Pundir
| Pundirs | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Rajput - Kshatriya |
| Religions | Hinduism and Sikhism |
| Languages | Hindi, Punjabi, Garhwali, Kumaoni and Awadhi |
| Populated states | Punjab region, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh |
| Subdivisions | Punjabi, Himachali, Garhwali and Awadhi |
The most powerful military vassals of the Chauhan Empire of Delhi, the Pundir (also Pundeer, Purir or Pundhir) are a Suryavanshi branch of the Ancient Dhama, one of the thirty six royal clans; their Shakha is Kooliwal/Koolwal. Their Kuldevi is Dhadimati Mata and Gotra is Pulastya. Most of the Pundirs are today based mainly around the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana. Elliot writes that Uttar Pradesh (Hardwar region), where they are most prominent today, has over 1,440 villages claimed by Pundir Rajputs. The Pundirs of Uttar Pradesh are concentrated heavily in the districts of Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar and Etawah.
History
Lt. Col. James Tod of the British Army describes the Pundirs as:
A fine hardy race who at former times were much given to helping themselves from the property of their neighbours. Confident in their power of combination, the Pundirs used to resist the Police and Revenue Authorities by open force. Notorious cattle lifters the Pundirs are equally distinguished by their pride.
One such instance of pride was exhibited during the Famine of 1860-1861, when they preferred to die in their homes rather than accept relief.
- Pundirs in the Punjab: Ibbetson states that the original seats of the Pundirs (Pandirs) were in Thanesar, Nardak, Karnal, Kurukshetra and Ambala which are areas in the present day Indian state of Haryana. The local capitals were situated in Pundri near Fatehpur, Pundrak, Ramba and Habri. The Punjab Pundirs were driven out by the Chauhans under Rana Har Rai, and for the most part took up defensive lines east of the river Yamuna. Rana Har Rai had been bathing in the Ganges and on his return through the Kurukshetra route fell in a quarrel with the Pundirs. The Rana was only able to subdue the Pundirs with additional aid from his uncles, before which there was no progress that could be made against Pundir forces. Under Prithvi Raj Chauhan, the Pundirs were given command of the Lahore frontier. Some prominent Pundirs in the Chauhan Empire were Kaunas, minister at the Chauhan court, and his brother Chand Rai (Persian: Khandae Rai), who was the general in the last battle between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad of Ghor. Their youngest brother was the commander of the Chauhan frontier forces at Lahore.
- Pundirs in the Doab: Ibbetson writes that the Doab Pundirs in Uttar Pradesh, of the area between the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, ruled up to Haridwar. In the nineteenth century, they established their rule under the leadership of Raja Damar Singh Pundir of Gambhira in district Aligarh and based themselves at Bijaygarh (named after Damar Singh's brother). Legend has it that Jalalabad in Muzaffarnagar was once called Manhar Kheda in the name of Thakur Manhar Singh Pundir, the then ruler of that region. Pundirs, while constructing a road for Shakumbri Devi picked a fight with Aurangzeb and after initial victories, lost due to treachery by Balochi (Muslim) tribals. Later the Baloch and the Pathans loyal to Aurangzeb ruled this Fort of Manhar Kheda. The fort while under the sway of Damar Singh Pundir was captured by the British in 1803, in an engagement wherein the British suffered many casualties and the loss of Colonel Gordon, a veteran army officer. Taking service in the British Army, the Pundirs of Saharanpur and Aligarh remained loyal to the British during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. During this time the Pundirs, under their leader Thakur Kundan Singh Pundir, protected the Tahsildar at the town of Sikandra Rao and subdued the Muhammadan population of the town.
- Pundirs in the Garhwal: During the mid-eighteenth century the King of Garhwal, Lalit Shah, in order to appease rebelling Jagirdars, gave out grants of villages. Rana Gulab Singh Pundir of Dehra Dun obtained twelve villages with the hand of Lalit Shah's daughter in marriage. During the early nineteenth century the kingdom of Garhwal was under a threat of invasion from the north east by the Gurkhas. Later on the throne was passed on from Lalit Shah to Pradyumna Shah, the formers son. Pradyumna Shah with the help of the Gujjar Sardar Ramdayal Singh of Landhaur, assembled a force of approximately 12,000 men composed of Ramghads, Pundir Rajputs and Gujars after which he headed towards Saharanpur. The commanding general of the Gurkha army, Amar Singh Thapa, reached there from Srinagar and on Mag 22, 1860 (January 1804) a fierce battle was fought in the plain of Khadbuda, about half of mile away from the palace of Guru Ram Rai. Pradyumna Shah's two brothers, namely, Parakrama Shah and Pritam Shah, and his two sons, namely, Sudarshan Shah and Devi Simha, were present in the battle. The Garhwali king was on horseback near his camp talking to Miyan Dulal Singh of Prithvipur when he was struck by a shot fired by Ranajit Kuwar.
Culture
Religion
The majority of Pundirs in India who are followers of Hinduism are classified as being Shiva worshippers while their Kuldevi is notedly Dhadimati Mataji. A smaller percentage of Pundirs are followers of Sikhism and are concentrated in and around the towns of Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, and Chandigarh.
Criterion for Marriage
| Pundirs Take Brides From : | Pundirs Give Brides To : | |
|---|---|---|
| Chauhan | Chauhan | |
| Bhatti | Bhatti | |
| Gehlot | Gehlot | |
| Tomar/Tanwar | Tomar/Tanwar | |
| Bargujar/Badgujar | Bargujar/Badgujar | |
| Bais | Bais | |
| Jatu | Jatu | |
| Sisodia | Kachwaha | |
| Parmar/Panwar | Kathiyar | |
| Indoria | Jaggara |
Famous Pundirs
Armed Forces (Martyrs)
| NAME | REGIMENT | MEDAL / WAR / OPERATION | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhagat Singh Pundir | Garhwal Rifles | Operation Rakshak (Jammu & Kashmir) | 2001 |
| Rajiv Pundir | Indian Air Force | Kargil War | 1999 |
| Keshar Singh Pundir | Garhwal Rifles | Operation Riddle (Lahore & Sialkot) | 1965 |
| Balwant Singh Pundir | Garhwal Rifles | Indo-China War | 1962 |
| Madan Singh Pundir | Garhwal Rifles | Indo-China War | 1962 |
| Satya Singh Pundir | Garhwal Rifles | Indo-China War | 1962 |
| Bhawan Singh Pundir (POW) | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Japanese Occupation of Singapore | 1942 |
| Bhajan Singh Pundir (POW) | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Japanese Occupation of Singapore | 1942 |
| Indar Singh Pundir (POW) | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Japanese Occupation of Singapore | 1942 |
| Dhirat Singh Pundir | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Military Cross | 1942 |
| Jit Singh Pundir | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Indian Distinguished Service Medal | 1942 |
| Matbar Singh Pundir | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Rangoon (Burma) | 1942 |
| Naurat Singh Pundir | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Rangoon (Burma) | 1942 |
| Mohan Singh Pundir | Royal Garhwal Rifles | Battle of Rabaul | 1941 |
Serving and Retired Officers
| NAME | REGIMENT | POSTING / MEDAL | WAR / OPERATION | YEAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lt. Colonel J.S. Pundir | Army Forward Logistics | Siachen Glacier | Kargil | 2005 |
| Maj. Vinay Kumar Pundir | Assam Rifles | Sena Medal | n/a | 2001 |
| Maj. Ajay Singh Pundir | Sikh Light Infantry | Sena Medal | n/a | 2003 |
| Maj. Ashish Singh Pundhir | Madras Regiment | Armoured Corps | n/a | 2005 |
| Hav. Suresh Pundir | Assam Rifles | Governor's Silver Medal | n/a | 2004 |
| Capt. K.S. Pundir | Rajput Regiment | Retired | n/a | n/a |
| Bishan Singh Pundir | Indian Air Force | Air Force Commendation | n/a | 2004 |
| Col. B.S. Pundir (Retired) | Sikh Regiment | Yudh Seva Medal | Peace Operations (SL) | 1971-90 |
| Sangram S. Pundir | Marine Medicine Specialist | Retired | Pakistan War | 1971 |
| Mohan Singh Pundir | Assam Rifles | Retired | n/a | n/a |
| Late Sri Rajkumar S. Pundhir | Rajput Regiment | n/a | Pakistan Wars | 1965-71 |
Police Force
- Satyendra Pal Singh Pundhir: Additional DG of Prisons (Sampurnanand Jail Training Institute, Lucknow) who is the recipient of the President's Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service.
- V.S. Pundir: Inspector, New Delhi, recepient of the Police Medal for Meritorious Services.
- Kamal Singh Pundhir: Head Constable, Jab Sehore, Madhya Pradesh who is recipient of the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Advocates
- Jai Krit Singh Pundir, Senior Advocate (Civil). A resident of village Babail Bazurg in Saharanpur district, he joined the District & Session court, Saharanpur, in 1970. He was President of the Saharanpur Bar Association (SRE) in 1991-92 & 2001-02.
- Gyan Singh Pundir, Senior Advocate (Collectorate). A resident Of village Bhera Sandal Singh in Saharanpur district, he joined the Saharanpur collectorate in 1971. He was President of the Saharanpur Bar Association (SRE) in 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-00 & 2006-07.
Politicians
- Thakur Rampal Singh Pundir: Member of the BJP and a staunch anti-muslim candidate.
- Jagatpal Singh Pundir: Belonging to the Congress Party, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha (1984-1989).
- Hem Singh Pundir: Member of the U.P. Legislative Council from the Meerut constituency, Mr. Pundir is a resident of village Sambalheri in Saharanpur district.
- Late Thakur Amar Singh Pundir: Belonging to the Congress Party, and a resident of village Babail Bazurg in Saharanpur district, he was a member of the U.P. Legislative Assembly in the period 1980-1985.
- Late Shri Mahavir Singh Rana (Pundir): Belonging to the Congress Party, and a resident of Bhera Sandal Singh in Saharanpur, he was a member of both houses of the U.P. legislature in the 1980s.
- Late Thakur Nakli Singh:Congress Party, only non-jat to have won as an independent a legislative seat from Baghra Constituency. He was a Legislative member from Thanabhawan in Muzaffarnagar (U.P.) from 1989-1994.
- Late Shri Rajkumar Singh Pundir (1931-1985): Belonging to the village Bhaila (Saharanpur) he was the son of Shri Mangat Singh, a renowned advocate as well as a social activist. Mr. Pundir was elected President of the Saharanpur Bar Council from where he fought elections for the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh.
Bollywood
- Diwakar Pundir: Model turned bollywood actor who started his career by winning the Gladrags Manhunt contest.
- Preeti Pundir: Actress who is seen on television soap operas in India.
Others
- Sabbal Singh Pundir, President of the Garhwal Sabha (2006)
- Ashwani Pundir Zonal Head of Delhi State BJP Committee (Durgapuri Shahdara, Delhi, India)
References
- Elliot, Henry M. Memoirs on the History, Folklore and Races of the Northwest Provinces of India p.56
- Evatt, John T. Historical Record of the Royal Garhwal Rifles p.78; p.103
- Crooke, W. Tribes and Castes of North-Western Provinces and Oudh pp.179-180
- Bingley, A.H. Handbook on Rajputs. pp.113-114
- Roy, K. The Construction of Regiments in the Indian Army: 1859-1913. War in History, 1 April 2001, vol. 8, no. 2 pp. 127-148(22)
- Rose, H.A. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province p.291
- Tod, James. Annals and Antiquites of Rajasthan.
- Sir Denzil Ibbetson. Punjab Castes: Races, Castes, and Tribes of Punjab
- Bajpai, Shiv Chandra. The Northern Frontier of India: Central and Western Sector p.23
- Bharat Rakshak Website