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Kharal
Punjabi Bar region tribe From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kharal (Shahmukhi: کھرَل) is a Punjabi Jat Muslim tribe predominantly found in Punjab, as well as Derajat.[1][2]
Origins
The earliest recorded mention of the Kharals appears in the 16th–17th century poetic work of Hazrat Pilu, who described Mirza Kharal as a Jat in the famous romance Kissa Mirza Sahiban.[3][4]
In the 17th century, Sufi poet Hafiz Barkhurdar Ranjha also referred to Mirza Kharal as a Jat in his version of the same folktale.[5]
British colonial records from the 19th and early 20th centuries also recorded the Kharals as Jat Muslims and noted Rajputisation of some of the population over time.[6][7][8][9] The Kharals were also classified as a Martial race by the British, known for their bravery and rebellious spirit.[10]
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History
Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal was the tribal chieftain of the Kharals and a key leader in the 1857 uprising against British rule. He united several tribes in armed resistance and was eventually martyred while offering afternoon prayers on 21 September 1857.[11][12]

The Kharals are also central to the legendary Punjabi love story of Mirza Sahiban. Mirza, the son of a Kharal chief of Danabad, falls in love with his cousin Sahiban, a member of the Sial tribe. The tale has been immortalized in Punjabi literature and film.[13][14][15][16]
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Subclans
The Kharal tribe has numerous subclans. Some of the main subdivisions are:
Notable people
- Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal – freedom fighter and tribal leader
- Khalid Ahmed Kharal – Federal Minister of Information, Secretary General PPP
- Naseem Kharal – Sindhi landlord and short story writer
- Rai Mansab Ali Khan (politician, born 1948) – Provincial Minister for Social Welfare
- Ghulam Mustafa Khar – Former Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab
- Ghulam Noor Rabbani Khar – Member of the National Assembly
- Hina Rabbani Khar – Former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Malik Ghulam Raza Rabbani Khar – Member of the National Assembly
- Malik Ghulam Arbi Khar – Member of the National Assembly
- Rai Ghulam Mujtaba Kharal – Member of the National Assembly
- Rai Usman Khan Kharal – Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab
- Rai Haider Ali Khan Kharal – Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab
- Naeem Ahmed Kharal – Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh
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References
External links
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