Bhakkar
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Bhakkar (भक्कर) is a city and district in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Variants
- Bhakkhar (भक्खर), सिंध, पाकिस्तान, (AS, p.653)
- Apakara (अपकर) = Bhakkhar (भक्खर) (AS, p.25)
- Urdu: بھکر, Seraiki Bakhar : بکھر
- Bukkur (बुक्कुर)
Location
It lies on the left bank of the Indus river. Bukkur, Bakhar or Bhakkar is a historical city and an Island fort situated between Rohri and Sukkur in the Sindh province of Pakistan.[1][2] Bhakkar is also known as "Old Sukkur".[3]
Origin
Probably it gets name from Bhakar Jat clan.
Tahsils in the District
Jat Gotras
Click to see Jat Gotras in Bhakkar
Major tribes
The Kharotha Khel are a Pathan tribe living in Deli Namdar, Tehsil Kalurkot, Bhakkar District. The tribe is a subtribe of the Daulat Khel with established linkages that of Nawab of Issa Khel and Nawab of Tank, with land holdings in Bhakkar District. They settled here after the Third Battle of Panipat (1761). They also fought against the Sikhs at the 1821 siege of Mankera, with the Sadozai Nawab, of the area of Dera Ismail Khan. the khans families are mainly living in Klur kot that are basically Baluch khans. these khans basically belongs to Afghanistan but from 1300 and after it they shifted here. the famous satti saleem khan was the main tribe in bhakkar before and in british empire. the families of saleem khan are living in village of ratri.
Siraiki is the main language spoken by majority of the people in Bhakkar District. Other languages spoken are Punjabi, Urdu and Pushto. Main tribes of the District are Aheer, Zurkani Baloch , Cheena, Shahani Baloch, Niwani baloch, Nutkani baloch, Chaandia Baloch, Rajput, Sheikh, Ansari, Musti Khel, Chaddu, Niazi, Khanan Khel, Chadrar, Dhandala, Pathan Sumeen, Sandhila, Utra and Kahawar, Aura & Aulakh, Baleli (بلیلی), Malana (jatt), Junjh, Goraya, Joya, Chadram, Jhamat, Raan.
Mention by Panini
Apakara (अपकर) is a term mentioned by Panini in Ashtadhyayi. [4]
History
The origins of the name "Bakhar" remain uncertain. Historical texts such as the Tuhfat al-Kiram suggest that the town did not exist during the Dahir's era nor is its name mentioned in the early Muslim period. However, references to a place called "Baghrur Fort" are found in the Chach Nama, where it is noted that Muhammad bin Qasim encountered this fort during his strategic campaigns. This fort, situated on the opposite side of the Indus River and belonging to Raja Dahir, was administered from the capital city of Aror.[5]
Dr. Nabi Bakhsh suggests that the ancient name "Baghrur Fort" evolved into "Bakhar Fort," located on a mid-river island. Just as the capital city of Aror was named "City on the Rud" during the Sassanid Persia's political dominance, the town founded on the river was named "Baghrur," signifying a gift of the god "Bagh." It appears that during this period, the northern Deltaic Apex was situated northeast of Rohri-Sukkur, with a smaller channel passing through Aror and the main trunk-river flowing between Bakhar island and the hilly formation north of Sukkur city. The main course of the Indus separated the twin cities of Arur and Baghrur, hindering Muhammad bin Qasim's conquest of the Baghrur Fort.[6]
According to historical accounts, the origins of Bakhar fort are traced back to the Arab period. The Tarikh-e-Lubb-e-Sindh suggests that its construction date can be inferred from 'Bala Hisar,' indicating a construction period around 944-45 A.D. Some sources mention that during the reign of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, the fort underwent reconstruction and was renamed "Farishtah". However, Mirza Qaleech Baig claims that Farishtah was founded by Shaikh Abu Turab around 787 A.D. None of these claims are supported by contemporary historical evidence.[7]
According to the Tuhfat al Kiram, the place was named "Bakhar" instead of Farishtah by Sayyid Muhammad Al-Makki, who arrived in Sindh from Yemen around 1246-47 A.D. Legend has it that Sayyid Muhammad Makki, upon arriving at the place, exclaimed, "God has dawned our day in a blessed place," leading to the name Bakra or Baqar, which eventually evolved into Bakhar.[8]
In the 13th century, the historical reference Chach Nama was translated into Persian from Arabic by Ali al-Kufi at Bhakkar.[9]
In the 15th century, the Samma Jam Tughlaq Juna II quelled a Baloch rebellion in the vicinity of Bhakkar, punished its leaders, and appointed his brothers as Governors of Sehwan and Bhakkar to fortify the northern borders of his realm.[10]
The Samma Jam Nizamuddin II swiftly implemented measures upon ascending to the throne to counter the frequent invasions by Baloch tribes into Sindh. These tribes, known for their raids in northern Sindh, had been displacing Sindhi peasants from their lands. Jam Nizamuddin personally resided in Bhakkar for over a year, where he undertook punitive actions against the Baloch tribes. He bolstered the fortifications of Bhakkar, stocked it with provisions, and appointed his slave, Dilshad, to oversee the fort's defense, thereby securing the northern borders of his realm.[9]
After the fall of Samma Dynasty, the Arghun dynasty occupied Bhakkar. Shah Shuja Beg designated Sultan Mahmud Kokaltash, who was fifteen years old at the time, to serve as the administrator of Bhakkar.[11]
After the Arghun dynasty, the Mughal Empire occupied it.[12]
In the 17th century, Bhakkar was popular for its cotton manufacturing industry.[13]
In the 18th century, Mian Noor Mohammad Kalhoro of the Kalhora Dynasty took charge of Bhakkar.[14]
After the end of Kalhora rule, the Talpur dynasty took charge. Later, the British Raj acquired control of the island from the Talpurs through the treaty signed on 24 December 1838 A.D, renaming it Victoria. However, this new designation failed to gain widespread acceptance, and the island continues to be recognized by its native name.[15]
V. S. Agrawala
V. S. Agrawala[16] writes that Ashtadhyayi of Panini mentions janapada Apakara (अपकर) - Identified with Bhakkar in Mianwali district.
Bhakkar was founded probably towards the close of the fifteenth century by a body of colonists from Dera Ismail Khan. The Imperial Gazetteer of India described the town as follows:[17]
- "It stands on the edge of the Thal or sandy plain overlooking the low-lying alluvial lands along; the river, a channel of which is navigable as far as Bhakkar during the floods. To the west of the town the land is low, well cultivated, and subject to inundation, while to the east the country is high and dry, treeless, and sandy. A rich extent of land irrigated from wells lies below the town, protected by embankments from inundations of the Indus, and produces two or three crops in the year. The neighbouring riverain is full of date groves and fruit gardens; and in it stands a famous mango-tree, the fruit of which used to be sent to Kabul in the old days of Afghan rule."
भक्खर
विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[18] ने लेख किया है ...भक्खर, सिंध, पाकिस्तान, (p.653): यह छोटा सा प्राचीन कस्बा है जो मुसलमानों के शासनकाल में प्रसिद्ध था-- शिवाजी के राज कवि भूषण ने इसका उल्लेख किया है-- 'सक्खरलौं भक्खर लौं चले जाते टक्कर लिवैया कोई आर है न पार है'-- भूषण ग्रंथावली. फुटकर 37; 'भक्खर प्रबल दल भक्खर लौं दौरिकर आय साहिजू को नंद बांधी लेत बांकरी'-- भूषण ग्रंथावली, पृ.101. श्री वासुदेव शरण अग्रवाल के मत में पाणिनि अष्टाध्यायी 4,3,32 में भक्खर का 'अपकर' नाम से उल्लेख किया है.
अपकर
विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर[19] ने लेख किया है ...अपकर (AS, p.25): पाणिनि 4,3,32 में उल्लिखित यह स्थान सिंध नदी (पाकिस्तान) के तट पर स्थित भक्खर जान पड़ता है.
Notable persons
References
- ↑ Hasan, Shaikh Khurshid (2005). Historical forts in Pakistan. Islamabad, Pakistan: National Institute of Historical & Cultural Research. pp. 81–85. ISBN 969-415-069-8.p.81
- ↑ Khan, Mubarak Ali (2005). Essays on the History of Sindh. p. 127.
- ↑ Khan, Ansar Zahid (1980). History and Culture of Sind: A Study of Socioeconomic Organization and Institutions During the 16th and 17th Centuries. Royal Book Company. p. 260.
- ↑ V. S. Agrawala: India as Known to Panini, 1953, p.51
- ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 83.
- ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 84.
- ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 84.
- ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 84.
- ↑ Lari, Suhail Zaheer (1994). A History of Sindh. Oxford University Press. pp. 49, 74, 79, 101, 144. ISBN 0195775015.p.49
- ↑ Lari 1994, p. 74.
- ↑ Lari 1994, p. 101
- ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 83.
- ↑ Ali, Mubarak (1993). Sindh Observed: Selection from the Journal of Sindh Historical Society. Gautam Publishers. p. 8.
- ↑ Lari 1994, p. 144.
- ↑ Hasan 2005, p. 83
- ↑ V. S. Agrawala: India as Known to Panini, 1953, p.51
- ↑ Bhakkar Town - Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 8, p. 44
- ↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.653
- ↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.25
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