Pothwari people
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پوٹھواری | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 13 Million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Punjab, Azad Kashmir, United Kingdom[1],Punjab, India | |
| Languages | |
| Pothwari, Urdu, English | |
| Religion | |
Predominantly: IslamMinority:  Hinduism,  Sikhism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Indo-Aryan peoples |
The Pothwari people are a northwestern Indo-Aryan ethnic group native to Pothwar and Jammu and Kashmir. They speak Pothwari, a northwestern Indo-Aryan language[2] related to Lahnda group of Punjabi. Pothwari language is usually seen as a northwestern dialect of the Punjabi language. The vast majority of Pothwari people is Muslim.
Both Mirpur and Poonch divisions of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, as well as people in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, are Pothwari and speak the same language with minor variations. The Pothwari people residing in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, due to an identity crisis, call themselves Mirpuri,[3] Poonchi, or Kashmiri.[4] The majority of the people living here call their language as Pahari.
History
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The earliest evidence of human habitation in the region traces back to the Soan Valley, where the Soanian culture flourished between 774,000 BC and 11,700 BC. This Stone Age culture is known for its distinctive stone tools, providing valuable insights into the early stages of human development.
While the core regions of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) were primarily located along the Indus River, the Pothohar Plateau was not entirely untouched by its influence. Some archaeological sites in the region, such as those in the Salt Range, have yielded artifacts that suggest cultural exchange and trade connections with the IVC.
The Gandhara civilization, which flourished from the 6th century BCE to the 5th century CE, had a profound impact on the Pothohar region. Taxila, one of the most important cities of the ancient world, was situated in the heart of Pothwar. This cosmopolitan city served as a center of learning, trade, and cultural exchange between the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and the Hellenistic world. Gandhara's artistic and religious traditions, particularly its Buddhist art, continue to inspire and fascinate people worldwide.