Atwal

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Atwal (अटवाल) or Atval (अटवाल) or Attwal (अट्टवाल) or Athwal (अठवाल or Ant is a clan name or Gotra of Jats from Punjab, India. Members of the clan were originally based in villages in northwest India. They are found in Gujarat where they call them as Ant. Due to emigration during the 20th century, members can be found around the world, including in the the United Kingdom, the U.S.A. and Canada. Originating villages are Shankar and Hakim Pur, in the Doaba region of Punjab. They are Punjabi Sikh Jats.

History

Atwals are one of the oldest Jat tribes, settling in the Punjab region during the Mahabharat era. They are mentioned Sabha Parva of Mahabharata, Vayu Purana and Markandeya Purana. [1] [2] [3] They are also mentioned in the Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta under the name Ātvika. Mahabharata mentions them [4] The phrase Prithvi Sarva Smelecchatavika shows that they were associated with the Mlecchas from the west. [5] [6]


There is unanimity among historians that Atwals used to husband camels, so they were originally known as the Oonth Wala, which changed over time to Atwal. They inhabited the Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala districts of the Punjab, some settling as far west as Sialkot, Multan, Jhang, Montgomery, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur in West Punjab, what is now Pakistan. After settling in West Punjab, many Atwal Jats converted to Islam although most Atwals in India are Sikh. Atwals are also found in large numbers in Amritsar and Gurdaspur.

H.A. Rose considers Atwals to be descendants of the Panwar and that they came to East Punjab from Multan. Jats, Khatris, Rajputs and Dalits have a common background and Atwal is a well-known and ancient sub-caste of Jats.

Distribution

Athwal population is 1,542 in Patiala district.[7] Athwal population is 2,067 in Amritsar district.[8]

According to B S Dhillon the population of Athwal clan in Jalandhar district is 6,300.[9]

In Hoshiarpur district the Athwal population is 708. [10]

In Gurdaspur district the Athwal population is 1,791. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Sabha Parva, 31/15
  2. ↑ Vayua Purana, 1/45/126
  3. ↑ Markandeya Purana, 54/57
  4. ↑ ibid, 9 / 32/4
  5. ↑ ibid , Ram Kumar Rai, Part I (Hindi
  6. ↑ Bhim Singh Dahiya: Jats the Ancient Rulers, p. 245
  7. ↑ History and study of the Jats. By Professor B.S Dhillon. ISBN-10: 1895603021 or ISBN-13: 978-1895603026. p.126
  8. ↑ History and study of the Jats. By Professor B.S Dhillon. ISBN-10: 1895603021 or ISBN-13: 978-1895603026. p.124
  9. ↑ History and study of the Jats. By Professor B.S Dhillon. ISBN-10: 1895603021 or ISBN-13: 978-1895603026. 127
  10. ↑ History and study of the Jats. By Professor B.S Dhillon.ISBN-10: 1895603021 or ISBN-13: 978-1895603026. 127
  11. ↑ History and study of the Jats. By Professor B.S Dhillon.ISBN-10: 1895603021 or ISBN-13: 978-1895603026. 127

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