Earliest Inhabitants
Vehari District was an agricultural region with forests during the Indus Valley Civilization. The Kambojas, Daradas, Kaikayas, Madras, Pauravas, Yaudheyas, Malavas and Kurus invaded, settled and ruled ancient Punjab region. After overrunning the Achaemenid Empire in 331 BCE, Alexander marched into present-day Punjab region with an army of 50,000. The Vehari was ruled by Maurya Empire, Indo-Greek Kingdom, Kushan Empire, Gupta Empire, White Huns, Kushano-Hephthalites, and the Turk and Hindu Shahi Kingdoms.
In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin. In 1005, he conquered the Shahis in Kabul followed by the conquests in the region of the Punjab and the Mughal Empire ruled the region.
Later Invaders
The predominantly Muslim population supported Muslim League and Pakistan Movement. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs migrated to India while the Muslim refugees from India settled in the Vehari District.
Casts and Clans
- Principal Casts: Arain, Jutt, Dhuddi, Rajpoot, Joiya, Khichi, Sheikh, Bhatti, Baloch, Khokhar, Dahay, Gujjar, Dogar, Siyal, Awan, Mughal, Langriyal, Bhabhay, Tiwanay, Doltany, Mugharanay, Syad, Dad Potray, Lakhweray, Suldharay, Sunpal, Kharal, Boranay, Pathan, Khakwani, Ansari, Chisti, Qureshi, Milayzia, Mitroo, Jhandir etc.
Professions
Farmers, Teachers, Lawyers, Doctors, Mason etc. are common professions in District Vehari.
Food
Being villagers and farmers, mostly the people of the district like to eat coarse food. Very often, it is produced by their own farms. Butter and Lassi (curd mixed with water) are considered a necessary part of the food. Guests and elders are served with tea, beef, mutton, chicken and green-leaves vegetables are favorite dishes of each and every person. In city area, trend towards the fast foods is increasing day by day.
Language
Vehari is the region of different languages. The famous languages are: Punjabi, Saraiki, and Urdu. Educated people are capable of writing and speaking English. A fair number of refugees from Afghanistan and the province KPK also live here. They speak Pashto and Persian languages.
Culture
The culture of Vehari district is purely the local culture developed by close link with the neighboring districts. People are very simple in speaking, eating, manners and dealings. The older and elders are respected and the young are loved. Women are given proper regard. Owing to discouraging rate of literacy, people are not civilized and polite. They are straight forward, simple, and hospitable. Being villagers and farmers mostly the people of the district like to eat coarse food. Very often, it is produced by their own farms. Butter and Lassi (curd mixed with water) are considered a necessary part of the food. Guests and elders are served with tea, Beef, mutton, chicken and green-leaves vegetables are favorite dishes of each and every person. A greater part of the population work either on farms or at shops, so they enjoy a sound health. Population as compared to big cities is very small here.
Sports
Most common sports/games played by the people of Vehari are Kabaddi, Hockey, Football, Cricket, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton and Volleyball.