Behak Maken facts for kids

Behak Mekan is a small village located in the Sargodha District of Punjab, Pakistan. It was founded during the time of the British Empire. The village is about 16.5 kilometers (10 miles) from the city of Sargodha.

Because of its good location, the British Royal Air Force built an airstrip nearby. This airstrip became important for the Pakistan Air Force after Pakistan became independent. Most of the people living in Behak Mekan belong to the Maken family.

Who are the Maken People?

The Maken, also sometimes spelled Mekan, Maikan, or Maykan, are a special group of people. They are known as "Sardar" or "Chaudhary," which are titles for leaders. The Maken are a part of the Jatt family. The title "Chaudhary" is always used with pure Maken Jatt families.

The Maken tribe says they settled in the Thal region after Arab rule ended in Sindh. A Hindu king from Kanauj, a Parmar Rajput, took over the Thal area and settled his relatives, the Maken, there. They then created a state based in the town of Mankera, which is now in Bhakkar District. This state covered a large part of the Thal and lasted for 500 years. It was later taken over by Baloch invaders.

One story says that the Mankera state was started by a Raja Singh. He was from the royal family of Kannauj and became a Muslim during the time of Sultan Ghias-ud-din Balban, thanks to Baba Farid Ganj Shakar. Around the 12th century, Baloch people from Makran came into the area around Mankera. They then ruled this state for the next 300 years.

The Maken people who settled in the Kirana Bar became farmers and herders, like other tribes there. They lived in a specific area in the Kirana Bar, west of Gondal land. Smaller groups of Maken also live in the Jhelum and Gujrat districts. Today, their main areas are in the Sargodha, Khushab, and Mianwali districts.

Maken Villages in Sargodha District

The Mekan people make up most of the population in many villages in Sargodha District. These include:

• Behak Maken (said to be the first village founded by Mekans when they moved to the Bar)
• Abu Wala
• Chakrala
• Deowal
• Gondal (in Shahpur Tehsil)
• Mochiwal
• Okhli Mohla
• Sultanpur Meknawala
• Jalpana
• Dera Karam Ali Wala
• Chak No 88 N.B
• Chak No 142 NB
• Nihang
• Chak 71 NB
• Chak 74 NB
• Chak 10 NB
• Chabba Purana
• Faiz Sultan Colony (in Shahpur Tehsil)
• Kot Bhai Khan
• Kot Pehlwan
• Birbal Sharif
• Kot Maghrib
• Aqal Shah
• Kot Kamboh
• Wadhi
• Kot Shada
• Gul Muhammad Wala
• Vegowal (in Bhera Tehsil)
• Sher Muhammad Wala (in Bhalwal Tehsil)

Across the Jhelum River, Maken are also found in Mohibpur village in Khushab District.

Maken Villages in Other Districts

Outside of these main areas, Maken villages include:

• Jhelum District: Chautala (Jhelum Tehsil), Chak Mujahid (Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil), and Tobah (Pind Dadan Khan Tehsil).
• Chakwal District: Mangwal, Vero, Lakhwal, Thanil Kamal, Dingi Zer, Dhoke Dhabri (shared with Gondal), Chak Bhoun, Dhoke Makrn near Thoa Bahdur, and Ghugh. The Mekan Jats are the most important Jat group in Chakwal by population.
• Gujrat District: Mekan village in Kharian Tehsil.
• Mandi Bahaudin District: Lassouri Kalan, Lassouri Khurd, Mekan, and Thatti Bawa.

History of Behak Maken Village

Behak Maken was founded when Raja Singh first came to the Sargodha district. It is believed that Baba Farid Ganj Shakar met Singh to teach him about Islam. After this, Raja Singh and his family became well-known Muslims in the region. The word Maken comes from the Urdu word میکن.

What are the Maken People Like?

The Maken people are known for being brave, smart, and kind, but also sometimes stubborn. Their history shows a lot of bravery, and many Maken ancestors were strong leaders in wars. Today, many Mekans hold important public jobs in Pakistan and India, and some are well-known politicians.

Population and People

According to the 2017 census, Behak Mekan had about 9,000 people. By December 2018, the population was estimated to be 9,315. About 95% of the people follow Sunni Islam. Most of the people in the village are Punjabi, with smaller groups of Muhajirs and Pashtuns.

Religious Education

A religious school called Darul Aloom Muhammadia Ghousya Behak Mekan was started in this village in 2010. In September 2021, about 100 to 150 students were studying there. This school gets help from Anjuman-e-taleem ul muslimeen ghousya Bhera Sharif.

There are three mosques in the village:

• Jamia Masid Syedan (Muhammad Shah late)
• (Darbar) Wali Masjid
• Main Jamia Masjid (connected to the Madrisa)

A view of the village

Village Economy

The large fields around the village allow farmers to grow many different crops and raise animals. Some of the main crops are citrus fruits, wheat, rice, and sugar cane. These are sold to other cities and even exported worldwide.

Citrus fruits like oranges (called kinnows locally) are the main fruits grown. Other fruits like Jaman, Guavas, Mangoes, Pears, Dates, Pomegranate, Phalsa, and Almonds are also grown in smaller amounts. The main vegetables grown are turnip, onion, cauliflower, potatoes, and tomatoes. For livestock, the village mainly raises goats, sheep, buffaloes, and cattle.

Languages Spoken

Punjabi is the main language spoken by the people in Behak Mekan. Urdu is also commonly spoken.

Sports and Activities

Two main sports competitions are often held in this village: volleyball and cricket. A cricket competition happens every year from May to July. It is played in memory of Badar Munir Maken (Late), Zulfiqar Maken Shaheed, and Abdul Latif (Late).

People like Syed Safder Zahoor Hamdani, Ch Shoukat Zia Maken, Ch Azhar Hussain Mekan, Ch Qasim Shahzad Maken, Syed Mohsin Raza Hamdani, and Ch Nayyer Ayaz Maken have helped organize these tournaments. As of September 2021, Syed Mohsin Raza Hamdani continues to organize them.

Community Welfare Groups

Many welfare groups work in Behak Mekan. They organize and carry out various projects to improve the village. This includes building and repairing mosques, religious schools, and improving roads and other village structures.

Some of the people involved in these groups include:

• Haji Mukhtar Mukhtar Maken (No dar)
• Haji Ahmed Hayat Maken S/O Muhammad Hayat Maken
• Syed Anwar Hussain Bukhari
• Ch Amanullah Maken
• Haji Muhammad Riaz Makren
• Ch Munir Maken S/O Sardar Maken
• Ch Nasar Hayat Mekan S/O Rehmat Khan Mekan
• Sardar Asif Maken
• Ch. Haji Mumtaz Mekan

Also, Syed Zahoor Hussain Shah Hamdani and Mekan Syed Aftab Hussain Bukhari from PML-N have helped with similar work.

Weather in Behak Mekan

Nearby Areas and Population

The residents of Behak Maken live in various nearby areas. Here's a look at the population in these places: