Muslim Gujjars

Conversions of Gujjars to Islam began in the 11th century with the arrival of Sufi missionaries in the subcontinent. Numerous clans of Gujjars embraced Islam during the time of Shaykh Farid al-Din Masud and his successors.{{Cite web |title=File:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol 6 Part 1.pdf - Wikimedia Commons |url=https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Journal_of_the_Asiatic_Society_of_Bengal_Vol_6_Part_1.pdf&page=247 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=commons.wikimedia.org |language=en}} By the 16th century, Islam had become the predominant religion among the Gujjars of Punjab, Kashmir, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, Balochistan and present-day Afghanistan.{{Cite book |last=RajMohan Gandhi |url=https://archive.org/details/punjab-a-history-from-aurangzeb-to-mountbatten_202206 |title=Punjab A History From Aurangzeb To Mountbatten |date=2013}}{{Better source needed|date=April 2025}}

The memoirs of Mughal emperors Babur and Jahangir describe the Gujjars as pastoral people engaged in frequent raids and plundering.{{Cite book |last=Rose |first=H. A. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.13438 |title=Glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and North-West frontier province vol.2 |date=1911 |language=English}}{{Cite book |last1=Jahangir |first1=Emperor of Hindustan |url=https://archive.org/details/tuzukijahangirio00jahauoft |title=The Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri; or, Memoirs of Jahangir. Translated by Alexander Rogers. Edited by Henry Beveridge |last2=Rogers |first2=Alexander |last3=Beveridge |first3=Henry |date=1909–1914 |publisher=London Royal Asiatic Society |others=Robarts – University of Toronto}} Sujan Rai writes in the 17th century that the Gujjar tribe of Sarkar Dipalpur was notorious for its refractory and rebellious character.{{Cite web |title=The India of Aurangzib (topography, statistics, and roads) compared with the India of Akbar: with extracts from the Khulasatu-t-tawarikh and the Chahar Gulshan | date=1901 | publisher=Bose Brothers, Calcutta |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.5760/page/n191/mode/1up?q=Gujar}}

Following Nadir Shah's invasion of the Mughal Empire, several Gujjar chiefs rose to power in Punjab, Hazara, and Kashmir. Notable among them were the Nawabs of Dera Ghazi Khan, the Rajas of Poonch, and the Muqaddams of Kot Najibullah.{{Cite web |title=Report of the land revenue settlement of the Dera Ismail Khan District of the Punjab, 1872–79 |date=1879 |publisher=Lahore, Printed by W. Ball |url=https://archive.org/details/reportlandreven00tuckgoog}}{{Cite web |title=Chiefs and families of note in the Delhi, Jalandhar, Peshawar and Derajat divisions of the Panjab |date=1890 |publisher=Allahabad, Printed at the Pioneer Press |url=https://archive.org/details/chiefsfamiliesof00massrich}}

The Sangu a clan of the Muslim Gujjars found mainly in Kashmir. During the reign of Rustam Khan Rathore, Sami Mittha, a member of the Sangu clan, migrated from Muzaffarabad to Poonch and settled there. {{Cite book |last=Narsingh Das |first=Nargis |title=Tarikh-e-Dogra}} His eldest son, Ruhullah, later found employment at the court of the Poonch Raja. Ruhullah rose through the ranks and became the Vizier to Raja Bahadur Khan of Poonch in the 1790s.{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} District Poonch, Government of Jammu and Kashmir {{!}} India |url=https://poonch.nic.in/history/}} After Bahadur Khanʼs assassination in 1797, Ruhullah appointed his son Amir Khan as Raja while he managed the affairs of the state as the de facto ruler. In 1814, Ranjit Singh asked Ruhullah for co-operation in his invasion of Kashmir but the Poonch Raja declined as his sympathies were with the Durrani Empire. In July 1814, the Sikhs invaded Kashmir and advanced towards Poonch but were defeated at Tosa-Maidan Pass by Ruhullah Khan's forces and many of their men slain. Ranjit Singh was forced to flee back to Lahore with a few followers of his who survived.{{Cite book |title=History of the Punjab, and of the Rise, Progress & Present Condition of the Sect and Nation of the Sikhs}} Ruhullah Khan died in 1819. He was succeeded by his grandson Mir Baz Khan, who also opposed the Sikhs.{{Cite book |last=Griffin |first=Lepel Henry |title=The Panjab Chiefs |pages=151}}

Muslim Gujjars were actively involved in the 1857 uprising against the Company rule, particularly in the Punjab region, and were said to have given a "great deal of trouble" during the Mutiny.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JiVSJRmTC7wC&dq=Discontented+lawless+mutiny+G%C3%BAjar&pg=PA87 |title=Gazetteer of the Ludhiāna District: 1888/89 [ca. 1890] |date=1890 |publisher=Calcutta Central Press |language=en}}

Later, during the British Raj era, they were classified as a martial race and enlisted in class company regiments.{{Cite book |last=Mazumder |first=Rajit K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O4Wop9vwS9sC&q=Gujar&pg=PA105 |title=The Indian Army and the Making of Punjab |date=2003 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-7824-059-6 |language=en}}

Muslim Gujjars are divided into over three hundred eighty clans or gots.{{Cite book |last=Rizvi |first=S. H. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5UswAQAAIAAJ |title=Muslims |date=1998 |publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-81-7018-980-0 |language=en |quote=Once a Gujar king of Jammu ceded Gurjardesa to the king of Kashmir. About 380 gots (clans) are reported among Muslim Gujars. The most important of which are Batar, Haman, Khatana, Tomar, Rathe, Bhatti and Chandela}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-22 |title=Punjab {{!}} History, Culture & Economy {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Punjab-province-Pakistan |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} The Muslim Gujjars also have distinct sub-groups mainly found in the Himalayas such as the Bakarwal, Van Gujjar, Dhodhi Gujjar and Banjara Gujjar communities.{{Cite journal |last=Dar |first=Sajad Ahmad |date=2023-01-31 |title=The Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir and their changing marriage rituals |journal=Pastoralism |volume=13 |issue=1 |article-number=1 |bibcode=2023Pasto..13....1D |doi=10.1186/s13570-022-00264-2 |issn=2041-7136 |doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last=Mehmood |first=Tahir |date=June 2024 |title=Overcoming Obstacles: The Journey of Gujjar-Bakarwal in Jammu and Kashmir since Independence |url=https://theacademic.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/13.pdf |journal=Research Scholar, Department of History, Panjab University, Chandigarh |volume=2 |pages=134 |via=The Academic}}{{Cite book |last=Rana |first=J. P. Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hK-FjcbMH0wC |title=Marriage and Customs of Tribes of India |date=1998 |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |isbn=978-81-7533-087-0 |pages=88 |language=en |quote=Van Gujjars are Sunni Muslims, as might be expected from their origins.}}{{Cite book |last=Seshia |first=Shaila |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=scrsAAAAMAAJ |title=Traditional Wisdom in Natural Resource Management: The Only Way to Conserve |date=2005 |publisher=Rural Litigation & Entitlement Kendra |pages=38 |language=en}}

Muslim Gujjars share many clan groups similar to those of Hindu Gujjars.{{Cite book |last=Ghosh |first=Anandamayee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_E9uAAAAMAAJ |title=The Bhotias in Indian Himalayas: A Socio-linguistic Approach |date=2007 |publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-81-7646-569-4 |pages=109 to 113 |language=en |quote=Gujjars (Muslims and Hindus and of no particular religious identity) are Dodhi Gujjars , Banjara Gujjars , Bakerwal Gujjars with minor subgroups like Hakla, Bajjar, Kohli, Chechi, Khatana, Badhana, Bagdi, Goosi and Kalas etc.}}

• Khatana
• Chauhan{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cQxyT4gjdmQC |title=Epilogue, Vol 3, Issue 11 |publisher=Epilogue -Jammu Kashmir |pages=47 |language=en |quote=Most of the Chauhans live in Jammu and Kashmir and some of them have embraced Islam. They are recognized as sub caste of Gujjars.}}{{Cite book |last=Rahi |first=Javaid |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9pwEAAAQBAJ |title=The Gujjars -Vol 04 (Gujjars History & Culture) by Dr. Javaid Rahi |publisher=Jammu and Kashmir Acacademy of Art, Culture , Languages , Jammu |language=en |quote=The names of the gotras are common to Hindu Gujjars, Sikh Gujjars and Muslim Gujjars in the Indian sub-continent. A few frominent gotras are Khatana, Hakla, Bajjar, Chechi, Rathore, Chauhan, Bhatti, Rana, Thekria, Noon, Bhadana, Gorsi, Bagri, Kasana, Bajran, Kohli, Khari and others.}}
• Awana
• Kundwana
• Chechi
• Bhadana
• Kushan (Kasana){{Cite book |last=Rawat |first=Ajay Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1O8sAQAAMAAJ |title=Man and Forests: The Khatta and Gujjar Settlements of Sub-Himalayan Tarai |date=1993 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-85182-97-1 |pages=113 |language=en |quote=Despite their conversion to Islam, the Gujjars have main-tained many rituals and practices of their Hindu ancestors. They have retained the 'Gotra" system, though they are not clear about the genesis of their gotras, except that it refers to their Hindu ancestry. Their important gotras are Kushan (Kasana), Lodha, Padhana, Bagri, Dinda, Dhetra, Chabra, Pathan, Kasani, & Bhainsi.}}
• Batar
• Bajjar
• Hakla
• Bhatti{{Cite book |last=S |first=Shyam Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZiVjAAAAIAAJ |title=Himachal: Nature's Peaceful Paradise |date=1971 |publisher=Indian School Supply Depot |pages=102 |language=en}}
• Rana
• Thikariya
• Noon
• Sangu{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cQxyT4gjdmQC |title=Epilogue, Vol 3, Issue 11 |publisher=Epilogue -Jammu Kashmir |pages=47 |language=en |quote=Their means of substances is cattle rearing. Some are leading semi nomadic life they never extend matrimonial relation with other Rajputs except Salaria, Kataria, Soods, Sango etc which are the sub castes of Muslim Gujjars.}}
• Kataria
• Sood
• Salaria
• Rathore
• Rathe
• Haman
• Gorsi
• Bagri
• Kohli
• Khari
• Padhana
• Dinda
• Dhetra
• Tomar
• Pathan
• Chabra
• Kasani
• Chandel or (Chandela)
• Banja
• Lodhe
• Bhainsi
• Kalas

Initially, Gujjars of Pakistan were predominantly Sun worshipers; later, most of them converted to Hinduism.{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Mukhtar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHFHDAAAQBAJ |title=The Arains: A Historical Perspective |date=2016-04-18 |publisher=Cspace |isbn=978-1-5327-8117-9 |language=en |quote=It appears that the Gujjars of Pakistan were sun-worshipers who later got absorbed in the greater mass of Hinduism as they migrated to the East. Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun.}} The Conversation of the Gujjars to Islam began in the 11th century, but the majority adopted Islam during the 16th century under Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent, largely through the influence of Sufism becoming Sunni Muslims.{{Cite book |last=Samal |first=Prasana K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hE6BAAAAMAAJ |title=Tribal Development: Options : Proceedings of a National Seminar, May 22-24, 1996 |date=1998 |publisher=Gyanodaya Prakashan |isbn=978-81-85097-41-1 |pages=513 |language=en}}

A small pocket of Gujjars are the followers of the Ziki sect of Shia Islam in the Makran region of Balochitan.{{Cite book |last=Tyagi |first=Vidya Prakash |title=Martial races of undivided India |date=2009 |publisher=Kalps |isbn=978-81-7835-775-1 |pages=225 |language=en |quote="In Markan, near border of Iran, the Gujjars are Ziki by faith and claim to have come from Mewar during the time of Akbar, the elderly Gujjars added."}}

In 1988, it was estimated that Muslim Gujjars constitute 53 percent of the total Gujjar population.Sukhbir Singh, "[https://apgin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Vol-10_1988.pdf Distributional Pattern of the Major Agricultural Communities (Ahirs, Gujars, Jats and Rajputs) in Their Traditional Abode of the North-Western Indian Subcontinent]", Population Geography, Vol. 10, Nos. 1 and 2, June–December 1988, pp. 1–17, table 2 on p. 6. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240815183749/https://apgin.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Vol-10_1988.pdf Archived] 23 June 2025.

File:Geographical Distribution of Gujars in Afghanistan.png]]

File:Gathering of Gujar Tribal People in Afghanistan.png in Northern Afghanistan]]

The Gujjar people have lived in Afghanistan for centuries, with an estimated 1.5 million residing in the country today.{{Cite news |last=Hamdard |first=Azizullah |date=2021-01-13 |title=Gujars use Andak meat for coronavirus treatment |url=https://pajhwok.com/2021/01/13/gujars-use-andak-meat-for-coronavirus-treatment/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Pajhwok |first=Afghan News |date=2021-01-04 |title=Govt has long ignored our problems, needs: Gujars |url=https://pajhwok.com/2021/01/04/govt-has-long-ignored-our-problems-needs-gujars/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |language=en-GB}} They primarily inhabit the northeastern regions, including provinces like Kapisa, Baghlan, Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Nuristan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar, and Khost. In some areas of Afghanistan and Kunar province local radio stations air programs in Gujari, Nuristani and other languages.{{Cite book |last1=Meyerle |first1=Gerald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wY8632hEg4gC |title=On the Ground in Afghanistan: Counterinsurgency in Practice |last2=Katt |first2=Megan |last3=Gavrilis |first3=Jim |date=2012 |publisher=Government Printing Office |isbn=978-0-16-090258-1 |pages=66 |language=en}}

File:Traditional Jirga of the Gujars in Afghan Society.png of the Gujars in Afghan Society]]

In Upper Asqalan, local elders once requested a former mujahideen commander to take on the role of a Taliban commander to provide protection and leadership for their area (interview, 20 July 2007).{{Cite book |last1=Goodhand |first1=Jonathan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M4D7CwAAQBAJ |title=The Afghan Conundrum: intervention, statebuilding and resistance |last2=Sedra |first2=Mark |date=2016-04-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-56963-3 |language=en}} Similarly, in Burka, the leaders of the prominent mir family in Kokah Bulaq reached an agreement with a Gujjar commander—who had previously fought alongside them during the resistance against Soviet forces—to assume responsibility as the Taliban commander for the Full Valley, with the aim of safeguarding the local population (interviews, 5 September 2007 and 26 March 2009).

File:Gujar tribal people in afghanistan september 09 2022.jpg Gathered in North Eastern Afghanistan]]

During the Rohilla rule (c. 1720–1770), horse breeding flourished alongside agricultural growth in the region.{{Cite book |last=Gommans |first=Jos J. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UuP7EAAAQBAJ&dq=horse+breeding+and+trade+in+india+gujar&pg=PA95 |title=The Rise of the Indo-Afghan Empire, c. 1710-1780 |date=2023-11-27 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-64473-1 |language=en}} Gujjars, along with Bhattis, played an important role as roaming traders who helped maintain the quality of local horse breeds by bringing in stallions and mares from regions like Punjab, Afghanistan, and Turkistan. Their involvement contributed to the strength of the regional breeding economy, which supported military demands.

Among eighteenth Pakistani ethnic groups found across four provinces, the Gujjar is one of the largest ethnic group in Pakistan.{{Cite journal |last1=Zahra |first1=Fatima Tuz |last2=Hussain |first2=Manzoor |last3=Khan |first3=Khushbukhat |last4=Aslam |first4=Muhammad Adeel |last5=Shafique |first5=Muhammad |last6=Rubab |first6=Aqsa |last7=Javeed |first7=Shahzadi |date=2020-07-01 |title=Genetic polymorphism of Y-chromosomal STRs in Gujjar population of Punjab |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02227-6 |journal=International Journal of Legal Medicine |language=en |volume=134 |issue=4 |pages=1333–1334 |doi=10.1007/s00414-019-02227-6 |pmid=31858262 |issn=1437-1596 |quote="Approximately 18 ethnic groups dwellin 4 provinces of Pakistan. Among which Gujjar is one of the largest ethnic tribes of Pakistan whose approximately 2.3 million population reside in the north side of its Punjab province."|url-access=subscription }} An estimated 20% of Pakistan's population is Gujjars.{{Cite journal |last=Butt |first=Nasir Faried |date=30 November 2017 |title=Position of Women Folk among the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://www.erpublications.com/uploaded_files/download/irfan-ahmad-lone-professor-r-s-gurna-niwas_TRYTi.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjh6sSq1vaNAxX2yDgGHd-wKG0QFnoECB0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2xwH7pSh24zrjfnL0Ijvf- |journal=International Journal of Research Culture Society |volume=1 |issue=9 |page=324 |issn=2456-6683 |quote=In Pakistan they comprise almost 20% of the population. Gujjars can also be Muslim, Sikh, Christian and presumably Buddhist. |via=IJRCS.ORG}}

They enjoy good status in Pakistani society and in numbers their population is estimated to be 33 million.{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Mukhtar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHFHDAAAQBAJ |title=The Arains: A Historical Perspective |date=2016-04-18 |publisher=Cspace |isbn=978-1-5327-8117-9 |pages=52 |language=en}}

Initially Gujjars of Pakistan were predominantly Sun worshipers, later most of them converted to Hinduism.{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Mukhtar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iHFHDAAAQBAJ |title=The Arains: A Historical Perspective |date=2016-04-18 |publisher=Createspace |isbn=978-1-5327-8117-9 |language=en |quote=It appears that the Gujjars of Pakistan were sun-worshipers who later got absorbed in the greater mass of Hinduism as they migrated to the East. Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun.}}

File:Geographical Distribution of Gujars in Pakistan.png]]

In 1999, British anthropologist Stephen Lyon estimated that the Gujjar population in Pakistan was around 30 million. He also introduced the concept of "Gujarism"—the idea that Gujjars in Pakistan are aware of their distinct identity and frequently engage in social activities, including local political participation, based on this awareness, a phenomenon he refers to as kin-network activism.{{Cite web |last=Lyon |first=Stephen |date=May 1999 |title=Gujars and Gujarism: simple quaum versus network activism |url=https://era.anthropology.ac.uk/Era_Resources/Era/SLyon/Reports/gujarism.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818093731/https://era.anthropology.ac.uk/Era_Resources/Era/SLyon/Reports/gujarism.html |archive-date=18 August 2024 |website=University of Kent}}

The Gujjars of Punjab racially belonged to the Indo-Aryan race.{{Cite book |last=Thakur |first=Upendra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SLgBAAAAMAAJ |title=Some Aspects of Ancient Indian History and Culture |date=1974 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-0-88386-289-6 |pages=80 |language=en |quote=The Gujars of the Punjab are unquestionably Aryan by race.}} In Punjab, their primary occupation is agriculture, while many are also engaged in small businesses, local politics, and government jobs.

They are found across all divisions of Punjab and primarily in the districts of Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Taxila, Jehlum, Gujar khan, Sialkot, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Layyah, Narowal, Muzaffargarh, Multan, Bahawalpure, Bahawalnagar, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan,

• {{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Rahim Yar Khan E-Gazetteers |url=https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/rahimyarkhan |website=gazetteers.punjab.gov |publisher=Government of Punjab |page=52}}
• {{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Toba Tek Singh E-Gazetteers |url=https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/tobateksingh |website=gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk |publisher=Government of Punjab |page=13}}
• {{Cite web |title=Layyah E-Gazetteer |url=https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/layyah |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220614024927/https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/layyah |archive-date=2022-06-14 |access-date= |website=gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk |page=15 |language=en}}
• {{Cite web |title=Gujranwala E-Gazetteer |url=https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/gujranwala |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220614024919/https://gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk/gujranwala |archive-date=2022-06-14 |access-date= |website=gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk |language=en}}

Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh. In northern Punjab, their population is estimated as 2.3 million, with additional populations found in central, eastern and southern Punjab.{{Cite journal |last1=Zahra |first1=Fatima Tuz |last2=Hussain |first2=Manzoor |last3=Khan |first3=Khushbukhat |last4=Aslam |first4=Muhammad Adeel |last5=Shafique |first5=Muhammad |last6=Rubab |first6=Aqsa |last7=Javeed |first7=Shahzadi |date=July 2020 |title=Genetic polymorphism of Y-chromosomal STRs in Gujjar population of Punjab |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31858262 |journal=International Journal of Legal Medicine |volume=134 |issue=4 |pages=1333–1334 |doi=10.1007/s00414-019-02227-6 |issn=1437-1596 |pmid=31858262 |quote=Among which Gujjar is one of the largest ethnic tribes of Pakistan whose approximately 2.3 million population reside in the north side of its Punjab province.}}

They have lent their name to several places in Punjab, Pakistan these places include Gujranwala, Gujarat, Gujar Khan, and Gojra, among others.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FmiBAAAAMAAJ |title=There was Once a King: Folk-tales of Pakistan |date=1989 |publisher=Lok Virsa Publishing House |pages=IV |language=en |quote=Gujjars been good settlers, because they gave ( and left ) their names to many towns in the Punjab, like Gujar Khan, Gujrat, Gujranwala, or Gojra.}}

In Punjab they follow the ideology kinship of Gujjarism that helps them in building influence in local politics of Punjab.{{Cite book |last1=Rehman |first1=Asad ur |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IIg9EQAAQBAJ |title=South Asia from the Margins: Transformations in the Political Space |last2=Pervez |first2=Muhammad Shoaib |date=2025-02-18 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-040-31762-4 |language=en}}

Gujjars are also present in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where they're the third largest ethnic groups after the Pashtuns and the Awan, found in the Hazara region as well places like Dir, Swat, and Bajaur, often being conversant in Pashto, the provincial language.{{Cite web |title="Races and Tribes" |url=https://kp.gov.pk/page/races_and_tribes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818094524/https://kp.gov.pk/page/races_and_tribes |archive-date=18 August 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024}}

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa their settlements are found in various regions, including Hazara, Chitral, Kohistan, Waziristan, Fatah and other areas of KPK. They are predominantly found in the districts of Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral, Hangu, Kohat, Peshawar, Mansehra, Malakand, Abottabad, Battagram, Haripur, Upper Dir, Lowe Sir, Charsadha, Shangla and Swat.{{Cite book |last=Cohen |first=Yehudi A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=13PoxT8kufEC |title=Man in Adaptation: The Cultural Present |publisher=Transaction Publishers |isbn=978-0-202-36721-7 |pages=382–385 |language=en}}

In Swat, Pir Samiullah was a Gujjar community leader who was the first to raise a private tribal army against the Pakistani Taliban, with around 10,000 men, but was eventually defeated and executed by the Taliban in 2008, who then desecrated his dead body by hanging it publicly.{{Cite web |title=Taliban desecrate body of slain opposing tribal leader |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/12/taliban_desecrate_bo.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818151733/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/12/taliban_desecrate_bo.php |archive-date=18 August 2024 |access-date=18 August 2024 |website=FDD's Long War Journal|date=17 December 2008 }}

They speak Pashto and Gujari language in main areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Hazara they speak Hindko and Gujari language,{{Cite book |last=Rensch |first=Calvin Ross |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4n91AAAAIAAJ |title=Hindko and Gujari |date=1992 |publisher=National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Quaid-i-Azam University |pages=97 |language=en}} while in Chitral valley they speak Kohistani, Chitarali and Gujari language.

Gujjar Qaumi Movement (GQM), a Gujjar organization based in the lower dir district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, filed a petition in the peshawar high court, demanding for the inclusion of Gujari language in the list of 2023 census forum. The court ordered the provincial government to include the Gujari language, but the remains unimplemented.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-03-23 |title=Inclusion of Gujjari language in census form lauded |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1743634 |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

In Azad Kashmir, they are single largest ethnic community of the region,{{Cite book |last1=Öztürk |first1=Münir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mKAIEQAAQBAJ&dq=Gujjars+in+Afghanistan&pg=PA198 |title=Ethnic Knowledge and Perspectives of Medicinal Plants: Volume 2: Nutritional and Dietary Benefits |last2=Sridhar |first2=Kandikre Ramaiah |last3=Sarwat |first3=Maryam |last4=Altay |first4=Volkan |last5=Huerta-Martínez |first5=Francisco Martín |date=2023-10-20 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1-000-81185-8 |pages=198 |language=en |quote=Gujjars: Respected ethnic group is highly associated with agriculture and builds one of the largest ethnic groups of AJK (Azad Jammu & Kashmir). Popularly found all over the states.}}{{Cite journal |last1=Ahmed |first1=Zubair |last2=Abbasi |first2=Dr Mushtaque Ali |date=2025-06-12 |title=A Politico-Cultural History of Gujjars in the District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://academia.edu.pk/index.php/Journals/article/view/274 |journal=ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences |language=en |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=1547 |doi=10.63056/ACAD.004.02.0274 |issn=3006-6638 |quote=The politico-cultural history of the Gujjars in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Indian- Occupied Kashmir (IOK) is a significant subject of study. They are considered the main power in both parts of Kashmir. They have a clear majority on both sides of Kashmir.|doi-access=free }}{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Anadolu |date=2021-07-17 |title=Caste, ethnic loyalties decide poll favourites in AJK |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2311080/caste-ethnic-loyalties-decide-poll-favourites-in-ajk |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} by some estimates even being considered the single largest group with 800,000 individuals{{Cite web |title="With Friends Like These…" Human Rights Violations in Azad Kashmir |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/pakistan0906/3.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308175448/https://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/pakistan0906/3.htm |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=14 June 2019 |website=Human Rights Watch}} and they found in almost every districts of Azad Kashmir. They mainly belong to agricultural class of the AJK.

Their population is mainly found in Poonch, Sandutti, Kotli, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, and Bhimber districts.{{Cite journal |last1=Ahmed |first1=Zubair |last2=Abbasi |first2=Dr Mushtaque Ali |date=2025-06-12 |title=A Politico-Cultural History of Gujjars in the District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://academia.edu.pk/index.php/Journals/article/view/274 |journal=ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences |language=en |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=1545 |doi=10.63056/ACAD.004.02.0274 |issn=3006-6638|doi-access=free }} In Azad Kashmir they use titles like Sardar, Malik, Mian, Khan, Rana and Choudhary.{{Cite book |last1=Warikoo |first1=Kulbhushan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zxtuAAAAMAAJ |title=Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir |last2=Som |first2=Sujit |date=2000 |publisher=Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya |pages=90 |language=en}}

Muslim Gujjars have influence in local politics of the state, In 2021 in the state assembly election of Azad Jammu and Kashmir many Gujjar politicians were elected.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, they are primarily settled in Naltar, Ghizer, and Astore.{{Cite news |last=Kalhoro |first=Zulfiqar Ali |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Where the Gujjars Rest |url=https://thefridaytimes.com/21-Jun-2019/where-the-gujjars-rest |access-date=21 January 2025 |work=The Friday Time |pages=1}}{{Cite web |last=Ahmad |first=Farid |date=2023-12-16 |title=Gilgit-Baltistan - the region's security nightmare |url=https://sangar.info/en/a/l/gilgit-baltistan-the-region-s-security-nightmare |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=sangar.info |language=en-gb}} They migrated over a century ago from Swat, Kohistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They rely on farming and livestock rearing, and are known for their unique tradition of carving wooden coffins. They mostly speak two major languages Shina and Gujari.

They are mainly found in Ghizer, Nagar, Shighar, Gilgit, and Hunza districts, and Naltar Valley. There are no restrictions among the women of Muslim Gujjars in the region for the following of Islamic tradition of Purdah.{{Cite book |last1=King |first1=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pwEwAQAAIAAJ |title=Karakoram Highway |last2=Mayhew |first2=Bradley |date=1998 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-0-86442-531-7 |pages=37 |language=en}} They speak Shina language in the areas of Gilgit district and Khowar language near the Shandpur Pass.

In Sind they are mainly found in the rural Sind including the districts of Mirpur-Mathelo dis, Tharparkar, Sangar, Mithi and Hyderabad.{{Cite book |last=Nasir Khan |first=Solangi |title=Tareekh-e-Solanki |publisher=Sindhu publications |year=2012 |pages=5 to 15|language=Sindhi}}{{Cite book |last=Rahi |first=Javaid |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KI1pEAAAQBAJ |title=The Gujjars Vol: 01 and 02 Edited by Dr. Javaid Rahi |date=2012-01-01 |publisher=Jammu and Kashmir Acacademy of Art, Culture , Languages , Jammu |pages=364 |language=en}} In Hyderabad and Karachi there are also some Gurjars mostly migrated from Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Punjab for business purposes.

The Gujjars are also found in the Balochistan province of Pakistan and declare themselves natives to the region.{{Cite book |last=Tyagi |first=Vidya Prakash |title=Martial races of undivided India |date=2009 |publisher=Kalps |isbn=978-81-7835-775-1 |pages=225 |language=en |quote="The Jhalwan Gujjars speak both Balochi and Sindhi languages and claim to be natives of these regions without having ancestry of any foreign element in so far as their ethnic traditions are concerned. In the region the Zamindars (landlords) are called Baloch. The other Pakistani Blauch and adjoining Irani Bluches are of one ancestry but against this we hail from separate Gujjar community. As per one tradition they have come from Delhi to this area and speak Sindhi language. In Markan, near border of Iran, the Gujjars are Ziki by faith and claim to have come from Mewar during the time of Akbar, the elderly Gujjars added."}}

In Balochistan they are mainly found in the districts of Kalat, Jhalawan, Sibi, Quetta, Kuzdhar, Awaran, Makran, and Gawadar.Shahan-e-Gujjar (Urdu), by Maulvi Abdul Malik, Second Edition 1986, p. 399{{Cite book |last=Baloch |first=Muhammad Amin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JXluAAAAMAAJ |title=Inside Ormara |date=1999 |publisher=M.A. Baloch |pages=101 |language=en}} In Makran, Balochistan Gujjars follow Ziki sect of Shia Islam rest of others in Balochistan follow Sunni Islam and speak Balochi language.

In Balochistan Muslim Gujjar claimed to be the original inhabitants of the region but they were likely settled in the region and came here during the rule of Mughal emperor Akbar in the Indian subcontinent.

File:Gujjar Tribe.jpg Gujjar man in traditional dress from Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India]]

File:JAVAID RAHI.jpg from Jammu and Kashmir]]

The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir are a predominantly Muslim community. In Kashmir they are the third-largest ethnic community after Dogari and Pahari speaking linguistic groups.{{Cite journal |last=Butt |first=Nasir Faried |date=30 November 2017 |title=Position of Women Folk among the Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://www.erpublications.com/uploaded_files/download/irfan-ahmad-lone-professor-r-s-gurna-niwas_TRYTi.pdf |journal=International Journal of Research Culture Society |volume=1 |issue=9 |pages=324 |issn=2456-6683 |quote=Several identities existing in Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjar is one of the important one, since they form the third largest ethnic group in J&K with a total of 20-25% of the population of the state. |via=IJRCS.ORG}}{{Cite book |last1=Behera |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM6kW9ZRMRkC |title=Demystifying Kashmir |last2=Chadha |first2=Behera Navnita |date=2007 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-0846-0 |pages=128 |language=en}}

Gujjars constitute approximately 88% of the total tribal population in Jammu and Kashmir, with an estimated population of 20-25% of the state's total population and they are located in all districts of Indian adminsntrated Kashmir. The community is scattered across the state, with the largest concentration in Poonch (40%) and Rajouri (33.1%), while they are absent in the Leh district.{{Cite book |last1=Behera |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM6kW9ZRMRkC |title=Demystifying Kashmir |last2=Chadha |first2=Behera Navnita |date=2007 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-317-0846-0 |pages=129 |language=en |quote=}}

In Jammu and Kashmir, Gujjars are predominantly Muslims and are divided into settled, nomadic, and agro-pastoralists groups.{{Cite journal |last=Choudhary |first=Zafar |date=June 2011 |title=Understanding the Gujjar Pahri Fault line in J&K |url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/130468/SR106-EW01-GujjarPerspective.pdf |journal=IPCS Special Report |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=4}} These Nomadic Gujjars are further divided into Bakarwal, Van-Gujjar, and Dodhi subgroups.{{Cite book |last=Bose |first=Sumantra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gq9FEAAAQBAJ |title=Kashmir at the Crossroads: Inside a 21st-Century Conflict |date=2021-12-07 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-26271-1 |pages=237 |language=en |quote=}}

File:Geographical Distribution of Gujars in The Himalayas.png

There are notable population of the Gujjars spread throughout the state. Their settlements are mostly found in the valleys of Kangam, Kukernag, Kanghan, Tral, Doru, Pahalgam, Shopian, Kulgam, Handwara, Karnah, Kupwara. Also in all Tehsils of Uri district, tehsils of Haveli, Naushera, Sunderbani, Mendhar, and in the districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Kathua, Soda, Gool, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.

Muslim Gujjars are found in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, which borders Jammu and Kashmir and Tibet.{{Cite journal |last=Vishav |first=Jyothi |date=2020 |title=Pastoral Life of Muslim Gujjars: A Study of Life of Gujjar in Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, India |url=https://www.grassrootsglobal.net/mer2020/pdf_files/dr-vishav-jyoti_preprint.pdf |journal=Department of Sociology, G.D.C Darlaghat, District Solan Himachal Pradesh, India |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=10}}{{Cite journal |last=Rahi |first=Dr Javaid |date=2012 |title=The GUJJARS -Vol : 01 A Book on History and Culture of Gujjar Tribe : Ed Javaid Rahi |url=https://www.academia.edu/41978043 |journal=Academia |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=729}}

Muslim Gujjars constitute a significant proportion of the Gujjar community in Himachal Pradesh, making up approximately 86 percent of their population.{{Cite book |last=Baldi |first=Dr. Shrikant |title=SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY OF GUJJARS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH |publisher=Planing department Government of Himachal Pradesh Shimla |year=2019 |pages=2 & 3}}

The Muslim Gujjars are predominantly found in Kangra, Chamba and Sirmaur and make up to 100% districts population. They are also found in good numbers in Solan and Bilaspur districts.

In 2001, the Himachal Pradesh Government granted Scheduled Tribe status to the Gujjar community. As per the 2011 census out of the state's Scheduled Tribe population of 2,92,126, Gujjars accounted for 92,547 individuals, comprising 23.6% of the state's Scheduled Tribe population.

The majority of them are nomadic, with a smaller number of settled Muslim Gujjars. Traditionally, they are pastoralists, moving with their livestock across the region's mountainous terrain.

In the Indian state of Punjab Gujjars are mostly found in the Kandi region that covers the districts of Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpure, Gurdaspur, Mohali, Rupnagar, and Nawanshahr.{{Cite book |last=Manku |first=Darshan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QvAtAAAAMAAJ |title=The Gujar Settlements: A Study in Ethnic Geography |date=1986 |publisher=Inter-India Publications |isbn=978-81-210-0072-7 |pages=11 & 15 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last1=Patra |first1=Biswanath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FeVBEQAAQBAJ |title=Indian Livestock Breeds |last2=Bhushan |first2=Bharat |date=2024-12-23 |publisher=New India Publishing Agency |isbn=978-93-5887-273-6 |pages=92 |language=en}} Beside Kandi region their population is also found in Amritsar, Bathinda and Malerkotla, Dasuya, and Pathankot districts.{{Cite book |last=Manku |first=Darshan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QvAtAAAAMAAJ |title=The Gujar Settlements: A Study in Ethnic Geography |date=1986 |publisher=Inter-India Publications |isbn=978-81-210-0072-7 |pages=18 |language=en |quote=In such villages Gujar families bave migrated from other Gujar settlements, purchased the land, and have settled. There were many Muslim Gujar settlements in the Pathankot tahsil of district Gurdaspur, Dasuya and Hoshiarpur.}} They are mostly Muslim some are Sikh and Hindu. In Punjab they belong to settled class of Punjabi farmers.{{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=David J. |url=http://archive.org/details/peoplesonmoveint0000phil |title=Peoples on the move : introducing the nomads of the world |date=2001 |publisher=Carlisle : Piquant |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-903689-05-9 |pages=352}} In recent years some Muslim Gujjars are also migrated from Jammu and Kashmir.

In Kandi region there are total one hundred fifty five settlements and one hundred eighteen are of Gujjars.{{Cite book |last=Manku |first=Darshan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QvAtAAAAMAAJ |title=The Gujar Settlements: A Study in Ethnic Geography |date=1986 |publisher=Inter-India Publications |isbn=978-81-210-0072-7 |pages=19 |language=en}}

Before the partition of Punjab in 1947, Gurdaspur became part of Indian Punjab eighty villages of the Muslim Gujjars migrated from Gurdaspur to Sialkot in Punjab, Pakistan. Some other Muslim Gujjars from other districts of Punjab, India migrated to Pakistani Punjab and settled in Sheikhupura and Sargodha districts.

In Punjab along with Hindu and Sikh Gujjars, they are listed in Other backward classes list of the State government.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-23 |title=List of Backward classes/other backward classes – Punjab Govt. Notification |url=https://punjabxp.com/list-backward-other-classes/ |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=punjabxp.com |language=en-US}}

The Muslim Gujjars and Bakarwal communities in Ladakh are traditionally pastoralists, grazing livestock in areas like Rangdum. Recently, disputes over land encroachment and unauthorized construction have arisen. In 2024, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh intervened to address these issues, including the illegal occupation of grazing land and the ongoing legal dispute over land rights in the region.{{Cite web |title=Hon'ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) holds meeting to discuss infiltration of Gujjar-Bakarwal in Rangdum. {{!}} The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh {{!}} India |url=https://ladakh.gov.in/honble-lt-governor-brig-dr-bd-mishra-retd-holds-meeting-to-discuss-infiltration-of-gujjar-bakarwal-in-rangdum/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Excelsior |first=Daily |date=2024-06-17 |title=LG Ladakh addresses grazing dispute in Rangdum areas |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/lg-ladakh-addresses-grazing-dispute-in-rangdum-areas/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Daily Excelsior |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |author=The Dispatch Staff|date=2024-06-16 |title=LG Mishra discusses infiltration of Gujjar-Bakarwal in Rangdum as Kishtwar violates agreement |url=https://indusdispatch.in/lg-mishra-discusses-infiltration-of-gujjar-bakarwal-in-rangdum-as-kishtwar-violates-agreement/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=Indus Dispatch |language=en-US}}

The Muslim Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand, with a population of around 70,000,{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Vineet |date=2024-04-18 |title=Ground report: Why this Muslim nomadic tribe in Uttarakhand has little to gain from elections |url=https://scroll.in/article/1066606/ground-report-why-this-muslim-nomadic-tribe-in-uttarakhand-has-little-to-gain-from-polls |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}} are a semi-nomadic pastoral community living mainly in the Shivalik Hills, bordering Tibet. Traditionally herders, they practice transhumance, migrating with their buffalo herds between the foothills in winter and alpine pastures in summer. Known for being lactovegetarians, they rely solely on milk from their buffaloes. Despite the Indian Forest Rights Act of 2006 granting them forest land rights, they face conflicts with state authorities over access to reserved parks. The community distinguishes itself from other Gujjars by adopting the prefix "Van" ("forest-dwelling") in the 1980s.{{Cite news |title=Is there room for India's nomads? |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2009/0731/p17s07-wosc.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=Christian Science Monitor |issn=0882-7729}}{{Cite web |last=Pal |first=Sanchari |date=2016-09-03 |title=Nomads of the Himalayas : A Fascinating Glimpse into the Rarely-Seen Forest World of the Van Gujjars |url=https://thebetterindia.com/67099/van-gujjars-himalayas-tribe-buffaloes/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=The Better India |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=David Emmanuel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=upk5AgAAQBAJ |title=Islamization in Modern South Asia: Deobandi Reform and the Gujjar Response |date=2012 |publisher=Verlag Max Niemeyer |isbn=978-1-61451-246-2 |language=en}}

File:Main Geographical Distribution of Gujars in The Indian Plain.png, found in Punjab, Haryana, Dehli, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh]]

In Western Uttar Pradesh Muslim Gujjar are a politically influential community, and they make up a sizable population among other Muslim communities in the region.{{Cite news |date=2023-03-07 |title=BJP to hold conferences in Western UP to connect with Muslims |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-to-hold-conferences-in-western-up-to-connect-with-muslims/articleshow/98475015.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-06-28 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} They make up a substantial portion of the population in regions like Kairana and Muzaffarnagar, with an estimated 150,000 Muslim Gujjars in the Kairana constituency alone.{{Cite web |last=Kukreti |first=Amit Bhardwaj and Ishan |date=2016-06-29 |title=What's really happening in Kairana? |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2016/06/29/whats-really-happening-in-kairana |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}} In the Gangoh Assembly constituency they have a population of 57,000.{{Cite web |date=2019-10-21 |title=Assembly bypolls: Muslim, Dalit voters, 'outsider' tag make Gangoh a tough fight for BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/assembly-bypolls-muslim-dalit-voters-outsider-tag-make-gangoh-a-tough-fight-for-bjp-6079421/ |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} While in the Amethi constituency assembly their population share is about 60,000.{{Cite web |last=पाल |first=Mahi Pal मही |date=2022-02-22 |title=Uttar Pradesh politics: How can Gurjars make their presence felt |url=https://www.forwardpress.in/2022/02/uttar-pradesh-politics-how-can-gurjars-make-their-presence-felt/ |access-date=2025-06-28 |website=Forward Press |language=en-US}}

This community has historically been influential in local politics, often rallying behind candidates from their ethnicity, irrespective of their religious identity. Despite being a minority in the broader context, Muslim Gujjars in these areas hold a demographic and political sway, particularly in rural settings.{{Cite web |title=Re-emergence of Jat-Gurjar alliance in western Uttar Pradesh |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/re-emergence-of-jat-gurjar-alliance-in-western-uttar-pradesh-1082855.html |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2017-02-09 |title=Akhilesh Yadav eyes Muslim, Gujjar combo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/uttar-pradesh/news/akhilesh-yadav-eyes-muslim-gujjar-combo/articleshow/57054849.cms |access-date=2025-01-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=Pioneer |first=The |title=Politics of Kairana revolve around Hindu Gujjars and Muslim Gujjars |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/state-editions/politics-of-kairana-revolve-around-hindu-gujjars-and-muslim-gujjars.html |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=The Pioneer |language=en}}

Muslim Gujjars adhere to the fundamental principles of Islam, believing in the oneness of Allah and performing the five times daily prayers. They also observe basic Islamic practices including Roza, Zakat, and believe in the day of judgement and the concept of Jannah.{{Cite book |last=Shashi |first=Shyam Singh |url= |title=The World of Nomads |date=2006 |publisher=Lotus Press |isbn=978-81-8382-051-6 |pages=89 |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last1=Javid |first1=Shahid |last2=Muthukumar |first2=Dr J. |date=2024-02-08 |title=Cultural And Traditional Life Of Gujjar And Bakarwal Tribes Of Jammu And Kashmir |url=https://migrationletters.com/index.php/ml/article/view/8537 |journal=Migration Letters |language=en |volume=21 |issue=S1 |pages=1098 to 1099 |issn=1741-8992}}

Gujjar women in Punjab, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and other areas of Pakistan and Northern India typically do not observe the tradition of Purdah or wear Burkas.{{Cite book |last=Shashi |first=Shyam Singh |url= |title=The World of Nomads |date=2006 |publisher=Lotus Press |isbn=978-81-8382-051-6 |pages=86 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Awasty |first=Indira |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ACAqAAAAYAAJ |title=Rural Women of India: A Socio-economic Profile of Jammu Women |date=1982 |publisher=B.R. Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-81-7018-090-6 |pages=231 |language=en}} However, in some areas of Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gujjar women do observe purdah.

In various regions of North India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Muslim Gujjars wear traditional attire similar to that of other local Muslim communities. In Jammu and Kashmir, men from the Gujjar community traditionally wear Shalwar and Kurta, similar to other Kashmiri Muslims. Their women wear a kurta paired with Churidhar pyjama.{{Cite book |last=Ahluwalia |first=Manjit Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tG0fnF0VRk0C |title=Social, Cultural, and Economic History of Himachal Pradesh |date=1998 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-089-7 |pages=82 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Handa |first=Devendra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S6AtAAAAMAAJ |title=Indological Studies: Essays in Memory of Shri S.P. Singhal |date=1987 |publisher=Caxton Publications |isbn=978-81-85066-03-5 |pages=149 |language=en}}

In Gujjar communities the birth of a girl child is viewed as a direct blessing from Allah. Gujjar families treat girls and boys equally, and uniquely, they celebrate the birth of a girl child, setting them apart from some Muslim communities.{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=David Emmanuel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oscmJoix2IAC |title=Islamization in Modern South Asia: Deobandi Reform and the Gujjar Response |date=2012-08-31 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-1-61451-185-4 |pages=98 |language=en}} When a child is born in Muslim Gujjar communities, they usually cover the child's face to protect them from the evil eye.{{Cite book |last=Phillips |first=David J. |url=http://archive.org/details/peoplesonmoveint0000phil |title=Peoples on the move : introducing the nomads of the world |date=2001 |publisher=Carlisle, Piquant |isbn=978-1-903689-05-9 |pages=251}}

Muslim Gujjars mostly live in joint families. The divorce rate is low among them, and their divorce system is distinct from other Muslim communities.{{Cite book |last=Rawat |first=Ajay Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvNQU4VFrbgC |title=Man and Forests: The Khatta and Gujjar Settlements of Sub-Himalayan Tarai |date=1993 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-85182-97-1 |pages=117 |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=David Emmanuel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oscmJoix2IAC&dq=Divorce+in+Muslim+Gujjars&pg=PA97 |title=Islamization in Modern South Asia: Deobandi Reform and the Gujjar Response |date=2012-08-31 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-1-61451-185-4 |pages=97 |language=en}} Arranged marriages are common among Muslim Gujjars, typically taking place with the parents' approval on both the bride's and groom's sides.

Gujjars in tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Afghanistan and Jammu and Kashmir follow the Jirga system to resolve everyday issues, including land disputes, political, social, educational, and community-related matters.{{Cite book |last1=Warikoo |first1=Kulbhushan |url= |title=Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir |last2=Som |first2=Sujit |date=2000 |publisher=Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya |pages=181 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Time old Gujjar Jirgas under threat in Jammu and Kashmir |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/time-old-gujjar-jirgas-under-threat-in-j-k-study/story-Ur2wpXsRvK4YaLNxckTIqM.html |website=Hindustantimes}}

In June 2018, a Jirga was convened by Gujjars in the Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a committee was formed to advocate for their rights to education, healthcare, and transportation in the area. The Jirga also decided to support a candidate in the upcoming elections who would address these issues.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-06-25 |title=Gujjar clan sets conditions for vote |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1415881 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

In September 2018, the district government of Torghar district convened a local Jirga to resolve a land dispute between the Gujjars and Akazai Pashtuns in the districts of Torghar and Mansehra.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-09-23 |title=Torghar tribes torch each other's houses over land dispute |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1434405 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Houses set ablaze over land dispute in Mansehra |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/371985-houses-set-ablaze-over-land-dispute-in-mansehra |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=thenews.pk |language=en}} The Gujjars filed a case in the Senior Civil Judge's (SCJ) court, and following the court's order, they were permitted to harvest their wheat and grass crops on the disputed land. Consequently, 90% of the disputed land in Torghar district was granted to the Gujjars after the court's order.{{Cite news |title=Torghar land dispute SCJ allows Gujjar tribe |url=https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/torghar-land-dispute-scj-allows-gujjar-tribe-1044913.html |work=Urdupoint}}{{Cite web |title='Dispute between two tribes nearing settlement in Torghar' |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/888614-dispute-between-two-tribes-nearing-settlement-in-torghar |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=thenews.pk |language=en}}

Research on the NJ tree among Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's ethnic tribes revealed a strong genetic link between the region's Gujjars and Muslim Gujjars in Punjab province.{{Cite journal |last1=Ahmad |first1=Habib |last2=Tariq |first2=Muhammad |last3=Hemphill |first3=Brian E. |last4=Farooq |first4=Umar |last5=Schurr |first5=Theodore G. |date=2022-01-19 |title=Contrasting maternal and paternal genetic histories among five ethnic groups from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |journal=Scientific Reports |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=6 and 9 |doi=10.1038/s41598-022-05076-3 |issn=2045-2322 |pmc=8770644 |pmid=35046511|bibcode=2022NatSR..12.1027T }} In KPK, they exhibit a high frequency of the R1a haplogroup.

The majority of Muslim Gujjars in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's districts of Swabi and Buner belong to the R1a haplogroup, with frequencies of 61%{{Cite book |last=Tariq |first=Muhammad |url= |title=Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Buner and Swabi Areas through Dental Morphology and DNA Analysis |date=17 February 2017 |publisher=Hazara University, Mansehra: DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA |location= |pages=178–179 |language=en}} and 48%{{Cite book |last=Ullah |first=Inam |url=|title=DENTAL MORPHOLOGY AND HAPLOTYPIC DIVERSITY IN THE MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS OF SWAT AND DIR DISTRICTS |date=March 3, 2018 |publisher=Hazara University, Mansehra: DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA |pages=128}} in Swat district, respectively.

Gujjars in the districts of Swabi and Buner belong to the R1a haplogroup, with a frequency of 61%; the L haplogroup, 20.97%; J2a haplogroup, 4.84%; R2 haplogroup, 4.03%; J2b haplogroup, 1.61%; Q1a haplogroup, 1.61%; O3-M122 haplogroup, 0.81% and H haplogroup, 4.84% .

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Buner & Swabi districts

| label1 = R1a

| value1 = 61

| color1 = #3dc2f2

| label2 = L

| value2 = 20.97

| color2 = #fff200

| label3 = J2a

| value3 = 4.82

| color3 = #FFF8DC

| label4 = R2

| value4 = 4.03

| Color4 = #ff610f

| label5 = J2b

| value5 = 1.61

| Color5 = red

| label6 = Q1a

| value6 = 1.6

| Color6 = black

| label7 = o3-M122

| value8 = 4.84

| label8 = H

| color8 = #E97451

| value7 = 0.81

| Color7 = grey

}}

This research also indicates that in the Gujjars, the highest frequency of the West Eurasian lineage about 62.3%, South Asian is 33.61%, and 4.1% East Eurasian was found.{{Cite book |last=Tariq |first=Muhammad |url= |title=Genetic Analysis of the Major Tribes of Buner and Swabi Areas through Dental Morphology and DNA Analysis |publisher=Hazara University, Mansehra: DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA |year=2017 |pages=135 |language=En}}

In the Swat district, they belong to the R1a haplogroup, with a frequency of 48%; M33 haplogroup, 45%; and N5 haplogroup, 7%.{{Cite journal |last=Ullah |first=Inam |date=May 2017 |title=Mitochondrial genetic characterization of Gujar population living in the Northwest areas of Pakistan |url=https://www.als-journal.com/articles/vol4issue3/433.17/447.pdf |journal=Advancements in Life Sciences - International Quarterly Journal of Biological Sciences |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=86 |quote=The haplotypes of Gujjar population were assigned to mega haplogroups which revealed that the most frequent among them was R with the frequency of (48%) followed by haplogroup M (45%) and N (7%). |via=als-journal.com}}

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Swat district

| label1 = R1a

| value1 = 48

| color1 = #DC143C

| label2 = M33

| value2 = 45

| color2 = #FFD700

| label3 = N5

| value3 = 7

| color3 = #FFF8DC

}}

The study also revealed that the haplogroups found in Gujjars are predominantly 42%; South Asian, 37%; followed by West Eurasian, 2.7%; with smaller positions of Eastern Asian, 1.4% Eastern European, and 1.4%; Northern Asian haplogroups.

Gujjars in the district of Mansehra belong to the H haplogroup, with a frequency of 58.97%; the M haplogroup, 27.69%; and R haplogroup, 14%.{{Cite book |last=Nazia |first=Dr. |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/748732010/2908S |title=GENETIC ANALYSES OF THE MAJOR TRIBES OF ABBOTTABAD ANd MANSEHRA DISTRICTS THROUGH DENTAL MORPHOLOGY AND DNA ANALYSES |date=January 3, 2014 |publisher=Departments of Genetics Hazara University, Mansehra |pages=114–115 |language=En}}

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Mansehra district

| label1 = H

| value1 = 58.97

| color1 = #ff610f

| label2 = M

| value2 = 27.69

| color2 = #52b5f0

| label3 = R

| value3 = 14

| color3 = #FFF8DC

}}

In 2019, genetic research indicated that genetically, Gujjars of Punjab are closely related to other Pakistani groups, including the Punjabis, Sindhis, Balochs, Pashtuns, and people of Azad Kashmir.{{Cite journal |last1=Zahra |first1=Fatima Tuz |last2=Hussain |first2=Manzoor |last3=Khan |first3=Khushbukhat |last4=Aslam |first4=Muhammad Adeel |last5=Shafique |first5=Muhammad |last6=Rubab |first6=Aqsa |last7=Javeed |first7=Shahzadi |date=2020-07-01 |title=Genetic polymorphism of Y-chromosomal STRs in Gujjar population of Punjab |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-019-02227-6 |journal=International Journal of Legal Medicine |language=en |volume=134 |issue=4 |pages=1333–1334 |doi=10.1007/s00414-019-02227-6 |pmid=31858262 |issn=1437-1596|url-access=subscription }}

In Jammu and Kashmir, the predominant haplogroup found among Muslim Gujjars is R1a, occurring at a frequency of 78%. This is followed by haplogroup H, while haplogroup L is found at the lowest frequency.{{Cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Mugdha |last2=Sarkar |first2=Anujit |last3=Kumar |first3=Devinder |last4=Nandineni |first4=Madhusudan R. |date=2020-02-06 |title=The genetic affinities of Gujjar and Ladakhi populations of India |journal=Scientific Reports |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=4 |doi=10.1038/s41598-020-59061-9 |pmid=32029844 |issn=2045-2322|pmc=7005309 |bibcode=2020NatSR..10.2055S }}

{{Pie chart

| thumb = right

| caption = Haplogroups found among Gujjars of Jammu & Kashmir

| label1 = R1a

| value1 = 78

| color1 = #3dc2f2

| label2 = H

| value2 = 14

| color2 = #fff200

| label3 = L

| value3 = 8

| color3 = #FFF8DC

}}

Recent genetic research shows that Muslim Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir have genetic similarity with the Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan and Sindhis.{{Cite news |last=Mudur |first=G.S. |date=23 February 2020 |title=Found: Shared ancestry between Gujjars and Pashtuns |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/found-shared-ancestry-between-gujjars-and-pashtuns/cid/1748006 |work=Telegraph India}} But they are genetically different from other tribes of India.{{Cite journal |last=Mushtaq |first=Najma |date=5 May 2023 |title=Tribes in India: Tracing the Origin of the Gujjar Community - IJNRD |url=https://www.ijnrd.org/papers/IJNRD2305361.pdf |journal=International Journal of Novel Research and Development (IJNRD) |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=492 |issn=2456-4184 |via=IJND.org}}

Muslim Gujjars are part of Punjabi, and Pashto culture and are often portrayed in Pakistani films, Dramas and songs in regional languages of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.

• Wehshi Gujjar
• Jagga Tay Shera
• Buddha Gujjar{{Cite web |last=Awan |first=M. Saeed |date=2014-07-06 |title=Cinemascope: Pulling the plug on Punjabi films |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1116763 |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}
• Riaz Gujjar
• Badmash Gujjar
• Hamayun Gujjar
• Jeeva Gujjar
• Pappu Gujjar
• Puttar Hamayun Gujjar Da
• Sohna Gujjar{{Cite web |last=Lodhi |first=Adnan |date=2016-04-10 |title=Year's first Punjabi film hits screens |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1082198/years-first-punjabi-film-hits-screens |access-date=2025-06-27 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

• Gujjar Pa Nasha Ke De
• Gujjar Mama
• Gujjar Tawani De*{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6oRgODPsRI |title=Comedy Telefilm - GUJJAR PA NASHA KE DE - Shehenshah,Shakeela |date=2016-08-01 |last=Shalimar Cassette & CDs |access-date=2025-06-27 |via=}}
• {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QEIxdL2Ocs |title=Gujjar Mama |date=2019-05-24 |last=Pashtoflix |access-date=2025-06-27 |via=}}
• {{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPEggTY68rc |title=Gujar Tawani De |date=2025-04-25 |last=Pashto Films |access-date=2025-06-27 |via=}}

• Mahmud Khan Gujjar, Nawab of Dera Ghazi Khan{{Cite book |title=Tawarikh-e-Zila Dera Ghazi Khan}}
• Ruhullah Khan of Poonch, Raja of Poonch{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} District Poonch, Government of Jammu and Kashmir {{!}} India |url=https://poonch.nic.in/history/ |access-date=2025-05-20 |language=en-US}}
• Abdul Ghafur of Swat, Akhund of Swat{{Cite book |last=H.w. Bellew |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.279304/page/n114/mode/1up?q=Gujar |title=A General Report On The Yusufzais |date=1804}}

• Chaudhri Sultan Ali, 19th-century Gujjar chief
• Chaudhri Rahmat Ali, Pakistan Movement activist, coined "Pakistan"
• Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, 5th President of Pakistan
• Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul, politician
• Nawabzada Mazhar Ali, politician
• Qamar Zaman Kaira, politician
• Chaudhry Abid Raza, politician
• Iqra Hasan, politician
• Munawwar Hasan, politician
• Nahid Hasan, politician
• Rahmat Ali, Muslim nationalist activist
• Akhtar Ali Vario, politician
• Khush Akhtar Subhani, politician
• Tariq Subhani, politician
• Armaghan Subhani, politician
• Adil Pervaiz Gujjar, politician
• Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, politician
• Muhammad Jaffar Iqbal, politician
• Tanveer Ashraf Kaira, politician
• Zaka Ashraf, politician
• Abdul Rahim, politician
• Begum Ishrat Ashraf, politician
• Abid Raza, politician
• Gulzar Ahmed, politician
• Maiza Hameed, politician
• Sajjad Haider, politician
• Muhammad Iqbal, politician
• Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, politician
• Aslam Chowdhary Mohammad, politician
• Mohammad Aslam Kohli, politician
• Rafaqat Hussain Gujjar, politician
• Shafiq Ahmad Gujjar, politician
• Sahibzada Muhammad Ishaq Zaffar, politician
• Razia Sultana, politician
• Mian Altaf Ahmed Larvi, politician
• Malik Abrar Ahmad, politician
• Fayyaz Ul Hassan Chohan, politician
• Amir Hussain, politician
• Muhammad Akhlaq, politician
• Jaffar Iqbal Gujjar, politician
• Zeb Jaffar, politician
• Muhammad Omar Jaffar, politician
• Nadeem Khadim, politician
• Muhammad Iqbal Gujjar, politician
• Fanoos Gujjar, politician

• Fazal Din, Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross award
• Tufail Mohammad, Nishan-e-Haider recipient
• Abdul Rahim Khan, Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army
• Sawar Khan, Former 4-star general of the Pakistan Army
• Shahid Iqbal, Officer from Jammu and Kashmir cadre

• Hafiz Saeed

• Ahmad Gujjar, 17th-century poet
• Afarin Lahori, 18th-century poet
• Mian Muhammad Bakhsh , 19th-century poet
• Ghulam Rasool Alampuri 19th-century Punjabi Muslim Sufi poet and author
• Abdul Ghani Azhari, was head-professor of the University of Kashmir's Arabic department
• Javaid Rahi, Kashmiri Gujjar author and linguist

• Shoaib Akhtar, international cricketer
• Mohammad Asif, international cricketer
• Abdullah Shafique, international cricketer
• Wahab Riaz, international cricketer
• Anwar Ali, international cricketer

• Adeel Chaudhry, actor

• Javed Chaudhry, Pakistani columnist and journalist

• Shabbir Ahmad, Pakistani politician and Businessman

{{Gallery|File:Khatana tribe girl in traditional attire. Lahore (22 December, 2019).jpg|A Muslim Gujjar girl in traditional Pakistani attire belongs to Khatana clan from Lahore, Punjab|File:Jagga Gujjar.jpg|Jagga Gujjar outlaw from Pakistan Punjab|title=Punjab, Pakistan|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

{{Gallery|File:Iqra Hassan.jpg|Iqra Choudhary, Gujjar politician from Uttar Pradesh|title=Uttar Pradesh|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

{{Gallery|File:Gujjar Tribe.jpg|A man wearing the traditional dress of the Gujjar tribe of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh|title=Himachal Pradesh|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

{{Gallery|File:Gujjar Farmer in village Saketrri ,near chandigarh Panchkula , Haryana.jpg|Gujjar farmer from Haryana in Northwest India|title=Haryana|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}{{Gallery|File:Gojri Folk Singers.jpg|A group of Gujari folk singers belonging to the Gujjar community of Jammu & Kashmir|File:A Nomadic women of Padri Meadow in the way while Migrating from Hilly areas to Plains.jpg|Nomadic Bakarwal women of Padri Meadow in Jammu & Kashmir|File:Gujjar Jammu.jpg|Gujjar man in Folk costume from Kashmir|title=Jammuu and Kashmir|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

{{Gallery|File:Gujjar Girl.jpg|Muslim Gujjar girl from Rajaji National Park,Uttarakhand|File:Gujjar family in Rajaji NP, AJT Johnsingh.jpg|Van Gujjar family from Uttarakhand|title=Uttarakhand|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

{{Gallery|File:Illustration Kagan Gujars.png|A group of tribal Gujjars from Kaghan valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|File:Bakitar Gujar, 1997.jpg|Gujjar man with his children from Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|title=Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|width=160|height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

{{Gallery|File:Traditional Jirga of the Gujars in Afghan Society.png|A group of Gujjar men in Tribal Jirga in Afghanistan|File:Bakitar Gujar, 1984.jpg|First lest Baktia Gujjar a child in Jabba Afghanistan in 1984|title=Afghanistan|width=160=height=170|noborder=yes|align=center}}

• Punjabi Muslims
• Kashmiri Muslims
• Gujarati Muslims
• Gurjar

{{Reflist}}

Category:Muslim Gujjars

Category:Muslim communities of India

Category:Muslim communities of Pakistan

Category:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan

Category:Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh

Category:Muslim communities of Himachal Pradesh

Category:Muslim communities of Nepal

Category:Kashmiri Muslims

Category:Punjabi Muslims

Category:Social groups of Punjab, Pakistan

Category:Social groups of Punjab, India

Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir

Category:Social groups of Azad Kashmir

Category: Social groups of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Category:Ethnoreligious groups in India