| Revision as of 03:48, 25 December 2006 view sourceAntiVandalBot (talk | contribs)258,750 editsm BOT - rv 151.201.238.145 (talk) to last version by Kneeslasher← Previous edit | Revision as of 04:30, 2 January 2007 view source Ibro95 (talk | contribs)25 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| '''Arain''' (]: آرائین) is a ] tribe or clan settled mainly in the ] and ] provinces of ]. Arain are mainly involved in agriculture and form a significant percentage in the ]. Arain are high class and are a noblility in Pakistan. | |||
| The '''Arain''' (]: آرائین) are an agricultural<ref>"...but also among the so-called agriculturist castes, so designated by the British... ...Chauhan, '''Arain''', Gaud...", ''An Alternative to the "Sati" Model: Perceptions of a Social Reality in Folklore'', Prem Chowdhry, pp. 259-274, Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 49, No. 2, 1990, http://www.jstor.org/view/03852342/ap040052/04a00070/0.</ref> ]<ref>"Behind them an angry farmer brandished a bamboo pole. He was a market-gardener, '''Arain by caste''', growing vegetables and flowers for ] city, and well Kim knew the breed.", '']'', Rudyard ].</ref> settled mainly in the ]<ref>"...communities: 1. Acharaj. 2. Ad-Dharmi. 3. Aheri. 4. Ahir. 5. Ahluwalia. 6. '''Arain'''. 7. Arora. 8. Bahurupia...", "The land of the five rivers was known as panchanad in the ancient period, and as Punjab in the medieval period.", ''People of India: Punjab: Volume XXXVII'', edited I J S. Bansal and Swaran Singh, New Delhi, ISBN 81-7304-123-7, https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no34962.htm.</ref><ref>http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/punjab.html</ref> (] and ]), with significant numbers also in the ]<ref>See Arain population distribution on http://www.joshuaproject.net/index.php.</ref> (Pakistan). They are chiefly associated with ]<ref>"The Arain were small peasant-proprietors...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref><ref>"''Behind them an angry farmer brandished a bamboo pole. He was a market-gardener, Arain by caste, growing vegetables and flowers for ] city, and well Kim knew the breed.''" (], Rudyard ]).</ref>, traditionally being small landowners or ''zamindar''s<ref>"...from other '''''zamindar'' (landowning)''' categories: '''Arain''' (5), Jat (2), Gujar (2), ...", ''Kinship, cultural preference and immigration: consanguineous marriage among British Pakistanis'', Alison Shaw, ] (http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/1467-9655.00065).</ref><ref>"The Arain were small peasant-proprietors...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki (http://www.jstor.org/view/00044687/di014466/01p0206e/2?frame=noframe&userID=a301f288@ox.ac.uk/01cce4405f00501b38b9c&dpi=3&config=jstor).</ref>. | |||
| == |
==Etymology== | ||
| (cited work needed) | |||
| Many Arain claim ] descent<ref>"Additionally, the Arain group, to which I belong, claims Arab extraction.", ''There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip'', Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Pakistan, 18/04/2006 (http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C04%5C18%5Cstory_18-4-2006_pg3_2).</ref>, doubtless based upon the demographic that nearly all Arain are, and have been, ] Muslim, as were the early Arabs of ]'s expedition<ref>"The strongest argument in favour of this claim is that Arains are always Muslims and almost entirely Sunnis as were the early Arabs who came with Muhammad bin Qasim.", ''There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip'', Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Pakistan, 18/04/2006.</ref>. | |||
| ==Claims of Origin== | |||
| The Arain, despite being majority Muslim, do have Sikh and Hindu members<ref>Search for Sikh, Hindu and Muslim Arain at http://www.joshuaproject.net/index.php.</ref>, as do the other agricultural castes of the Punjab (the ], ] and ])<ref>"On the other hand, agricultural castes of Jats, Gujjars and Rajputs are divided into Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs.", ''There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip'', Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Pakistan, 18/04/2006.</ref>. The Arab origin claim can therefore be largely viewed as a desire for claiming an unbroken practise of Islam through the ages, for current prestige rather than accurate genealogical designation<ref>"The Arab-origin claim can be simply a re-orientation towards a (perceived) greater status as conquerors and “original” Muslims.", ''There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip'', Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Pakistan, 18/04/2006.</ref>. Local indigenous ancestry is claimed from other tribes of the Punjab such as the Surajbansi Rajput<ref>"...some early Arain accounts claim a Surajbansi Rajput origin...", ''There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip'', Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Pakistan, 18/04/2006.</ref>, or from Persia<ref>"...some trace their origin to Persia.", ''There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip'', Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, Pakistan, 18/04/2006.</ref>, and the majority of Muslim agricultural tribes are certainly converts to Islam<ref>"...a number of other tribes..." "...like... ...the humbler and more ubiquitous Arain, which it is difficult to classify under any head..." "...but as a rule, the bulk of the Muhammedan agricultural tribes are converts.", ''The Indian village'', Baden Henry Baden-Powell (http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0543994104&id=dhV_CCON-ncC&pg=PP1&lpg=PP1&ots=Fnyk5LlOH-&dq=baden+henry+baden-powell&sig=9oqHVCjN6WdivgRhroIfWCCEh44#PRA4-PA102,M1).</ref>. | |||
| The persons of this cast originated from ] (]) in ]. When ], the Governor of ], organized a force under ] to conquer ], in the year 712 AD, groups of soldiers from every major city in ] and ] joined in. The group of soldiers from Areeha (]) were called by their arabic name "Areehai", which changed to Arain by the usage in local tongues. Most of them settled in the new country of Sindh including the Arain, and married in the local population where ever they went. In pre-partition India, Arain's were found settled in Sind, Punjab, United Provinces and Bihar. The districts of Jullundher, Rohtak, Maler Kotla, and States of Kapurthala, Patiala and Jind had large populations of Arain's. As Arain is a caste/tribe only found in Muslims, they migrated to the new country of ] in ], and now they are mostly settled in ] and ]. | |||
| ==Community Facts== | |||
| A study by the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences on blood types of the major ethnicities in the Punjab showed that O is the most common blood group (among all ethnicities), except among the Arain where B is most common<ref>"''In our study we found blood group B is the most frequent blood group in Arain (40.5%), and blood group O is less common (24.7%) while it is the most frequent blood group among Awans, Rajputs, miscellaneous Punjabi sub casts, Balochs, Sindhis, and Pathans...''" (http://www.pjms.com.pk/issues/janmar05/article/article6.html).</ref>, the difference being statistically significant<ref>"''There is no statistically significant difference of ABO and Rh-D distribution among various ethnic groups and casts, O is the most common blood group '''except in Arains''' where B is the most common and O is less common.''" (http://www.pjms.com.pk/issues/janmar05/article/article6.html).</ref>. Whilst not proof of non-local ancestry, it does illustrate a difference between the Arain and the other castes inhabiting the Punjab. Obviously, more research is needed for greater detail on the caste's migratory provenance<ref>"''Further ethnic based studies are required to confirm.''" (http://www.pjms.com.pk/issues/janmar05/article/article6.html).</ref>. | |||
| The Arain people tend to called by the name Mian, Mehr and Chaudhry, they are a prominent community of agriculturalists in the Punjab region of Pakistan. They also figure prominently in the country's military as well as civilian forces. They are politically active in punjab and at one time they controlled Lahore muncipality. They are these days active in business ventures specially Mian arains. | |||
| ==Literal and cultural references== | |||
| There are references to the Arain tribe in many books written by western writers but the most famous one is in ]'s book in which there is a reference to an angry Arain trader of old age who seemed fearless, when wronged attacked and carried on shouting even after he saw that he was clearly out numbered and winning this fight was not going to be easy. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Prominent Personalities== | ||
| ==The Arain during the ]== | |||
| ] -- Former prime minister of Pakistan and founder of ] (PPP). | |||
| The Arain land holders should not be confused with the more gentrified ''zamindar''s such as the feudal ] landlords of vast holdings. Polo, partridge shoots and tea parties were therefore not associated attributes. Neither were the more negative and profligate practises such as "...dancing girls, drunken evenings listening to poetry, or numerous marriages..."<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. When the British wanted land developed in the Punjab after its annexation, Arain were brought in to cultivate lands around the cities, forming irrigated colonies<ref>"When the British opened new lands in Punjab, they brought in the Arains to cultivate...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. The Arain were so favoured for their "hard work, frugality and sense of discipline"<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. Subsequent development of towns and cities and increasing urbanisation resulted in the value of the land settled by Arain to rise significantly, and Arain families thus flourished<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. Education was prioritised with the new found wealth<ref>"...the Arain families put their money into education and reaped quick rewards.", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref> and the Arain came to dominate the legal profession amongst urban Punjabi Muslims. Many used law to enter politics<ref>"Soon they came to dominate the legal profession... ...and... ...spring into politics.", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>.<br /> | |||
| <br /> | |||
| The Arain were classified as a "non-]" by the British<ref>"The army was an unusual career for an Arain youngster; the British had not regarded the community as one of India's "martial races"...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>, a classification deemed arbitrary and based on prejudices prevalent at the time (see '']''). | |||
| General ] - Former President and Chief of the Army Staff, Pakistan. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Prominent |
||
| ] -- Famous novelist | |||
| General Muhammad ], the sixth ] (and Chief of Staff of the ]) was an Arain from ]<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. | |||
| ] -- Famous writer | |||
| Chaudhry Mohammad Ali, a Civil Servant from ], became Pakistan's second Finance Minister (1951-1956) and Pakistan's fourth Prime Minister (1956-1957)<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. | |||
| Admiral Haji Mohammad Siddique(HMS) Chaudhri -- The first Pakistani Naval Chief. | |||
| Mian Sir<ref>http://www.harappa.com/amjad_ali/amjadali_interview_mian_fazli.html</ref> Fazli Husain, the first Chief Minister of the Punjab<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. | |||
| Chaudry Muhammad Mansoor Majeed Arain{{fact}}. | |||
| Vice Admiral ] -- The commander of submarine ] that sank the Indian frigate ] during the ]. Also only officer in Navy to have been awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ) & Bar. | |||
| Mian Amiruddin, mayor of ] at the time of the ]<ref>''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. | |||
| Mian Iftikhar -- A prominent politician, who sat on the opposition benches most of his life. A big landlord, he was founder of Imroze and Pakistan Times newspapers, which were later nationalized by Ayub government. | |||
| ], an influential politician of the Punjab in the 1920s<ref>"Mian Sir Muhammad Shah Nawaz, a prominent and influential politician of Punjab in the 1920s, was an Arain as was Mian Iftikharuddin...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki (http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&docId=98917428)</ref>. | |||
| Mian Azhar - Former Governor of Punjab, Pakistan. | |||
| Mian ]<ref>"Mian Sir Muhammad Shah Nawaz, a prominent and influential politician of Punjab in the 1920s, was an Arain as was Mian Iftikharuddin...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>, a politician<ref>http://www.chowk.com/show_article.cgi?aid=00003445&channel=civic%20center&start=0&end=9&chapter=1&page=1</ref>, landlord and founder of the ''Imroze'' and ''Pakistan Times'' newspapers{{fact}} (later to be nationalized by the ] government). He was to play an important role in turning the Muslim community of urban Punjab towards favouring an independent Pakistan<ref>"...who was to play an...", ''Pakistan under Zia, 1977-1988'', Shahid Javed Burki.</ref>. | |||
| Mian Abdul Rashid -- First CJ of federal court of Pakistan | |||
| ] - S/o Mian Javed S/o Mian Mohammed Latif S/o Mian Chrag Din S/o Mian Bheeh Din | |||
| ==References== | |||
| <references/> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| {{Castes and Tribes of the Punjab}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 04:30, 2 January 2007
Arain (Urdu: آرائین) is a Muslim tribe or clan settled mainly in the Punjab and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. Arain are mainly involved in agriculture and form a significant percentage in the Pakistan Army. Arain are high class and are a noblility in Pakistan.
Etymology
(cited work needed)
Claims of Origin
The persons of this cast originated from Areeha (Jericho) in Palestine. When Hujjaj Bin Yousif, the Governor of Basra, organized a force under Muhammad bin Qasim to conquer Sindh, in the year 712 AD, groups of soldiers from every major city in Syria and Palestine joined in. The group of soldiers from Areeha (Jericho) were called by their arabic name "Areehai", which changed to Arain by the usage in local tongues. Most of them settled in the new country of Sindh including the Arain, and married in the local population where ever they went. In pre-partition India, Arain's were found settled in Sind, Punjab, United Provinces and Bihar. The districts of Jullundher, Rohtak, Maler Kotla, and States of Kapurthala, Patiala and Jind had large populations of Arain's. As Arain is a caste/tribe only found in Muslims, they migrated to the new country of Pakistan in 1947, and now they are mostly settled in Punjab and Sindh.
Community Facts
The Arain people tend to called by the name Mian, Mehr and Chaudhry, they are a prominent community of agriculturalists in the Punjab region of Pakistan. They also figure prominently in the country's military as well as civilian forces. They are politically active in punjab and at one time they controlled Lahore muncipality. They are these days active in business ventures specially Mian arains.
Literal and cultural references
There are references to the Arain tribe in many books written by western writers but the most famous one is in Rudyard Kipling's book in which there is a reference to an angry Arain trader of old age who seemed fearless, when wronged attacked and carried on shouting even after he saw that he was clearly out numbered and winning this fight was not going to be easy.
Prominent Personalities
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto -- Former prime minister of Pakistan and founder of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq - Former President and Chief of the Army Staff, Pakistan.
Naseem Hijazi -- Famous novelist
Qudrat Ullah Shahab -- Famous writer
Admiral Haji Mohammad Siddique(HMS) Chaudhri -- The first Pakistani Naval Chief.
Vice Admiral Ahmed Tasnim -- The commander of submarine PNS Hangor that sank the Indian frigate INS Khukri during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Also only officer in Navy to have been awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ) & Bar.
Mian Iftikhar -- A prominent politician, who sat on the opposition benches most of his life. A big landlord, he was founder of Imroze and Pakistan Times newspapers, which were later nationalized by Ayub government.
Mian Azhar - Former Governor of Punjab, Pakistan.
Mian Abdul Rashid -- First CJ of federal court of Pakistan
Mian Ibrahim - S/o Mian Javed S/o Mian Mohammed Latif S/o Mian Chrag Din S/o Mian Bheeh Din
Categories: