Bar Region
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The Bar Region, or the Bars (Bāṛ) (Punjabi: بار (Shahmukhi); Punjabi pronunciation: [bɑːɽ]), also known as Jatka Waseb (Shahmukhi: جٹکا وسیب; Punjabi pronunciation: [dʒəʈ.kɑː wə.siːb]),[1] is an area in Punjab, now part of the Punjab Province of Pakistan. The area consists of agricultural land that was cleared in the nineteenth century for the then 'new' canal irrigation system that the British were developing at the time.[2] The soil of the Bar Region is fertile.[3] The plains of fertile land have been created by the stream deposits driven by the many rivers flowing from the Himalayas. The nomadic tribes who originally inhabited the Bar spoke Jatki, a dialect of Western Punjabi, and the same dialect is still spoken throughout the Bar region today.[4]
The area stretches from the Jhelum River in the north to the Sutlej River in the south. It is divided into sub-regions, with the Kirana Bar between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, the Sandal Bar between the Chenab and Ravi rivers, the Neeli Bar between the Ravi and Sutlej rivers, and the Ganji Bar between the Sutlej River and the dry bed of the Hakra River.
Etymology
[edit]The term "Bāṛ" is commonly linked to the Sanskrit root "Vri," meaning "to cover" or "to enclose," which relates to terms like "Bár (fence)," "Bári (garden)," and "Bir (forest)." [5]These terms are associated with boundaries, enclosures, or spaces that separate cultivated land from natural areas.
Some have suggested an Arabic origin from the word "Barr," meaning barren or uncultivated land, but this connection is considered uncertain. [6]
Overall, "Bāṛ" refers to a boundary or enclosed space, often separating human settlements from wilderness or uncultivated land.
History
[edit]The Bar Region, located in present-day Punjab Province of Pakistan, has a rich and diverse history that spans several millennia, beginning as early as 6000 BC. This area has seen the rise of ancient civilizations, such as the Harappan Civilization, which flourished around 2600 BC. Over time, it evolved through various historical phases, with agricultural development and cultural shifts marking its progress. In modern day, the Bar Region remains an important part of the Punjab province, known for its fertile lands and historical significance.
Origins of Civilization
[edit]The roots of the Bar Region's history trace back to approximately 6000 BC, with early settlements like Mehrgarh in Balochistan serving as precursors to the later urbanization of the broader Indus Valley. The two greatest cities, Mohenjo-daro and Harappa, emerged c. 2600 BC along the Indus River valley in Punjab and Sindh, marking the rise of the Harappan Civilization.[7]
Harappan Civilization
[edit]
The Harappan Civilization, which flourished between 2600 and 2000 BC, reached its peak during its mature phase. Harappa, located in central Punjab, was one of the major urban centers of this civilization. It was rediscovered in the 1920s during archaeological excavations, although its ruins were partially damaged in 1857 when bricks were used for the construction of the Lahore-Multan railway.[8] Despite this, significant artifacts and insights into urban planning and trade have been uncovered.[9]
Decline of the Civilization
[edit]The gradual decline of the Harappan Civilization began around 2000 BC. Scholars attribute this to various factors, including climatic changes such as reduced sea levels and increasing aridity, which transformed areas like the Thar Desert.[10] Features such as writing and hydraulic engineering disappeared, and the civilization's influence diminished, giving way to cultural shifts in the Ganges Valley.[11][12]
Sub-regions of the Bar Region
[edit]The Bar region of Punjab, Pakistan, is traditionally divided into distinct sub-regions, each formed between major river systems, known for their fertile agricultural lands. Below are the main sub-regions.
The Kirana Bar (Kīrānā Bāṛ) or Gondal Bar (Gondāl Bāṛ) (also spelt Karana; Punjabi: کرانہ بار) is located between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers. It comprises the central and southern parts of Chaj Doab and includes the present-day districts of Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujrat (southern parts), and the western parts of Chiniot (such as Lalian), along with parts of Jhang District. The region is named after the Kirana Hills, a mountain range located in the area, and is also referred to as Gondal Bar after the Gondal Punjabi Jat clan that dominated the region in the 18th century. The region's land is known for its agricultural richness, particularly after the introduction of canal irrigation.
The Sandal Bar (Sāndl Bāṛ) (Punjabi: ساندل بار) is located between the Chenab and Ravi rivers, covering the southern part of Rechna Doab. It includes the present-day districts of Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Vehari, and parts of Sheikhupura (specifically Safdarabad and Sheikhupura). The region is named after Sandal, grandfather of the 16th-century Punjabi chieftain Dulla Bhatti, known for his rebellion against the Mughal Empire. Sandal Bar remained sparsely populated until the late 19th century when irrigation systems were introduced.
The Neeli Bar (Nīlī Bāṛ) (Punjabi: نیلی بار) lies between the rivers Ravi and Sutlej. It includes the districts of Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, and surrounding regions. The region is famous for its fertile land and the Nili-Ravi buffalo breed, and it was also a hub of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, with Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal emerging as a local hero during the uprising.
The Ganji Bar (Ganjī Bāṛ) (Punjabi: گنجی بار) lies between the river Sutlej and the dry riverbed of the Hakra. This region includes the present-day districts of Bahawalnagar and parts of Bahawalpur (specifically Hasilpur and Khairpur Tamewali), and surrounding areas. The area is known for its fertile soil, which became suitable for agriculture after the introduction of irrigation systems. This region was also home to Rai Ahmad Khan Kharal, a prominent figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. [13] [14]
Districts of the Bar Region in Punjab
[edit]The indigenous people of these areas share a similar culture and speak the Jatki dialect of Punjabi, which includes sub-dialects such as Jhangvi and Shahpuri. Dhani is also a sub-dialect of Jatki, though it is not spoken in the Bar region.[15]
The following districts are classified as Bar:
| Bar districts of Punjab, Pakistan |
|---|
| Faisalabad |
| Jhang |
| Toba Tek Singh |
| Hafizabad |
| Okara |
| Vehari |
| Khanewal |
| Pakpattan |
| Sargodha |
| Chiniot |
| Nankana Sahib |
| Bahawalnagar |
| Mandi Bahauddin |
| Sahiwal |
| Bahawalpur (only Hasilpur and Khairpur Tamewali) |
| Sheikhupura (only Safdarabad and Sheikhupura) |
Broader Bar Region
[edit]The broader Bar region also includes areas where Shahpuri and Dhani sub-dialects are spoken. These dialects can be found in parts of the following districts:
| Broader Bar region districts of Punjab, Pakistan |
|---|
| Chakwal |
| Talagang |
| Jhelum (only Pind Dadan Khan and Khewra) |
| Attock (southern parts) |
| Khushab |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Grierson, George A. (1916). Linguistic Survey of India. Vol. IX Indo-Aryan family. Central group, Part 1, Specimens of western Hindi and Pañjābī. Calcutta: Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India. p. 607.
- ^ "The Bar Region: A Historical Perspective". The Nation. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Same reference as above for soil fertility
- ^ Sir William Wilson Hunter. Imperial Gazetteer of India. p. 128. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
The language of the nomadic tribes who originally inhabited the Bar is called Jangli, a form of Western Punjabi.
- ^ Guénon, René (2004). Symbols of Sacred Science. Sophia Perennis. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-900588-77-8.
- ^ Kaul Pandit Harikishan. Census Of India 1911 Vol XIV Punjab Part - I. p. 353.
Bar, which is said to be derived from Barr meaning land (particularly barren land). On the other hand, we have terms like Bár (fence), Bári (garden), Bárá (enclosure), and Bir (forest), all connected with forest growth, ordinarily derived from Sanskrit Vri to cover; and Bár meaning stack. The Arabic derivation is therefore doubtful.
- ^ Beck, Roger B. (1999). World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell. ISBN 978-0-395-87274-1.
- ^ Michel Danino. *The Lost River*. Penguin India.
- ^ Kenoyer, J.M., 1997, Trade and Technology of the Indus Valley: New insights from sand, clay, stones and were baked at very high temperature.
- ^ Q., Madella, Marco Fuller, Dorian (18 January 2006). Palaeoecology and the Harappan Civilization of South Asia: a reconsideration. Elsevier. OCLC 1103344632.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Mcintosh, Jane (2008). The Ancient Indus Valley New Perspectives. Routledge. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-57607-907-2.
- ^ "Culture change during the Late Harappan period at Harappa: new insights on Vedic Aryan issues", The Indo-Aryan Controversy, Routledge, pp. 33–61, 2 August 2004, doi:10.4324/9780203641880-7, ISBN 978-0-203-64188-0
- ^ "Punjab Notes: Bar: forgotten glory of Punjab". Dawn. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ The Agricultural Journal of India, Volume 2. Google Books. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
- ^ "Punjab Notes: Bar: Forgotten Glory of Punjab". Dawn. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
