Malhi

From SikhiWiki
Revision as of 16:04, 4 December 2022 by Gobindswarrior (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigationJump to search

Malhi (or Mallhi) is a Jat Gotra (lineage) or clan from the transnational region of the Punjab which is located in Pakistan and Northern India.

Earlier based in the region around Sialkot (now in West Punjab, Pakistan), the Malhis were mostly rich landlords. They are one of the earliest Jat clans. It is believed that there were twelve villages of the Malhi clan in Punjab (British Raj) during 1850-60. One such village is Kotli Soorat Malhi, a village in Gurdaspur district.

Extract From the book *Handbook on Sikhs, by Major A. E. Barstow, 2/11 Sikh Regiment (late 15th Ludhiana Sikhs ). Written in 1899 and later revised at the request of the Govt of India in 1928.

From a historical standpoint, the Malhi clan is most famous for its association with the death of Alexander the Great. It is believed that Alexander the Great died from an injury he received from a spear or arrow thrown by the Malhi clan as he tried to invade their fortress during his retreat from Multan (located in modern day Punjab, Pakistan). Despite taking over the Malhi stronghold in Multan, he never fully recovered from this attack and died in Babylon. He died in 323 BC due to this pyrrhic victory

This clan is mostly found around Baddomalhi, in the Raya tehsil. They trace their descent from Ram Chanderji of Surajbhansi family. In loyalty they are reported upon as second to none. The people of this clan are also found in 12 or 13 villages round about Badiana, a village midway between Pasrur and Sialkot. One of the rising families in this tract is that of *Risaldar Pal Singh of Bathe, of the late 25th Cavalry. The ancient writers such as Diodorus [6], Arrian [7], and Strabo [8], tell us that during Alexander's invasion of Punjab, the area around Multan, an ancient city now in Pakistan,was occupied by Malli (Malhi) people. Thus, as per Professor McCrindle [9], "The Malloi (Malli or Malhi) occupied the district situated between the lower Akesines (modern Chenab river), and the Hydraotes (modern Sutlej river), which in Alexander's time joined the former river below Multan-a city which owes its name to the Malloi (Malli)". Even today Malli or Malhi Jats exist in Punjab. The present Member of Canadian Parliament, G.S. Malhi, also belongs to this Jat clan. Naseer Ahmed Mallhi was a Pakistani politician and one of the founding fathers of the nation as he played a pivotal role in the formation of the new country.

It is said that "Multan" is the shorter version of the word "Malli-stan". The word "Stan" or "Sthan" in Sanskrit (ancient language of the Aryans) means place or land of. Thus, Mallistan or Multan means a place where Malli live.