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Revision as of 06:02, 26 February 2006 by LRBurdak (talk | contribs) (Cat, Copyedits)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Atwal (also Attwal or Athwal) is a clan name or Gotra of Jats from 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 around the world, including in the the United Kingdom, the U.S.A. and Canada. Originating villages are Shankar and Hakim Pur, in the Doaba region of Punjab. They are Punjabi Sikh Jats.
Atwals are one of the oldest Jat tribes, settling in the Punjab region during the Mahabharat era. There is unanimity among historians that Atwals used to husband camels, so they were originally known as the Oonth Wala, which changed over time to Atwal. They inhabited the Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala districts of the Punjab, some settling as far west as Sialkot, Multan, Jhang, Montgomery, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalput in West Punjab, what is now Pakistan. After settling in West Punjab, many Atwal Jats converted to Islam although most Atwals in India are Sikh. Atwals are also found in large numbers in Amritsar and Gurdaspur.
H.A. Rose considers Atwals to be descendents of the Panwar and that they came to East Punjab from Multan. Jats, Khatris, Rajputs and Dalits have a common background and Atwal is a well-known and ancient sub-caste of Jats and Dalits.
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