PUNJAB CHIEFS, THE, by Sir Lepel H. Griffin, contains historical and biographical notices of the principal chiefs and families of note in the Punjab, with detailed pedigree tables, first published at Lahore in 1865, revised edition (2 vols.) by Charles Francis Massy published at Lahore in 1890, and revised pedigree tables published at Lahore in 1899. The book may be regarded as the forerunner of Griffin`s later works on the subject such as Rajas of the Punjab, Law of Inheritance to Chief ship as observed by the Sikhs before the Annexation of the Punjab (Lahore, 1869), Sikhism and the Sikhs (Great Religions of the World: New York, 1901), and Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Asiatic Quarterly, London).
The author, a high ranking civilian in the Punjab after it was occupied by the British in 1849, undertook the task of recording the history of the “fallen nobility” of the Punjab and determining their status under the British. In compiling this work, Griffin made use of the history sheets sent by the chiefs; records of the old Sikh government, of British agencies of Delhi and Ludhiana (1809-45), and of Lahore (1846-49), and of the Punjab Government (1849-65); personal interviews with the living chiefs and their family priests and bards; and of all major historical accounts, travelogues and memoirs relating to the Punjab written in English, Persian and Urdu.
The book as published in 1865 dealt with the chiefs and their families in districts between the rivers Beas and Indus, then forming the Lahore and Rawalpindi division, recording their genealogies and furnishing details about the roles they played in the political history of the Punjab from the closing decades of the eighteenth century to the establishment of the Sikh monarchy under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in the Anglo Sikh wars and at the time of the annexation of the Punjab. The book took into account mainly chiefs and families enjoying rank, wealth or influence at the time of annexation.
The second edition of the book (2 vols.) brought out by Charles Francis Massy in 1890 extends the scope of the work, including in it the North-West Frontier, most of the Himalayan states and a large part of the southeastern Punjab, filling in gaps left by Griffin and making revisions to bring the work up to date. Some of the chiefs who had been reduced to insignificance were omitted and others who had risen to importance included.
The next edition, brought out in 1909 by H.D. Craik, embraced additionally the leading families of Delhi, Jalandhar, Peshawar and Derajat divisions as well as of some of the princely states. As the North-West Frontier was constituted into a separate province in 1901, the area was omitted from Craik`s survey. The fourth edition, revised and updated till July 1930 by G.L. Chopra, was published in 1940. An Urdu translation of the book was made by Bhagvan Das and published under the title Tankhi Rausdi Panjab. B.J.H.
Punjab Chiefs, The by Sir Lepel H. Griffin:
Overview
Punjab Chiefs, The is a seminal work originally published in 1890 that offers a detailed, genealogical, and biographical survey of the ruling families and chiefs in the Punjab region. Drawing on extensive research including colonial administrative records, local oral histories, and archival materials, Sir Lepel H. Griffin compiles a vast array of data on the aristocratic and feudal hierarchies in Punjab. The work meticulously documents the lineage, heraldic emblem, military decorations, and personal accomplishments of numerous regional chiefs. Its contents provide insight into the complex social and political structures of the region at a time when traditional local authority was interacting with both Mughal and emerging colonial power structures.
Key Themes and Contents
Genealogical Detailing:
Griffin’s work is renowned for its thorough compilation of family trees and lineage information. Each entry presents the ancestry and descendants of a chief, thereby forging a link between historical narrative and the importance of hereditary status in Punjab society.
Heraldry and Insignia:
A significant component of the text is dedicated to describing the insignia, crests, and heraldic symbols associated with each family or chief. These details are not only essential for understanding issues of legitimacy and prestige but also serve as cues to the cultural and martial traditions of the region.
Historical and Political Context:
The work situates the lives and achievements of these regional rulers against the broader backdrop of Punjab’s history. It reflects on the interplay between indigenous forms of governance and the administrative practices introduced by successive empires—including the Mughals—and later, the British colonial authorities. Griffin’s commentary sheds light on how these chiefs managed local power and acted as intermediaries between the people and the central state.
Cultural and Social Significance:
Beyond mere biographical sketches, the text illuminates the role of feudal families in preserving cultural identity and traditional modes of honor. The documented feats of valor and loyalty, as well as the adoption of certain martial codes of conduct, offer a window into Punjab’s socio-political fabric during a period of transition. Scholarly Importance and Legacy
Historical Reference:
This work remains an invaluable resource for historians, anthropologists, and genealogists researching South Asian aristocracy and the evolution of regional political orders. By providing primary source material and a comprehensive index of ruling families, it continues to inform studies on the formation of modern nation-states and the legacy of feudal governance in India.
Colonial Scholarship:
As a product of colonial-era research, the book reflects both the rigorous methods of documentation used by British administrators and the orientalist perspectives prevalent at the time. A modern reader benefits from Griffin’s detailed recording of data while also being mindful of the historical context in which his narratives were framed.
Continuing Citation and Use:
Today, researchers and scholars reference Punjab Chiefs, The when investigating topics like the socio-political organization of historical Punjab, the evolution of regional identities, and the importance of genealogical record-keeping in South Asia. Its detailed tables and lists are especially useful for anyone tracing the origins and developments of particular clans or families.
