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The Gakhar () is a historical Punjabi tribe, originating in the Pothohar Plateau of Punjab, Pakistan. They predominantly adhere to Islam. (2025). 9788126908578, Atlantic Publishers. ISBN 9788126908578
In the following centuries, Gakhars engaged in a long-running struggle for sovereignty over the Salt Range with the neighbouring tribes:
For a period, Gakhars were superseded by the Khokhars who under their chieftain Jasrat gained control of most of upper Punjab in the 15th century. However, by the time of Mughal emperor Babur's invasion of subcontinent, Gakhars had regained power. Under their chief Hātī Khān, Gakhars attacked Babūr in 1525 when he marched against the Delhi Sultanate. Babūr seized Gakhar fortress of Pharwala Fort and Hātī Khān fled, but when Hātī Khān offered his submission to Babūr and provided supplies for the Mughal army, he compensated Hātī Khān well and conferred on him the title of Sultan. During the reign of Humayun, Sulṭān Sārang Khān gained much prominence. He refused to acknowledge Shēr Shāh Sūr as new emperor when the latter defeated Humāyūn, as a result Shēr Shāh led an expedition against Sārang Khān who was defeated and executed. His tomb is in Rawat Fort.
Sārang Khān's brother, Ādam Khān succeeded him. In 1552, Humāyūn's rebel brother prince Kamran Mirza sought shelter with Ādam Khān but he was betrayed and given up to Humāyūn, who rewarded Ādam Khān with the insignia of nobility for the treachery.
In 1555, Ādam Khān was defeated and killed by his nephew Kamāl Khān, a son of Sārang Khān, possibly on the instigation by emperor Akbar to strengthen his hold over the Gakhars. Further a daughter of Kamāl Khān's brother, Sayd Khān was married to prince Jahangir.
Urban Patterns in the Punjab Region
since Protohistoric Times]
M. A. Sherring writing in 1879 described the Gakhars as an "aboriginal race subdued by Pashtuns invaders from beyond the Indus." Sherring writing of Hazara District wrote that "they are found to the south of the district. The Gukkur chief resides at Khanpoor. Formerly, the Gukkurs, secure in their mountain fastnesses, set the rulers of the Punjab at defiance, and even exacted blackmail from them." In Hazara the Gakhars were neighbours of the Dhund tribe who similarly seemed to be able to challenge outsiders.
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