07 August, 2005

History of Sindhu clan

Sandhu Clan is second largest in Punjab following Sidhu-Brars. Sandhus are settled on both sides of Sutlej. From the west of Ambala in East, Sandhus are spread upto Sialkot and hill areas of Gujjranwala.

Guru Nanak's associate Bhai Bala was a Sandhu Jatt. So was Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

Sandhu Jatts are of the opinion that they are from the lineage of King Ram Chander of Ayodhya- a Raghubansi dynasty. This clan has produced a great hero named Sandhu Rao.

Sir Lepel Griffin's opinion is that Sandhus came into Punjab from North-West Rajputana. Noted historian K.C. Yadav says most of the Jatt tribes came to Punjab in 11th century during the days of Mehmud Ghaznavi.
Sandhus too came at this time. H.E.Rose writes in his book that Sandhus have 84 branches. According to Sialkot Gazette 1883-84, there were five main branches of Sandhus. Sandhus have 22 villages in the area of Sirhali. This area is known as Bahia of Sandhus. Sandhus have 17 villages in the area of Bhakna. Sandhus had 12 villages in the area of Lahore. Raja Jang and Jodhu were prominent villages of Sandhus. Sandhus of Lahore were notorious. They were fighters and quarrelsome ones. After migrating to East Punjab they have completely merged with Malwai community.

In Malwa, along the Sutlej river and from Faridkot to Mukatsar, Sandhus have prominent villages of Saian Wala, Chughe Kalan, Vire Wala, Bhag Singh Wala, Marh, Sakka Wali, Kanian Wali and Khurhanj. Sandhus of Rukhala came from Sirhali. The village of Sandhuan in Faridkot was also founded by Sandhus but later occupied by Brars. There are many villages of Sandhus in Ludhiana. Some of Sandhus went further to Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur in Doaba.
Some of the Majhail Sandhus migrated to Bathinda and Mansa areas after repeated disturbances created of Moslel invaders. Presently Sandhsu are spread all over Punjab.

At the time of Mahabharat Jaidrath Sandhu ruled over Sindh. Durjodhan gave his sister Dushala in marrigae to Jaidrath to earn friendship of Sandhu Jatts. Sandhu Jatts also took part in the battle of Mahabharat.

Sandhu, Sindhu and Sindhar are the same Clan. Sandhus are also found among chamars and tarkhans. Those poor Sandhus who married into Dalit families subsequently merged with them. At places, slaves of Sandhus also adopted the Clan of their masters.

Sandhu Jatts are found in Moslem, Hindu as well as in Sikh communities.
Impressed by the principles of Gautam Buddha, Sandhus of Sindh converted to Buddhism. After Moslem invastions, these Sandhus further embraced, Islam, Sikhism or Hinduism.

Sandhu Jatts in joint Punjab numbered at 135732 in 1881 Census.

Among the 12 Sikh Misles, four belonged to Sandhus.

Former Prime Minister, late Charan Singh was a Sandhu Jatt.