Maliar

The Maliar are a group of mixed origin found in the

Unlike other Punjabi tribes, Maliar refers to the occupation of the holder rather than his origin. Their origin is unknown, however it is believed that Maliars are descended from ancestors of different tribes which took to market-gardening as a profession.[2]

The Maliar associate themselves with the Arain, another agricultural tribe in Punjab. This is because in Western Punjab, the term Arain is used for any individual of an agricultural occupation and not solely the Arain tribe.^[3]

History

The term Maliar comes from the

According to the 1901 Census of India, there numbers in Jhelum District were 23,000, in Rawalpindi District, they numbered 17,000 and in Attock District they numbered 37,000.^[6] In that particular district, they are the fourth largest tribe. Shahpur District, the modern day Sargodha District was home to a further 4,000.

Distribution

They are found through the

Batala, Chahal, Maniand are important Maliar villages within Kahuta Tehsil, in Gujar Khan Tehsil Bhatta Maliar, Kant Maliar and Bagh Sangra, Jabbar Derwaish,Kuri Malrian(Kuri Khuda Baksh) are important villages and in the Rawalpindi Tehsil, Dhalla, Dughal, Khasala Kalan, Gulidana Maliar, and Salargarh are important villages.^[7] In Attock District, Dhok Maliaran in Fateh Jang Tehsil is a major Maliar village. in Hazro Tehsil they are found in the villages of Kalu Kalan, Bhangi, Lakori, Saleem Khan, Asghar, Ababakar etc.They are also found in the town of Mansar.

In Chakwal District, Mohra Maliaran, Marjan Maliran and Saloi in Choa Saidan Shah Tehsil are important villages.

in Jhelum District, the villages of Dheri Malliaran and Maliar in Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil are important settlements.

In Gujrat District, the village of Dandi Maliar.

Language

The Maliar predominantly speak Punjabic languages, mainly Hindko and Pothwari^[6]

References