaal, Bukkan, Chak No 33 Khasa, Chak No. 32 (Nathu-Kot),Chak Raib, Chot Dheeran, Faqairan, Gohar Sharif, Haria, Kattowal, Khai, Khizar, Kolowal Kotehra, Majhi, Miana Gondal, Pind Makko, Rukkan , Sahana , Sanda, Shumhari and Wasuwal. In Mandi Bahauddin Tehsil, they found in the villages of Aaki, Ahla, Aidal, Ajjowal, Beerpindi Jharana, Bhikhi Sharif, Bohat, Chak Fateh Shah, Chimmon (Bagga Pind), Charound, Dalowal, Hassan, Jhulana, Kakuwal, Khandhanwala, Kot Baloch, Lakhnewala, Majhi, Mohabatpur, Pind Alhani, Pindi Bahauddin, Rattowal Sahana, Shaheedanwali, Sohawa, Tibi Daryane, Warah Baliyan and Wasu. While in Phalia Tehsil, they are found in the villages of Adda Pahrianwali, Bhekhey Waal, Bhinder Kalan, Bhoa Hassan, Bumbi,Chakori, Charound, Dharekan Kalan, Dhola Khurd, Dhoul Bala, Dhoul Zairen, Dhunni Khurd, Dugall, Ghanian, Ghoghanwali, Haigerwala, Kadher, Kailu, Kala Shadian, Kamonke, Kot Multanianwala, Kot Rehm Shah, Lalapindi, Madhary, Mattoo, Pipli, Rajoa, Ransekay, Ratoo, Rerka Bala, Thatti Bawa and Thatti Shah Muhammad

Further south in Sargodha District, their original settlement was Hathiwind near Bhalwal, and now the district is home to several Gondal villages. Starting off with Bhalwal Tehsil, important villages include Abdal, Chak 10 ML, Chak 13 S.B, Chak 10 N.B, Chak 1 NB, Chakian, Chowal, Dhori (known as Chak 2 Dhori), Gukyani, Kamalpura, Khan Mohammad Wala, Phullarwan, Ratto Kala, Salam, Sher Mohammad Wala and Thathi Noor.

Gondal Villages in Chakwal, Jhelum and Rawalpindi

Across the Jhelum, there are several Gondal villages in the Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil of Jhelum such as Dhingwal, Ghowra, Jalalpur Sharif, Jattipur, Jatana, Kanianwala, Kot Hast, Rawal, Sagharpur, Saroba and Toba. While in Chakwal, they are found in the villages of Alawal (largely Jhammat Jats but several Gondal families present), Badshahan, Bhagwal, Bhalla, Chawali, Dheedwal, Dhok Dabri, Dhok Gondal, Dhok Qaddo, Dhok Pari, Dhudial, Fim Kassar, Gah, Harrar, Kot Chaurian, Kaal near Panjdhera, Mohra Allo, Mureed, Parhal, Patalian, Pirwal, Roopwal, Ranjha, Sarkal Mair, Shahpur and Saigolabad. They are the largest Jat tribe in the Jhelum/Chakwal region. Katha Saghral (mainly Janjua and Kalyal although several Gondals) and Mohibpur in Khushab District are also part of this cluster of Gondal villages.

The Gondal are found in Gujarkhan tehsil, these Gondals consider themselves to be Rajputs, and intermarry with the tribes of Rajput status such as the Bangyal and Dhamial. Important villages include Faryal, Karnali, Jandi and Sandal Bangyal.

Notable persons from this clan

• Ch Nazar Muhamad Gondal - Present Federal Agriculture Minister Pakistan.

References

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