Lak clan
The Lak are a Jat clan found in Punjab, Pakistan.This tribe can be found in Pakistan but mostly (90%) population lives in Sargodha, Punjab . Pakistan.
Lak were once semi-nomadic pastoralists, that inhabited the Kirana Bar or at least the Jech Doab, the land between Jhelum and Chenab river. Kirana Bar is a portion of the Chej Doáb, it takes its name from the Kirana Hills found here. This region is now divided between the Sargodha and Jhang districts. Bar stands for an area of jungle as it was before colonisation by the British Government. This area starts from the northwest of Hissár country near the bank of river Chenab with an abrupt high ridge and this high bank of bar dies away a little distance east of the boundary of between the Chiniot and Jhang tehsils, opposite the village of Kot Mohla. The lands of the Kirana Bár to the east and south of the hills are of superb quality. After slight showers of rain, the whole country is carpeted with grass. This meant that pastoralism was the best form of lifestyles. The Lak and Nagyana had huge herds of cattle. Like the Thal tribes discussed in earlier posts, the Kirana nomads were practically independent until the coming of the Sikhs. Other then the Baloch of Sahiwal (in Sargodha), the region did not know any princely authority. Real change came with the British, who began last scale colonization, bringing in settlers from central Punjab. The Tatri were the first two be settled, followed by the Lak and Nagyana. The Nagyana difers from the other Bar Jats in that they have always been seen as sacred, with many pirs coming from the tribe.
Lak
The Lak claim descent from the Parmara (Panwar) Rajputs, and were originally found alongs the banks of the Chenab river, but were ousted by the Sikhs in the 18th Century from this region. Their ancestor was Lak, who like most Panwar Rajputs is said to have left Malwa in central India, arrived in Punjab, and converted to Islam. They are now found mainly in Sargodha District, with few communities in Faisalabad, Mandi Bahauddin Sahiwal and Multan Districts. Most Lak villages are located between Malakwal and Sargodha, with Burj Ghulam Rasool, Mari Lak, Sakesar and Mitha Lak being the most important. In neighbouring Mandi Bahauddin district, they are found in the villages of Bosaal Masoor, Lak, Thakkar Kalan, and Pind Makko. In neighbouring Jhelum District, they are found in the village of Pir Khara, while in Khushab District they are found in Khaliqabad.
History
H.A. Rose[5] mentions about a King with Lak surname in history of Aulakh:
Aulakh (ओळख), Aurak (औरक), a Jat tribe, whose head-quarters would appear to be in the Amritsar district, where they own a barah of, originally, 12 villages, but they are found in the northern Malwa, as well as in the Manjha. They are said to be of Solar descent, and their ancestor Aulakh lived in the Manjha. But another story makes their ancestor one Raja Lui Lak (राजा लूई लाक ), a Lunar race. They are related to the Sekhu and Deo tribes with whom they will not intermarry.
H.A. Rose[6] while describing the history of Harra Jat clan writes:
Another account says they( Harra) were originally Bhutta Jats settled at Matela, a village in Shahpur, whence they migrated under their Pir, Shah Daulat. As strict Muhammadans they employ no Brahmans and will not eat anything left by one who does not perform the daily nimaz, Marriage within the tribe is preferred, but is allowed with Bains, Gondal, SindhanJats, Lalis, Laks, Kharrals, etc. In Montgomery the Harral (Harl) are classed as a Jat (agricultural) tribe. They are all Muhammadans in this District.
Distribution in Pakistan
Lak - The Lak claim ancestry from the Parmar Rajputs. They are found in Sargodha, Khushab, Mandi Bahauddin and Jhang districts.
According to 1911 census the Lak were the principal Muslim Jat clan in:
- Shahpur (Sargodha District) District - Lak (1,779)
- Lyalpur District (Faisalabad District) - Lak (679)
- Jhang District - Lak (1,319)
- Dera Ghazi Khan District - Lak (658)
- Muzafar Garh District-Lak-3000 Basti Perozan, Basti Tibi Lak wali, Basti Lak wala Hamid Wala Lal Wala And Lohin Basti
Distribution in Dagestan, Russia
The city Makhachkala (Dagestan, Russia) has an ethnic plurality, with the Avars and Laks as the largest groups.
Notable persons
Abdul Raouf Lak Inspector Cooperative Muzafar Garh.
References
Their other 10% Relatives lives in Chak No:131-15.L Lakanwala,Tehsil Mian Channu,District Khanewal,Punjab,Pakistan