Revision 314780602 of "Cheema" on enwiki

{{for|a list of Cheema Villages|Cheema Villages}}
:''For people named ''Cheema'', see: [[Cheema (person)]]'' 

[[Image:PazyrikHorseman.JPG|thumb|200px|Saka (Scythian) horseman from [[Pazyryk]] in Central Asia, c. 300 BC.]]
'''Cheema''' ({{lang-pa|ਚੀਮਾ, [[Urdu language|Urdu]]: '''چیمہ'''}}) (also spelt '''Chìma''') is a [[Jat]] [[clan]] found in [[Punjab, Pakistan]] and [[Punjab, India]] . They are believed to be descendants of [[Indo-Scythian]] tribes.

== History ==

   
The Cheema tribe was designated by the [[United Kingdom|British]] as a [[Martial Race]]. Martial Race is a designation created by officials of [[British India]] to describe "races" (peoples) that were thought to be naturally warlike and [[aggressive]] in [[battle]], and to possess qualities like [[courage]], [[loyalty]], [[self sufficiency]], [[physical strength]], resilience, orderliness, hard working, fighting tenacity and [[military strategy]]. Today some of the finest anceistors included Sarbajit Cheema (singer), Rizwan Cheema (minsiter) and Shehryar A Cheema (business man). The British recruited heavily from these Martial Races  for service in the [[colonial army]]. The British described Cheema as a powerful and united, but quarrelsome tribe. <ref>''(Glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and [[NWFP]], H A Rose), ''</ref>

Cheemas come from the large and prominent group of tribes the Jatts in [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. Cheemas are one of the two major sub clans of the 72 sub clans in [[Jats]]. Jats are a brave, hardworking and independent minded people known for their military prowess, many Jats were recruited into the [[British Indian Army]] during [[World War I]]. Historically, this tribe has held considerable tracts in the upper [[Rechna Doab]] since Mughal era. They usually own extensive agricultural lands, and are influential landlords ([[Zamindar]]) and many associated with [[aristocracy]] in and outside their respective areas. The visible strength of the Cheema family can be seen in the first [[constitution of Pakistan|1947 constitution of Pakistan]], where the Cheema tribe was listed in the second line as one of the 40 largest families coming into Pakistan.
===Religion===

Cheemas are found among Muslim and Sikh populations. While in Pakistan Cheemas are Muslim, in India the predominant section of Cheemas are Sikhs. Historically Cheemas  followed local [[Peer-E-Tariqat]] (The head of a [[Sufi]] order), and  ''Jathera'' ([[Ancestor worship]]) as well as previously, [[Buddhism]]. Most of them are either Sikh, Muslim, [[Agnostic]] or [[Atheist]] in their modern religious or non-religious affiliations.

==History==

{{cquote|'''Chima''' –One of the largest Jat tribes in the Punjab . They say that some 25 generations back their ancestor Chima , a [[Chauhan]]  [[Rajput]] from  [[Delhi]] after the defeat of Rai Tanura (Prithi Raj , by [[Muhammad of Ghor]] first to Kangra in the Delhi district and then to Amritsar , where his son Chotu Mal founded a village on the Bias in the time of Ala-ud-din .His grandson was called Rana Kang , and the youngest of his eight sons Dhol ( the name appears among the Hingra )was the ancestor of the present clans [[Dogal]] , Mohtil , [[Nagara]]  and Chima  . The Chima  have the peculiar marriage customs described under the Sahi Jats  , and they are said to be served  by [[Gorakshanath|Jogi]]s instead of [[Brahmin]]s , but now a days Bhania purohits are said to perform their ceremonies . They are said to marry within the tribe as well as with their neighbours . The bulk of the tribe embraced Islam in the times of [[Feroze Shah]] and [[Aurangzeb]] , but many retain their old customs . They are most numerous in [[Sialkot]] , but hold  42 villages in Gujaranwala , and have spread both eastwards and westwards along the foot of the hills . <br>
It is noteworthy that the tribe takes its generic name from its youngest clan , and is descended from Dhol ,a youngest son . <br>
Another genealogy is <br>
Rai Tanura <br>
Chotu Mal <br>
Chima (4th in descent ) <br>
Two sons Audhan and Audhar <br>
Bavan son of  Audhan  founded Chima 

The Sialkot Pamphlet of 1866 makes them Somabansi Rajputs , claiming descent from Rama (sic)Ganj . It also says they follow the chundavand rule of Inheritence .
<ref>Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD, Page 171, Vol II,</ref>}}

{{cquote|'''Chima''' , A Hindu and Muhammadan Jat clan (agricultural) found in Montgomery<ref>Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD, Page 171, Vol II,</ref>}}

:''Main articles on Sakyas: [[Sakas]] and [[Shakya]]''
According to scholars the [[Sakas]] and [[Kambojas]] were the ancestors of present day Cheema tribe. The Indo-Scythians were named "Shaka" in India, an extension on the name [[Saka]] used by the Persians to designate Scythians. 

===Invasion of India (180 BCE onward)===
The Vanaparava of the Mahabharata contains verses in the form of prophecy that the kings of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Bahlikas and Abhiras, etc. shall rule unrighteously in Kaliyuga <ref>([[Mahabharata]] ''3/188/34-36'')</ref>. 

This reference apparently alludes to the precarious political scenario following the collapse of [[Mauryan]] and [[Sunga]] [[Dynasty|dynasties]] in northern India and its occupation by foreign hordes of the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas and Pahlavas.

''See main article'': [[Invasion of India by Scythian Tribes]]

===Alexander's invasion of Punjab===

{{main|History of the Punjab}}
[[Image:Scythian Warriors.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Scythian]] warriors, drawn after figures on an [[electrum]] cup from the Kul'Oba [[kurgan]] burial near [[Kerch]]. The warrior on the right strings his bow, bracing it behind his knee; note the typical pointed hood, long jacket with fur or fleece trimming at the edges, decorated trousers, and short boots tied at the ankle. Scythss apparently normally wore their hair long and loose, and all adult men apparently wore beards. The ''gorytos'' appears clearly on the left hip of the bare-headed spearman; his companion has an interesting shield, perhaps representing a plain leather covering over a wooden or wicker base. ([[Hermitage Museum]], St Petersburg)]]

[[Alexander the Great|Alexander]] overran the [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenid Empire]] in 331 BCE and marched into present-day [[Afghanistan]] with an army of 50,000. His scribes do not record the names of [[Gandhara]] or [[Kamboja]]; rather, they locate a dozen small political units in those territories. This rules out the possibility of [[Gandhara]] and/or [[Kamboja]] having been great [[monarchy|kingdom]]s in the late 4th century BCE. In 326 BCE, most of the dozen-odd political units of the former Gandhara/Kamboja [[Mahajanapadas]] were conquered by the [[Macedon]]ian conqueror.

Alexander invited all the chieftains of the former satrapy of Gandhara to come to him and submit to his authority. [[Ambhi]], ruler of [[Taxila]], whose kingdom extended from the [[Indus River|Indus]] to the Hydaspes ([[Jhelum River|Jhelum]]), complied. After confirming him in his satrapy, Alexander marched against the [[Saka]]s (Cheemas are considered to be decadents of the Sakas) and [[Kamboja]] highlanders of the [[Kunar River|Kunar]] also [[Swat River|Swat]] [[valley]]s known in Greek texts as [[Aspasios]] and [[Assakenois]] (q.v.) and in Indian texts as [[Ashvayana]] and [[Ashvakayana]] (names referring to their [[Equestrian nomad|equestrian]] nature), who had refused to submit to Alexander <ref>For Kamboja and [[Ashvaka]] (Assakenois/Aspasios) relations, see: ''Panjab Past and Present, pp. 9-10; History of Porus, pp. 12, 38, Dr. Buddha Parkash; Histoire du Bouddhisme Indien, p 110, E. Lamotte; Political History of Ancient India; 1996, p 133, 216-17, (Also Commentary p 576 fn 22), Dr H. C. Raychaudhury, Dr B. N. Mukerjee; Hindu Polity, 1978, pp 121, 140, Dr K. P. Jayswal; Ancient Kamboja, People and Country, 1981, pp 271-72, 278, Dr J. L. Kamboj; These Kamboj People, 1979, pp 119, 192, K. S. Dardi; Kambojas, Through the Ages, 2005, pp 129, 218-19, S Kirpal Singh  etc etc''.  Dr J. W. McCrindle says that the modern Afghanistan -- the Kaofu (Kambu) of [[Hiun Tsang]] was the ancient Kamboja, and the name [[Origins of the name Afghan|Afghan]] evidently derives from the Ashavakan, the Assakenoi of Arrian (Alexandra's Invasion of India, p 38; Megasthenes and Arrian, p 180, J. McCrindle); Sir Thomas H. Holdich, in the his classic book, ''(The Gates of India, p 102-03)'', writes that the [[Aspasians]] ([[Aspasios]]) represent the modern [[Kafirs]]. But the modern Kafirs, especially the [[Siah-Posh Kafirs]] ([[Kamoz]]/[[Camoje]], [[Kamtoz]]) etc are considered to be modern representatives of the ancient [[Kambojas]]. Other noted scholars attesting Ashvakan-Kamboja equation are Dr Romilla Thapar, Dr R. C. Majumdar etc etc. </ref>. The ''Ashvayan'', ''Ashvakayan'', Kamboja and allied [[Saka]] <ref>For [[Saka]] reference see [[Invasion of India by Scythian Tribes]]</ref> [[clan]]s offered tough resistance to the invader and fought him to a man. When worse came to worst, even the Ashvakayan women took up arms and joined their menfolk on the field, thus preferring ''"a glorious death to a life of dishonor"'' <ref>Diodorus in Mcgrindle, p 370</ref>.

{{cquote|'''''I am involved in the land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a well of steel, confronting my soldier. You have brought only one son into the world, but everyone in this land can be called an Alexander'''''.|30px|30px|[[Alexander the Great]]|In a letter to his mother, Alexander described his encounters with these trans-Indus tribes.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Islamic_period_of_Afghanistan#Alexander_the_Great.2C_Seleucid-Mauryan_rivalry.2C_and_Greco-Bactrian_Rule.2C_330_BC_-_ca._150_BC]}} 

Thereafter, Alexander marched east to the [[Hydaspes]], where [[Porus]], ruler of the kingdom between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and the Akesines (Chenab) refused to submit to him. The two armies fought the historic [[Battle of the Hydaspes River]] on the riverbank outside the town of Nikaia (near the modern city of Jhelum). Porus's army fought bravely, but was no match for Alexander's. When the defiant Raja (though wounded and having lost his sons) was brought before Alexander, a legendary conversation took place in which Alexander inquired of Porus, ''"How should I treat you?"'', the brave Porus shot back, ''"The way a king treats another king."'' Alexander was struck by his spirit. He not only returned the conquered kingdom to Porus, but added the land lying between the Akesines (Chenab) and the Hydraotis (Ravi), whose ruler had fled. Alexander's army crossed the Hydraotis and marched east to the Hesidros (Beas), but there his troops refused to march further east, and Alexander turned back, following the Jhelum and the Indus to the Arabian Sea, and sailing to Babylon.

In the middle of the 2nd century BC, the [[Yuezhi]] tribe of modern China moved westward into Central Asia, which, in turn, caused the [[Saka]]s (Scythians) to move west and south. The Northern Sakas, also known as the [[Indo-Scythian]]s, moved first into Bactria, and later crossed the [[Hindu Kush]] into India, successfully wresting power from the Indo-Greeks. They were followed by the Yuezhi, who were known in India as the [[Kushan]]s or Kushanas. The Kushanas founded a kingdom in the 1st century that lasted for several centuries. Both the [[Indo-Scythians]] and the [[Kushans]] embraced [[Buddhism]], and absorbed elements of Indo-Greek art and culture into their own. Another Central Asiatic people to make Punjab their home were the [[Hephthalite]]s (White Huns), who engaged in continuous campaigns from across the Hindu Kush, finally establishing their rule in India in the fifth century.

===Muhammad Bin Qasim's invasion of Punjab===
:''See main article [[Muhammad bin Qasim]]''
[[Image:QASIM.PNG|thumb|300px|Extent and expansion of [[Abassid]] rule under Muhammad bin Qasim (modern state boundaries shown in red).]]

Some historical accounts suggest that many sub tribes (including the Cheemas) of the Jatts were "oppressed" by Hindu king [[Raja Dahir]] who ruled over Punjab where the majority of the population followed Buddhism ([[Ram Swarup Joon]]: ''History of the Jats'', [[Rohtak]], [[India]] (1938, 1967)).Other historical accounts disagree on the claim of active persecution, though Hinduism and Buddhism did spiritually compete, with Hinduism being at a distinct advantage since it received state backing.The Jat made strong [[alliances]] with the Muslim [[Arabs]] and hailed the conquest of [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] an Arab general. Muhammad bin Qasim defeated the Hindu [[Raja Dahir]] in alliance with [[Jat]]s and other Buddhist [[Rajas]]. On his arrival at the town of [[Brahmanabad]] between six and sixteen thousand men died in the ensuing battle. Buddhists and the [[Jat]], [[Meds (tribe)|Meds]] and [[Bhutto (tribe)|Bhutto]] tribes hailed him as a rescuer from tyranny at the hands of [[Chach of Alor]] and his kin (regarded as usurpers of the [[Rai Dynasty]]).[http://www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/mm.htm].
 
{{cquote|people of Hind wept for Qasim and preserved his likeness at Karaj [[Arabian]] chronicler [[Ahmad Ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri]]|records the local sentiments upon [[Muhammad bin Qasim]]s recall.}} Baladhuri A [[Persian people|Persian]] by birth, though his sympathies seem to have been strongly with the Arabs, for [[Masudi]] refers to one of his works in which he rejects Baladhuri's condemnation of non-Arab nationalism  [[Shu'ubiyya]].

===Oppression of the Jats===

The narrative in the Chach Namah conveys that Chach humiliated the [[Jats]] and Lohanas. [[Denzil Ibbetson]] records that {{cquote|Muhammad bin Qasim maintained these regulations , declaring that the jats resembled the savages of Persia<ref> page 358 Volume 11 A Glossary of the Tribes and castes of the Punjab and North -West Frontier Province compiled by [[H. A. Rose]] and based on the Census Report for the Punjab 1883, by [[Sir Denzil Ibbetson]] and the census report for the Punjab 1892 by [[Sir Edward Maclagan]]. Published By the Asian Educational Services </ref>}}

{{cquote|Conversely there is good reason to believe that some restrictions were applied at some times to certain Sindi castes , especially the Jat. Baladhuri(ibid 445-46)notes that a later governor of Sindh Imran B Musa al Baramaki (221-27/835-41), summoned the Jats änd “sealed their hands , took the [[jizyah]] from them , and ordered each of them to appear with a dog .Hence the price of a dog arose to 50 dirhams ”. It is significant that the canine clause , which is highly irregular ,appears prominently here as in the [[Chachnama]] . <ref>[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=xxAVAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA47&dq=jats+dogs+chachnamah&ei=eIxPSeyUFpXSlQS1yLTpBQ#PPA47,M1 Religion and Society in Arab Sind By Derryl N. Maclean Page 47 from the chapter Conquest and conversion]</ref>}}

According to Wink {{cquote|From the seventh century onwards and with a peak during Mohammad al Qasim s campaign in 712 and 713 a considerable number of Jats was captured as prisoners of war and deported to Iraq and elsewhere as slaves <ref>Al-Hind, the Making of the Indo-Islamic World By André Wink page 162 </ref>}}

The line of rulership before [[Islam]] runs: [[Siharus]], [[Raja Sahasi II]], [[Chach of Alor|Chach]], [[Raja Dahir]]. The first two were Buddhist [[Rajputs]] and the last two Hindu [[Brahmins]].There is a difference of opinion among historians concerning the social dynamic between the Jatts and the Brahmins. Some historians suggest that the relationship was an adversarial one, with Brahmins using their high caste status to exploit and oppress the Jatts, [[Meds]] and Buddhists, who formed the bulk of the peasantry <ref>(An Advanced History of India, Part II, '''By R.C. Majumdar, H.C. Roychandra and Kalikinkar Ditta''')</ref>. According to a quote by historian U.T Thakkur, "When Chach, the Brahmim chamberlain who usurped the throne of Rajput King Sahasi II went to [[Brahmanabad]], he enjoined upon the Jats and [[Lohanas]] not to carry swords, avoid velvet or silken cloth, ride horses without saddles and walk about bare-headed and bare-footed" <ref name="Thakkur">(''[[Sindh]]i Culture'', by [[U.T Thakur]] [[Bombay]] 1959 )</ref>.

However, Thakkur also writes that Hinduism and Buddhism existed side by side, suggesting a more complex dynamic between the endogamous groups. The king was a Brahmin, but a majority of his advisers were Buddhists. The ruler of Brahmanabad, a Jatt, also had professed Buddhism as his spiritual guide. Nonetheless, there was a strong sense of "ideological dualism" between them, which he wrote was the inherent weakness that the Arabs exploited in their favor when they invaded the region<ref name="Thakkur"/>.

It was because of this background that [[Muhammad bin Qasim]] received cooperation from the Buddhists as well as the Jats and Meds during his campaign in Sind [http://worldcat.org/oclc/33848827&referer=brief_results](''An advanced history of India'' by '''Ramesh Chandra Majumdar;  Hemchandra Raychaudhuri;  Kalikinkar Datta''' [[Delhi]]: Macmillan [[India]], 1973) In fact he was hailed as deliverer by several sections of local population. The position of the Buddhists in Sind seeking support from outside can be read in the [[Chach Nama]].

<!--Please explain how does this specific quote describes the "humble" position of the Buddhists-->
<!-- Removed "humble" -->
{{cquote|Mohammad Bin Qasim's work was facilitated by the treachery of certain Buddhist priests and renegade chiefs who deserted their sovereign and joined the invader. With the assistance of some of these traitors, Mohammad crossed the vast sheet of water separating his army from that of Dahir and gave battle to the ruler near Raor (712 A.D.). Dahir was defeated and killed|30px|30px|Historical accounts documented in the |[[Chach Nama]] according to '''Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, &  Kalikinkar Datta''' <ref>(''An advanced history of India'' by '''Ramesh Chandra Majumdar;  Hemchandra Raychaudhuri;  Kalikinkar Datta''' [[Delhi]]: Macmillan [[India]], 1973)</ref>}}

Sind had a large Buddhist population at this time but the ruler, Dahir, was a Brahmin. It is said that the Buddhists been receiving constant information from their co-religionists in [[Afghanistan]] and [[Turkistan]] about the liberal treatment meted out to them by the [[Arab]] conquerors of those regions. <ref>[http://worldcat.org/oclc/819611&referer=brief_results](''The Muslim community of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, 610-1947; a brief historical analysis'' by '''[[Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi]]''')</ref>. Thus, bin-Qasim received cooperation from the Buddhist population <ref>[http://worldcat.org/oclc/819611&referer=brief_results](''The Muslim community of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, 610-1947; a brief historical analysis'' by '''Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi''')</ref>. The Buddhist ruler of [[Nerun]] ([[Hyderabad, Sindh|Hyderabad]]) had secret correspondence with Muhammad Bin Qasim. Similarly, [[Bajhra]] and [[Kaka Kolak]], Buddhist Rajas of  [[Sewastan]], allied themselves with Muhammad Bin Qasim <ref>[http://worldcat.org/oclc/819611&referer=brief_results link to the book](''The Muslim community of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, 610-1947; a brief historical analysis'' by '''Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi'''</ref>.

'''Adil Garh (Sheikhupura district)'''

=== Cheemas Today ===

The Cheema clan holds the largest number of [[Political]] seats in the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]] & [[Senate of Pakistan]] in Punjab, more than any other family in Pakistan.  Many Cheemas have emigrated, establishing successful careers in aid agencies, and armies amongst other professionals.  Their reputation as [[honest]], if [[w:Motivation|ambitious]] workers, is maintained in the [[diaspora]].

== Hindu scriptures == Nighat Cheema ==
From the time of the [[Mahabharata]] wars (1500-500 BCE) Shakas (Cheemas are considered decadents of Shakas) receive numerous mentions in ancient Indian texts they are described as part of an amalgam of other war-like tribes from the northwest.

===In the Mahabharata===
The Udyogaparava of the [[Mahabharata]] ''(5/19/21-23)'' tells us that the composite army of the Kambojas, Yavanas and Shakas had participated in the [[Mahabharata war]] under the supreme command of [[Sudakshina Kamboja]].  The epic repeatedly applauds this composite army as being very fierce and wrathful.

Mahabharata, too similarly groups the Shakas with the Kambojas and Yavanas and states that they were originally '''noble [[Kshatriyas]]''' but got degraded to to ''vrishala'' status on account of their non-obersvance of the sacred Brahmanical codes<ref>[[Mahabharata]] 13/33/20-2.</ref>.
:''See main article: [[Kshatriya]]''

=== In the Manusmiriti ===
[[Manusmriti]] places the [[Shakas]] with the [[Kambojas]], [[Yavanas]], [[Pahlava]]s, [[Paradas]] and labels them all as degraded Kshatriyas ([[Holy]] Warriors) defying the [[Brahmana|Brahmanical]] codes and rituals <ref>Manusmiriti X.43-44</ref>. 

===In the Puranas===
In the "[[Puranas]] Darada" the Cheema sub-tribes have been regarded as "[[Rakshasas]]" not having [[darshan]] of the [[Brahmin]]. <ref>[[Ram Swarup Joon]]: ''History of the Jats'', [[Rohtak]], [[India]], 1967.</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Punjab 1909.jpg|thumb|300px|right| [[Punjab region|Punjab]]]]
Cheema are most numerous in [[Sialkot]] and in [[Faridkot district]] of East Punjab followed by forty two villages in [[Gujranwala]] district. According to Cunningham this area of high Cheema density was called '''Chima des''' (Des or Desh, in Hindustani and Punjabi means country ). Many settled in Montgomery ([[Sahiwal]]) and [[Sandal Bar]] during the British rule of Punjab due to construction of extensive canal network in these areas. They also have few villages scattered across [[Rawalpindi]], [[Bhawalpur]], [[Amritsar]], [[Gurdaspur]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Moga]], [[Ludhiana]]   and [[Sangrur]].

Towards west in the Punjab plains they are not found after ''Chaj Doab''. Towards east in the Punjab plains, this clan was not found after district [[Sangrur]] in east Punjab, until 1947 when many Sikh Cheemas moved from [[Sialkot]] and [[Gujranwala]] to settle in [[Patiala]], [[Karnal]] and [[Sirsa]] after partition of the [[Punjab region|Punjab]].

In Pakistan, [[Gujranwala]] and [[Sialkot]] districts has large Cheema population with many Cheema villages such as ''Adil Garh'', ''Sahowala'', ''Bohpal wala '', ''Kamalpur'', [[Manpur]]. Also in [[Rawalpindi]] district, there is a village near [[Gujar Khan]] which is named [[Sui Cheemian]] and has a substantal population of Cheema's. In Southern Punjab, [[Bahawalpur]] and ''Yazman'' are richly populated with the Cheema Families and their saturated villages and the area elects more than a dozen cabinet members.

== Folklore ==
There is an old folk saying about Cheema and [[Chatha]] tribes in Punjabi ''"Cheemey tey Chatthey, khaan peen nu vakkhon vakh tey larran bhiran nu katthey"'' { English translation : Cheemas and Chatthas are separate in their feasts but united for the fights). This adage originated from age old alliance between Chima and Chatha tribes in Rechna Doab.

== See also ==
*[[Jat people in Islamic history]]
* [[List of Jat Clans of West Punjab]]
*[[Indo-Scythian]]
*[[Sakas]]
*[[Kambojas]]
*[[Kshatriyas]]
*[[Chatha]]
*[[Tilla Jogian]]
*[[Gorakh Hill]]

== References ==
* [[The Chach-Nama]]. English translation by [[Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg]]. [[Delhi]] Reprint, 1979.
* [[40 Families of Pakistan 1947]]
* Sir [[Denzil Ibbetson]], Delhi 2002, p115 (''Panjab Castes'')
* [[Ram Swarup Joon]] - ''[[History of the Jatt]]'' 
* [[Arabian]] historian [[Ahmad Ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri]]
* [[Annals]], [[James Todd]]; ''[[History of Sikhs]]'', [[Alexander Cunningham]]; ''Glossary of Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and NWFP''
* [[H A Rose]] - ''Glossary of the tribes and castes of the Punjab and [[NWFP]],  ''
===Footnotes===
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<references/>
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{{Gotras of Jats}}
{{Ethnic and social groups of the Punjab}}

[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pre-Islamic heritage of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Jat clans]]
[[Category:Jat clans of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Jat clans of Punjab]]
[[Category:Khatri clans]]
[[bn:চীমা]]
[[fr:Cheema]]
[[bpy:চীমা]]
[[new:चीमा]]
[[simple:Cheema]]
[[ur:چيمہ]]
[[vi:Cheema]]