Johiya

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Johiya (जोहिया)[1] [2][3] Joiya (जोईया)[4] Johil (जोहिल)[5] [6][7] is a gotra or clan of Jats. They are found in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.[8] They are also found in Pakistan. Dilip Singh Ahlawat has mentioned it as one of the ruling Jat clans in Central Asia. [9]Yahya is the Musalman form of Johya in Afghanistan.[10]

Origin

This gotra started after vansha. They are originally Yaudheya jats. Their area was Churu division. The area on the banks of Sutlej river upto Bahavalpur in Pakistan was Johiyawar (जोहियावाड़).[11]

History

They are derivatives of Yaudheya clan. The Yaudheys were very famous democratic clans. Dilip Singh Ahlawat has mention it as one of the ruling Jat clans in Central Asia. [12] Earlier they were in Central Asia and than they migrated to northern Salt-range, Punjab region in India and at the time of Alexander invasion in Punjab in 326 B.C. they fought with Alexander The Great and than Johya along with Sihag,Punia,Godara,Saran and Beniwal migrated to north Rajasthan region known as Jangladesh and ruled there till 15th century .

According to H.A. Rose[13] Jat clans derived from Joiya are: Pasal, Mondhla, Khichar, Jani, Machra, Kachroya, Sor and Joiya.

Villages founded by Johiya clan

Sub divisions of Johiya

Bhim Singh Dahiya[14] provides us list of Jat clans who were supporters of the Johiya when they gained political ascendancy. The following Jat clans supported the ascendant clan Johiya and became part of a political confederacy:[15]

Pasal, Mondhla, Khichar, Jani, Machra, Kachroya, Sor and Joiya.

H.A. Rose on Joiya

H. A. Rose [16] gives detailed account of Joiyas as under:

The Joiya (जोइया) is one of the 36 royal races of Rajputs, and is described in the ancient chronicles as "lords of the Jangal-des," a tract which comprehended Hariana, Bhattiana, Bhatner, and Nagor. They also held, in common with the Dehia with whom their name is always coupled, the banks of the Indus and Sutlej near their confluence. Some seven centuries" ago they were apparently driven out of the Indus tract and partly subjugated in the Bagar country by the Bhatti; and in the middle of the 16th century they were expelled from the Joiya canton of Bikaner by the Rathor rulers for attempting to regain their independence. Tod remarks that "the Rajputs carried fire and sword into this country, of which they made a desert. Ever since it has

[Page-411]:remained desolate, and the very name of Joiya is lost, though the vestiges of considerable towns bear testimony to a remote antiquity." The Joiya, however, have not disappeared. They still hold all the banks of the Sutlej from the Wattu border nearly as far down as its confluence with the Indus, though the Bhattis turned them out of Kahror, and they lost their semi-independence when their possessions formed a part of the Bahawalpur State ; they hold a tract in Bikaner on the bed of the old Ghaggar just below Bhatner, their ancient seat; and they are found in no inconsiderable numbers on the middle Sutlej of Lahore and Ferozepur and on the lower Indus of the Derajat and Muzaffargarh, about a third of their whole number being returned as Jats. The Multan bar is known to this day as the Joiya bar. General Cunningham says flint they are to be found in some numbers in the Salt Range or mountains of Jud, and identifies them with the Jodia or Yodia, the warrior class of India in Panini's time (450 B.C.), and indeed our figures show some 2,700 Joiya in Shahpur. But Panini's Jodia would perhaps more probably be the modern Gheba, whose original tribal name is said to be Jodra, and Gheba a mere title. The Joiya of the Sutlej and of Hissar trace their origin from Bhatner, and have a curious tradition, current apparently from Hissar to Montgomery, to the effect that they cannot trace their Rajput descent in the male line. The Hissar Joiya make themselves descendants in the female line of Sejaor Sameja, who accompanied the eponymous ancestor of the Bhatti from Muttra to Bhatner. This probably means that the Joiyas claim Yadu ancestry. The Montgomery Joiya have it that a lineal descendant of Benjamin, Joseph's brother, came to Bikaner, married a Raja's daughter, begot their ancestor, and then disappeared as faqir. The tradition is perhaps suggested by the word joi, meaning "wife." The Montgomery Joiya say that they left Bikaner in the middle of the 14th century and settled in Bahawalpur, where they became allies of the Langah dynasty of Multan, but were subjugated by the Daudpotra in the time of Nadir Shah.

The Multan Joiya say that they went from Bikaner to Sindh and thence to Multan. This is probably due to the fact of their old possessions on the Indus having died out of the tribal memory, and been replaced by their later holdings in Bikaner. They are described by Captan Elphiustone as “of smaller stature than the great Ravi tribes, and considered inferior to them in regard of the qualities in which the latter especially pride themselves, namely bravery and skill in cattle-stealing. They possess large herds of cattle and are bad cultivators."

The Mahars are a small tribe on the Sutlej opposite Fazilka, and are said to be descended from Mahar, a " brother of the Joiya. They are said to be quarrelsome, silly, thievish, fond of cattle, and to care little for agricultural pursuits."

In Bahawalpur the mirasis of the Joiyas have compiled for their a pedigree-table which makes them and the Mahars Quraishis by origin and descended from Iyas, a descendant of Mahmud of Ghazni. But the mirasis of each sept of the Joiyas give a different pedigree above Iyas, a fact which tends to show that the Joiyas were in their origin a confederation of warrior clans.

The Lakhwera sept and others recount the following tale. They say that Iyas, son of Bakr, came to Chuharhar (now Anupgarh), the capital of Raja Chuhar Sameja, in the guise of a faqir, and married Nal, the Raja's eldest daughter,* by whom he became the father of Joiya in 400 H. Joiya was brought up in the house of his mother's father as a Hindu.

* Pal and Sal being the other two.

[Page-412]: though his father was a Muhammadan and had married Nal by nikah and so Joiya's children, Jabbu, Isung, Bisung, Nisung, and Sahan Pal, received Hindu names. From the youngest (apparently) of these sons the Joiyas claim descent.* The Joiyas as a tribe regard Ali Khan, Lakhwera, ra'is of Shahr Farid as their chief, and his influence extends over the Joiyas in Multan. A Joiya who has committed theft will not deny the fact before this chief.

The Lakhwera, Bhadera, Ghazi Khanana, Kulhera, Daulatana, Kamera and Mangher septs and a few others, observe the vinayak ceremony. This consists in slaughtering two rams (ghattas) and making a pulao (with rice cooked in ghi) of the flesh. This is given in charity in the name of their ancestor Allahditta who single-handed resisted a party of 50 Baloch who tried to raid the cattle he was tending in the Cholistan. Allahditta was killed, but his bravery is commemorated in the winaik and his tomb in the Taj-Sarwar is greatly frequented by the tribe. Lunan's name is also mentioned in the winaik, because he fell in this tight with Lahr Joiya, a descendant of Jai Sung at Kharbara in Bikaner, where his tomb still exists. The descendants of the Joiyas shown in the pedigree-table from Bansi upwards observe only the winaik of Lunan, not that of Allahditta.

The Joiyas are brave, but, like the Wattus, addicted to theft. The Lakhwera sept is the highest in the social scale and has a great reputation for courage. The tribe is devoted to horses and buffaloes. No Joiya considers it derogatory to plough with his own hands, but if a man gives up agriculture and takes to trade or handicraft the Joiyas cease to enter into any kind of relationship with him. Sahn Pal is said to have coined his own money at Bhatner, a proof that he exercised sovereign power. Bawa Farid-ud-Din, Shakarganj, converted Lunan, Ber and Wisul to Islam and blessed Lunan, saying " Lunan, dunan, chaunan" i.e., "may Lunan's posterity multiply." These three brothers wrested the fortress of Bhatinda from the Slave Kings of Delhi and ruled its territory, with Sirsa and Bhatner, independently.

Lakhkho, son of Lunan, headed a confederation of the Joiyas, Bhattis, Rathors and Waryas against the Vikas, or Bikas, the founders of Bikaner, whose territory they devastated until their king, Raja Ajras, gave his daughter Kesar in marriage to Lakhkho, and from that time onwards the Hindu Rajputs of Bikaner gave daughters to the Muhammadan Joiyas as an established custom up to within the last 50 years, when the practice ceased.

After Lakhkho, Salim Khan rose to power in the time of Aurangzeb. He founded a Salimgarh which he gave to Pir Shauq Shah, whence it became called Mari Shauq Shah, and founded a second Salimgarh, which was however destroyed by Aurangzeb's orders, but on its ruins his son Farid Khan I founded Shahr Farid in Bahawalpur. After the downfall of the Mughal empire the Lakhwera chiefs continued for some time to pay tribute at Multan and Nawab Wall Muhammad Khan Khakwani, its governor, married a Joiya girl, Ihsan Bibi, and thus secured their adherence, which enabled him to find a refuge among the Admera and Saldera Joiyas when the Mahrattas took possession of Multan in 1757 A. D. After this the Joiyas under Farid Khan II revolted against Salih Muhanmaad Khan, whom the Mahrattas had appointed governor of Multan, and plundered his territory, but in 1172 A. D., when Ahmad Shah, Abdali, had expelled the Mahrattas from Multan he re-appointed Wali Muhammad Khan to its governorship and to him the Joiyas submitted. Under the emperor Zaman Khan, however, the Joiyas again rose in rebellion and at the instance of the governor of Multan Nawab Mubarak Khan of Bahawalpur annexed the territory of Farid Khan II.

The Joiya septs are very numerous, 46 being enumerated as principal septs alone.† Of these the more important are the Lakhwera, Daulatana, Bhadera Nihal-ka, Ghazi-Khanana, Jalwana, which has a sub-sept called Bhaon, their ancestor having been designated Nekokara-Bhai or the " virtuous brother " by Abdulla Jahanian. Most of the Joiya septs are eponymous, their names ending in -ka and sometimes in -era.

The following septs are found in Montgomery (where they are classed as Rajput agriculturists) : — Akoke, Bahlana, Bhatti, Firozke, Bassanke,

* This table is printed in full in the Bahawalpur Gazetteer, p. 46.
† Joiyas are divided into a large number of "naks" : (i) Lakhwera. (ii) Mahmudera, Kamrana, Madera (all three equal), (iii) Jalwana and Daulatana. The grading of the tribe in the social scale is as above. They intermarry, as a rule, only among themselves, but a nak of one grade will not give daughters to a nak of a lower grade, though the former will take from the latter. :In the time of Akbar they were the predominate tribe of the Mailsi and Lodhran tahsils, and then, or soon after, four brothers, Jagan, Mangan, Luddan and Lai colonised the country round Luddan, and were followed by fresh bands from across the Sutlei. Multan Gr., 1902, p. 139.

[Page-413]: Jamlera, Jhandeke, Jugeke, Lakhuke, Langaheke, Luleke, Mihruke, Momeke, Panjera, Ranoke, Sahuke, Sanatheke and Shalbazi : and in Multan Sabul and Salhuka, and Saldera, but the latter are in this District classed as Jats. Indeed both in Montgomery and in Multan the Joiyas as a tribe appear to rank both as Jats and Rajputs. In Amritsar they are classed as Rajputs and in Shahpur as Jats. In Montgomery the Kharrals and Hindu Kambohs each possess a Joiya (agricultural) clan.

In Mahabharata period

The Mahabharata Tribe - Jyoha, (ज्यॊह)[17] who brought tributes to Yudhisthira (II.48.3), may be identified with Jat Gotra - Johiya (जोहिया).

Other sources tell us that they are originated from Yaudheyas. Samrat Yayati's fourth son was Anu. Anu's eighth son was Maharaja Mahamana. Ushinara was son of Mahamana and he was ruler over most of Punjab. Ushinara's son was Nriga and Nriga's son was Yaudheya. The Yaudheya clan has originated from him. Johiya is derived from Yaudheya.


The Yaudhey people inhabited over areas on the banks of Shatdru River, the present site of Bahawalpur State. The coins of Yaudhey have been found in areas between Sutlej and Yamuna rivers in Sonipat fort of Rohtak. These coins are marked in Sanskrit “Yaudhey Ganasya Jay”. Yaudhey were there during Mahabharata period also.

As per Puranic version the Yaudhey Jats are condidered to be descendants of Maharaja Yudhisthira. One of Maharani of Yudhistar was named Yaudheyee. This shows Yaudhey to be an ancient Jat clan. Inscription of Yaudheys in Bharatpur state shows that they had democratically elected head that was titled Mahasenapati.

During ancient times

The Yaudhey or Johiyas were known for bravery. They struggled with Guptas, Mauryas and Kushans. They were occupying ancient areas like Marwar, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer etc.

Rulers in Jangladesh

Before their state was annexed to Rathores in Jangladesh, Johiyas had 600 villages under their rule. Sher Singh was their ruler and Bhuroopal was their capital. Sher Singh was a great warrior. He gave a tough fight to Rathores. Bika aligned Godaras with them. The Godara Jats were the most powerful of six cantons of Jats ruling over Jangladesh. Bika along with Godaras attacked the Johiyas in which Johiyas were defeated. Bika could get the state of Johiyas with great difficulty. Infact Bika could defeat Johiyas only after he conspired and killed Sher Singh. The biggest war between Rathores and Johiya Jats was fought at Dhaka village near Sidhmukh.

Johiyas at present

Johiya Jats are at present settled in Jadiya, Joda pinaula, Dhawalak, Jadiyal, Johal etc villages of Jalundhar region. In Uttar Pradesh they are found in large number in Dhakauli, Patauli, Augat, Sahadpur, Milak, Bhatpur etc. villages of Meerut region.

ठाकुर देशराज लिखते हैं

ठाकुर देशराज लिखते हैं कि जोहिया यौधेय-वंशीय हैं। प्रजातंत्री समुदायों में यौधेय बहुत प्रसिद्ध रहे हैं | जैसलमेर, जांगल और मारवाड़ के बहुत से प्रदेश पर किसी समय इनका राज रहा है। राठौरों से पराजित होने से पहले उनका 600 गांवों पर अधिपत्य था। शेरसिंह इनका राजा था। जैसा नाम था, वैसा ही वह शूरवीर भी था। राठौरों को नाकों चने शेरसिंह ने ही चबाए थे। भूरूपाल में उसकी राजधानी थी।

गोदारों से सन्धि हो जाने के बाद बीका जी ने कुछ समय अपनी व्यवस्था ठीक करने और शक्ति संचय करने में लगाया। जब अवकाश मिला तो गोदारों की ओर अपनी सेनाएं लेकर जोहिया जाटों पर आक्रमण किया। शेरसिंह ने अपनी सेनाएं इकट्ठी करके दोनों शक्तियों का मुकाबला किया। शेरसिंह बड़ा बांका योद्धा था। भय उसके पास तनिक भी न फटकता था। वास्तव में यह निरन्तर लड़ने वाले शूरों मे से था। ‘देशी राज्यों के इतिहास’ में सुखसम्पत्ति राय भंडारी ने लिखा है-

“शेरसिंह ने अपनी समस्त सेना के साथ बीका जी के खिलाफ युद्ध करने की तैयारी कर रखी थी। बीका जी जो कई युद्धों के विजेता थे इस युद्ध में सरलता से विजय प्राप्त न कर सके। शत्रुगण अद्भुत् पराक्रम दिखाकर आपके छक्के छुड़ाने लगे। अन्त में विजय की कोई सूरत न देख, आपने षड़्यन्त्र द्वारा शेरसिंह को मरवा डाला।”[18]


शेरसिंह के मारे जाने के बाद भी जोहिया जाट विद्राही बने रहे। उन्होंने सहज ही में अधीनता स्वीकार नहीं की। उनका प्रत्येक युवक प्राणों की बाजी लगाकर स्वाधीनता की रक्षा करना चाहता था। जब भी उनका कोई दल संगठित हो जाता, विद्रोह खड़ा कर देते। शेरसिंह के बाद उन्हें कोई उतना योग्य नेता नहीं मिला। जोहिया जाट राठौरों को जांगल-प्रदेश से अवश्य ही खदेड़ देते यदि गोदारे उनके साथ न होते। गोदारों की भी शक्ति जोहियों से कम नहीं थी। दो प्रबल शत्रुओं के मुकाबले में आखिर उन्हें विवश होना पड़ा। धीरे-धीरे उनका विद्रोही स्वभाव भी जाता रहा। जाटों से अब राठौर निष्कंटक हो गए। जाट और राठौरों की सबसे बड़ी लड़ाई सीधमुख के पास ढाका गांव में हुई थी।[19]

The branches of Yaudheya or Johiya at present are Kulhari (Kularia),Khichar and Mahil. Some Yaudheya people adopted Islam also.

Distribution in Pakistan

According to 1911 census the Johiya were the principal Muslim Jat clan in districts:

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ B S Dahiya:Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study), p.239, s.n.101
  2. ↑ Dr Pema Ram:‎Rajasthan Ke Jaton Ka Itihas, p.301
  3. ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I,s.n. ज-43.
  4. ↑ History of Origin of Some Clans in India/Jat From Jutland,p.7,s.n. 68
  5. ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I, s.n. ज-81
  6. ↑ Dr Pema Ram:‎Rajasthan Ke Jaton Ka Itihas, p.301
  7. ↑ Jat History Dalip Singh Ahlawat/Parishisht-I,s.n. ज-81.
  8. ↑ Jat History Thakur Deshraj/Chapter IX,p.695
  9. ↑ Dilip Singh Ahlawat: Jat viron ka Itihas
  10. ↑ An Inquiry Into the Ethnography of Afghanistan : H. W. Bellew, p.13-14, 18, 115, 125, 126, 128, 137, 155,159
  11. ↑ Mahendra Singh Arya et al: Adhunik Jat Itihas, p.246
  12. ↑ Dilip Singh Ahlawat: Jat viron ka Itihasa
  13. ↑ A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/J,p.376
  14. ↑ Jats the Ancient Rulers (A clan study)/Appendices/Appendix I,p.316-17
  15. ↑ A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/J,p.376
  16. ↑ A glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province By H.A. Rose Vol II/J,pp.410-413
  17. ↑ खशा एकाशनाज्यॊहाः परदरा थीर्घवेनवः । पशुपाश च कुणिन्थाश च तङ्गणाः परतङ्गणाः ।।(II.48.3)
  18. ↑ वाक-ए राजपूताना में भी यही बात लिखी है।
  19. ↑ रामरत्न चरण का इतिहास

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