Gakhars and Dolphin (character): Difference between pages

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== The [[British Raj]] and the Gakhars 1894 ==

'''Dolphin''' is a [[fictional character]], a [[DC Comics]] [[superheroine]].

{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

The following is taken from the ''"Gazetteer of the Rawalpindi District 1893-94".''

image=[[Image:Dolphin_comics.jpg]]

|caption=Dolphin in her trademark outfit

|comic_color=background:#8080ff

|character_name=Dolphin

|real_name=Unknown

|publisher=[[DC Comics]]<BR>

|debut=Showcase #79

|creators=Jay Scott Pike

|alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0

|status=

|alliances=[[Tempest]]

|previous_alliances= Forgotten Heroes, [[Aquaman]]

|aliases=

|relatives=[[Tempest]], (husband) Cerdian (son)

|powers= artificially adapted for deep subaquatic life: underwater breathing, superhuman strength, resilience to deep water pressures

|}}

==[[Secret Origins]]==

"The Gakhars are by far the most interesting tribe and are essentially the gentlemen and aristocracy of the (Rawalpindi) district. From the point where the traditions of antiquity give place to the more authentic records of the historian, the history of the district becomes that of the Ghakkar tribe, who, brought into a prominent position at the time of the early Muhammadan in­vasions, maintained their rule over Rawalpindi and parts of the Hazara and Jhelum districts, more or less independent of the sovereign powers at Delhi and Agra, until annihilated at the beginning of the present century by the Sikhs."

Dolphin (real name unknown) was a very young girl when she fell overboard from a cruise ship ([[Secret Origins]] #50) only to be saved from drowning when a mysterious [[alien]] race abducted her to use as an experimental prototype for a subaquatic humanoid race. In the course of these experiments, she acquired gills, webbed fingers, superhuman strength, resilence to deep water pressures, and a slowed aging process.

When the alien scientists suddenly abandoned the experiment, Dolphin escaped their underwater lab. Oblivious to her former humanity, the [[feral]] young Dolphin scavenged underwater for her livlihood, finding her trademark short blue-jeans and white shirt in a sunken ship. She grew into young womanhood living an isolated, lonely life, until the day the crew of an [[oceanology]] vessel saved her from a near lethal encounter with a [[dolphin]]-killing [[shark]].

The crew of the ship tried to educate and care for the girl they'd dubbed "Dolphin", but her utter lack of contact with either humans or Atlanteans had left her [[mute]]. Though she grew to understand spoken language fairly quickly, the act of speech itself remained beyond her. Then, a young female [[doctor]] on the crew had the bright idea to instruct her in [[American Sign Language|sign language]]. Finally able to communicate, Dolphin explained what she could of herself and her story, and expressed her desire to resume her undersea life. At some point, Dolphin finally mastered spoken language, (especially when she started having contact with the superheroic community) but never lost her shyness and reluctance to speak. She has since been a woman of few words.

"According to the account given by themselves, the Ghakkars are of Persian origin, de­scendants from Sultfln Kaid, son of Gohar, or Kaigohar, a native of Kayan in Ispahán. This Sultan Kaid is said to have invaded and conquered Thibet and Badakhshdn, and to have there established a dynasty which ruled for seven or, as others say, ten generations. They then advanced upon Kashmir, and over­coming all opposition, established themselves there during several generations. At last an insurrection drove the reign­ing prince, named Rustam, from the throne. He perished, but his son, Kabil Shah, escaped and took refuge with Nascr-ud-dIn Sabaktagin, who was then reigning in Kabul, 787 A.D. Kabil left a son, Ghakkar Shah, who having with the remnant of his tiribe accompanied Mahmüd of Ghazni on one of his invasions of India, obtained leave to settle beyond the Judas."

==The Crisis Years==

"Such is the story told by the Ghakkars of their origin and entry into the country. It is, however, full of inconsistencies. It is certain that they overran Kashmcr in very early days, and traces of them are still to be found to the north and west of that country, but there is no proof whatever that they founded a dynasty there. The names attributed to their chiefs are in many instances Muhammadan, and this fact gives an air of great improbability to their story ; for the Ghakkars, according to Ferishta and other Muhammadan historians, were not con­verted until the 13th century. Nor are there any traces of an early Muhammadan dynasty in KashmIr, which was converted, or, if the Ghakkar traditions be true, reconverted, to the creed of Islam in 1327, during the reign of Shams-ud-dIn"

Dolphin has stayed mostly on the fringes of the superheroic community, although she was a member of the Forgotten Heroes until their dissolution, and fought alongside them during the ''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths]].''

==Meeting Aquaman==

"The Ghakkar legends, therefore, are probably to be rejected as fabulous, and it is not unlikely that, as General Cunningham supposes they have been located in the Punjab hills from the times prior to Alexander’s invasion. There is nothing at any rate to contradict this supposition, though certainly the reasons upon which the learned author’s theory is traced are some­what abstruse. That they occupied a somewhat important position in the second century of our era is probable; for there are reasons for supposing that Raja Hudi the great enemy and afterwards heir of Rasálu, Rdja of Siálkot, and hero of so many Punjab traditions, was a Ghakkar. He certainly was not of Aryan birth."

During the [[Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]] events, she met [[Aquaman]], and took part in the battle against [[Charybdis (DC Comics)|Charybdis]], a villain interested in the aquatic powers of the two heroes. When Charybdis, after robbing Aquaman of his [[telepathic]] powers, stuck Aquaman's hand in a pool of water teeming with [[piranha|piranhas]], the normally passive Dolphin was forced to shoot the madman. She then escorted Aquaman and a wounded [[Aqualad]] back to Atlantis for medical attention.

Afterwards, she became a supporting character in the Aquaman comic book, and soon won the affections of an Aquaman embittered by the loss of his hand. Over time, she came out of her shell, and displayed a more energetic and bubbly, though naive, personality.

"As regards the claims of the Gakhars to have come into India from outside, and to be of other than Indian origin, one or two points are worthy of notice.Old religious customs, obviously of Hindu origin, are still observed by the Gakhars, or were until within a very short period, such as customs at marriage of "Ldwa pherna" and “Khdri par baithdna,” and the Kdzi and the Brahman are both present on such occasions. Further, it is curious that their headmen always call themselves “Rajas,” and not by any other distinctively Muslim title. The name Gakhar too, seems to partake more of a Hindu than of a Persian or Arabic form."

In issue #25 of Aquaman volume 3 it was revealed that [[Kordax]], an evil [[merman]] ancestor of Aquaman's, had secretly set Dolphin free from the lab, and used mind control to prompt her to infiltrate the royal court and kill Aquaman as the agent of his revenge on the royal house of Atlantis. The strong-willed Dolphin broke free of his control, and her romantic involvment with the king of Atlantis grew into love.

Dolphin remained Aquaman's lover until [[Mera]], Aquaman's wife, returned from her exile in another dimension called the Netherworld. In the same period, Aqualad, now calling himself [[Aqualad|Tempest]], returned from several years of extradimensional [[magic]] studies with increased powers and confidence, winning Dolphin's heart with a kiss. Though initially taken aback, Aquaman blessed the relationship. Eventually, Dolphin became pregnant by Tempest, and the two were married in an Atlantean ceremony attended by Tempest's second family, the [[Titans (comics)|Titans]].

"It seems very doubtful indeed from whence the Gakhars came originally; but it is quite clear that for some considerable period, wherever they came from, they ruled over more or less of the whole tract between the Jhelum and the Indus, and however much their power has at any time been broken, or however depressed or even desperate their circumstances might be, they never abandoned their high claims, and always remained an important factor in troubled times, up to the days of the Sikhs."

==Starting a family life==

"In connectin with their claim to be of Persian origin, it is to be noted that some of the Gakhars are Shias, notably the Pharwála family. The Gakhars still bear many traces of their high descent in their bearing, and in the estimation in which they are held throughout the district. Though almost all in poor circumstances, they are as proud as ever of their name, and are emphatically the gentlemen of the (Rawalpindi) district. They make first rate soldiers, in the cavalry especially, and in general no recruits are more approved of than true Gakhars. They are not, however, good cultivators, and the higher their descent, the less inclined they are for hard work, whatever their circumstances may be."

Dolphin gave birth to a son, whom Aquaman named Cerdian (after Cerdia, a surface nation annexed by Atlantis). The weight of new familial responsibilities initially strained the relationship between Dolphin and Tempest. These tensions came to a head when Dolphin demanded Tempest choose between his duties as a hero and his duties as a father and husband. Tempest complied, and quit the Titans. When Aquaman was exiled for his role in the sinking of Atlantis, the family fell under suspicion as friends of the deposed king. The new sorcerous rulers deemed Dolphin and her family "collaborationists" and put them under house arrest. As of recent issues, this goverment has been overthrown, and Dolphin and her family live happily in a free Atlantis.

[[Category:DC Comics superheroes]]

"In this district there are six well known and important branches of Gakhars.

{{DC-Comics-stub}}

1. Admal; descended from Sultan Adam.

There are six chief families of this branch, i.e., the Admals of the villages of Pharwala, of Mándla, Chaneri, Kaniat, Mauiánda and Nára.

2. Sarangal; descended from Sultan Sarang.

The Saidpur family are the only well known representatives of this branch in this district. The chief families of this branch are to be found in Khanpur, in the Hazára district.

3. Firozál; said to be descended from Malik Firoz.

The chief family of this branch is to be found in Sang, tahsil Gujar Khan.

4. Bugial; said to be descended from Malik Buga.

The only family of this branch in Rawa1pindi resides in Shakarparián.

5. Hathiál; said to be descended from Sultan Háthi, but there are no well known chief men of this family anywhere.

6. Sikandrál; said to be descended from Malik Sikandar."

The chief man among the Gakhars in the Ráwalpindi district is Raja Karmdad Khan, of Pharwala Admal. This man is the head of all the Gakhars of the district, and is an Honorary Magistrate of the Bench in the town of Ráwalpjndi. The Amdals of Pharwala, though much reduced in circumstances, are very much looked up to by all. The Admals of Pharwala are always called Rája, the other Admáls are always spoken of as Mirza."

"The Gakhars who were much opressed by the Sikhs have only recovered a few of their old villages; their dispossession having been too complete, and their connection with the villages claimed too slight to allow of their restitution. The Gakhars have been entered as proprietors of 27 villages in tahsil Rdwalpindi, 11 in tahsil Kahuta, and 24 in Gujar Khan; in all 62."

"The Gakhars, as noted above, rank unquestionably first in the social scale, and are extremely proud of their ancestry the Adwál Galihars of Pharwdia form the pinnacles of the social pyramid. The Admáls, and some of the proudest of the other branches, will only give their daughters to a Saiad, or to one of their own tribe, and the men too always endeavour to marry Gakhar girls. The other branches are not quite so particular, and will occasionally intermarry with other tribes who are “Sahüs” The daughters are kept in great seclusion, and the remarriage of widows is not permitted."

"The Admál and Sarangal Gakhars are very bad agriculturists, but some of the other less distinguished branches are adapting themselves better to their circumstances, especially in tahsil Gujar Khan. Although crushed by the Sikhs, and as far as all their chief families of highest deseont are concerned, overwhelmed with debt and in great pecuniary embarrassment, they are very much looked up to by all the tribes of the district, and must be counted upon always to take a leading part."

== Earliest History of the Gakhars ==

The [[Gakhars]] ( [[Gakkhars]]) have been suggested, by the great British archaeologist Sir [[Alexander Cunningham]] to have been what is now refered to as [[Indo-Sassanians]] in origin. The [[Indo-Sassanians]] are a branch of the [[Sassanians]] who established their rule in the northwestern Indian subcontinent during the 3rd and the 4th century CE, and later between the 6th and 10th century. The [[Sassanians]], shortly after their victory over the [[Parthians]], extended their dominion into [[Bactria]] around 230 CE during the reign of [[Ardashir I]], and then into [[Kushan]] territory (what is today [[Pakistan]] and northwestern [[India]]) during the reign of his son [[Shapur I]] (240-270 CE).The declining [[Kushans]] lost the western part of their territory to them, and [[Bactria]] and [[Gandhara]] came under the rule of [[Sassanian]] nobles named [[Kushanshahs]]. Their decline also lead to the rise to power of an indigenous [[Indian]] dynasty, the [[Guptas]], in the 4th century. Around 325 CE, [[Shapur II]] was directly in charge of the southern part of the territory, while in the north the [[Kushanshahs]] maintained their rule until the rise of the [[Kidarites]]. It seems that the tribal republics of the northwestern Indian subcontinent were a buffer zone between the [[Guptas]] and the still-powerful [[Kushans]] and [[Sassanians]]. However, the [[Gupta]] name does appear around AD 320 on a coin issued by the [[Gakhars]]. The [[Gakhars]] were then most powerful tribe of northwestern Indian subcontinent.

From 410 CE, [[Bactria]] and then [[Gandhara]] was invaded by the [[Hephthalites]] (who became known as the [[Indo-Hephthalites]]), thus replacing the [[Indo-Sassanians]] temporarily. The [[Hephthalites]] ruled until they were defeated around 565 CE by a coalition of [[Sasanians]] and Western [[Turks]], who were able to reassert some [[Indo-Sassanian]] authority in northwestern India until the 10th century.

According to [[Ferishta]], ''“In 682 AD. some disputes arising between the [[Gakhars]] and the [[Raja]] of [[Lahore]], caused this race formed a treaty of alliance... with the [[Afghans]], who compelled the [[Raja]] of [[Lahore]] to submit to terms from the [[Gakhars]], to whom he could otherwise himself have dictated conditions. This treaty included the cession of certain territories in perpetuity to the [[Gakhars]]”.''

== Mahmud of Ghazni and the Gakhars ==

The initial [[Shahi]] dynasty were descendants of the [[Indo-Sassanians]] and [[Indo-Hephthalites]] and ruled portions of eastern [[Afghanistan]], northern [[Pakistan]], and northwestern [[India]]. The last king of this line, [[Lagatorman]] was arrested and replaced by the Commander in Chief of the Shahi army, a Brahmin named Lalliya. His descendants then ruled until the last Shahi Bhim Dev was replaced by Jayapala (son of Asatapala) and his dynasty until the last Shahi Tirlochanpala. The Hindu Shahi's assumed power from the mid-ninth century to the early eleventh century but was destroyed by [[Sabuktigin]], founder of the [[Ghaznavid Empire]], and his son [[Mahmud of Ghazni]]. The [[Gakhars]] were also caught up in these wars.

According to [[Ferishta]], ''"[[Mahmud of Ghazni]] having thus settled his affairs in [[India]], returned, in the autumn, to [[Ghazni]]; where he remained during the winter. In the spring of the year A.H. 399 (A.D. 1008), he determined again to attack Anandpal, [[Raja]] of [[Lahore]], for having lent his aid to Dawood, during the late defection in [[Multan]]. Anandpal, hearing of his intentions, sent ambassadors on all sides, inviting the assistance of the other princes of [[Hindustan]], who now con-sidered the expulsion of the [[Muslims]] from [[India]] as a sacred duty. Accordingly, the [[rajas]] of Oojein, Gualiar, Kalunjur, Kunowj, [[Dehli]], and Ajmeer, entered into a confederacy, and collecting their forces advanced towards [[Punjab]] with the greatest army that had yet taken the field.

''The [[Indians]] and [[Muslims]] arrived in sight of each other on a plain on the confines of the province of [[Peshawar]], where they remained encamped forty days without coming into action. The troops of the idolaters daily increased in number. The [[Hindu]] females, on this occasion, sold their jewels, and melted down their golden ornaments (which they sent from distant parts), to furnish resources for the war; and the [[Gakhars]], and other warlike tribes joining the army, surrounded the [[Muslims]], who were obliged to entrench their camp.''

''[[Mahmud of Ghazni]], having thus secured himself, ordered six thousand archers to the front to endeavour to provoke the enemy to attack his entrenchments. The archers were opposed by the [[Gakhars]], who, inspite of the King’s efforts and presence, repulsed his light troops, and followed them so closely, that no less than 30,000 [[Gakhars]] with their heads and feet bare, and armed with various weapons, penetrated into the [[Muslims]] lines, where a dreadful carnage ensued, and 5000 [[Muslims]] in a few minutes were slain. The enemy were at length checked, and being cut off as fast as they advanced, the attacks became fainter and fainter, till, on a sudden, the elephant, upon which the prince who commanded the Hindus rode, becoming unruly from the effects of the [[naphtha]] balls, and the flights of arrows, turned and fled. This circumstance produced a panic among the [[Hindus]], who, seeing themselves deserted by their general, gave way and fled also. Abdoolla Taee, with six thousand Arabs and horse, and Arslari Jazib, with 10,000 [[Turks]], [[Afghans]], and Khiljies, pursued the enemy day and night, so that 20,000 [[Hindus]] were killed in the retreat. Of the spoil, 30 elephants (besides other booty) were brought to the King."''''

The [[Ghaznavid Empire]] itself ended in 1149 with the capture of [[Ghazna]] or [[Ghazni]] by [[Muhammad of Ghor]] or [[Muhammad Ghori]]. [[Ghaznavid]] power in northern [[India]] continued until the conquest of [[Lahore]] in 1187.

== Muhammad of Ghor and the Gakhars==

According to [[Ferishta]], ''"During the residence of [[Muhammad Ghori]] at [[Lahore]], on this occasion, the [[Gakhars]], who inhabited the country along the banks of the Nilab, up to the foot of the mountains of Sewalik, exercised unheard of cruelties on the [[Muslims]], and cut off the communication between the provinces of [[Peshawar]] and [[Multan]] These [[Gakhars]] were a race of wild barbarians, without either religion or morality. It was a custom among them as soon as a female child was born to carry her to the door of the house, and there proclaim aloud, holding the child in one hand, and a knife in the other, that any person who wanted a wife might now take her, otherwise she was immediately put to death. By this means, they had more men than women, which occasioned the custom of several husbands to one wife. When this wife was visited by one of her husbands, she left a mark at the door, which being observed by any of the other husbands, he withdrew till the signal was taken away.

''This barbarous people continued to make incursions on the [[Muslims]] till, in the latter end of this King’s reign, their chieftain was converted to the true faith when a captive. After becoming a proselyte he procured his release from the King, who endeavoured to persuade him to convert his followers, and at the same time honoured him with a title and dress, and confirmed him in the title of chief of the mountains. A great part of these mountaineers, having very little notion of any religion, were easily induced to adopt the tenets of the true faith, at the same time most of the infidels who inhabited the mountains between [[Ghazna]] and the [[Indus]] were also converted, some by force and others by persuasion; and at the present day, being 1018 of the [[Hijra]] (AD 1609), they continue to profess the faith of [[Islam]].''

''On the second of Shaban A.H. 602 (March 14, A.D. 1206), having reached the village of Rohtuk, on the banks of the [[Indus]], 20 [[Gakhars]], who had lost some of their relations in the late wars, entered into a conspiracy against the King’s life, and sought an opportunity to carry their horrid purpose into effect. The weather being sultry, [[Muhammad Ghori]] had ordered the screens, which surround the royal tents in the form of a large square, to be struck, in order to give free admission to the air. This afforded the assassins an opportunity of seeing into the sleeping apartments. They found their way up to the tents in the night, and hid themselves, while one of them advanced to the tent door, but being stopped by a sentry who was about to seize him, he plunged his dagger into his breast. The cries of the dying man roused the guard, who running out to see what was the matter, the other assassins took that opportunity of cutting their way into the King’s tent. He was asleep, with two slaves fanning him. These stood petrified with terror, when they beheld the [[Gakhars]] enter, who, without hesitation, sheathed their daggers in the King’s body, which was afterwards found to have been pierced by no fewer than 22 wounds. Thus fell [[Sultan]] [[Muhammad Ghori]], in the year 602 (AD 1206), after a reign of 32 years from the commencement of his government over [[Ghazna]], and three from his accession to the throne {of [[Dehli]]}."''''''

''However the Rawalpindi Gazetter of 1894 states that "Rája Jahán Dad Khan, present head of thhe Khanpur Gakhars of Khanpur, traverses this account of the origin of his clan. He states that the account of the Gakhars from Ferishta does not apply at all to them, but was really an account of a tribe called Khokar, not Gakhar. These Khokars occupied a tract in the Salt Range, where the Gakhars never were. These Khokars practised polyandry, but the Gakhars never did. Raja Jahán Dad is also clear that Gakhar should be written thus; Ferishta has it Ghakar which, it is said; is simply a mistake for Khokar. It is also stated that it was the Khokars who were defeated by Shaháb-ud-d~n Ghori and a band of whom afterwards murdered that chief, and this is the account given in H. M. Elliot’s Biographical Index, in which he says that the assassination was accomplished “by some Khokars,” page 301. In the “Tabakat Akbari,” by Wazir Nizam-ud-din Ahmad, Nerari, written in 1623, and quoted by Ferishta, who wrote in 1637, the events quoted above are clearly stated to have occurred to the Khokar tribe. This is also supported by the account given in the Tabakat-i-Nasiri, published in 1864 by Captain Lee.''

''As to their origin, it is stated that they descended from Ijaab Jord, a Persian king, and were driven out on his defeat and death and went to China, where Ferozshah, their leader, took service with his followers as a sort of guard to the Emperor. Thence they went to Thibet, and in the beginning of the 7th century they became Musalmans. Later they came to India with Mahmud of Ghazni. Kaigohar was the leader who came with Mahmud of Ghazni, and from whom the name of Gakhar is derived; Malik Khad and his son Gula came again in the middle of the 15th century, conquered a part of the country north of the Jhelum and founded Guliana in the Gujar Khan tahsil. After this period the history of the clan is fairly well known. The present heads of the Gakhar clan are indignant at having been confused with the Khokars."''

== The Early Delhi Sultanate and the Gakhars==

For the next three hundred years the [[Gakhars]] were in a state of constant war with the successors of [[Muhammad Ghori]] the [[Delhi Sultanate]]. Alliances were made with [[Mingburnu]], the [[sultan]] of the [[Khwarezmid Empire]] in his futile battles against the [[Mongols]] of [[Genghis Khan]] culminating in the [[Battle of Indus]]. The [[Delhi Sultanate]] came under constant attack by the [[Mongols]] of [[Genghis Khan]] who the [[Gakhars]] had then allied themselves with.

According to [[Ferishta]], ''"Meanwhile news had arrived that the [[Mongols]] of [[Genghis Khan]] had invaded [[Lahore]], on Monday the 16th of Jumad-ool-Akhir, in the year AH 639 (November 22, AD 1241); that Mullik Kurragooz, the Viceroy, finding his troops mutinous, had been obliged to fly in the night, and was on his way to [[Delhi]], and that [[Lahore]] was plundered by the enemy and many of the inhabitants carried away as prisoners... In the month of Rujab, A.H. 644 (July, A.D. 1247), the King (Nasir-ood-deen Mahmood) took the field, and marched towards [[Multan]]. The army encamped for sometime upon the banks of the Sodra, from whence the [[Vizier]] proceeded towards the mountains of Jud, and the provinces on the [[Indus]]. These countries were reduced, and the King took re-venge on the [[Gakhurs]] for their continual incursions, and for having led the [[Monguls]] through their country into [[Hindustan]]. Deeming these offences too great to be pardoned, he carried several thousand [[Gakhars]] of all ages, and of each sex, into captivity ... In (the reign of Mohomed Toghluk) the year A.H. 743 (A.D. 1342), Mullik Heidur, a chief of [[Gakhars]], invaded Punjab, and slew Tartar Khan, the viceroy of Lahore, in action. To reduce this enemy, Khwaja Jehan was sent into that quarter... he (Nasir-ood-deen Mahomed Toghluk II) returned to Mahomedabad, in the month of Rubbee-oos-Sany, of the year AH 796 (February, AD 1394), and sent his son Hoomayoon to crush Sheikha Gukkur, who had rebelled and occupied [[Lahore]]... (in the reign of Mahmood Toghluk, AH 796, AD 1394) Sarung Khan, governor of Depalpore, collected the troops of the province of Multan, and the north-west divisions of the state, and advanced against the [[Gakhars]], who waited for him at Ajoodhun, about 24 miles from [[Lahore]]. A battle ensued, and the [[Gakhars]] being defeated, their chief, Sheikha, took refuge among the mountains of Jummoo "''

This constant warfare was against the background of other, worldwide, disasters. A so-called "[[Little Ice Age]]" had begun at the end of the thirteenth century. The disastrous weather reached a peak in the first half of the fourteenth century with devastating results worldwide. The [[Black Death]] (more recently known as the [[Black Plague]]) was a devastating worldwide pandemic that first struck in the mid-14th century.

== Timur and Sheikha Gakhar ==

But worse was to come. The Mongol conqueror, [[Timur]] (1370–1405), ruler of the [[Timurid Empire]] in [[Central Asia]], and founder of the [[Timurid dynasty]], which survived until 1506. Known for his daring military adventures, audacious campaigns and aggressive expansions, [[Timur]] was also responsible for bloodthirsty massacres of civilians and the plundering of whole nations. In 1398, when [[Timur]] was more than sixty years of age, [[Ferishta]] tells us that,'' "informed of the commotions and civil wars of [[India]],"'' he ''"began his expedition into that country,"'' and on the September 12, 1398 ''"arrived on the banks of the Indus."''

The [[Indus]] River was crossed on a bridge of boats, and the [[Punjab]] was laid waste. Many men, women and children were herded along as [[slaves]], while others fled for their lives. [[Timur]] proceeded to [[Multan]] whose govener, Khizr Khan, switched allengence to [[Timur]]. The [[Timurid]] army now marched towards [[Delhi]] via [[Pakpattan]]. Halfway between [[Multan]] and [[Delhi]], the fortified town of [[Bhatnair]] attempted to resist the invaders. Ten thousand were massacared before the town was plundered and burned. And even greater slaughter occurred near [[Delhi]] when [[Timur]] decided that the slaves were so numerous that they presented a danger. He ordered all slaves to be killed, and it is said that as many as one hundred thousand people lost their lives within a few hours.

According to [[Ferishta]], ''"He (Timur) therefore marched, on the following day, to a town called Shahnowaz, where finding more grain than sufficient for his whole army, he caused what could not be carried away to be burnt. At this place, the brother of (Sheikha) the chief of the [[Gakhars]], who had attempted to defend the place with 2000 men, lost his life. Jusrut, the brother of Sheikha Gukkur, who had fled after being defeated by [[Timur]], had been reproved by his brother for opposing the [[Monguls]], which being represented to [[Timur]], Sheikha was admitted to his presence, and became a favourite. But when [[Timur]] marched on to [[Delhi]], Sheikha took advantage of his absence, and got possession of [[Lahore]], and when the King reached Jummoo, he refused to submit to his authority. [[Amir]] [[Timur]] accordingly detached part of his army to besiege [[Lahore]], which was taken in a few days (A.H. 801, A.D. 1397)."''

Outside the walls of [[Delhi]], Mahmud, the last Tughluq Sultan, attempted to defend his capital. He used war elephants, fire throwing implements ( see [[greek fire]]) and rockets tripped with iron which burst when they hit the ground. But Mahmud Tughluq soon fled and [[Delhi]] opened its gates to the conqueror. Timur mounted the throne of [[Delhi]], accepted the homage of the governors and courtiers, and had his name read in the Friday prayers. He then ordered a great celebration, but the [[Timurid]] troops were already plundering the city while its citizens tried vainly to protect their families and homes. In the course of the struggle [[Delhi]] was practically destroyed. Many of those who were not slaughtered were enslaved. Private soldiers took possession of as many as one hundred and fifty [[slaves]] each while officers claimed thousands. It took more than a century for [[Delhi]] to recover from [[Timur]]’s invasion. [[Timur]]’s army continued to slaughter and plunder until it reached the [[Ganges]] River. There, the increasingly hot weather pursuaded them to turn back towards the [[Indus]]. The slaves, cattle and wagon loads of loot were countless. Private soldiers drove herds of four to five hundred head of cattle. Among the captives were the [[Gakhar]] chief Shaikha and his son Jasrat. [[Timur]] returned to [[Samarkand]], leaving the former governor of Multan, Khizr Khan, to rule the Punjab and upper Sind as his deputy.

== The Later Delhi Sutanate and Jasrat Gakhar ==

The defeated Tughluq Sultan now returned to rule what little remained of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] but, in the confusion following [[Timur]]’s invasion, the Sultanate continued to fall apart. At [[Timur]]’s death in 1405 AD. Jasrat [[Gakhar]] regained his freedom, returned to the [[Punjab]] and reestablished the [[Gakhar]] state. After a four year struggle among the descendants, [[Timur]]’s youngest son Shah Rukh gained control over the core of the [[Timurid]] Empire. including the North West Frontier Provence ([[NWFP]]) area.

After Mahmud Tughluq’s death in AD 1413, the nobles chose an [[Afghan]] chief, Daulat Khan Lodi, as the new [[Delhi]] [[Sultan]]. But Khizr Khan defeated him, occupied [[Delhi]] and proclaimed himself [[Sultan]]. Khizr Khan claimed to be descendant of the Holy Prophet. Therefore, he and his three sucessors were known as the [[Sayyid]] dynasty.

Under the Sayyids. the power of [[Delhi]] continued to dwindle. The present [[NWFP]] area, west of the [[Indus]], remained under the [[Timurids]] and was ruled from [[Kabul]]. Khizr Khan’s son, Mubarak Shah, spent much of his reign trying to defend [[Delhi]] against the [[Gakhar]] ruler Jasrat who was growing stronger. Around AD 1420. Jasrat is said to have defeated the army of [[Kashmir]] and participated in the selection of the new Kashmir ruler, the great [[Zain-ul-Abidin]] (AD 1420-70), who was a patron of literature, music and art. ([[Islam]] had been introduced into [[Kashmir]] from [[Swat]] in the early fourteenth century and [[Kashmir]] had been ruled by [[Muslims]] since the middle of that century.) The [[Gakhars]] were never successful in conquering [[Delhi]], but they were never subdued. This second [[Sayyid]] ruler also had to defend [[Multan]] against the [[Timurid]] governor of [[Kabul]]. [[Multan]] was attacked by the [[Timurids]] in AD 1429. A great battle raged in the suburbs at the place where Eid prayers are now held. At the crucial moment, reinforcements arrived from [[Delhi]], and the scales were turned against the [[Timurids]] who then fled the area.

During the reign of the third [[Sayyid]] ruler, [[Multan]] became independent of [[Delhi]]. The [[Punjab]] governor at this time was Bahlul Lodhi, He was able to establish his authority in eastern and central [[Punjab]] and thus became as powerful as the [[Sayyid]] [[Sultan]]. But he was unsuccessful in his attempt to subdue [[Multan]]. Northwest [[Punjab]] remained under the [[Gakhars]]. The [[Gakhar]] chief Jhanda Khan is reputed to have refounded the ruined and long abandoned city of [[Rawalpindi]] in AD 1493.

== The Emperor Babur and Hati Gakhar ==

Zahir-ud-din Mohammad [[Babur]] of [[Kabul]], a descendant of the [[Mongol]] conqueror [[Timur]] made several incursions into [[India]] before finally overthrowing Sultan [[Ibrahim Lodi]] with his 12,000-man army equiped with [[Cannon]] against [[Ibrahim Lodi]]s 100,000 soldiers and 100 elephants at the [[First battle of Panipat]], April 21, 1526.

In 1519 during one of these incursions Bahur decided to make a surprise attack on the Gakhar stronghold of Pharwala Fort near [[Rawalpindi]]. Pharwala Fort is the first-ever Islamic fort in the history of the subcontinent. It covers about 175 acres of area. It is situated 6 km north of Eleot, which is on the Rawalpindi-Kahuta Road. Inside there are six gates to this fort; Elephant Gate for the entrance of elephants, Lashkari Gate for soldiers, Begum Gate for the women, Garden Gate, Fort Gate for commoners and Ziarat Gate. Besides the Ghakhar Family, the fort housed 50 elephants, 200 horses and 500 army men.

According to [[Babur]], ''Aside from the the peope of Jud and Janjua there were the [[Jats]], [[Gujars]], and many other peoples living in the mountains between the Nilab and Bhera ([[Jhelum]]), which are connected to the mountains of [[Kashmir]]. Their rulers and chieftains belong to the [[Gakhar]] clan whose chieftainship is like that of the Jud and Janjua. At that time (1519), the chieftains of the peoples on the mountainsides were two cousins, Tatar [[Gakhar]] and Hati [[Gakhar]]. Their strongholds were the ravines and cliffs. Tatar's seat was Pharwala, which is way below the snow-covered mountains. Hati, whose territory was adjacent to the mountains, had gain dominance over Kalinjar, which belonged to Babu Khan of Bisut. Tatar [[Gakhar]] had seen Dawlat Khan and owed him total allegiance; Hati, however, had not seen him and maintained a rebellious attitude towards him. With the advice and agreement of the [[Hindustan]] begs, Tatar had gone and camped at a distance as though to lay siege to Hati. While we were in Bhera, Hati seized upon some pretext to make a suprise attack on Tatar, kill him, and lay hands on his territiory, his wives, and everything he had."

Babur goes on to say, ''"Having somehow consolidated the territory with hopes of peace, we moved out of Bhera on Sunday the eleventh of Rabi’ I [March 13] to re­turn to Kabul. We made it to Kalda Kahar and camped. That day there was an unbelievable rainstorm. With cloaks or without, it made no dif­ference. The tail end of the camp kept coming until late that night.''

''Those who knew the lay of the land hereabouts, especially the Jan­jua, who were old enemies of the Gakhar, reported that Hati Gakhar had recently turned outlaw. He was engaging in highway robbery and bringing ruination upon the people. It was necessary to do something to drive him from the area or else to teach him a good lesson. In agree­ment with them, the next morning we assigned Khwaja Mirmiran and Mirim Nasir to the camp and left the camp at midmorning to ride to Pharwala against Hati Gakhar, who had killed Tatar a few days before and taken over Pharwala, [230] as has been mentioned.32 We stopped in the late afternoon, fed the horses, and rode off by night. Our guide was a servant of Malik Hast’s, Surpa by name. We cleared the road and stopped near dawn. Beg Muhammad Moghul was sent back to camp. As it was becoming light we mounted, and at midmorning we put on our armor and charged. With one league left to go we could see the outline of Pharwala. Off we galloped. The right wing went to the east of Pharwala. Qoch Beg, who was with the right wing, was sent to rein­force its rear. The men of the left wing and center were pouring down on Pharwala. Dost Beg was directed to support the rear of the left wing, which was also attacking.''

''Pharwala, situated among ravines, has two roads. The one to the southeast—the road by which we were traveling—is atop the ravines and is surrounded by ravines and gullies on both sides. Half a kos from Pharwala the road becomes such that in four or five places before reaching the gate the ravines are so precipitous that it is necessary to ride single file the distance of an arrow shot. The other road to Pharwala is to the northwest and leads through a wide valley. It too is precarious, and there is no other road on any side. Although it has no ramparts or battlements, there is no place to bring force to bear either. All around are ravines seven, eight, or ten yards straight down.'' [230b]

''The men farthest forward in the left wing passed through the nar­rows and gathered at the gate. Hati drove back the attackers with thirty to forty armed horsemen and many foot soldiers. When Dost Beg, who was reinforcing the rear of the attackers, arrived, he brought a lot of force to bear, unhorsed many men, and defeated the foe. Hati Gakhar was renowned in those parts for his valor, but regardless of how well he fought he could not maintain his stand and was forced to retreat. He was unable to hold the narrows, and when he made it to the fortress he could not make it fast either. The attackers poured into the fortress be­hind him and ran through it to the narrow ravine on the northwest, but Hati got out and fled unencumbered. Here Dost Beg performed a good action and received the fiuldu. Meanwhile I entered the fortress and dismounted at Tatar’s quarters. Some of those who had been assigned to stay with me while the attack was launched had nevertheless gone on to join the fray. Among them were Amin-Muhammad Tarkhan Arghun and Qaracha, who for their disobedience were attached to the Gujar guide Surpa and sent into the wilderness without their cloaks to meet the camp. The next morning we got across the northwest ravine and camped in a grain field. Wali KhizanachI was assigned a few valiant warriors and sent to meet the camp.''''''

''On Thursday the fifteenth [March 1 7] we marched out and stopped at Anderana on the banks of the Sohan. [231] Long ago the Anderana fortress had belonged to Malik Hast’s father, but after Hati [[Gakhar]] killed Hast’s father it fell to ruins, which was its condition when we found it. That night the part of the camp that had been detached at Kalda Kahar arrived and joined us. After Hati took Tatar he sent his relative Parbat to me with a mail ([[chainmail]]) clad horse and gifts. Before catching up with me Parbart encountered the men of the camp who had stayed behind and came along with the uruq to present his gifts and pay homage. Langar Khan also came with the uruq on several matters of business, and when finished, he and some local people were given leave to depart for Bhera. Marching on and crossing the Sohan, we stopped on a hill. Parbat was given a robe of honor, and Muhammad-Ali Jang-Jang’s servant was sent to Hati with letters of appeasement.''

Babur in turn recognized [[Gakhar]] rule over the [[Potwar Plateau]]. From this time onwards, the [[Gakhars]] were staunch supporters of [[Mughal]] rule.

== Sher Shah Suri and Sultan Sarang Khan ==

After pursuing [[Humayun]] as far as Panjnad, [[Sher Shah Suri]] returned to Khushab which he made his temporary headquarters. From here, he sent an emissary to Sultan Sarang Khan the chief of the [[Gakhars]], demanding his submission, but the reply was insulting. [[Sher Shah Suri]] then distributed territories to those chiefs who did submit to him, including thousands of [[Afghan]] tribesmen who had entered the area under the [[Lodis]] or with [[Babur]], and the three Baloch chiefs: lsmael Khan. Fateh Khan and Ghazi Khan, the founders of the towns which still bear their names in the Derajat.

The [[Gakkar]] territory around [[Nandana]] was bestowed on Isninel Khan. [[Rotas]] [[fort]] was built in 1541-43 by [[Sher Shah Suri]] to crush the [[Gakhars]], who remained loyal to [[Humayun]]. The walls of the Rohtas Fort measure up to 12.5 meters in thickness and up to 18.28 meters in height. They extend for 4 km and feature 68 semi-circular [[bastions]]. Its sandstone gates, both massive and ornate, are thought to have exerted a profound influence on later [[Mughal]] military architecture. Then [[Sher Shah Suri]] marched against the [[Gakhars]]. A pitched battle was fought at the [[Gakhar]] Fort of Rewat near[[Rawalpindi]]. The [[Gakhar]] chief Sultan Sarang Khan and most of his many sons lost their lives in this battle. One of his sons was taken hostage and his daughter was forcibly married to one of [[Sher Shah Suri]]s generals.

After [[Sher Shah Suri]] had marched eastwards to deal with a rebellion in Bengal, the [[Gakhar]] chief’s younger brother and successor had a [[mosque]] built at the chief’s [[tomb]] inside Rewat Fort.

==Reference==

*''Gazetteer of the [[Rawalpindi]] District 1893-94'', [[Punjab]] Government, 2001 Sang-e-Meel Publications, [[Lahore]].

*''The [[Baburnama]]: memoirs of Babur, prince and emperor'', Zahir-ud-din Mohammad Babur, Translated, edited and annotated by Wheeler M. Thackston. 2002 Modern Library Paperback Edition, New York.

*''The History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India Till The Year A.D. 1612'', Muhammad Kasim ([[Ferishta]]), Translated, edited and annotated by General J. Briggs. Reprinted 1981, Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, New Delhi, 4 vols.