Bangial

Bangyal, a tribe of Rajputs or Jats found principally in the Potohar region of Punjab. According to the Bangyals themselves, they are descended from Rajah Bangash Khan, a Panwar Rajput, who arrived in the Potohar region from central India, hence the name Bangash-al, shortened to Bangyal. This Bangash Khan is also seen as ancestor by the closely related Bangyal tribe. Like many of their neighbours such as the Kalyal, some groups of Bangyal consider themselves as Rajputs, while other see themselves as Jats. In Gujranwala, Gujrat and Jhelum districts of Punjab, and Mirpur district of Azad Kashmir, the Bangyal strongly identify themselves as Jat, and intermarry with tribes of Jat status, such as the Warriach and Tarar. But as we move towards Gujar Khan tehsils, almost all the Bangyal claim Rajput ancestry, so briefly we can summarize, that the Jhelum River divides these two groups.

Bangyal بنگیال
LocationPunjab, Azad Kashmir
Parent tribeRajputs, Jats
LanguageUrdu, Potohari, Saraiki
ReligionIslam, Hinduism, Sikhism


History and origins

The Bangial are closely related to the Baghial tribe. Their first ancestor to convert to the Islamic faith was a Bangash Khan, who is also seen as an ancestor by the Baghial tribe. They are of Panwar Rajput origin, as are the Baghial, Bhakral and Hon Rajputs, all four being found mainly in the Potohar region of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.[1]

Villages

Looking at major Bangyal villages in Rawalpindi District by tehsil:

Gujarkhan Tehsil:

  • Changa Bangyal (now actually a fair sized town)
  • Chehari Bangyal
  • Dhok Bangyal
  • Dhok Chaudrian
  • Khalabat
  • Pharwal Bangyal
  • Sandal Bangyal
  • Sangni
  • Wasla Bangyal

Rawalpindi Tehsil:

  • Bajnial
  • Bura Bangyal
  • Darihala Bangyal
  • Kala Bangyal
  • Marri Bangyal
  • Pind Dara

Kahuta Tehsil:

  • Maira Khurd
  • Suhot Bangyal

Kallar Syedan Tehsil:

  • Choa Khalsa
  • Dhok Bangyal
  • Nala Musalmanan
  • Pehr Hali
  • Sahib Dhamial
  • Sahote Bangyal

Outside Rawalpindi

In the neighbouring Islamabad Capital territory, they have two villages, namely Jhanga Bangyal and Bora Bangyal. Outside this core area, Bangyal are found in Mirpur District in Azad Kashmir, several villages near the town of Sohawa in Jhelum District, the village of Nambal near Kallar Kahar, Gora Bangyal in Attock District, and Bangyal in Gujrat District. In addition to Bangyal, they occupy a further 11 villages in Gujrat District. A small cluster of Bangyal villages, such Bangyal Abad are found near the town of Darya Khan in Bhakkar District.

References
  1. PUNJABI MUSALMANS Lt. Col. J.M. Wikeley Second Edition THE BOOK HOUSE page 70 https://archive.org/stream/punjabimusalmans00wikeuoft#page/70/mode/2up
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