Khokhar

Khokhar are a tribe native to the Pothohar Plateau of Pakistani Punjab. Khokhars are also found in Sindh and the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. The word "Khokhar" itself is of Persian origin and means "bloodthirsty". Khokhars predominantly follow Islam while some continue to follow Hinduism in India. Many Khokhars converted to Islam from Hinduism after coming under the influence of Baba Farid. Battle of Jhelum (1206) In 1204-1205, the Khokhars revolted under their leader and conquered and plundered Multan, Lahore and blocked the strategic roads between Punjab and Ghazni. According to Tarikh-i-Alfi, traders had to follow a longer route due to the depradations of the Khokhars, under Raisal, who used to plunder and harass the inhabitants in such a way that not a single soul could pass along it. As Aibek was not able to handle the rebellion himself, Muhammad of Ghor undertook many campaigns against the Khokhars and defeated them in his final battle fought on the bank of Jhelum and subsequently ordered a general massacre of their populace. While returning back to Ghazna, he was assassinated at Dhamiak located in the Salt Range in March 1206 by the Ismailis whom he persecuted during his reign. Some later acoounts attributed the assassination of Muhammad of Ghor to the Hindu Khokhars, however these later accounts are not corroborated by early Persian chroniclers who confirmed that his assassins were from the rival Ismāʿīlīyah sect of Shia Muslims. Dr. Habibullah, based on Ibn-i-Asir's statement, is of the opinion that the deed was of a joint Bātini and Khokar affair. According to Āg̲h̲ā Mahdī Ḥusain, the Khokhars too might be called Malahida in view of their recent conversion to Islam. During his final campaign, Muhammad also took many of the Khokars as prisoners who were later converted to Islam. During the same expedition, he also converted many other Khokhars and Buddhists who lived between Ghazna and Punjab. According to the Persian chroniclers "about three or four lakhs of infidels who wore the sacred thread were made Muslamans during this campaign".