About
The Sulehri (also spelled Sulehria, Suleria, Salaria, or Sulahria) are a Chandravanshi Rajput clan tracing descent from ancient rulers such as Raja Saigal and Chandra Gupta, with documented records in the Punjab Census Reports of 1883 and 1892. Their eponymous ancestor arrived from the Deccan under Sultan Mamdah’s command and settled in Sialkot, later converting to Islam during Bahlol Lodi’s reign while retaining Rajput traditions and Brahmanical ties.
Geographic Distribution and Settlement Patterns
- Erstwhile Sialkot District (Tehsils Pasroor & Zafarwal): Approximately 784 villages in the “Sulehr” area, including Chhowni Sulehrian
- Narowal District: Population followed due to administrative changes from Sialkot.
- Punjab Province: Scattered villages, maintaining strong community cohesion
Notable Personalities
Historical Figures
- Z.A. Sulehri (1913–1999): Political journalist, Pakistan Movement activist, and colonel; authored seminal works such as The Road to Peace and Pakistan (1944)
- Sara Sulehri Goodyear (1953–2022): Yale English professor and author of Meatless Days; pioneering voice in postcolonial studies
Contemporary Luminaries
- Engr. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Sulehri: Retired Vice President of NESPAK, with 40 years’ experience in ADR, contract administration, and author of COMPUTERESE—An Introduction to Personal Computing
- Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan: Retired Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff; decorated with Nishan-e-Imtiaz and led PAF in critical operations, born into a Sulehria family from Zafarwal.
- Bilal Mahmood Sulehri: Senior Punjab Police official, secured 1st position in AJK in CSS 2016. Has served in various leadership roles in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Peshawar.