Jat Sikh Community

The Jat Sikhs are of the same stock as the Hindu Jats of Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh and the Muslim Jats of Pakistani Punjab. A large majority of those baptised by Guru Govind Singh were Jats. It was they who were instrumental in the Sikh community`s rise to power during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. They maintained their position as the premier section of Sikhs under British rule as well.

The most important Jat Sikh clans are Atwal, Aulak, Bains, Bajwa, Bal, Chima, Chung, Deol, Dhaliwal or Dhariwal, Dhilion, Dhindsa, Garewal, Ghuman, Gill, Goraya, Hor, Hinjra, Hundal, Kahlon, Kang, Khaira, Khosa, Mahal, Malhi, Man, Mangat, Pannu, Randhawa, Sohi, Sahota, Sandhu, Sara, Sekhon, Sindhu, Sohal, Variach and Virk.

All claim Rajput origin except the Hor, Bhullar and Man which claim to be the original Jat clans which sprang from the jata or matted hair of Shiva.

The Jat Sikh is characterised by a spirit of enterprise, zest for life, sturdy independence and a love for the soil. The words `Jat` and `farmer` are synonymous in Punjabi. The Jat Sikhs are excellent farmers and in the early decades of this century, they transformed the barren lands into the green fields of wheat and sugarcane. Much of this land lies presently in Pakistan.

The men of this community are also soldiers par excellence. Essentially they are fighting men, their qualities being best exhibited in the army. Till date numerous Jat men have laid down their lives in the services of their motherland.