Majoka

Majoka
(Urdu: مجوکہ خاندان ‎)

Total population
(Unknown)
Regions with significant populations
Pakistan
Languages
Urdu • English • Punjabi
Religion
Islam

Majoka Or Majokah (Urdu:مجوکہ) is the name of a tribe originating from the South Asia. Majoka are settled in the Rajasthan state in India also Sindh and Punjab provinces Pakistan. The 'Majoka' tribe is considered to have originated in Rajputana and then moved to the Sindh province of Pakistan, near the towns of Larkana and Ratodero. From where they traveled north along the rivers to the present locations.

History

Origin and migration

According to the traditions of the Majoka tribe, their roots can be followed back to a certain "Qutb Shah Awan" who is considered the ancestor of the famous Awan tribe which claims descent from the family of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Qutub Shah Awan is said to have married a Khokhar-Rajput princess and begot a son named "Muazam". His offspring were named "Muazam kay" (those of Muazam) accordingly. The name "Muazam" was mis-pronounced among the rajputs as "Muajam" so that his children were called "Muajam kay". Over the time this evolved to "Maujju Kay" and later to "Majoka".

Some of the descendants of Muazam left the Rajputana area for unknown reasons and moved westwards to the banks of the river Sindh. From there they turned north along the eastern banks of this river up to the area of Panjnad. Leaving Sindh, they moved further north until they reached the present area of residence on the western bank of the river Jehlum. It is said that this settlement happened around 400 years ago.

At that time, it is claimed, this area was under the sway of the Baluch tribesmen. The local Baluch chief resided at the town of 'Khawaja Aab-e-Rawaan. He is said to have had a castle and an elephant. The mud mound in the city of Nehang is probably the place where that castle stood. An archaeological survey of the mound could shed some light on this. The chief asked the Majokas to come to his town and settle there under his rule. However, the Majoka tribe chose to remain at their place. Upon this the Baluch chief decided to attack them with his army of locals.

A fight ensued in which one Baluch was killed. The place at which the Baluch fell was called "Killi paT" (کلی پٹ) and considered the southern limit of the area of the Majoka tribe. This place is still known. The Majokas were led in the fight by a "Pir" (holy person) from the tribe of "Kanju", who are also settled in this area.

Sikh period

During the Sikh rule in Punjab, an internal fight broke out among the Majokas. Two chiefs, Fateh Muhammad and Ghazi from the Sub-division of Tajay (see below) collaborated with the governmental administrator of the area named "Mahram Bhatti" and expelled an opponent Ahmad son of Khan and his family. After some time, Ahmad was able to win some Majokas to his side. A first attempt at the life of Mahram Bhati with the help of a barber failed, but the second one was successful during which a fight took place and the Bhatti fell in a dried well. Ahmad returned to the village and gained power after the death of Fateh Muhammad and Ghazi, becoming the chief of Majokas.

British period

After the conquest of Punjab by the British, land was demarked. For this purpose Ahmad son of Khan, then the chief of the tribe, went with the British officials. He showed them the following limits:

From Killi Pat to JahaniaN Shah in south. From JahaniaN Shah to Nihang the eastern boundary. From Nihang to Thathi Bakhsh Shah the northern and from there to Killi Pat the western limits.

It is said that Ahmad took bribe from a woman named Bhag Bhai to avoid her area to be included in Majoka territory. She is said to have presented him a jar of Milk, which was full of money and some milk at the top so the British would not see it. Ahmad felt the weight of the jar and gave in to her request. Similarly he is said to have given up another chunk of land for personal gains.

Sub-divisions

After the successful fight against the baluch, the Majoka tribe in the Khushab district of the Punjab province of Pakistan, was divided into six families, each was allotted a portion of the land for settlement. These families were also encouraged to invite other Majokas, who had not yet joined this group at that time, to increase in number and gain power. The sub-divisions and their sub-families are as follows:

From among these families the Vero (both factions), Haider, PahaRi, Rohalay are considered to have been invited to join them. The whole subdivision of Langri is said to have been originally non-Majoka which was assimilated into the Majokas with time.

Majoka in literature

The Gazetteer of the Jhang District mentions Majoka as a village in 1883.^[1]

HA Rose says in 1919 that Majoka are an agricultural clan present in the Shahpur area.^[2]

JM Wikeley counts Majoka in tehsil Shahpur in 1968.^[3]

G Tucker mentions a Majoka in Dera Ismael Khan district of the Khaiber Pakhtunkhawa Province of Pakistan in 1879.^[4] This might be some offshoot of the same tribe.

Present

The Majokas are now spread in many countries around the globe, including, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Middle East, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA to mention a few.

Alternative theories

1. Some people assume that the Rajput clan divided into many sub-tribes of which one is Oad. This sub-tribe was further divided into different groups one of them being 'Majoka',^[5][6]

2. According to some historians, Majoka tribe migrated from Spain in the 11th century CE. This model about the Majoka tribe states that the Majokas are descendents of Spinard Arabs. It has been culturally and geographically interpreted that the physical make up and agricultural lifestyle of Majokas evident in Pakistan is a strong reflection of a Spinard Arab lifestyle. Systems of land division and familial hierarchies further prove the reflection of the Arabic way of life.

See also

• Awan
• Oad
• Haveli Majoka

References