Sial dynasty
Sial dynasty was a chieftaincy that ruled over the Sial state[2] (c.1727–1818) in central Punjab during 18th century. It was centred in Jhang.[3]
Sial State | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1727–1818 | |||||||||
 Map of Punjab in 1780, depicting Sial capital of Jhang in the Rechna Doab. | |||||||||
| Status | Chieftainship | ||||||||
| Capital | Jhang | ||||||||
| Common languages | |||||||||
| Ethnic groups | Punjabis (with the Sials being the dynastic rulers) | ||||||||
| Religion | Islam (dynastic) | ||||||||
| Chief | |||||||||
• 1723 – 1747 | Walidad Khan Sial (founder) | ||||||||
• 1747 – 1787 | Inayatullah Khan Sial | ||||||||
• 1787 – 1798 | Sultan Kabir Khan Sial | ||||||||
• 1798 – 1818 | Ahmad Khan Sial (last) | ||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
• Total | 6,007[1] sq mi (15,560 km2) | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Today part of | Pakistan | ||||||||
History
The 13th Sials chief, Walidad Khan established a strong regional state in early 18th century following decline of the Mughal Empire which was supported by a large agricultural base along river Chenab.[2][1] He gained control of Rechna Doab including cities of Chiniot, Pindi Bhattian, Jhang and Mankera.[4] Next chief, Inayatullah Khan (r.1747–1787) was a successful General who won 22 battles against Bhangi Misl and the Multan chiefs.[4] His son, Sultan Kabir Khan was a mild ruler and his reign was peaceful. In 1798, he abdicated in the favour of his son, Ahmed Khan, who was the last Sial ruler. In 1803, he was forced to pay tribute to Ranjit Singh, whom would ultimately conquer the Sial capital of Jhang in 1807.[5] The basis for this annexation was that Ahmad Khan Sial was making an alliance with Nawab Muzaffar Khan of Multan and had signed a secret treaty with the latter.[5] However, Ahmed Khan seized control of Jhang again in 1808 with the help of Pathans of Multan.[4] Ultimately, Ranjit Singh again invaded Sial-ruled territories in 1810 while going on campaign against Nawab of Multan, and defeated the outnumbered Sials, capturing Chiniot and Jhang.[4] The Sial rule ended in 1818.[6]
References
- "Our History District Jhang". Government of Punjab.
- Gilmartin, David (2020-04-14). Blood and Water: The Indus River Basin in Modern History. Univ of California Press. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-520-35553-8.
- Ahmad, Imtiaz; Reifeld, Helmut (2017). Lived Islam in South Asia: Adaptation, Accommodation and Conflict. Routledge. ISBN 9781351384322.
Jhang is located about 200 kilometres south of Lahore. It had historically a great politico-strategic importance for two reasons: the Sial dynasty was once powerful and Jhang was situated on the main communication line between Lahore and Multan. Parts of the vast district were taken away by the British and later by the Government of Pakistan when they created new districts. Today Jhang consists of three tehsils: Jhang, Chiniot and Shorkot.
- Griffin, Lepel Henry; Massy, Charles Francis (2015-08-11). The Panjab Chiefs: Historical and Biographical Notices of the Principal Families in the Lahore and Rawalpindi Divisions of the Panjab, Volume 2. Creative Media Partners, LLC. p. 505. ISBN 978-1-297-73366-6.
- Singh, Rishi (2014). State Formation and the Establishment of Non-Muslim Hegemony: Post-Mughal 19th-century Punjab. SAGE Publications India. ISBN 9789351505044.
When Ranjit Singh realised that Ahmad Khan Sial of Jhang had concluded a secret treaty with Nawab Muzaffar Khan of Multan, he annexed Jhang in 1807 and gave Ahmad Khan a jagir at Mirowal near Amritsar.
- Gazetteer of the Jhang District. Punjab Government Press. 1884.