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Revision as of 02:54, 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 oldest Jatt tribes, settling in the Punjab during the Mahabharat era. There is unanimity among historians that Atwals used to husband camels, so they were known as the Oonth Wala. Later on they became known as Atwals. They inhabited the 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. Jatts, Khatris, Rajputs and Dalits have a common background, mostly descendents of Aryan tribes. Atwal is a very well known and ancient sub-caste of Jatts and Dalits.
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