Page 10 - Muzaffargarh Gazzetteer

partition might have widely affected the numbers. The Jats are industrious
by nature and almost always agriculturists. All other professions come
afterwards; the trend is changing lately out of economic compulsions though.
Literacy was previously uncommon too. It is also said that the Jats do not go
along well with each other, and would rather see with jealousy if anyone
amongst them excels in life. For the same reasons, they are considered
quarrelsome and given to litigation. Furthermore, they are generally
spendthrift, and this habit of theirs, more often than not, lands them in debt.
Women work alongside the men in fields but are not treated at par with men
in any manner, and get share in inheritance only in rare cases. As far as
matrimonial relations are considered, they almost always marry amongst
themselves.
The Jats are scattered all over the district, and have many sub-castes but
none of them has any pre-eminence over the others except in numbers.
In the centre of the district are Metlas, Makwals, Bhuttas, Diwalas and
Mahras. In fact, Mauza Metla, Bhuttapur, Mauza Diwala and Mauza Mahra
take their names from the Jats inhabiting in those areas.
Makwals are mostly settled in Daira Din Panah, and are even curators of the
shrine too. Hinjras are also settled in Daira Din Panah and neighbouring
areas in large numbers. Khars are one of the most known sub-castes of the
Jats in the district and own big chunks of land particularly in Tehsil Kot
Addu. Perhars are settled in the suburbs of Kot Addu, and 8-10 mauzas are
named after them such as Perhar Gharbi, Perhar Sharqi, Perhar Gharbi
Mustaqil and Perhar Gharbi Ghair Mustaqil and more. Pattals are also
settled in Kot Addu where at least 4-5 mauzas have been named after them.
Panwars are settled towards the Mehmoodkot area. Gurahas inhabit
Sinawan and its adjacent localities.
On the bank of the Indus, and in the south of the district, majority of the
Jats have a Sindhi origin, shown by their bearing of the title, Jam. Of these
Sindhi Jats are the Dammar, Unnar and Sarki tribes.

Rajputs
The line of division between the Jats and the Rajputs is rather thin; and for
some, does not exist at all. Also, like the Jats, the Rajputs are a land-owning
class too, but they prefer to let their lands rather than till them in person.
One is reminded here of an old saying about the Rajputs in general that
agriculture is only second string to their bow, military service being the first.

The Rajputs were settled in the district during the ascendency of Summas,
and are found mainly in the Alipur and Muzaffargarh tehsils; though after
partition, many migrated from India, primarily from Rohtak, Karnal and
Gurdaspur, and settled in Shehr Sultan and adjoining areas in Tehsil Jatoi.
In Tehsil Muzaffargarh, on the right bank of the Chenab, are settled the
Khera Sials, having the sub-divisions such as the Surbanas, the Traggars,
the Thahims and the Chajras.

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