Wattu

The Wattu (also spelled Wattoo) (Hindi: वतु, Urdu: وٹو) are a Muslim Rajput and Muslim Jats[1] tribe found in Punjab, Pakistan. The Wattu Rajputs of Satluj have later become Bodlas and now they deny their Rajput origin and claim a commonly admitted Qureshi origin.[2] They mostly inhabit the Depalpur district and Pakpattan district where they are mostly agriculturists and landowners.[3] Some menial tribes and groups are attached to the Wattoos, such as the Maneka and others.[4] Wattu caste has close relationship with Sukhera caste.

History

Historically, the Wattu/Wattoo were mostly Hindus, when some of their chiefs and leaders accepted Islam.[5] The Wattu had a rather ambiguous position, later, towards the British, and even actively resisted them until the final annexation of the Punjab in March 1849, following the Second Anglo-Sikh War.[6]

References

  1. Islam in India and Pakistan By Annemarie Schimmel p.52
  2. Kannupillai, Dr. V. (2007). Caste: Observation of I.C.S. Officers and Others Since 1881. Gautam Book Center. p. 31. ISBN 9788190558365. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  3. S M Jehangir 'A Study of the Punjab Rural Castes' pub Islamabad:PIHCR, 1988, pp. 104-106
  4. Punjab Gazetteer, 1921 ed-Vol IV
  5. Griffin and Massey 'Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab', Lahore, 1899
  6. Griffin and Massey, aa
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