The Gakhar () is a historical Punjabi tribe, originating in the Pothohar Plateau of Punjab, Pakistan. They predominantly adhere to Islam.
In the Muslim historiography, the Gakhars have been frequently confused with the Khokhars, who inhabited the same region, and it has been challenging to separate the events of both tribes. Gakhars formed an important part of the army of ShÃÂhis of GandhÃÂra. Around 30,000 Gakhars fought against Maḥmà «d of Ghazna in 1008 CE near Peshawar but were defeated. By the time of Sultan Muÿizz al-Dën Muḥammad Ghà «rë Gakhars had converted to Islam.
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For a period, Gakhars were superseded by the Khokhars who under their chieftain Jasrat gained control of most of upper Punjab in the 15th century.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 BÃÂbur's invasion of subcontinent, Gakhars had regained power. Under their chief HÃÂtë KhÃÂn, Gakhars attacked Babà «r in 1525 when he marched against the Delhi Sultanate. Babà «r seized Gakhar fortress of Phaà ÂwÃÂla and HÃÂtë KhÃÂn fled, but when HÃÂtë KhÃÂn offered his submission to Babà «r and provided supplies for the Mughal army, he compensated HÃÂtë KhÃÂn well and conferred on him the title of Sultan.
During the reign of HumÃÂyà «n, Sulá¹ÂÃÂn SÃÂrang KhÃÂn gained much prominence. He refused to acknowledge ShÃÂr ShÃÂh Sà «r as new emperor when the latter defeated HumÃÂyà «n, as a result ShÃÂr ShÃÂh led an expedition against SÃÂrang KhÃÂn who was defeated and executed. His tomb is in RawÃÂt.
SÃÂrang KhÃÂn's brother, ÃÂdam KhÃÂn succeeded him. In 1552, HumÃÂyà «n's rebel brother prince KamrÃÂn sought shelter with ÃÂdam KhÃÂn but he was betrayed and given up to HumÃÂyà «n, who rewarded ÃÂdam KhÃÂn with the insignia of nobility for the treachery.
In 1555, ÃÂdam KhÃÂn was defeated and killed by his nephew KamÃÂl KhÃÂn, a son of SÃÂrang KhÃÂn, possibly on the instigation by emperor Akbar to strengthen his hold over the Gakhars. Further a daughter of KamÃÂl KhÃÂn's brother, Sayd KhÃÂn was married to prince Salim.
In 1738 Nader Shah invaded India, during this invasion the city of Gujrat was sacked and after Shah returned to Persia, the city was then taken over by Gakhar chief Mukarrab Khan.
M. A. Sherring writing in 1879 described the Gakhars as an "aboriginal race subdued by Pathan 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.
Kayani (), also spelled Kiyani or Kiani, is a title used by Gakhars, a northwestern Punjabi tribe based in the Pothohar region of Punjab, Pakistan originally from Iran. Ethnic present day Persians who have settled in Pakistan. Tied to the legendary Kayanian dynasty. The name means 'royal' or 'kingly', similar to the name Raja or Prince.