Sikh-Face — Today’s Version of Blackface

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This week’s episode of NBC’s My Name is Earl (thanks, anonymous tipster) features a neighbor in the trailer park who is supposed to be a Sikh. But he looks more like the usual “turbaned” convenience store clerk/taxi driver stock caricature who shows up in Hollywood movies and TV shows from time to time.

sikh face my name is earl.jpg

Is it offensive? Going by just the image, I would say yes, and not just to Sikhs. I think it’s offensive to all South Asians, perhaps even to all immigrants. In a sense the “Sikh” neighbor here stands in for all funny-looking/sounding foreigners in the imaginary world of My Name is Earl, just as Apu does in The Simpsons. It’s not just the wrong-looking turban and the glued on beard, it’s the accent — he’s even wearing a Sherwani suit! (While living in a trailer park!)

On the other hand, it could be pointed out that this particular episode is making fun of the anti-terrorist hysteria that swept the U.S. after 9/11 (the conceit is that the show is actually an episode of “Cops” filmed in 2002 — and the claptrap about catching terrorists is of course all the more absurd since the show is set in a small town). It shows law enforcement officers as particularly incompetent and clueless in their attempt to “profile” suspected terrorists, including the character above. But if your goal is to make fun of hysteria using silly caricatures that actually reinforce the ignorance you’re supposedly satirizing, what are you really doing?

It could also be pointed out that a show like My Name is Earl is so generally politically incorrect (and self-conscious about that political incorrectness — “Look, see, we’re being politically incorrect!”) that getting offended about this one thing seems out of place. (Look at how women are represented in the show, for instance.) I’m not sure — but one does think of the recent controversy over the reference to the Philippines in a recent episode of Desperate Housewives, which got a fair amount of media coverage; this, it seems to me, is much more offensive.

You can watch the show on NBC.com here; it’s episode 307. The “Sikh” character (he self-identifies as a Sikh) shows up briefly in the beginning, and then again in the last third of the show.

What do you think? Is it offensive? Are you planning to write NBC?

[UPDATE: One other thing — in case you’re wondering “what self-respecting Desi would take this role?” — the Sikh character is played by an actor named Alex Endeshaw, who is ethnicity isn’t entirely clear to me from Ethiopia originally.]

91 thoughts on “Sikh-Face — Today’s Version of Blackface”

  1. How can anybody say that this man does not look like a sikh. Maybe he was a convert to sikhism. Not all sikh’s are punjabi’s.

    I don’t take issue with his skin color. I know some Sikh kids who are 1/2 African American, and in response to an earlier comment, yes, there are Sikhs who live in trailer parks. That turban is a disgrace, though. It’s sloppy and it’s tied backwards. I should stop commenting on this show I haven’t seen, though.

  2. Remember Punjab from “Annie” ? I just thought it was ridiculous – though I think the turban was on properly (though no hair underneath and I’m def not a turban expert)

  3. the kala scythian crack was a joke people 😉

    re: kerala and ethiopia,

    1) there is some genetic (weak) signature of a “fast” coastal route out of africa which swept along the arabian and bengal coasts all the way to southeast asia. this an old lineage, on the order of 50,000 years.

    2) there is some possible “back-migration” from asia to africa. this might explain some of the similarities, as ethiopians seem to be a primary recipient of exogenous genes from west asia.

    3) and yes, there have long been slaves of africa origin in southern india.

    4) but the physical similarities are convergences or parallelisms, not due to descent. a typical dark-skinned keralan is much closer genetically to a fair-skinned punjabi than to an ethiopian (as i’ve noted before, punjabis are actually somewhat closer to keralans than they are to iranians, so this shouldn’t surprise).

  4. I personally thought Naveen Andrews was miscast as a Sikh in “English Patient”. The bro is making out with the gorgeous Juliette Binoche and all I can think is “Enna da ithi ? Looks like his amma had some side action with a Lemurian doodh wallah”

    I do take issue with the casting….he’s not playing an American convert to Sikhism, he is playing a Punjabi Sikh.

    Razib: Interesting note about the Africa connection. It was my gut instinct as a kid that we South Indians would have a relatively recent (i.e. 6,000 years ago) and strong connection to Ethiopia/Horn of Africa. I was surprised to see in a recent Natl Geo documentary that the trace was ancient and weak.

  5. Lets advocate for banning offensive satire from the right of freedom of speech. Lets define what is acceptable behaviour and the limits in the various forms of expression between different communities and creed. Media is trash.lets trash it 🙂

    I didn’t see the show so I cannot comment.

  6. priya, you’re comment is either satire, or you’re european so you only “respect” freedom of speech rather than “worshipping” it 🙂 (i would say kanadian, but same diff)

  7. Yes, it is offensive as it stands now. I’m a fan of My Name is Earl so I was a bit surprised to see that depiction on the show. They’re usually smarter than that. It’s so out of tune with the rest of the episode that I can’t believe that they’re that ignorant. I kept thinking that they’d go something like ‘Well it’s a guy pretending to be a Sikh’. (He even pronounced it ‘seek’ though he had that fake accent). The stereotype is so bad that maybe it would turn out to be a fake. Maybe that’ll come up in a future episode. If the writer (head writer?) is a desi, it could be possible. But why is there all this totally unrelated race/ethnicity “stuff” in the comments? Anyways, I’d suggest holding off on the letter writing campaign until we see where this goes. (Although, even if it turned out the character was, say, a Muslim pretending to be a Sikh, wouldn’t it still be offensive to Muslims?). Just out of curiosity, are there any major American desi actors/actresses apart from Kal Penn who don’t have to put on a fake accent if they want to work? I remember an interview with a desi guy who wanted a role in Law & Order who had to play a taxi driver with an accent and a turban and he kept telling them about inconsistencies but they wouldn’t listen. Anyone read that interview?

  8. Regarding free speech. Isn’t there a saying: “your rights end where your neighbour’s nose begins”.

  9. Isn’t there a saying: “your rights end where your neighbour’s nose begins”.

    yes, this is why you have greater freedom of speech when swinging at asians, who are known to have snub-noses.

  10. The only really funny thing about him was his accent…but really–that’s the way a lot of Indian pronounce English words..and let’s face it, the Indian accent can be pretty funny.

    yeah right. If this is funny then men making sexual jokes at women is also funny ? Last week I saw a desi actor on an Australian TV program ‘Bingo’ talking with a fake accent. Nuts?

  11. Its not a big deal and letting (non-desi)people laugh at us once is necessary to show that we are comfortable with ourselves. Also, not all desis in America are as suave and assimilated as those on SP, I think sometimes people forget that there is a wide variety of desis that exist.

    So it’s OK for non-desi people to laugh at the desis who are not as “suave and assimilated”, but they should lay off the suave desi, I assume? Hysterical.

  12. I didn’t see the show so commenting on the specifics would be not possible. But for a general discussion on freedom of expression in media how is this particular show’s satire different from the frequent controversy related to religious cartoons, Hussain’s paintings etc. Or lets say what about this book’s cover

    Where do you draw the ine between offensive satire and freedom of press/media etc. ?

  13. Did anyone watch “the Office” episode where the main character was hiding from the Sikh computer fixerman? I though The Office’s handling of their “Sikh terrorist” was actual witty and inoffensive compared to Earls, which I did watch and found to be offensive.

    On the issue of freedom of rights… those of us who were offended have the right to protest this kind of crapola!

  14. “In a sense the “Sikh” neighbor here stands in for all funny-looking/sounding foreigners in the imaginary world of My Name is Earl, just as Apu does in The Simpsons.”

    I don’t watch the earl show, but the apu analogy is just wrong. perhaps you’ve never seen the show. Lots of foreigners in simpsons, lots of funny accents (thank god for hank azaria and dan castenella!) both domestic foreigners (from somewhere certainly not this springfield) and foreign foreigners including mayor quimby, rainer wolfcastle’s arnold, grundskeeper wullie, cletus,rev lovejoy, the gangsters, dr nick, even barney who’s an irish tenor. Apu stands in for nothing, is his own character, plays with stereotype and messes with it like all the rest of the characters.

    “Just out of curiosity, are there any major American desi actors/actresses apart from Kal Penn who don’t have to put on a fake accent if they want to work?”

    Are there any actors, period, who dont have to put on a fake accent if they want work? When they’re at their best, they make up the accent, create a voice for a character that isn’t a mere caricature: alpacino as scarface, carlito, smeller of women, etc.

  15. Are there any actors, period, who dont have to put on a fake accent if they want work? When they’re at their best, they make up the accent, create a voice for a character that isn’t a mere caricature: alpacino as scarface, carlito, smeller of women, etc.

    the difference is that people don’t look at pacino and think he can only play italian characters’s with italian accents. but even for lesser actors they don’t go Leonardo DiCaprio has an italian name so he can only play first generation italians.

  16. A few rambling thoughts:

    Someone noted earlier that this depiction contrasts with certain female doctor characters present on television.

    I suppose it would be opening up another can of worms if we talked about the role gender plays in creating these stereotypes.

    Hmmm… why is it that South Asian females are never portrayed in a negative light? Why would it be unbelievable for us to see a South Asian female character in a trailer-trash type setting?

    … because she would look funny in a turban?

    … Walk into Blockbuster today, I guarantee you that you will find a least 3-4 ‘straight to DVD’… “smart, sophisticated, beautiful Indian female finding liberation from oppressive culture by teaching gora the intracicies and finer points of ordering naan, chicken tikka masala, and mango lhassi” 😉

    And then we wonder we have airheads on this forum talking about how her white boyfriend/fiance ensures her gorgeous looking offspring.

    This

  17. I watched this episode and did find it to be offensive. This kind offensive material still shows up in Hindi Movies also and its quite sad that nothing has been done about that yet.

  18. I seem to have killed the conversation… that’s not the effect I was hoping for…

    I just wanted to point out that the South Asian female is the exotic flavor of the month…

    I can’t wait for the Ramayana starring Tom Cruise and Aishwarya Rai.

  19. I have to agree with Krish****. They emasculate East-Asian-American men too, but treat East-Asian-American women like fetish objects. These types of depictions really bother me.

  20. there’s no way such a kala-face could be a real scythian anyway…so it is obviously satire.

    1.

    I’m not sure where the Scythian regular on SM has been lately, but to a desi who’s lived in Ethiopia, the comment (even if meant ironically) simply makes no sense.

    Look around a bit, and you’ll find many a desi Sikh who’s darker-skinned than many an Ethiopian.

  21. If anyone actually watches this show, you will find that they are making fun of stupid white rednecks more than indian’s. I don’t here white’s crying and whining.

    Satire is meant to be offensive. Thankfully in AMERICA we have the RIGHT to offend others.

    Amardeep, you seem to want to show backbone – what do you propose you do with an Emmy winning multi-million dollar show? Write a letter?

  22. Reader, making fun of white Americans (even if you call them ‘rednecks’) is not the same as making fun of brown immigrants — one group is in a position of power, the other isn’t. Racism in America is not ‘symmetrical’.

    I made the comment about backbone because it pains me when Desis say, “the problem isn’t their racism and xenophobia, it’s our failure to assimilate.” That’s a form of self-hatred, and it’s utter nonsense.

    That said, I’m fine with letting this matter rest at this point. Life goes on; there are bigger fish to fry.

  23. there are bigger fish to fry.

    bigger fry are there to fish.

    are fry bigger to fish there?

    there are bigger fry to fish?

  25. Reader, making fun of white Americans (even if you call them ‘rednecks’) is not the same as making fun of brown immigrants — one group is in a position of power, the other isn’t. Racism in America is not ‘symmetrical’.

    Don’t agree.

    I made the comment about backbone because it pains me when Desis say, “the problem isn’t their racism and xenophobia, it’s our failure to assimilate.” That’s a form of self-hatred, and it’s utter nonsense.

    Also don’t agree.

    The onus is on a tourist or immigrant to make some endeavor to assimilate into the wider cultural scene of a country one is visiting or moving to, especially in regards to language and sometimes even other things such as dress.

    I guess as both a female tourist and ex-patriot I might be more sensitive to such things than a man? Maybe more is expected of me than of you?

  26. I also think the old “you can’t be racist against whites cause whites have power” line is completely off base generally and especially when considering south asians. again, I don’t know the silly show, but the majority of poor white people hold less economic power per capita than south asians, hold little political power, and work THE most dangerous jobs in america (mines) for shit wages. The idea that somehow “but I’m white and so is George W” actually means they have some sort of power is ridiculous.

  27. Racism in America is not ‘symmetrical’.
    made the comment about backbone because it pains me when Desis say, “the problem isn’t their racism and xenophobia, it’s our failure to assimilate.” That’s a form of self-hatred, and it’s utter nonsense.

    Agree completely with these points Amardeep. I’m also sick of the self-haters and the people who pretend to be desi on these boards but have never experienced life as one.

  28. I also think the old “you can’t be racist against whites cause whites have power” line is completely off base generally and especially when considering south asians. again, I don’t know the silly show, but the majority of poor white people hold less economic power per capita than south asians, hold little political power, and work THE most dangerous jobs in america (mines) for shit wages. The idea that somehow “but I’m white and so is George W” actually means they have some sort of power is ridiculous.

    Good point.

    The haves and the have-nots come in all shades, everywhere.

    However, having been both a “have” and “have not” of more than one country, the sooner I learn the language, general mannerisms and clothing norms of anyplace, without losing my own unique identity of course, the easier and faster it is for me to make valuable friends and connections that can be useful to me later. And in a few middle eastern countries, it has been mandatory, sometimes by law, for me as a woman, to adopt the local attire, no matter how physically uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) that may be in high temperatures. Having had that experience has made me that much more appreciative of places where I can wear just about anything I want. However, I still think it best to adapt to local customs and cultures as much as comfortably possible. Most places do not demand much, if anything, of their tourists or immigrants in that regard, so I really don’t see what the big deal is.

  29. I don’t really know why we’re talking about adaptation and assimilation. The topic at issue is really quite simple: whether to tolerate a racist caricature or not.

    Noblekinsman, I never said that it’s not possible to be racist against whites, I said the dynamic was asymmetrical. There is a distinction there. The mainstream is still defined by whiteness (with a dollop of blackness), and people with accents or religious attire are still readily marked as “other” — which means they are more likely to suffer various kinds of harassment.

  30. Walk into Blockbuster today, I guarantee you that you will find a least 3-4 ‘straight to DVD’… “smart, sophisticated, beautiful Indian female finding liberation from oppressive culture by teaching gora the intracicies and finer points of ordering naan, chicken tikka masala, and mango lhassi” 😉

    Krish****, one must ask how this stereotype got created in the first place.

    Have Indian women who have felt oppressed by any aspect of their culture been vocal about such and has someone somewhere ran with that theme all the way to Holly/Bollywood?

    Is there a tree corresponding with the fruit? Or was it something just completely pulled out of the air?

  31. Krish****, one must ask how this stereotype got created in the first place. Have Indian women who have felt oppressed by any aspect of their culture been vocal about such and has someone somewhere ran with that theme all the way to Holly/Bollywood? Is there a tree corresponding with the fruit? Or was it something just completely pulled out of the air?

    UAE Intern:

    You’re right that there is a tree that corresponds to the fruit. Indian society is still behind the times, when compared to the western world. But one of the reasons for this is European colonialism. European colonialism allowed Europe to gain a great deal of wealth and resources, which in turn led to Europe and the Western world becoming more women-friendly and more egalitarian. I do not think that egalitarianism and feminism prospers in an environment where there is a great deal of poverty. And let us remember that Europe colonialized India for a long time and caused India’s poverty–this colonialism kept India from becoming as modern as other Western countries.

    I find that too many times Westerners choose to ignore the effects/consequences of their own actions.

    I’ve always felt that once India catches up to the rest of the world, there will be more egalitarianism. In the meantime, it is unfair for Westerners to pander to stereotypes.

  32. I just realized that there is a desi writer Vali Chandrasekaran, on this show as well, actually executive story editor. He seems to be Tamil. Here is his blog. Interesting how many South Asian writers NBC and CW are hiring in comedy shows.

  33. I am Ethiopian. Where I live, there aren’t that many good Ethiopian restaurants. But I have found my perfect substitute in Indian food. Between Passage to India to Tiffin to all those places in Edison, NJ- I am always dying to get spicy indian food. Other than that I am not aware of any ethnic connections…….

  34. 37 · Boston Mahesh said

    making

    i am quite happy that u have provided lot many informative & interesting information regarding gurjar community. i am interested 2 share with u further information in this regard on my email id pramod_kumar04@hotmail.com

  35. Gujar Places In Pakistan

    The thousands of places were named after the Gujjars and their sub-tribes in the Sub-Continent during the period they ruled over the South and some part of Central Asia. In these days an interesting discussion is going on as to who the Gujjars or Gurjars are? I am mentioning the name of some places situated in all the four provinces of Pakistan. This do not include the villages named after the Gujjars situated in Jammu & Kashmir, Northern Areas and the Tribal Areas. I will updating the visitors of this site after I complete the data in respect of these areas. I will also try my best some time later to provide the name of villages after the sub-tribes of Gujjars. The following data will help the analysts and historians to draw some befitting and logical conclusion.

    I will be highly obliged if any brethren may add to my knowledge by mentioning such places named after the word Gujar, Gujjar or Gurjar, situated in India or any other part of the world. Kindly forward this despatch to other sites discussing the Gujjar’s dilema. Regards

    Ch. Muhammad Ashraf Gujjar, Advocate High Court, Islamabad (Pakistan) m_ashraf777@hotmail.com

    P U N J A B PROVINCE:

    DERA GHAZI KHAN DISTRICT THOKH GUJRI

    LAYYAH DISTRICT GUJRAT

    MUZAFFARGARH DISTRICT GUJARWALA

    RAJANPUR DISTRICT KOTLA GOJAR GUJAR WALI

    FAISALABAD DISTRICT CHAK 217/GB GUJJAR PIND CHAK 176/GB PALA GOJRA

    JHANG DISTRICT JAT GUJJAR

    TOBA TEK SINGH DISTRICT GOJRA TEHSIL

    GUJRANWALA DISTRICT KOTLI GUJRAN

    GUJRAT DISTRICT GUJARPUR DHOK GUJRAN GUJJAR KOTLA KULEWAL GUJRAN KHANPUR GUJRAN

    HAFIZABAD DISTRICT GUJRANWALI GUJAR KE

    MANDI BAHAUDDIN DISTRICT GOJRA

    NAROWAL DISTRICT GUJAR WALI BHABRA GUJRAN BERA GUJRAN KHANPUR GUJRAN CHHANI GUJRAN DEHLA GUJRAN PAILA GUJRAN GUJAR TOOR HAJI PUR GUJRAN DARYA GUJRAN KOTLI GUJRAN BADALA GUJRAN NIKI GUJRAN JHOMIAN GUJRAN GUJRAT NADALA GUJRAN BALA GUJRAN BHERON CHAK GUJRAN TEHRA GUJRAN

    SIALKOT DISTRICT GUJARKE GOJRA GUJAR KALLA GUJAR GORAYA GUJRAL GUJRAN WALA

    KASUR DISTRICT GURJKE

    LAHORE DISTRICT NAWAN PIND GUJRAN HANDU GUJAR QILA GUJAR SINGH WARRA GUJARAN

    OKARA DISTRICT GHOUS PUR GUJJRAN

    SHEIKHUPURA DISTRICT GUJAR PURA MAHMOON GUJAR KALA GUJAR KOTLI GUJRAN RATTA GUJRAN

    VEHARI DISTRICT GUJAR

    ATTOCK DISTRICT THATTI GUJRAN DHOK GUJAR

    CHAKWAL DISTRICT BHATTI GUJAR MOHRA GUJRAN PINDI GUJRAN

    JHELUM DISTRICT WARA GUJRAN GUJER PUR KALA GUJRAN THATHI GUJRAN GUJJAR GUJAR KATARIAN

    RAWALPINDI DISTRICT GUJAR KHAN TEHSIL GOJRA MATUA GUJAR DHANGDEW GUJAR MAL JAND GUJAR GURAH GUJARAN PHAMRA GUJRAN KALA GUJRAN BHANGALI GUJAR ARAZI GUJRAL DHOK GUJRI BHADANA GUJRAN DANDI GUJRAN KHURAM GUJAR

    MIANWALI DISTRICT GUJRAN WALA GUJRAT

    KHUSHAB DISTRICT GUJRANWALA

    North Western Frontier Province(N. W. F. P.)

    D. I. KHAN DISTRICT GUJRAT ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT MASAH GUJRI GUJRI BAIN GUJRI HARIPUR DISTRICT PIND GUJRAN MOHRRA GUJAR KOHISTAN DISTRICT GUJJAR BANDA GUJARYBAKE GUJAR KHEL GUJAR BANDA GUJAR BANDA MANSEHRA DISTRICT GUJRAN GUJRA GUJRAN DE GAL LOWER DIR DISTRICT GUJAR KALAI GUJAR ABAD UPPER DIR DISTRICT GUJARA KILI GUJAR LALA MALA-GUJAR MARDAN DISTRICT GUJRAT GUJAR GARHI Mohalla GUJARAN Bakhshali PESHAWAR DISTRICT CHOUHA GUJAR MIAN GUJAR

    S I N D PROVINCE

    KARACHI DISTRICT GUJAR CHOWK, Manzoor Colony Gujjar Nallah

    BADIN DISTRICT GUJRI LARKANA DISTRICT GUJHAR SANGHAR DISTRICT GUJRO GUJHERAN GUJHRO SUKKUR DISTRICT GUJRO

    B A L U C H I S T A N      PROVINCE

    AWARAN DISTRICT GUJARO KHUZDAR DISTRICT GUJAAR BOLAN DISTRICT GUJAR PISHIN DISTRICT GUJIR DERA BUGTI DISTRICT GUJRO ZHOB DISTRICT GURJE ZAI

    ISLAMABAD CAPITAL TERRITORY (I.C.T.)

    KANGOTA GUJRAN DERA GUJARAN (SECTOR G-10) GOHRRA GUJARAN MARRI GUJAR, TALHARR.

  36. GUJJARS : A Warrior Tribe Who Inflicted Collosol Loss To The USSR

    GUJARS : The 2nd Largest Ethinic & Linguistic Entity Of Afghanistan

                        By:   Ch.  M. Ashraf   Gujjar, 
                                  Islamabad,  Pakistan.


The U.S.A. and her allied countries had propounded the idea of a broad-based Government in Afghanistan, comprising of all the ethnic and linguastic groups. The western countries had false perception about the exact ethnic and linguastic division of Afghanistan. It was mistakenly believed that the Afghnistan is ethnically devided into Pushtoons and Persian speaking Northern alliance. The U.S.A. and its allies, while forming the present Karzai Government in Afghanistan, absolutely ignored the second largest and major ethnic Gujjar community. The Gujjars constitutes to be the 35% of Afghanistan’s total population.

    2. The Gujjar is the largest tribe of the World, which is admittedly recognized to be the major ethnic group in Pakistan, India, Indo-Pak held Jammu & Kashmir, Xing Xiang(China), Tibet, Nepal, Bhuttan, Sakkum, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Georgia and other Central Asian States. The Gujjars can rightly be termed as an International tribe, who are not restricted and confined by the frontiers or borders. 3. There is much known about the Gujjars dwelling in almost all parts of India and Pakistan. There population in India and Pakistan is 20 & 03-billion respectively. The Sub-Continent and Central Asia was ruled for centuries by the Gujjars, also known as Gurjars. It was during their rule that thousands of places were named after them or their sub-tribes in India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian States. In Central and South Asia there are also numerous places named after the sub-clans of Gujjars, e.g. Chechania, Chechian, Jhanda Chechi, Kharian, New-Katarian, Panjan Kasana, Noon, Bhadana, Jhand Meelu, etc. etc. I am sure a list of such places, given at the end of this article, will be of great interest to realise that to what extent the Gujjars enjoyed power and influence in the Central & South Asia in the ancient times. 4. The Gujjars of Afghanistan have always played a very important and significant role in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan is broadly divided into four major ethnic groups, i.e. (1)-Pushtoons 40%, (2)-Gujjars, speaking Gujari and other languages 35%, (3)-Persian speaking 10% and (4)-others 15% approximately. The over whelming and majority population of 14 Provinces of Afghanistan consists of Gujjar tribe, who generally speak Gujjari langauage. In some areas they also speak Pushto or Persian in addition to Gujjari langauage. This language is also spoken by the Gujjars of India and Pakistan. The Gujjarati, Daccani, Rajasthani, Mewati and mewarri, according to some scholars, are the regional names and dialects of Gujjari language. A brief and approximate account of Gujjar population in some of the Afghan-Provinces is given hereunder:- i) Kunnarr : This province is situated in the south of Afghanistan and in the North of Pakistan. The Gujjar tribe is living with over-whelming majority in this Province. The famous towns and villages of the Gujjars are Narrai, Asmar, Hari Kot, Tashagul, Konigul, Gorin, Inchagal, Samsagal, Karchigal, Bazagal, Batash, Hegal and Asoom, etc. ii) Lughman : Its more than 50% population consists of Gujjar tribe.
    There are approximately 45-villages having hundred percent Gujjar population. iii) Panjsher : The Gujjars constitutes 40% population of this Province. Perkhar and Wersak towns are the famous strong-holds of the Gujjars. iv) Badakhshan : The Gujjars constitutes half of the population of this Province. The Bajjarr, Chauhan, Bherwal, Jangle, Bhaddana, Kohli, Doei and Bokarra are the famous sub-tribes/clans of Gujjars living in this Province. v) Kondos : The ¾ population of this Province consists of Gujjar tribe. vi) Farkhar : More than 90% population of this Province belongs to the Gujjar community. The Dashtiachi, Namakao, Khestazi and Khefdar, etc. are the famous towns & villages of the Gujjar tribe. vii) Mazar Sharif : In this Province over 30% population consists of Gujjar community. viii) Baglan : In this Province over 40% population belongs to the Gujjar caste. ix) Aneshkamesh : The 70% population of this Province is consisted of Gujjar tribe. x) Palol : The Gujjar is a majority tribe of this Province. The Gujjar commanders Mr. Ghulam Sakhi Khattana and Mr.Fardol Khatana, the militant leaders of Harkat-e-Islamia Afghanistan also belonged to this Province. They inflicted collosal loss to the enemy during the cold-war. xi) Andraf : The Gujjars constitues ¾ population of this Province. The Gujjar Generals Moman Bherwal and Mr. Arbab Therwal Malang, the militant Gujjar Commanders of Hizb-e-Islami belonged to this province. These Generals earned lot of name and recognition during the cold-war. xii) Taloqan : The Gujjars forms half of the population of the Province. Mr. Arbab Hakeem Chechi, the Supreme Gujjar Commander of Hizb-e-Islami also belonged to this Province. He also earned world wide recognition during the cold war. xiii) Shabargan : The Gujjars are 1/3 of the total population of this Province.

    1. The Gujjars are also living with a prominent sizeable minority in the following Provinces of Afghanistan : – i Nangarhar, ii Kabul, iii Logar, iv Qandhar, v Gazni, vi Kapisa, vii Gardez, viii Tamroze, and ix Harat.
    2. The Gujjars played a leading role in war (Jehad) against the U.S.S.R. since beginning in the year 1979. Mir Afzal Chechi of Kunnarr Province was one of the leading founders to organise and start the war(Jehad) to liberate Afghanistan from the clutches of U.S.S.R., who also sacrificed his life for the sacred cause. Malik Sher Afzal and Malik Qabeel of Kunnarr Province also significantly contributed towards organizing the war and Jehad against the U.S.S.R.
    3. The following militant leaders of various Jahadi organizations, who fought against the U.S.S.R., also belonged to the Gujjar tribe of Afghanistan:- i) Dr.M.Abdul Qayyum, Founder, Hizb-e-Islami ii) Maulana M.Younas Khalis Quaid, Hizb-e-Islami iii) Muhammad Ayub, Amir, Tanzeem Ahl-e-Hadith iv) Ghulam Chechi, Commander Hizb-e-Islami v) Mauland Akhawandzada Commander Harkat-e-Islami vi) Nadir Khan Commander Harkat-e-Islami vii) Arbab Mian Gul Chechi Commander Jamaat-e-Islami viii) Haji Zardali Commander Hizb-e-Islami ix) Haji Daim Khan Commander Tanzeem Ahl-e-Hadith x) Musafar Khan Commander Hizb-e-Islami xi) Maulana Umra Khan Commander Hizb-e-Islami xii) Haji Badam Khan Commander Mahaz-e-Milli xiii) Mir Alam Commander Jamat-e-Islami xiv) Malik Sadbar Commander Hizb-e-Islami xv) Maulana Kaduaali Amir Islami Hizb xvi) Mirza Lal Doei Commander Jamat-e-Islami xvii) Madir Gujjarwal Commander Harkat-e-Islami xviii) Malik Jabeen Chechi Commander Hizb-e-Islami xix) Malik Shireen Commander Hizb-e-Islami xx) Malik Maasal Commander Hizb-e-Islami xxi) Hazrat Bilal Sher Commander Harkat-e-Islami xxii) Malik Gul Sharif Commander Tanzeem Ahl-e-Hadith
    4. The thousands of Gujjar Mujahideens sacrificed their lives while fighting against USSR during the period of cold war. A large number of Gujjars had to migrate to Pakistan and other neighbouring countries during and after the cold-war. The majority of Gujjar migratees were living in Bhai Cheena Camps, Anayat Kaley Camps in Bajorr Agency, Dodaba Camps and Ranrri Camps in Dir district of Pakistan.
    5. The culture, language, customs and traditions of the Gujjars are entirely different than the pushtoon ethnic stock. The Gujjars of Afghanistan speaks Gujjari language, the language that also spoken in most of the areas of India & Pakistan and enjoys representation on a number of state owned Radio and Television channels in both the countries.
    6. It will be worth mentioning that the Pushto speaking population do not belong to one community, tribal or racial group rather they are devided into Shanwaris, Afridis, Safis, Khattaks, Mashwanis and Yousafzais, etc. etc., who are foes and not friends as they keeps fighting with each other, whereas, on the contrary the Gujjars of Afghanistan belongs to one racial and tribal group unlike Pushtoons, who are just a linguistic group.
    7. The over 30-Million Gujjars in Pakistan and 20-Billion Gujjars in India had extended their implied and unconditional support to the notion of forming the broad based Afghan-Government comprising of all the ethnic groups and communities in Afghanistan so to bring the perpetual peace in Afghanistan.
    8. It was expected that the Gujjars being the second largest ethnic and linguistic community certainly was to be considered as a significant constitutent in broad-based government as by ignoring the Gujjars neither any government can function as a representative establishment nor that could be a workable or perpetual solution to the growing problems of Afghanistan. The U.S.A., U.K. and Pakistan Governments should have derived an acceptable formula giving due representation to the Gujjars of Afghanistan.

    9. The worrior & majority Gujjar tribe has not been given any representation while forming the present Afghan Government, the result is obvious, the writ of present Afghan-Government could hardly be established within the radious of only two Kilo meter area and more specifically speaking within the Presidential Compound under the guard and security of Allied forces. They are the brave Gujjars only who can restrict and confine the war-lords into their cloths and can bring the perpetual peace in Afghanistan. These Gujjars of Afghanistan also enjoys the unshaken support of 23-billion Gujjars of Pakistan and India in special and millions of Gujjars settled all over the world in common. Its in the larger interest that Allied Forces, in order to bring the perpetual peace in Afghanistan, may even now draw a strategy to form a true representative Aghan-Government. The royal-Gujjars have ruled the South-Central Asia for centuries and it was during their kingdoms that they had named thousands of places. No other tribe can compete the Gujjars on this account. In the wake of recent unrest amongst the Gujjars of Rajisthan in India, which has been termed as the ‘Desert Storm By The Gujjars, an interesting discussion is going on these days as to who the Gujars, Gujjars or Gurjars are? I am mentioning a few name of some places, which will help the historians, anthrapologist and anaylst to ascertain the major and important role played by them in present and past history and the politics of these regions. The visitors of this site are allowed to forward this article to the other web-sites for befitting conclusion about the Gujjars’ history and their role in the present-age :-

                  I  N  D  I  A :

    P U N J A B PROVINCE : AMRITSAR DISTRICT : LODHI GUJJAR KOTLA GUJARAN GUJARPURA GUJAR PURA FARIDKOT DISTRICT : GUJJAR FATEHGARH SAHIB DISTRICT : RAIPUR GUJJARAN, BUD GUJJARAN, FIROZPUR DISTRICT : BEHAK GUJJARAN, BUH GUJJARAN, THEH GUJJAR, THEH GUJJAR (BEGU), GURDASPUR DISTRICT : TALWARA GUJJARAN, SIMBLI GUJJARAN, LAHRI GUJJARAN, KOTLI GUJJARAN, JHANDA GUJJARAN, GUJARAT, GUJJAR PUR, CHANNI GUJJARAN, BHURIAN GUJJARAN, AIMAN GUJJARAN, HOSHIARPUR DISTRICT : GUJJAR PUR, GUJJAR, GUJAR KATRALA, GUJAR BASOYA, RAIPUR GUJJARAN, JIWANPUR GUJJARAN, CHAK GUJJARAN-1, CHAK GUJJARAN-2, BHULEWAL GUJJARAN, BAGEWAL GUJJARAN, JALANDHAR DISTRICT : RAIPUR GUJJARAN, KAPURTHALA DISTRICT : MAND GUJJAR PUR, GUJJARATTAN, LUDHIANA DISTRICT : AGWAR GUJJARAN, BAUNKAR GUJJARAN, BHAINI GUJJARAN, FATEHGARH GUJJARAN, GUJJARWAL, GUJJARWAL BET, QUTABEWAL GUJJARAN, NAWANSHAHR DISTRICT : GUJJAR PUR KHURD, GUJJAR PUR KALAN, ROPARR DISTRICT : BASI GUJJARAN, SANGPUR DISTRICT : RAMPUR GUJJARAN, RAMGARH GUJJARAN, GUJJARAN, PATIALA DISTRICT : BADHOLI GUJJARAN, BIR KHERI GUJJARAN, DUDHAN GUJJARAN, FARID PUR GUJJARAN, GUJARHERI, KHERI GUJJARAN, SASA GUJJARAN, MUKTASAR DISTRICT : BURA GUJJAR,

    G U J A R A T     PROVINCE :

    SURAT DISTRICT : GUJJAR PUR, MEHSANA DISTRICT : GUJJARVADA,

    HIMACHAL PRADESH (H.P.)    PROVINCE :

    UNA DISTRICT : DHAR GUJJARAN,

    HARYANA    PROVINCE  :

    AMBALA DISTRICT : TALHERI GUJJARAN, BHIWANI DISTRICT : GUJARANI, FARIDABAD DISTRICT : KHERI GUJJARAN, NAGLA GUJJARAN, TIKRI GUJJARAN, GURGAON DISTRICT : BAR GUJJARAN, GUJAR NAGLA, MUHAMMADPUR GUJJARAN, KAITHAL DISTRICT : BUDHANPUR GUJJARAN, GARHI GUJJARAN, KURUKSHETRA DISTRICT : KAKRALA GUJJARAN, MAHENDRAGARH DISTRICT : GUJJARWAS, PANI PAT DISTRICT : NUR PUR GUJJARAN, SIMLA GUJJARAN, BAWANA GUJJARAN, REWARI DISTRICT : BAWANA GUJJAR, GUJAR MAJRI, GUJARIWAS, LADHUWAS GUJJARAN, ROHTAK DISTRICT : KHERKA GUJJARAN, SONI PAT DISTRICT : KHERI GUJJARAN, PANCHI GUJJARAN, YAMUNA NAGAR DISTRICT : GARHI GUJJARAN, HAL DARI GUJJARAN,

                    P  A  K  I  S  T  A  N :

    P U N J A B PROVINCE:

    DERA GAZI KHAN DISTRICT : THOKH GUJRI, LAYYAH DISTRICT : GUJRAT, MUZAFARGARH DISTRICT : GUJARWALA, RAJANPUR DISTRICT : KOTLA GUJAR, GUJAR WALI, FAISALABAD DISTRICT : CHAK 217/GB GUJJAR PIND, CHAK 176/GB PALA GOJRA, JHANG DISTRICT JAT GUJJAR, TOBA TEK SINGH DISTRICT : GUJRA TEHSIL, GUJARANWALA DISTRICT : GUJARANWALA, KOTLI GUJRAN, GUJARAT DISTRICT : GUJARAT, GUJARPUR, DHOK GUJRAN, GUJJAR KOTLA, KULEWAL GUJRAN, KHANPUR GUJRAN, HAFIZABAD DISTRICT : GUJRANWALI, GUJAR KE, MANDI BAHA UD DIN DISTRICT : GUJRA, NAROWAL DISTRICT : GUJAR WALI, BHABRA GUJRAN, BERA GUJRAN, KHANPUR GUJRAN, CHHANI GUJRAN, DEHLA GUJRAN, PAILA GUJRAN, GUJAR TOOR, HAJI PUR GUJRAN, DARYA GUJRAN, KOTLI GUJRAN, BADALA GUJRAN, NIKI GUJRAN, JHOMIAN GUJRAN, GUJRAT, NADALA GUJRAN, BALA GUJRAN, BHERON CHAK GUJRAN, TEHRA GUJRAN, SIALKOT DISTRICT : GUJARKE, GOJRA, GUJAR KALLA, GUJAR GORAYA, GUJRAL, GUJRAN WALA, KASUR DISTRICT : GUJARKE, LAHORE DISTRICT : NAWAN PIND GUJRAN, HANDU GUJAR, QILA GUJAR SINGH, WARRA GUJARAN, OKARRA DISTRICT : GHOUS PUR GUJJRAN, SHEIKHUPURA DISTRICT : GUJAR PURA, MAHMOON GUJAR, KALA GUJAR, KOTLI GUJRAN, RATTA GUJRAN, VEHARRI DISTRICT : GUJAR, ATTOCK DISTRICT : THATTI GUJRAN, DHOK GUJAR,

    CHAKWAL DISTRICT : BHATTI GUJAR, MOHRA GUJRAN, PINDI GUJRAN, JHELUM DISTRICT : WARA GUJRAN, GUJAR PUR, KALA GUJRAN, THATHI GUJRAN, GUJJAR, GUJAR KATARIAN, RAWALPINDI DISTRICT : GUJAR KHAN TEHSIL, GUJRA, MATUA GUJAR, DHANGDEW GUJAR MAL, JAND GUJAR, GURAH GUJARAN, PHAMRA GUJRAN, KALA GUJRAN, BHANGALI GUJAR, ARAZI GUJRAL, DHOK GUJRI, BHADANA GUJRAN, DANDI GUJRAN, KHURAM GUJAR, MIANWALI DISTRICT : GUJRAN WALA, GUJRAT, KHUSHAB DISTRICT : GUJRANWALA,

    North Western Frontier Province (N. W. F. P.)

    D. I. KHAN DISTRICT : GUJRAT, ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT : MASAH GUJRI, GUJRI, BAIN GUJRI, HARIPUR DISTRICT : PIND GUJRAN, MOHRRA GUJAR, KOHISTAN DISTRICT : GUJJAR BANDA, GUJARYBAKE, GUJAR KHEL, GUJAR BANDA, GUJAR BANDA, MANSEHRA DISTRICT : GUJRAN, GUJRA, GUJRAN DE GAL, LOWER DIR DISTRICT : GUJAR KALAI, GUJAR ABAD, UPPER DIR DISTRICT : GUJARA KILI, GUJAR LALA, MALA-GUJAR, MARDAN DISTRICT : GUJRAT, GUJAR GARHI, Mohalla GUJARAN Bakhshali, PESHAWAR DISTRICT : CHOUHA GUJAR MIAN GUJAR,

    S I N D PROVINCE :

    KARACHI DISTRICT : GUJAR CHOWK- Manzoor Colony, GUJJAR Nullah, BADIN DISTRICT : GUJRI, LARRKANA DISTRICT : GUJHAR, SANGHARR DISTRICT : GUJRO, GUJHERAN, GUJHRO, SUKKUR DISTRICT : GUJRO,

    B A L U C H I S T A N PROVINCE :

    AWARAN DISTRICT : GUJARO, KHUZDAR DISTRICT : GUJAAR, BOLAN DISTRICT : GUJAR, PISHIN DISTRICT : GUJIR, DERA BUGTI DISTRICT : GUJRO, ZHOB DISTRICT : GURJE ZAI,

    ISLAMABAD CAPITAL TERRITORY (I.C.T.) : KANGOTA GUJRAN, DERA GUJARAN(SECTOR G-10), GOHRRA GUJARAN, MARRI GUJAR,TALHARR, HADWALA GUJJARAN, GUJJARAN NA MOHRRA.

                    I  R  A  N

    GUJAR This place is situated in Esfahan, Iran, its geographical coordinates are 33° 48′ 0″ North, 51° 20′ 0″ East.

                    A F G H A N I S T A N

    Gujarabad, Gujaristan, Gujar pul (Kunnarr) Gujar (Fariab), etc.

                    G E O R G I A (Central Asia)

    Gurjistan } Persian names ]The place where from the Gujars, Gurjiya } of Georgia ]Gurjis or Gurjars migrated to South } ]Asia in the ancient times.

                    C H E C H A N Y A (Central Asia)

    CHECHANYA This country is named after the Chechi sub-clan or gotra of Gujjar/Gurjar Tribe. The following places are also named after the Chechi sub-clan in Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir : Jhandi Chechi, District Rawalpindi, Pakistan Chechian, District Mirpur, A. J & K.

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