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Khokhars (also Gokkhar) are a Punjabi community living in India with an ancient recorded history, originally belonging to the areas of West Punjab which now fall in the territory of Pakistan. Khokhars are found among Hindus and Sikhs in India and also among Muslims, and a large section of Muslim Khokhars are settled in Pakistan.
The Khokhars are an ancient tribe settled in Kashmir, Gilgit, Baltistan (Tibet), Chitral, and Khanpur regions in modern day Pakistan and India.
Before the independence of Pakistan, the Khokhars Hindus shared their ancestral homes with the rest of the tribe. After independence the Khokhars Hindus moved to India and they now live in various parts of north India.
Conversion to Islam
After the arrival of Islam into the South Asia a predominant section of Khokhars converted to Islam. The Muslim Khokhars in Pakistan are a prominent community in that country. Ferishta records the conversion of the Khokhars to Islam by Muhammad of Ghor: This barbarous people continued to make incursions on the Muslims till in the latter end of this kings reign, their chieftain was converted to the true faith when a captive. After becoming a proselyte he procured his release from the king, who endeavored to persuade him to convert his followers
Genealogical records and clan histories of the Gakhars at Pehowa and Kankhal
The pandas or record keeping pandits of the Khokhars are located in Pehowa near Kurukshetra and Kankhal near Haridwar, both places in India, which are visited for spiritual reasons as well as to complete religious ceremonies after death. These are primary sources for the clan histories of the Khokhars. Often these Pandas are able to shed considerable light on Muslim clans as well converted from Hindus.