This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Siddiqui (talk | contribs) at 04:33, 2 January 2007 (Arain tribe info reverted to earlier version). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 04:33, 2 January 2007 by Siddiqui (talk | contribs) (Arain tribe info reverted to earlier version)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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.
Etymology
(cited work needed)
Claims of Origin
The persons of this cast claim that they originate 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-independence South Asia, Arain's were found settled in Sindh, Punjab, United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh) and Bihar. The districts of Jalandhar, Rohtak, Maler Kotla, Kapurthala, Patiala and Jind had large populations of Arain's. As Arain is a Muslim tribe and they migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Arains and now they are mostly settled in Punjab and Sindh.
Community Facts
The Arain people are called by their sir names/titles namely: Mian, Mehr, Malik 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 present they controlLahore muncipality. The current Mayor of Lahore is also a 'Arian' Mian Amir Mehmood. 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 Daily Imroze and Pakistan Times newspapers, which were later nationalized by Ayub government.
- Mian Azhar - Former Governor of Punjab, Pakistan.
- Mian Abdul Rashid -- First Chief Justice of Federal court of Pakistan.