Okara
Okara (Hindi: ओकरा, Punjabi, Urdu: اوکاڑہ) is a city and district in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Okara is now also famous for a large cantonment of Pakistan's armed forces.
Location
It is located south-west to the city of Lahore. The nearest major city from Okara is Sahiwal (formerly known as Montgomery).
Origin
The name Okara is derived from Oka tree.
Jat Gootras Namesake
- Okla = Ocelis (Pliny.vi.26). Okara (ओकरा, Punjabi, Urdu: اوکاڑہ) is a city and district in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Tahsils in the District
The Main Towns of the district are: Depalpur, Okara, Renala Khurd
And some minor towns of the district are: Akhtarabad, Bama Bala, Bama Kohla, Basir Pur, Chuchaq, Gogera, Haveli Lakha, Karmanwala, Hujra Shah Muqeem, Jaboka, Mouza Meerak, Jandraka, Lasharian, Mandi Ahmedabad, Bheela Gulab Singh, Satghara, Shergarh, Rajowal, Moza nowl plot,
Jat Gotras
Click to see Jat Gotras in Okara
Main Tribes
- Sayyid - There are many Syed clans settled in the district, who have been in the area for a long time, and have a great impact & history in the district. The main Syed families are the Kirmanis of Shergarh, the Gilanis of Hujra Shah Muqeem, Satghara, Shaikhu and Depalpur, & the Mashdis of Mustafabad. All these towns are in Depalpur Tehsil except Satghara Sharif and Shaikhu Sharif, these are in Okara Tehsil. Their ancestors were Sufis, all of whom migrated from Iran,and converted many tribes of the area to Islam. They are revered as saints by the people of the region, and thousands attend the respective shrines daily. The ancestor of the Saadat of Shergarh, Hazrat Daud Bandagi,a renowned follower of the Qadiri Order is revered by millions all around Punjab, and his urs is attended by many in March.
- Sial - The Sial tribe is Also Present in the Area of tehsil Okara. Renala Khurd and Depalpur but in lesser amount.
- Baloch - The Baloch have a long history in the area. Their 15th century folk hero, Mir Chakar Rind, migrated from Sibi, with a large army to this area and made Satghara his capital. Many Baloch can still be found in the District, especially near the Ravi River . They are mainly of Lashari and Rind stock.
- Wattu - The Wattu are a Muslim Rajput tribe who reside mostly in the eastern part of Okara District, namely Depalpur Tehsil. They can be found along the Sutlej,near towns such as Basir Pur, Haveli Lakha, Hujra Shah Muqeem & Mandi Ahmedabad all the way up to Pakpattan District. Their sub-clans include the Ladhuka, Maneka, Shamadka, Pablika etc. They claim that their ancestors were converted to Islam, by Baba Farid of Pakpattan
- Johiya - The Johiya, are also a Muslim Rajput tribe of Chandravanshi origin. They too, like the Wattu live in areas around the Sutlej and can also be found on the other side, in Bahawalnagar District. They are native to Depalpur Tehsil, & can be found around towns such as Hujra Shah Muqeem, Shergarh, Haveli Lakha, Basir Pur etc.
- Jakhar - The Jakhar are settled in the district .They are a sub-clan of the Kharals. They reside in 8 villages and in Okara, On the Okara-Faisalabad Rd.,the Jakhar Chowk is famous.
- Rao - The Raos of Okara can be found all along the western half of Okara District, in the Renala Khurd Tehsil & Okara Tehsil. They belong to various Jat/Rajput sub-clans, but all share this title. They migrated 2–3 generations ago, from Punjab & Rajasthan. Upon the development of the irrigation system, their ancestors were alloted plots of land along the LBDC (Lower Bari Doab Canal), which runs through Renala Khurd and Okara towns, this was a reward from the British, for fighting alongside them, & were awarded the title of Martial Race.
- Dogar - The Dogar are settled in the district .Mainly settled in Depalpur Tehsil.They migrated from Ferozpur & Gurdaspur.
- Arain - The Arain are primarily an agricultural caste of Okara district. Mainly settled in Renala Khurd Tehsil. They are hardworking, honest, and dedicated people. Most of the Arain in this area migrated from East Punjab, from districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur etc.They were also rewarded plots of land by the British, upon the development of irrigation in the area.
- Kharal - The Kharal are a tribe of both Rajput & Jatt origin. They are Jaanglis, and speak the Jaangli dialect of Punjabi. Rae Ahmed Nawaz Khan Kharal, a Kharal from Gogera is famous for rebelling against the British, in 1857. The Kharals are native to the region around the Ravi River, majority live in towns like Baman Bala, Chuchak, Gogera, Satghara, Jaboka etc., and can also be found on the other side of the river, in Sheikhupura, Faisalabad & Toba Tek Singh districts. Their subclans include the Jakhars and Jurreras. They use the prefix "Rai".
- Awan - The Awans, although originating in the Potohar region, can also be found in the district. They live all over, and have many villages in Renala Khurd Tehsil & Depalpur Tehsil
History
Notable persons
References
Back to Pakistan