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Arain

The Arain (آرائین) are an agricultural caste settled mainly in the Punjab (Pakistan and India), with significant numbers also in the Sindh (Pakistan). They are chiefly associated with farming, traditionally being small landowners or zamindars.

Origin

Arains are the descendants of Arab invaders to sub-continent. They came from Areha (Jehrico, Syria) which is now in Palistine. Muhammad Hayat Madni held as a commander in the Mian Family of Baghbanpura. Reference to their linage is made by Akbar Shah Khan Najeebabadi who declared that they enter India through Debal Sindh with Muhammad Bin Qasim. He declared that they are Areehai from Areha which was a Punjabized nasal sound to Arain and the claim Arab descent, doubtless based upon the demographic that nearly all Arain are, and have been, Sunni Muslim, as were the early Arabs of Muhammad bin Qasim's expedition.

The Arain during the British Raj

The Arain land holders should not be confused with the more gentrified zamindars such as the feudal Rajput landlords of vast holdings. Polo, partridge shoots and tea parties were therefore not associated attributes. Neither were the more negative and profligate practises such as "...dancing girls, drunken evenings listening to poetry, or numerous marriages.... When the British wanted land developed in the Punjab after its annexation, Arain were brought in to cultivate lands around the cities, forming irrigated colonies. The Arain were so favoured for their "hard work, frugality and sense of discipline. Subsequent development of towns and cities and increasing urbanisation resulted in the value of the land settled by Arain to rise significantly, and Arain families thus flourished. Education was prioritised with the new found wealth and the Arain came to dominate the legal profession amongst urban Punjabi Muslims. Many used law to enter politics.

The Arain were classified as a "non-martial race" by the British, a classification deemed arbitrary and based on prejudices prevalent at the time (see martial race).

Prominent Arain

Muhammad Hayat Madni (Commander in Muhammad Bin Qasim's Army)

General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the sixth President of Pakistan (and Chief of Staff of the Pakistani Army) was an Arain from Jalandhar.

Chaudhry Mohammad Ali, a Civil Servant from Jalandhar, became Pakistan's second Finance Minister (1951-1956) and Pakistan's fourth Prime Minister (1956-1957).

Mian Sir Fazli Husain, the first Chief Minister of the Punjab. Chaudry Muhammad Mansoor Majeed Arain.

Mian Amiruddin, mayor of Lahore at the time of the Partition.

Mian Sir Muhammad Shah Nawaz, an influential politician of the Punjab in the 1920s.

Mian Iftikharuddin, a politician, landlord and founder of the Imroze and Pakistan Times newspapers (later to be nationalized by the Ayub government). He was to play an important role in turning the Muslim community of urban Punjab towards favouring an independent Pakistan.