The Khukhrain or Khokhrain is a sub-group composed of eight clans of the Khatri caste that originally hailed from the areas of the Salt Range.
History and religion The Khukhrains spread over Khushab, Dhune Kheb, Chakwal, Pind Dadan Khan, Peshawar, Nowshera and Lahore.The Panjab Past and Present By Punjabi University Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies Published by Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University., 1981 Page 195
The Khukhrain clan was originally Hindu. Later clan members embraced Sikhism and Islam. Khukhrains of all these faiths collectively form one kinship. In Pakistan there continues to be a large number of Muslim Khukhrains living especially in the Pakistani Punjab. Some scholars such as Muhammad Ikrām Chutai believe that a number of Khukhrains were converted to Islam by the Sufi Baba Farid.Babaji: Life and Teachings of Farid-ud Din Ganj-i Shakar By Muhammad Ikrām Chutai Page 433 Published by Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2006
Clans
Anand : Named after a common ancestor "Ananda" which translates to "joy" in Sanskrit. Bhasin : They were mostly concentrated in Rawalpindi district (1208 families) according to 1881 Census of India conducted by British. Chadha : According to a local account, the ancestors of Chadhas fought with Babur in a war. However, all of them died except for one man who hid behind an aak bush. This person continued the progeny of the Chadha clan. To pay tribute to the aak bush which saved the Chadha clan from extinction, the Chadhas visit Eminabad in Gujranwala district to perform prayers and worship the Aak tree as a former tradition Chandhoke (Chandhok) : They were concentrated in Peshawar and Kabul. Ghai :They are mentioned in Bhai Gurdas's Vaar 11 ਵਡਾ ਭਗਤੁ ਹੈ ਭਾਈਅੜਾ ਗੋਇੰਦੁ ਘੇਈ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੁਆਰੇ। (Translation : Bhaiara and Govind are devotees belonging to Ghai sub-caste. They remain at the door of the Guru.) Sabharwal : The sub-caste is also mentioned in Bhai Gurdas's Vaar 11 "ਸਨਮੁਖ ਭਾਈ ਤੀਰਥਾ ਸਭਰਵਾਲ ਸਭੇ ਸਿਰਦਾਰਾ।" (Translation : Bhai Tirtha was the leader among all the Sikhs of Sabharval sub- caste.) Sahni (Sawhney) :The Sahnis were the inhabitants of Bhera town located on the eastern bank of Jhelum River prior to the partition of India. Sahni families were also the governors of Wazirabad tehsil. According to B.N Puri, Sahni is derived from "Senani" meaning "general of an army" Sethi : According to B.N Puri, Sethi is derived from "shrestha" meaning "the headman" Suri : As per B.N Puri, Suri translates to "hero"
See also Hinduism in Punjab Khatri List of Khatris
References