This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Antihostile (talk | contribs) at 02:50, 14 February 2006. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 02:50, 14 February 2006 by Antihostile (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Atwal (also Attwal or Athwal) is a clan name from the Punjab, India. Members of the clan were originally based in villages in northwest India. Due to emigration during the 20th century, members can be found in many countries abroad, including in the the United Kingdom, USA and Canada. Originating villages are Shankar and Hakim Pur (in the Doaba region of Punjab). They are Punjabi Sikh Jats.
They are one of the old Jatt tribes settled in Punjab since Mahabharat era. Ibbitson considers Atwal Jatts to be descendents of Sun god. The were camel traders. So, they were earlier used to be called as Oonth Wala. Later on they become known as Atwals. They mostly inhabit Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala districts. Some of them went to Sialkot, Multan, Jhang, Montgomery, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalput in West Punjab.
After settling in West Punjab, many Atwal Jatts converted to Islam. Atwals are also found in large numbers in Amritsar and Gurdaspur areas of Majha region.
H.A. Rose considers Atwals to be descendents of Panwar and that they have come to East Punjab from the side of Multan. There is unanimity among historians that Atwals used to husband camels.
Atwals are also found among Dalits. A Jatt marrying into a Dalit family usually merged in that caste. His caste used to change while his clan remained the same. Atwals are found among Jatts as well as Majhabis in Punjab. Most of them are Sikhs.
As per Census of 1881, Atwals were numbered at 23,405 in United Punjab.
Jatts, Khatris, Rajputs and Dalits have a common background. They are mostly descendents of Aryan tribes that came to India from Middle Asia from time to time. Tribals of Punjab settled in different parts of India after getting defeated by the Aryans. They are very few Adivasi tribes in India. Atwal is a very well known and ancient sub-caste of Jatts and Dalits.
 | This Indian biographical article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |