Wikipedia

Bar Region

Not to be confused with Bagar tract or Bari Doab.

Bar region
Cultural region of Punjab
A detailed physical map of the Punjab region, highlighting the Bar subregions between the Jhelum and Sutlej rivers.
A detailed physical map of the Punjab region, highlighting the Bar subregions between the Jhelum and Sutlej rivers.
Bar Region

The Baṛ Region, or the Baṛs (Bār) (Punjabi: بار (Shahmukhi); Punjabi pronunciation: [bäːɾə̆]), is an upland plain region historically uncultivated tracts between rivers located between the Jhelum and the Sutlej in the Punjab region of Pakistan.[1][2] It includes several subregions such as Kirana Bar, Sandal Bar, Ganji Bar, and Neeli 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 the British 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 the Himalayas.

The region is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Punjabis, with various local Punjabi tribes. Punjabi is the dominant language, with major spoken dialects including Jhangvi, Shahpuri, Dhanni, and Majhi.[8] The origin of the Punjabi folktales of Heer Ranjha and Mirza Sahiban also lie in this region.

The natural boundaries of the Bar region stretch from the Jhelum River in the north to the Sutlej River in the south. It is divided into sub-regions: the Kirana Bar between the Jhelum River and the Chenab River, the Sandal Bar between the Chenab River and the Ravi River, the Ganji Bar between the Ravi River and the old bed of the Beas River, and the Neeli Bar between the old bed of the Beas River and the Sutlej River.

Etymology

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The term Bar in Punjabi 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 the Sanskrit 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 an Arabic 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.

History

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The Bar Region, located in present-day Punjab Province of Pakistan, has a history that dates back to the time of the Harappan 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]

Scene on the River Sutlej near Pakpattan in the Punjab.

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 and Thal lands after the rains, remaining within the Punjab plains year-round—unlike the nomads of Balochistan and Afghanistan.[15][16][17][18]

Many tribes of the region embraced Islam during the medieval period. According to the Jawahir-i-Faridi, Jat clans such as the Khokhars, Bhattis, Dhudhis, Hans, Johiyas, and Wattus converted during the time of Baba Farid.[19][20]

Over time, some of these tribes established their Muslim-ruled polities, including the Sial dynasty, the Pakpattan State, and the Johiyas, who ruled parts of the Jangladesh region.[21][22][23][24]

During the 18th century, the Bar region witnessed upheaval during the Nader Shah invasion of 1739. The Gondal 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]

Tomb of Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal in Jhamra

In the colonial period, the Bar region remained a center of resistance to British authority. Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal, a prominent chieftain of the Kharal tribe from Jhamra in Sandal Bar, led a major rebellion during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Several Bar tribes, including the Watto, Fatyana, Baghela, Kathia, and Johiya supported him.[27][28]

Map of canals in the western part of Punjab Province, British India, published in 'The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province and Kashmir' (1916)

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]

Demographics

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Punjabis are native people of the region and speak Jatki dialect, along with closely related subdialects such as Jhangvi and Shahpuri. [31][32][33]

The major tribes of the region include: Bhattis, Bullas, Chadhars, Chaughtas, Gondals, Johiyas, Kathias, Khokhars, Kharals, Ranjhas, Sials, Tarars,Wattus and Thaeems.[34][35][36][37]

Sub-regions of the Bar Region

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Kirana Bar (Kɪrāṇā Bār; Punjabi: کرانہ بار (Shahmukhi); Punjabi pronunciation: [kɪɾɑːnɑː bɑːɾ]) or Gondal Bar (Gōndal Bār; Punjabi: گوندل بار (Shahmukhi); Punjabi pronunciation: [ɡəndəl bɑːɾ]) is located between the Jhelum River and the Chenab River. It includes the central and southern parts of Chaj Doab and includes the modern-day districts of Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujrat (southern parts), and the western parts of Chiniot (such as Lalian), along with parts of Jhang District. The region is named after the Kirana Hills, a mountain range located in the area,[38] and is also referred to as Gondal Bar after the Gondal 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: [ˈsændəl bɑːɾ]) is located between the Chenab and Ravi rivers, covering parts of Rechna Doab. It includes the modern-day districts of Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Vehari, Toba Tek Singh, and parts of Sheikhupura (specifically Safdarabad and Sheikhupura). The region is named after Sandal, the grandfather of the 16th-century Punjabi chieftain Dulla Bhatti, known for his rebellion against the Mughal Empire. Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal, a Punjabi Muslim chieftain of the Kharal 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: [niːlī bɑːɾ]) is located between the old bed of the Beas and the Sutlej River. It includes the modern-day districts of Vehari, Pakpattan, and Okara (specifically the Dipalpur tehsil).

Ganji Bar (Gaṅjī Bār; Punjabi: گنجی بار (Shahmukhi); Punjabi pronunciation: [ɡənʤī bɑːɾ]) is located between the Ravi and the old bed of the Beas River. This region includes the modern-day districts of Khanewal, Sahiwal, and the cities of Okara (Renala Khurd and Okara, including parts of the Dipalpur tehsil of Okara District). The area is known for its fertile soil, which became suitable for agriculture after the introduction of irrigation systems.

Districts of the Bar Region in Punjab

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The indigenous people of the Bar region speak the Jatki dialect of Punjabi, which includes sub-dialects such as Jhangvi, Shahpuri, and Dhani. 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 of Punjab, Pakistan
Faisalabad
Jhang
Toba Tek Singh
Hafizabad
Okara
Vehari
Khanewal
Pakpattan
Sargodha
Chiniot
Nankana Sahib
Bahawalnagar
Mandi Bahauddin
Sahiwal
Bahawalpur (only Hasilpur and Khairpur Tamewali)
Sheikhupura (only Safdarabad and Sheikhupura)
Chakwal
Talagang
Jhelum (only Pind Dadan Khan and Khewra)
Attock (where Jatki dominates, with 65% of the district's population speaking it)
Khushab

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pir.), Muḥammad Ibrāhīm (Khan Bahadur (1948). Note on Water Rights of the Pakistan Government, Giving Detailed History of the Canals. Government Printing Press. p. 51.
  2. ^ Garewal, Sher Muhammad (1985). Pakistan: Way of Life and Culture. Publishers United Limited. p. 16.
  3. ^ Glover, William J. (22 April 2025). Reformatting Agrarian Life: Urban History from the Countryside in Colonial India. Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-1-5036-4227-0. 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.
  4. ^ Hood, James Warren; Khan, Lutfe Ali; Jawaid, Khalid (1970). Water Resources and Related Geology of Dera Ismāīl Khān District, West Pakistan, with Reference to the Availability of Ground Water for Development. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  5. ^ 1981 District Census Report of [name of District]. Population Census Organisation, Statistics Division, Government of Pakistan. 1984.
  6. ^ "The Bar Region: A Historical Perspective". The Nation. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ Same reference as above for soil fertility
  8. ^ Sir William Wilson Hunter. Imperial Gazetteer of India. Clarendon Press. p. 128. Retrieved 14 November 2024. The language of the nomadic tribes who originally inhabited the Bar is called Jangli, a form of Western Punjabi.
  9. ^ Soofi, Mushtaq (13 June 2014). "Punjab Notes: Bar: forgotten glory of Punjab". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 July 2025. 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.
  10. ^ Kaul Pandit Harikishan (1912). Census Of India 1911 Vol Xiv Punjab Part - I. p. 353.
  11. ^ Guénon, René (2004). Symbols of Sacred Science. Sophia Perennis. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-900588-77-8.
  12. ^ Kaul Pandit Harikishan (1912). Census Of India 1911 Vol XIV Punjab Part - I. p. 353. 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.
  13. ^ Beck, Roger B. (1999). World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell. ISBN 978-0-395-87274-1.
  14. ^ Q., Madella, Marco Fuller, Dorian (18 January 2006). Palaeoecology and the Harappan Civilization of South Asia: a reconsideration. Elsevier. OCLC 1103344632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Maclagan, E. D. (1892). Census of India, 1891: The Punjab and its feudatories. The report on the census. Bengal Secretariat Press. p. 38.
  16. ^ Chaudhuri, K. N. (1990). Asia Before Europe: Economy and Civilisation of the Indian Ocean from the Rise of Islam to 1750. CUP Archive. p. 295. ISBN 978-0-521-31681-1.
  17. ^ Bhattacharya, Neeladri (1 September 2019). The Great Agrarian Conquest: The Colonial Reshaping of a Rural World. State University of New York Press. p. 342. ISBN 978-1-4384-7741-1.
  18. ^ The Agricultural Journal of India. Government of India, Central Publication Branch for the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research. 1908.
  19. ^ Cug̲h̲tāʼī, Muḥammad Ikrām (2006). Babaji: Life and Teachings of Farid-ud Din Ganj-i Shakar. Sang-e- Meel Publications. p. 298. ISBN 978-969-35-1824-5.
  20. ^ Shri, Satya. Demystifying Brahminism and Re-Inventing Hinduism: Volume 2 - Re-Inventing Hinduism. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-946515-56-8.
  21. ^ Gilmartin, David (14 April 2020). Blood and Water: The Indus River Basin in Modern History. Univ of California Press. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-520-35553-8.
  22. ^ Tod, James; Crooke, William (1920). Annals and antiquities of Rajasthan, or The central and western Rajput states of India. University of California Libraries. London, New York : H. Milford, Oxford University Press. p. 142.
  23. ^ Elliot, Sir Henry Miers (1869). Memoirs on the History, Folk-lore, and Distribution of the Races of the North Western Provinces of India. Trübner & Company. p. 140.
  24. ^ Metcalf, Barbara Daly (1 January 1984). Moral Conduct and Authority: The Place of Adab in South Asian Islam. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-04660-3.
  25. ^ Shafqat Tanveer Mirza (1991). Resistance Themes In Punjabi Literature. pp. 30–31.
  26. ^ Ahsan, Aitzaz (1 August 2005). The Indus Saga. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5194-073-9. 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.
  27. ^ General Report on the Administration of the Punjab Territories, from 1856-57 to 1857-58 Inclusive: Together with a Brief Account of the Administration of the Delhi Territory, from the Re-occupation of Delhi Up to May 1858. Printed at the Chronicle Press, by Mahomed Azeem. 1854.
  28. ^ Punjab (1911). Government Records: Mutiny records. Correspondence and reports. Punjab Government Press.
  29. ^ Chenab Colony SR (1915), paras. 38-45
  30. ^ F.P. Young, Report on the colonisation of the Rakh and Mianali Branches of the Chenab Canal (Lahore, Government Printing Press, 1897), pp.2-5
  31. ^ Solicitor, Professor Bhupinder Singh (15 May 2024). HEIRS OF THE LAND: THE SIKHS OF THE GREAT PUNJAB. AuthorHouse. ISBN 979-8-8230-8496-3.
  32. ^ India, Linguistic Survey of (1994). Indo-Aryan family. North-western group: pt. I. Specimens of Sindhi and Lahndā. pt.2. Specimens of the Dardic or Piśācha languages (including Kāshmiri). Low Price Publications. ISBN 978-81-85395-39-5.
  33. ^ Wagha, Ahsan (1990). The Siraiki Language: Its Growth and Development. Dderawar Publications.
  34. ^ Luard, C. E. (1893). Gujrat District Gazetteer.
  35. ^ Jha, P. d g (1884). Gazetteer Of The Jhang District 1883-84.
  36. ^ Fagan, P. j (1900). Gazetteer Of The Montgomery District.
  37. ^ Punjab Govt. (1926). Multan District Gazette.
  38. ^ Punjab Government (1883). Gazetteer Of The Jhang District. p. 3.
  39. ^ Dove, Michael; Carpenter, Carol (1992). Sociology of Natural Resources: In Pakistan and Adjoining Countries. Vanguard. p. 132. ISBN 978-969-402-053-2.