Page 9 - Muzaffargarh Gazzetteer

and kulfi most of which seem to be claiming “Asli Nazar Baloch” and
displaying picture of a person as well: Nazar Baloch, now deceased, is said
to have established first such shop in Muzaffargarh decades ago, which later
became a kind of trend, at least along the major roads. The milk, enriched
with almonds, is mostly served in empty cold drinks’ bottles and has a
peculiar taste. Those visiting Muzaffargarh from other places may like to give
it a try provided they find an ‘asli’ shop now run by Nazar Baloch’s son.
Another thing which one notices on crossing the Sher Shah Bridge over the
River Chenab towards the Muzaffargarh side is the sight of many roadside,
makeshift restaurants offering ‘fresh’ fish. But be advised that the fish they
tend to portray as fresh catch from the nearby river are mostly farm-raised.

Finally, there are no practices, customs, traditions or ceremonies, e.g. birth,
death, wedding or otherwise, which are peculiar to Muzaffargarh. In fact in
this age of amalgamation and homogenisation – a direct consequence of ever-
expanding Information Technology and communication links – the people of
Muzaffargarh live, dress up, eat, and celebrate in the same way as people
living in other parts of Punjab, particularly the adjoining districts. Even the
people of the district whose appearance and physique have been described
as ‘well built’, ‘middling height’ and characterised by ‘a dark-brown
complexion, blackish-brown eyes, a thick and flat nose and coarse features’
in the District Gazetteer of 1929 cannot be distinguished from the people
living elsewhere in the South Punjab.

Similarly, this author differs with another observation made in the earlier
gazetteer that “The hospitality, docility, low morale and mendacity are
important characteristics” of the inhabitants of the district. Whereas good
and bad persons are found in every society and locality, in my opinion, the
people of Muzaffargarh are as good or bad as those living elsewhere in the
Punjab.

CASTES AND TRIBES

The main castes and tribes inhabiting Muzaffargarh are Jats, Rajputs,
Arains, Balochs, Syeds, Pathans and Qureshis. Though people of these tribes
socially interact with each other, yet intermarriages are rare. Also, these
castes and tribes are found all over the Punjab, and even beyond, and their
representatives in Muzaffargarh are distinguished by no local peculiarities.
A general description of some of the leading castes and tribes, especially
those who are important as land-owners, or by position or influence, is as
follows.
Jats
The Jats constitute the largest portion of population of Muzaffargarh; a
projection based on the 1921 census puts their percentage at around 60% of
the total population, though the later influx of migrants and settlers after

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