Rath tribe
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (28,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
•  India •  Pakistan
|
|
| Languages | |
| • Urdu • Hindi • Marwari • | |
| Religion | |
•  Islam 100% • |
|
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Sindhi-Sipahi • Qaimkhani |
The Rath (Rajasthani: रथ (Devanagari) رتھ (Perso-Arabic)) are a Muslim Rajput community, found in the state of Rajasthan in India. They also settled in Punjab and Sindh provinces Pakistan. They are also known as Rathi, although their preferred self-designation is Rajput.
The Rath are said to get their name from the Rathi breed of cattle, which they used to and still herd. They are divided into three major sub-groups, the Parihar or sometimes referred to as Parhar Rath, the Johiya and the Bohar, and a number of minor lineages, such as the Chanar, Larr, Chhachhar and Chandani. According to the traditions of the Parhar Rath, they were originally Parihar Rajputs of Mandore, who were defeated by the Rathores, and fled to Sindh. During their period of exile, the Parhar were converted to Islam. The community than moved to the desert regions of Bikaner State, and spread over time to the Cholistan desert region. While the Bohar and Johiya Rath both claim descent from the Bhatti Rajputs, and have different traditions as to their conversion to Islam. As a community, they have a strong self-identification as being a Rajput community. They are culturally close to tribesmen of the Cholistan region of Punjab, Pakistan, who are also largely Rath.
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Wikipedia