Miana
Miana (Urdu: میانا) is a community in Pakistan. It is derived from Mian, which is a family name and a title of nobility and used by Muslims in the Punjab region of South Asia.
History and origin
There are two traditions as to the origin of the Miana term. According to some sources, the Miana are descendents of Mians, a term used for holymen. The word miana or mian is metathesis of Mi'an that is borrowed from proto Dravidian roots Meian and it also existed in Pali Language, means priest, holyman and laudable worshiper. Third wave of Aryan, held position in waste land of Gandhara whose goddess of creation was Armi'an and its chief priest was especially called "Mi'an". Sindhis are still using the same word for respectable old person or a show of sacredotel dignity.
The Miana family of Tibbi Qaisrani
The Miana family of Mianwali city in the Punjab, claims descent from one Mian Ali, the holyman who supposedly founded Mianwali village in the 16th century. There is no grave of Mian Ali ever existed in Mianwali or adjacent areas. He came of Ghakkar family, and engraved at Ghakkar Mandi. The Grand flight of Ghakkar, his family migrated to Kunjha, Gujrat and Ghakkar Mandi. We registered the few names of area such as, Kachhi, Kachhi Mian Ali and Kachhi Thal.
The Miana clan living at Wan Bhachran originated from Pindi Bhattian. They are Bhatti (Rajputs). According their pedigree chart and the famous book Punjab ka muqadma by Hanif Ramay they are directly descended from the famous Rai Abdullah Khan Bhatti mostly known as Dulla Bhatti whose one son was sent away as punishment. Who came here and settled here along with some of his tribal subjects and started living as a landlord. He fought with the neighbouring clans and took over their land. But somehow his generations could not be prevalent here and most of them died in young ages or early adulthood. So,they are not in mass numbers here but always have been noted for their bravery and nobleness.Some of them adopted the title of Malik while others still calls themselves Mian. They are said to be Miana, because few generations ago one of their ancestors was a holyman who did not fight as the other tribals of the area did.
According to the tradition of Derajat, the Mianas are descendants of Hindus of the Arora, Bhatia and Khatri castes, that converted to Islam. This tradition is strong in the Derajat region( the districts of Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan).[1]
P.S Years back I was told there was grave of Mian Ali Sahab near Railway Station in Mianwali.His son Mian Sultan Zakria (RA)'s shrine is very much there in Mianwali city about two KM from the Railway Station..
Descendents of Mai Safoora
The descendents of Mai Safoora are also called Miana. Notable maina from the descent of Mai Safoora are Mian Saleh muhammad safoori, Mian Haji muhammad safoori and Mian Yousaf Tahir.
SahibZada
SahibZada is a traditional term used by Descendants of Hazrat Mai Safoora Qadiriyya and Niazi Pathans of Mianwali.
Distribution
The Miana are found in Mianwali city and its town of Wan Bhachran, the Miana of Bhakkar District are an offshoot of the Miana of Wan Bhachran,some Miana also lives in Layyah District, the city of Multan, city of Abdul Hakeem and the city of Dera Ismail Khan.Some of Mianas also Live in Gujrat Mainly in villages Like Ban Kalas,Dawna,Bhasnah,Dhola and villages surrounded by Lalamusa.
See also
References
- ↑ A Glossary of the tribes & castes of Punjab by H. A Rose