Origin

The Arain are overwhelmingly, if not entirely, Muslim. The only specific data found on the subject
is from the Joshua Project, which shows them to be 97% Muslim a proportion much greater than
the other agricultural castes of the Punjab (the Jats, Gujjars and Rajputs, which are 53%, 55%,
and 31% Muslim, respectively)[7] [8].

Some believe that Arain are descendants of Arab migrants to the Indian subcontinent. They think
Arain came from Areeha (Jericho, Syria) with Muhammad Bin Qasim in 92 Hijri (711 AD). [9]
Muhammad Hayaat Madni was a Commander in Muhammad Bin Qasim's Army - 711 AD as held
in the family tree of famous Arain Mian Family Baghbanpura. Reference to their lineage is made
by the famous Indian Historian of Islam, Akbar Shah Khan Najeebabadi, who declared that they
entered India thru Debal, Sindh with Muhammad Bin Qasim. He declared them Areehai from
Arreha (Jericho) which was Punjabized with a nasal sound to Arain.[10] These highly-specific
claims are nevertheless viewed by some as a desire for claiming an unbroken practice of Islam
through the ages, for the sake of current prestige.[11].

Muhammad Sharif, a UK based Indian historian, writes in "Destiny of the Tribe Raeen" that they
started coming to Sindh (Iraq-i-Ajam) in 46 Hijri (666 AD) at the end of Orthodox Caliphate. They
belonged to the Banu Sama (Saama or Samma) sub-tribe of Banu 'Amir (Aamir or Amer) tribe of
the larger clan Aal-i-Adnan (The House of Adnan) through Hawazin. This Sama dynasty had a
long list of Rulers in Sindh, Multan, Uch and Kach, 14 of whom became famous. It had three
distinct off shoots and some historical tribes which are mistaken to be local Balochs or Dravidian
Sindhis such as Zardari, and Hangaro also belonged to this sub-tribe. Raeen and not Arain are
the people who took their name from famous Sama ruler Jam Raeena. Jam Raeena (Raeedun or
Raideena) also known as Mulla Raeena was grandson of Sultan Awadh who was son of
Jahankaran from Abreeha sub-caste of Sama. He ruled Kachh and then Sindh. There are 9
distinct sub-castes of Samma tribe which are specific only to Raeen till this date viz Nain, Sair,
Qadria, Chachar, Chanan, Bahmani, Miana, Laman, and Khambrah. These are pure Sarsawal
Raeen. Other Samma sub-castes are variably known as Multani Raeen or Baloch or Local Sindhi
or even Abro viz Jhumrah, Zohabdari, Bali, Halpota, Phulpota, Sarangi and Hangaro. Sub-sub-
castes are however in hundreds and one can find from ones revenue record. [12]

Many of the Arains of Punjab claim descent from Rai Jaj, the grandson of Lava, the founder of
Lahore. Jaj was ruler of Sarsa territory and on that account was called a Rae; and his
descendants became known as Rain, hence Arain [13] [14].......the Jalandhar Arains claim
descent from Rai Bhuta, fifth in descent from Raja Karan (q.v.), and were settled in Uch (in
Multan) [15]. Bhutta is one of the important clan of the Arains [16] which is also shared by Rajputs
and the Jatts [17]. Bhutto is another variant of Bhutta. The Arains of Sahiwal point out that they
were Surajbansi Rajputs, originally settled around Delhi [18]. Arains of Ghaggar valley are also
said to have been formerly Rajputs living on the Panjnad near Multan [19]. The Arains of Hissar
also claim Rajput descent [20].

Some Arains also claim Aryan descent from the ancient Iranians [21]. A large section of people in
Saraswati river basin, in both India and Pakistan, still call themselves Aryans. Some say that the
Arain are the descendants of the nomadic Aryans who had invaded North India around 1500
BCE. Some people of Pakistan like to believe that the Arain were the Iranian tribal people with
agriculture and sheep rearing profession who came to and settled in North India. They derive
term Arain from Arya => Aryan => Arayan = Arain. Numerous Punjabis, both in India and
Pakistan, claim descent from the Indo-Iranian Aryans. Ex-President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq and
prime minister Mr. Bhutto who was executed by this president are said to belong to Arain
tribe.[22]

Some writers like Ahmed Abdulla of Pakistan and Syed Abdul Quddus of India etc have distorted
Rai Jaj of Mr Purser to Rai Chajju and, have also connected him erroneously to Ujjain in Malwa,
rather than the Sarsa of the Arain traditions [23]. Further, both these writers have also
erroneously related Rai Chajju (Rai Jaj of Mr Purser) to Raja Karan, the supposed ancestor of the
Kambohs/Kambojs of Jalandhar (Punjab) [24] [25], but curiously enough, they have not furnished
any evidence to prove the relationship between Raja Karan and Rae Jaj ( or Rai Chajju?)

There are four or five main rankings (not sub-castes) which refer to the wealth held by the Arain
namely Mian, Malik,Chaudery and Mehar or Mahar. The rankings among Arain are not birthrights
(such as those among other castes) and one can freely ascend/descend according to changes in
personal wealth. [26] Many gotras, or sub-clans, of the Arains bear names that indicate soldiering
as an occupation. For example: Ghalar, Gahgeer and Goheer (ferocious horse of armoured
corps), Gatku (fencer), Kavali (soldier patrolling while others rest), Basroo (observation post),
Bahman (brave, uncontrollable or insurmountable), Bhaila (alms-keeper who walks with the
commander when he is giving away alms after a victory), Daulay (those who got land in return for
military services), Khatora (spy), Ramay (archers), Rattay (bloody, red, ferocious fighters),
Ramday (red -eyed soldiers), Labanay (an army column equipped with batons), Jatalay (victors),
Qutub Shahi: (soldiers or their offspring who accompanied Qutubuddin Aibak), Sappal
(marksmen), Bahalwan (driver of a chariot), Mudh (logisticians supplying logistics and
reinforcement to the army), Teerandaz (archers), Katarband (users of katar, a weapon used by
ancient armies) and Bhutto (dwellers of high places).

A study by the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences on blood types of the major ethnicities in the
Punjab showed that O is the most common blood group (among all ethnicities), except among the
Arain where B is most common[27], the difference being statistically significant[28]. Whilst not
proof of non-local ancestry, it does illustrate a difference between the Arain and the other castes
inhabiting the Punjab. More research would be needed to determine in greater detail the caste's
migratory provenance[29].