Jasrath Khokhar, rebel forever.

Note: I wrote this piece back in 2020, but decided to revisit & refurbish it to make improvements such as intext-citations.

The Khokhar are one of the recurring tribes in the military history of Punjab playing a key role in the politics of the Indian sub-continent on numerous occasions. The tribe is credited with the assassination of Sultan Shahab ud Din Ghori by many accounts, it was the first line of defence against the invasion of Timur Gurkani when according to Timur’s own account in his Malfuzat-i-Timuri, Nusrat Khokhar with just 2000 of his tribesmen decided to confront the Tamerlane & the tribe has continuously played the role of the “kingmaker” by bringing numerous dynasties to power such as Zain-ul-Abideen who could not have ascended to the throne without the help of Khokhars.

Muslim?

There isn’t material on the early life of Jasrath, so it was tricky to pin down whether he was a Muslim, however we do have a reliable source that can assist us in Jawahar-i-Faridi whose author, Muhammad Ali Asghar Chishti in 1652 went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Baba Farid & was assisted in his interest in the local area by the shrine keepers particularly in regards to the clans settled in the Pakpattan region.  The Pakpattan sub-set of Khokhars were the earliest converts to Islam in Punjab due to the influence of Baba Farid in the 12th century & according to this very Jawahar-i-Faridi the clans married their daughters to Sajda Nashin of the shrine. These alliances proved particularly useful for the shrines who can now raise small armies at the behest of whoever rules Delhi. [1]

Shaikha & Jasrath Khokhar are mentioned in this aforementioned publication as father in laws to Shaikh Muhammad & Shaikh Faizullah respectively. Now, this would most probably imply that Shaikha & Jasrath are brothers instead of father & son, but no definitive conclusion can be made based on the materials that were utilized for this exercise. However, more importantly there can be no doubts on Jasrath Khokhar’s Muslimness. [2]

Early Career:

Nothing is known so far about Jasrath’s early life besides he was carried off as a prisoner during Timur Gurkani’s (1336-1405) campaign of India. The purpose behind the expedition according to historian, Simon Digby was to create buffer zones in order to prevent state formations. After his domination in the West against the Ottomans he installed tribal chiefs as local dynasties as a counter force to the Ottoman dynasty. [3]. This is why the “Sayyid” dynasty founded by Khizr Khan who can thank his good fortunes to the Timur expedition of Indian sub-continent ruled in the name of Timur Gurkani & presented himself as a Viceroy than an independent Sovereign. Interestingly, there is a theory on Khizr Khan (reign 1414-1421) himself being a Punjabi Khokhar as well, but Richard Eaton quotes Simon Digby & unfortunately that is where we lose our trail, so it would be wise to defer this inquiry for another time. [4]

Prison Break

The circumstances around the event are unclear but Jasrath escaped from Timur’s prison in Samarkand & made his way back to Hindustan to take charge of his Khokhar tribe as their chief.  [5] Another thing to note is that there has been error made notably in Tarikh-i-Ferishta in calling Jasrath a Gakhar, but he was in fact a Khokhar.

Kingmaker in Kashmir:

Born in 1395 Shahi Khan (later Zain-ul-Abidin) was the 8th Sultan of the Shah Mir Sultanate which reigned for over two centuries in Kashmir. Shahi Khan is left to take care of the Sultanate by his brother Sultan Ali Shah, who is on a trip to see his father in law in Jammu, but in his absence Shahi Khan proclaims himself as ruler. This action naturally does not go unnoticed & Sultan Ali Shah with the help of nearby Rajas of Kashmir reclaims the Sultanate & the defeated Shahi Khan finds himself taking refuge in Khokhar territories, which was now ruled by Jasrath Khokhar. [6]

In the summer of 1420, Sultan Ali Shah who anticipated this assault takes on Jasrath Khokhar & is decisively defeated and taken as a prisoner, perhaps executed as well. To reciprocate Sultan Zain ul Abidin provided monetrary support for Jasrath’s ambitions for Delhi. [7] So, with the help of Jasrath Khokhar who acts as the kingmaker, Shahi Khan ascends the throne of Kashmir in 1420, which he then goes on to rule for 50 years as Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. According to Tarikh-i-Mubarik-Shahi whose 15h century author, Yahya Bin Ahmad Sirhindi describes Jasrath Khokhar as “Intoxicated with victory, and elated with the strength of his forces, he began to have visions about Dehli” [8].

Rebel Forever:

 In May 1421, the first order of business was attacking Talwandi, then Ludhiana & to march on towards fort of Jalandhar, which was previously held by Tughan Rais who now was part of this campaign alongside Jasrath Khokhar, but because of his rebellious behavior in the past, he was relieved off his duty. Siege was laid just outside the fort which was now held by nobleman, Zirak Khan. Negotiations were held which determined to give Tughan his fort back, his son to be sent to Delhi as collateral given his past behavior. [9]

When Zirak left the fort as part of the agreement, Jasrath Khokahar decided to carry the nobleman as his prisoner to his captured Ludhiana territory. He would then march on to Sirhind in Punjab & lay siege to the fort of Malik Sultan Shah Lodi who would shelter himself behind his fort, but despite “great exertions” as described by Yahya bin Ahmad Sirhind, this siege would had to be cut short due to weather and Sultan Mubarak Shah (reign 1421-1434) had marched out of Delhi to provide assistance. Zirak Khan would be freed in the process & Jasrath Khokhar had now fled across a river & had taken all the boats in his possession preventing the Royal Army to cross & for 40 days the two camps would be in each other’s sight, but a surprise maneuver by the Sultan where he would send some of his Generals to sneak across the river would alarm Jasrath & the rebels would take off leaving behind baggage and enduring heavy loss of life.  [10]

The Delhi Sultanate Army would pursue Jasrath all the way to his stronghold of Tekhar hills (Kashmir) where Raja of Jammu, Rai Bhim would act as a scout and assist the Royal Army in destroying Jasrath’s base & taking prisoners & with that the Delhi Sultanate Army would return to Lahore, Punjab victorious in 1421. [11]

In May 1422 after crossing Chenab & Ravi, Jasrath would attack Lahore but Malik Mahmud Hasan, the governor would be able to fend off the Khokhar assaults. Sultan Mubarak Shah would dispatch Sikandar Tohfa to assist Malik Mahmud & he would force Jasrath back in to his Kashmir hill tracts stronghold of Takhar hills. This was not without a month & five days of fighting between the Punjabi Muslim rebel Jasrath & the Royal Army in Lahore which concluded with a peace deal in Ramzan due to stalemate according to Yahya Bin Ahmad Sirhindi. [12]

Sikandar Tohfa would assemble an army which required the help of the Governors of Dipalpur & Sirhind territories, Malik Rajjab Nadira & Malik Sultan Shah Lodi in order to force Jasrath back to his Kashmir stronghold of Tekhar hills. Again, the Raja of Jammu, Rai Bhim would offer assistance to the Delhi Sultanate against Jasrath. An army of Khokhars who had separated from Jasrath’s primary force would be defeated & the Royal Army concludes their expedition to return to Lahore in September 1422. [13]

Victory at Jammu:

Jasrath Khokhar at this point is keeping quiet & the Sultan is going out on expeditions around India in order to strengthen his domains, but out of nowhere, Jasrath in April 1423 descend upon the collaborator, Rai Bhim who was Raja of Jammu, defeated his army & killed the raja along with absorbing 10-12 thousand of his soldiers in to his army. With that he began to attack Dipalpur & Lahore, however upon Sikandar Tohfa who was now Governor of Lahore due to his past performance in pushing out Jasrath marched out to meet the Khokhar who had returned back to his stronghold. The reason is because Jasrath had realized he could not meet the Sultanate’s army in an open engagement, which was evidenced by his inability to make any territorial gains even in Punjab despite his best efforts, yet he aspired to rule all of Indian subcontinent & the guerilla warfare he had unleashed on Delhi Sultanate wasn’t going to achieve any substantial results either. So, Jasrath Khokhar would spend the next  5 years on the sidelines. [14]  

Once Sultan Mubarak Shah became tangled in keeping down internal rebellions to his East, Jasrath once again decided to show up & cause havoc in Aug-Sep 1428 he would lay siege to Kalanor fort which would be unsuccessful & Jasrath would have to leave behind all the spoils he had collected in his Jalandhar campaign just before that. This crushing blow would keep Jasrath quiet for another couple years, but his determination would not fade. [15]

In 1431-32, Jasrath would take advantage of an invasion from Shaikh Ali, ruler of Kabul on behalf of Timurid Empire, who had been hired by Faulad Turkabacha as part of creating a diversion for his own rebellion in Bathinda, Punjab. All the major Generals & officials were deployed by Sultan Mubarak Shah in order to repel this invasion in which the Delhi Sultanate would find themselves victorious routing away Shaikh Ali, who suffered loss in material & life. Jasrath Khokhar would defeat Lahore governor, Sikander Tohfa & marched in to Lahore victorious carrying Sikander as a prisoner. Shaikh Ali would simultaneously launch another assault on Multan & Faulad Turkabacha also started plundering nearby territories of Bathinda. Sultan Mubarak Shah would leave Delhi again to attend to Lahore & Multan which would compel both Jasrath & Shaikh to retreat, while Sikander Tohfa was carried off to Tekhar hills as a prisoner of Khokhars, but would secure his release by paying a ransom. [16]

The Sultan would shuffle around his nobles & their appointments after this episode & grant Malik Allahdad Lodi the Lahore & Jalandhar portfolios, who would be attacked in Bajwara (nearby Jalandhar) & defeated in a surprise Jasrath Khokhar attack forcing the Afghan (Pashtun) noble to retreat in Kothi hills in Eastern Punjab.  [17]

Sultan Mubarak Shah would be murdered in a conspiracy in 1434, his successor Sultan Muhammad Shah’s rule (reign 1434-1443)  would not see much activity from Jasrath & would be easily neutralized when he did. Jasrath Khokhar would be compelled to reconcile with Delhi Sultanate after years of not making any territorial gains & his formal hostage, Sikander Tohfa would enlist Jasrath Khokhar to take down the rebellious Afghan (Pashtun) nobleman Bahlol Lodhi in Sirhind. The joint force would defeat Bahlol Lodhi & this would again energize Jasrath to try his hand in Delhi politics. [18]  

Kingmaker again:

Sultan Muhammad & Delhi Sultanate was at such a low point that the Sultan would reconcile with Bahlol Lodhi to get rid of Jasrath Khokhar problem once & for all who had yet again raised the standard of rebellion against the Sayyid dynasty & in the process assigned Bahlol Dipalpur & Lahore. Jasrath instead of taking on Bahlol decided to have a peace deal with the Lodhi-Pashtun who would now can concentrate on his own ambitions of laying down the foundation for the first Pashtun state in the Indian sub-continent, the Lodhi dynasty which would be the last of Delhi Sultanate. [19]

Years of struggling against the Delhi Sultanate had turned Jasrath a grey old man who would then pass on his enmity towards the Sultanate on to Bahlol Lodhi. The significance of this peace agreement can be gauged with the intensity of Jasrath Khokhar’s rebellion which lasted around twenty years & kept the best officers & the Sultan himself busy for that period. Forcing the Sultan to march out of Delhi himself on one multiple occasions, so this agreement allowed Lodhi to focus on his ambitions & despite that when Bahlol Lodhi attacked Delhi despite the State being a shell of its former self he would be repelled & his plans on capturing Delhi delayed. Much like how the early life of Jasrath is shrouded in mystery as are the circumstances around his death.

Conclusion & Thoughts:

What makes Jasrath Khokhar a hero for Punjabi Muslims was his unfading enthusiasm towards attaining self rule & carving out a State. Despite failing numerous times, his ambition & determination to imagine a world beyond ruling his tribal domain serves as a lesson for our people to see past our petty differences.

One of the reasons why we study history is to also learn from our mistakes & those of our elders, so we can navigate our present world better. When Bahlol Lodi assembled his forces to conquer Delhi, he called upon Afghans (Pashtuns) from all over to join him in contrast to Jasrath Khokhar, who spent 2 decades struggling for the same ambition relying on his tribal forces only & could not even hold down captured forts inside Punjab due to incapacity. This right here is a continuous pattern in Punjabi Muslim history, which has prevented Punjabi Muslims towards state formation & why Adina Beg being an exception to this is a corner stone for the Punjabi Muslim identity. To paraphrase, Ibn Khaldun, it is easier to build a state in lands where there is no assabiyah because the lack of unity allows foreigners to assert their will. [20]

This is also why Sikhs despite making less than 10% of Punjab’s population even as late as the 1881 census [21] but were united beyond tribal & class differences were the ones to build an Empire in Punjab instead of the Punjabi Muslims, who despite making a clear majority in Punjab even in their resistance to Sikhs fought along tribal lines only to get picked apart one by one.

Sources:

[1] Making of Medieval Punjab, Piety Submits to the State 15/152

[2] Making of Medieval Punjab, Piety Submits to the State 17/152

[3] After Timur Left pg. 49-50

[4] India in Persianate Age pgs. 105-106

[5] Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[6] Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[7] Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[8] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 54

[9] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 54

[10] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 55

[11] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 56

[12] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 57

[13] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 58

[14] Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[15]  Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[16] [13] The history of India: as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 74

[17] The history of India : as told by its own historians. The Muhammadan period pg. 75

[18] Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[19] Lal, K. S. (1958). JASRAT KHOKHAR. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, 21, 274–281.

[20] Muqadimmah by Ibn Khaldun pg. 123

[21] Krishab, G (no date). Demography of the Punjab (1849-1947) Retrieved from https://punjab.global.ucsb.edu/sites/secure.lsit.ucsb.edu.gisp.d7_sp/files/sitefiles/journals/volume11/no1/6_krishan.pdf