Puri (Punjabi: ਪੁਰੀ, پــــُـــرى; Hindi: पुरी, Urdu, Hindko: پــــُـــرى), is a Kshatriya clan originating from the North-Western Punjab region in modern day Pakistan.

Origin and Etymology

The surname itself may possibly be derived from the Purus, the ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of the Northern and Northwestern Punjab region who, siding with the Iranic tribes (e.g. Parsu), were defeated at the Battle of the Ten Kings mentioned in the Rig Veda.

It can be noted that King Porus, against whom the battle of the Hydaspes River was fought by Alexander the Great at was of the Puru tribe. Porus being the Greek rendition of Puru.

Religion

Puris are found among Hindu, Sikh and Muslim Punjabi families in India, Nepal, Pakistan and areas of Afghanistan.

Distinction

The Puri family name is strictly of the Punjab region and links no connection to the Southeastern Indian City of Puri in the state of Orissa.

Distinguished Puris

• Haqiqat Rai, a personality of 18th century Lahore; considered a martyr in the Sikh faith as well to some Punjabi Hindu communities
• Major General Mohinder Puri of the Indian Army who led the capture of Tiger Hill in the 1999 Kargil Indo-Pakistan War
• Aroon Purie, an Indian businessman and the founder & editor in chief of India Today
• Balraj Puri, a journalist, writer and human rights activist whose life is a part of the history of Jammu & Kashmir
• The Late Amrish Puri - Bollywood and Hollywood film actor
• The Late Madan Puri - Bollywood film actor
• Om Puri - Bollywood and Hollywood film actor
• Tariq Iqbal Puri - Executive Minister of the Embassy of Pakistan in Belgium
• The Late Harbhajan Singh Yogi - Sikh Spiritual Leader and Advisor
• Koel Puri - A Film actress and niece of Om Puri and Amrish Puri.

References

• Kosambi, Damodar Dharmanand (1966). Ancient India: A History of its Culture and Civilisation. Delhi: Pantheon Books.
• Prakash, Buddha (1964). Political and Social Movements in Ancient Panjab. Delhi, Patna, Varanasi: M. Banarsidass.