The Panjutha, sometimes spelled Panjootha, are primarily found in Sargodha District, Pakistan. They are a community with a rich historical legacy and notable contributions to regional history and society.
According to H. A. Rose, a British ethnologist of the early 20th century, the Panjutha are mainly concentrated in Shahpur, now part of Sargodha District.
Origins and Lineage of the Panjutha
The Panjutha claim descent from Raja Dilip, the Tomar Rajput ruler credited with founding Delhi. This places them within the Chandravanshi branch of Kshatriyas.
One of Raja Dilip’s descendants, Rai Shajrand, lived during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He served as a commander in the Mughal army and spent 15 years in Jhelum before returning to Amritsar. His eldest son, Rai Tanwara, founded a village named after him in Amritsar District.
Later, Doli Singh, a descendant, served in the army of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh. He was granted land in Sargodha. His son, Ram Das Singh, was killed near Ramnagar in Gujranwala District by the Chatha clan. Ram Das Singh’s son, Sardar Ran Singh, also served in Ranjit Singh’s army and was granted land. He had five sons: Jaimal Singh, Mul Singh, Mit Singh, Radhan Singh, and Sujjan Singh.
Also read: History of Hanjra Jatts
The ‘Panj-Hatta’ Title and Conversion to Islam
Nadhan Singh, another descendant, earned the title “panj hatta,” meaning “one with five arms,” for his ability to defeat five men on his own during a campaign against the Afghans. His descendants became known as the Panjutha.
Later, during the British conquest of the Sikh Empire in 1848, three of the brothers, Jaimal Singh, Mul Singh, and Mit Singh, converted to Islam.
Distribution and Population
According to the 1911 Census, there were 596 Panjutha, almost all residing in Shahpur District, primarily in Sargodha Tehsil. The four villages where they remain a majority are Dhal, Chak Mubarak, Chawa, and Salan. Some Panjutha families are also found in Jalpana and Mattoo in Mandi Bahauddin District.
Notable Panjutha Figures
One prominent member of the Panjutha clan is Naeem Haider Panjutha, a well-known lawyer who represents PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
