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Cultural region ofPunjab | |
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TheBaṛ Region, or theBaṛs (Bār) (Punjabi:بار (Shahmukhi);Punjabi pronunciation:[bäːɾə̆]), is an upland plain region historically uncultivated tracts between rivers located between theJhelum and theSutlej in thePunjab region ofPakistan.[1][2] It includes several subregions such asKirana Bar,Sandal Bar,Ganji Bar, andNeeli Bar.[3][4][5]
The area consists of agricultural land that was cleared in the nineteenth century for the then 'new' canal irrigation system that theBritish were developing at the time.[6] The soil of the Bar Region is fertile.[7] The plains of fertile land have been created by the stream deposits driven by the many rivers flowing from theHimalayas.
The region is predominantly inhabited by ethnicPunjabis, with various localPunjabi tribes.Punjabi is the dominant language, with major spoken dialects includingJhangvi,Shahpuri,Dhanni, andMajhi.[8] The origin of thePunjabi folktales ofHeer Ranjha andMirza Sahiban also lie in this region.
The natural boundaries of the Bar region stretch from theJhelum River in the north to theSutlej River in the south. It is divided into sub-regions: theKirana Bar between theJhelum River and theChenab River, theSandal Bar between theChenab River and theRavi River, theGanji Bar between theRavi River and the old bed of theBeas River, and theNeeli Bar between the old bed of theBeas River and theSutlej River.
The term Bar inPunjabi refers to land beyond settled areas, typically describing wilderness or uncultivated plains.[9] Some suggest it may derive from the Arabic word barr, meaning barren land, though this origin is considered doubtful.[10]
The term "Bāṛ" is commonly linked to theSanskrit root "Vri," meaning "to cover" or "to enclose," which relates to terms like "Bár (fence)," "Bári (garden)," and "Bir (forest)."[11] These terms are associated with boundaries, enclosures, or spaces that separate cultivated land from natural areas.
Some have suggested anArabic origin from the word "Barr," meaning barren or uncultivated land, but this connection is considered uncertain.[12]
Overall, "Bāṛ" refers to a boundary or enclosed space, often separating human settlements from wilderness or uncultivated land.
The Bar Region, located in present-dayPunjab Province of Pakistan, has a history that dates back to the time of theHarappan Civilization, with its earliest settlements dating to around 2600 BC. Over time, the area evolved through various cultural and agricultural phases, and today remains an important part of Punjab, known for its fertile lands and historical significance.[13][14]
The Bar region was historically a sparsely populated tract of land between Punjab's rivers. Due to low rainfall, pastoral nomadism was supported by herding goats and camels. Communities moved seasonally between riverine areas in the dry months and the Bar andThal lands after the rains, remaining within the Punjab plains year-round—unlike the nomads ofBalochistan andAfghanistan.[15][16][17][18]
Many tribes of the region embraced Islam during the medieval period. According to theJawahir-i-Faridi, Jat clans such as the Khokhars, Bhattis, Dhudhis, Hans, Johiyas, and Wattus converted during the time ofBaba Farid.[19][20]
Over time, some of these tribes established their Muslim-ruled polities, including theSial dynasty, the Pakpattan State, and the Johiyas, who ruled parts of theJangladesh region.[21][22][23][24]
During the 18th century, the Bar region witnessed upheaval during theNader Shah invasion of 1739. TheGondal chiefs resisted his forces and helped prevent the devastation of Gondal Bar. In both Gondal and Sandal Bars, his army encountered small but organized local resistance.[25][26]
In the colonial period, the Bar region remained a center of resistance to British authority.Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal, a prominent chieftain of theKharal tribe fromJhamra in Sandal Bar, led a major rebellion during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Several Bar tribes, including theWatto,Fatyana, Baghela,Kathia, andJohiya supported him.[27][28]
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The British established a network of canal colonies across the Bar region. These projects transformed the landscape and attracted settlers from other parts of Punjab, turning the area into a fertile and agriculturally productive zone.[29][30]
Punjabis are native people of the region and speak Jatki dialect, along with closely related subdialects such asJhangvi andShahpuri.[31][32][33]
The major tribes of the region include:Bhattis, Bullas, Chadhars, Chaughtas,Gondals,Johiyas,Kathias,Khokhars,Kharals,Ranjhas,Sials,Tarars,Wattus andThaeems.[34][35][36][37]
Kirana Bar (Kɪrāṇā Bār;Punjabi:کرانہ بار (Shahmukhi);Punjabi pronunciation:[kɪɾɑːnɑːbɑːɾ]) orGondal Bar (Gōndal Bār;Punjabi:گوندل بار (Shahmukhi);Punjabi pronunciation:[ɡəndəlbɑːɾ]) is located between theJhelum River and theChenab River. It includes the central and southern parts ofChaj Doab and includes the modern-day districts ofMandi Bahauddin,Sargodha,Gujrat (southern parts), and the western parts ofChiniot (such asLalian), along with parts ofJhang District. The region is named after theKirana Hills, a mountain range located in the area,[38] and is also referred to asGondal Bar after theGondal Punjabi Jat clan that dominated the region.[39] The land is known for its agricultural richness, particularly after the introduction of canal irrigation.
Sandal Bar (Sāndal Bār;Punjabi:ساندل بار (Shahmukhi);Punjabi pronunciation:[ˈsændəlbɑːɾ]) is located between theChenab andRavi rivers, covering parts ofRechna Doab. It includes the modern-day districts ofFaisalabad,Jhang,Toba Tek Singh,Nankana Sahib,Chiniot,Hafizabad,Khanewal,Vehari,Toba Tek Singh, and parts ofSheikhupura (specificallySafdarabad andSheikhupura). The region is named after Sandal, the grandfather of the 16th-century Punjabi chieftainDulla Bhatti, known for his rebellion against the Mughal Empire.Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal, a Punjabi Muslim chieftain of theKharal tribe, hailed from this region and led the resistance against British rule. He was a prominent figure in the Sandal Bar, and after his martyrdom, he became a folk hero in Punjabi literature.
Neeli Bar (Nīlī Bār;Punjabi:نیلی بار (Shahmukhi);Punjabi pronunciation:[niːlībɑːɾ]) is located between the old bed of theBeas and theSutlej River. It includes the modern-day districts ofVehari,Pakpattan, andOkara (specifically theDipalpur tehsil).
Ganji Bar (Gaṅjī Bār;Punjabi:گنجی بار (Shahmukhi);Punjabi pronunciation:[ɡənʤībɑːɾ]) is located between theRavi and the old bed of theBeas River. This region includes the modern-day districts ofKhanewal,Sahiwal, and the cities ofOkara (Renala Khurd andOkara, including parts of theDipalpur tehsil of Okara District). The area is known for its fertile soil, which became suitable for agriculture after the introduction of irrigation systems.
The indigenous people of the Bar region speak the Jatki dialect ofPunjabi, which includes sub-dialects such asJhangvi,Shahpuri, andDhani. While Dhani is not spoken in the natural Bar region, areas outside its boundaries that speak the Dhani and Shahpuri sub-dialects are still considered part of the Bar due to cultural and linguistic ties.
The following districts are classified as Bar:
| Bar districts ofPunjab, Pakistan |
|---|
| Faisalabad |
| Jhang |
| Toba Tek Singh |
| Hafizabad |
| Okara |
| Vehari |
| Khanewal |
| Pakpattan |
| Sargodha |
| Chiniot |
| Nankana Sahib |
| Bahawalnagar |
| Mandi Bahauddin |
| Sahiwal |
| Bahawalpur (onlyHasilpur andKhairpur Tamewali) |
| Sheikhupura (onlySafdarabad andSheikhupura) |
| Chakwal |
| Talagang |
| Jhelum (onlyPind Dadan Khan andKhewra) |
| Attock (where Jatki dominates, with 65% of the district's population speaking it) |
| Khushab |
There are five main Bars in the Punjab: the Sandal Bar in the Rechna Doab; Kirana Bar and Gondal Bar, both on the Chaj Doab; and the Neeli Bar and Ganji Bar, both on the Bari Doab.
The language of the nomadic tribes who originally inhabited the Bar is called Jangli, a form of Western Punjabi.
Bar in Punjabi language means a threshold, an outer space, an area away from the human settlement, a barrier between populated area and wild forest, a natural jungle etc.
Bar, which is said to be derived from Barr meaning land (particularly barren land). On the other hand, we have terms like Bár (fence), Bári (garden), Bárá (enclosure), and Bir (forest), all connected with forest growth, ordinarily derived from Sanskrit Vri to cover; and Bár meaning stack. The Arabic derivation is therefore doubtful.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Nadir Shah was obviously passing through the Gondal Bar, or the Gondal scrubland located in the doab between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, largely inhabited by the hardy Gondals, a prominent Jat tribe of the Punjab.