Wattu

The Wattu (also spelled Wattoo) (Hindi: वतु, Urdu: وٹو) are a Muslim Rajput and Muslim Jats[1] tribe found in Punjab, Pakistan. They mostly inhabit the Depalpur district and Pakpattan district where they are mostly agriculturists and landowners.[2] Some menial tribes and groups are attached to the Wattoos, such as the Maneka and others.[3]

History

Historically, the Wattu/Wattoo were mostly Hindus, when some of their chiefs and leaders accepted Islam.[4] The Wattu had a rather ambiguous position, later, towards the British, and even actively resisted them until the final annexation of the Punjab in March 1849, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War.[5]

Some notables

In present-day Pakistan, some notable Wattoo political figures have included Mian Manzoor Ahmad Watoo and his daughter, Mrs Robina Shaheen Wattoo, who was an MPA of the Punjab Assembly.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Islam in India and Pakistan By Annemarie Schimmel p.52
  2. ↑ S M Jehangir 'A Study of the Punjab Rural Castes' pub Islamabad:PIHCR, 1988, pp. 104-106
  3. ↑ Punjab Gazetteer, 1921 ed-Vol IV
  4. ↑ Griffin and Massey 'Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab', Lahore, 1899
  5. ↑ Griffin and Massey, aa
  6. ↑ Biographical Note of MP
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