Nauls

Naul( نول ) is a Punjabi tribe mostly native to the cities of Jhang and Kasur in Punjab, Pakistan.

Origins

The Sanskrit word Rajputra is found in the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata. It has been used by Panini. The word Kshatriya was initially used for the community of warriors and rulers. After the passage of much time there were many Kshatriyas. Some of them left their traditional occupation. Some were still rulers and warriors. As a custom these kings married only with the daughters of kings. They were abundant in India. It is very clear from the Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Prithviraj Raso, Akbarnama, and present genealogy that they intermarried with the royal families only. The rule of primogeniture allowed only the eldest male offspring of a king to succeed him. The rest were known as Rajputras. The word Rajput is claimed to be a corruption of Rajputra. Gradually it became a jati within the Kshatriya or warrior caste, however the Rajputs are often considered the elite of the Kshatriyas - at least by their own members.

The traditional occupations of the Rajputs is military service and at times agriculture. However, due to their natural ability in warfare and their discipline, this would give them opportunities to rise through the ranks and eventually become rulers or at least hold high positions in office.

The concept of the Raja-putra, or "son of a king," is mentioned in Vedic literature. Rajput, a shortened version of Raja-putra, is a name that has come to be associated with specific clans that would gain political importance in a given region. Because of the fluid social structure in early medieval India, a tribe could gain or lose its status based on its political importance, its occupation, and its survival or extinction. Many tribes over the course of time became extinct because of war, or relocated to another location and changed their names. Traditionally, 36 "royal races," or raj-kul, were known as Rajput.

One of them, NAUL race is named after NAUL, the elder son of Raja DHAAN, a RAJPUT Emperor of [Bekanair), India. Nauls are believed to have originated from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India and migrated when their forefathers embraced Islam.They occupied lowlands of the Chenab round Jhang before the Sials. Swarthier than generality of people and speaking a more uncouth toung, their traditions carry them back to Rajputs of Bikaner under a Brhaman dynasty. The Sials for some times, after their arrival in the country, were subject to the Nauls and paid tribute through them and finally with the blessings of Lodhi rulers, they dethroned Nauls.The Sials clashed with the Nauls and finally captured a wide portion of the Sandal Bar and Vichanh areas in the Chaj Doab (The Doab (fluvial tract) between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab). NAULS,always a turbulent and lawless race, they used to be great cattle owners preferring cattle breading to agriculture and cattle lifting to either. In order for curbing their criminal activities, Raja Ranjeet Singh had to establish a police post at Kot Sai Singh, Jhang. Some more than three hundred settlements alone have been found in the low areas of Rivers Satluj in Kasur & Chenab in District Jhang where they had been ruling for three hundred years till the era of Feroze Lodhi.

Distribution

Most of the tribe are settled in Districts Kasur, Sahiwal, Okara, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Jhang.

Politics and Professions

Basically, being pure RAJPUTS, they are known warriors and had great influence in the politics of area. Even today they wield a considerable impact over the politics of their respective areas. Rao Khezar Hayat Naul remained MNA from Kasur.His son Rao Mazhar Hayat has been elected MNA recently. Malik Akhtar Naul is a politician of national stature in District Kasur and has returned MPA. Malik Shahzad Naul whose father Malik Zulfikar Naul remained Chairman of Haveli Lakha, Okara for five times, is president of Pakistan Peoples Party Okara. Rana Tanveer Ahmad Khan MNA is notably influencing politics of Mureedkey, Sheikhupura since long. Chaudhry Arshad Naul son of great Rehmat Ali Naul is also a known figure in the area.Mehar Ghulam Farid khan Advocate, a retired Sessions judge and incumbent president of District Bar Association Jhang for the consecutive third term, had been Vice Chairman, Zila Council Jhang as well as member provincial Assembly.His son Farid Nawaz Advocate,is well known member of Jhang Bar as well as Multan. He remained secretary of students council BZ university Multan from 1997 to 2001. Others who are active players of District Politics in Jhang, include Mehar Suba Khan, Mehar Aslam Pervaiz, Haji Allah Buksh, Mehar Haq Nawaz, Mehar Allah Ditta, Mehar Riaz Hussain, Mehar Muhammad Saeed, Mahr Ajmal Khan, Mehar Asad Raza, Fazal Imdad Hussayn and Mehar Gul Muhammad Saqi.

In Tehsil Jhang, where this tribe outnumbers other tribes, Nauls have played an important role in the social build-up. Notables included Mehar Sultan Khan, Mehar Raja Khan, Mehar Haji Nawab Khan, Mehar Laal Khan, Mehar Mapaal Khan and Mehar Daulat Khan in the past. At present Mehar Surkhru Khan, who was a leading banker of The National Bank of Pakistan, is rendering valuable services as member Punjab Liquidation Board, Mehar Haq Nawaz Khan is a senior scientist in Atomic Energy Commission of Pakistan, Malik Mukhtar Naul, is Executive District Officer (Finance)Kasur.Mohamad Iqbal, commissioner Income Tax and Javed Iqbal EDO are real brothers. Professor Mallah khan is vice president of Professors & lecturars Association Punjab.Dr Jahangir Naul is president of Punjab Medical Association Jhang. Zulfikar Khan Nasir a Sessions Judge / Vice President of Punjab Judicial Officers Associations and associate member of Commonwealth Magistrates & Judges Association, a man of knowledge, action and dedicated public servant, is presently posted as judge District Session Court, Mandi Bahauddin. Maher Naveed Nawaz, a nephew of Zulfikar Khan Nasir, worked for UFONE and is currently employed as Research Engineer at Voice Tel Tech, a Telecom and IT Consulting company. Muhammad Yunus Naul the only advocate of this tribe who is member of Supreme Court Bar and practicing in Lahore.

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