Other Spellings : Jatt
Religion : Hindu
Varna : Kashtriya, the warrior class
Language : Jats in India speak Punjabi, Hindi, Rajasthani or Haryanvi
Regional Spread : In the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Kashmir in India. They are also in large number in Sind and Baluchistan
Traditional Occupation : Farming, military services
Food Habits : Like milk products
Marriage Preference : Jatts rarely marry people from other ethnic groups
Famous Personalities
Jatt, is a member of a large ethnic group though they are not a single socio-religious group. Jatts are tall with light brown skin, dark eyes and hair. They are said to be brave, hardworking and independent minded people. Known for their military prowess, many Jats were recruited into the British-India army during World War I. A large number of Jats serve in the Indian Armed Forces and form one of the largest ethnic groups in the army - The Jat Regiment. The Green Revolution brought considerable prosperity to the Jats in the late 60s and 70s. Today, many Jats are well read and occupy high positions in academic and technical arenas.
The origin of Jats has several theories ranging from their sudden appearance from Lord Shiva's Jattas (locks) to their lineage in the Aryan race. While, some scholars point to their Indo-Scythian or Saka origins. Some Jats, Dudi Jats in particular, claim their origin back to prehistoric times of Ramayana and Mahabharata, well before Scythians appeared on Indian soil.
Some believe the word 'Jat' is that it has originated from "Gyat". Mahabharata mentions in chapter 25, shloka 26 that Lord Krishna founded a federation 'Gana-Sangha' of Andhak and Vrishni clans. This federation was known as 'Gyati-Sangh'. Over a period of time 'Gyati' became 'Gyat' and it changed to Jat.
With the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, the Jatts became a powerful force.
List of Jatt Gotras (Clans) : They are the largest group in northwest India, belonging to various clans and more than 1000 Gotras:
A : Abusaria, Achara, Aftab, Ahlawat, Agre, Ajmeria, Andhak, Antal, Asiagh, Atri, Atwal, Aulakh, Aujla, Agah,
B : Babal, Bachhal, Badesha, Badyal, Bhatoa, Bagri, Baht, Bains, Bajwa, Bajya, Balhara, Balyan, Bamraulia, Bana, Bansi, Barjati, Barola, Basran, Baswan, Bassi, Batar, Beniwal, Benning, Bhadare, Bhadiar, Bhadu, Bhalotia, Bhambu, Bhangu/Bhangoo, Bharhaich, Bhari, Bhela, Bhichar, Bhind, Bhukar, Bhullar, Billing, Brar, Braitch, Budania, Budhwar, Burdak, Buttar
C : Chadhar, Chahal, Chahar, Chauhan, Chandel, Cheema, Chhillar, Chheena, Chaudhary, Chaitha
D : Dabas, Dagur, Dahiya, Dandiwal, Dalal, Dangi, Deo, Deol, Deshwal, Dhariwal, Dhesi, Dhaliwal, Dhankhar, Dhanoa, Dhama, Dharan, Dharni, Dhatarwal, Dhatt, Dhaulya, Dhaurelia, Dhillon, Dhindawal, Dhindsa, Dholia, Dhoot, Dosanjh, Dudi, Duhan
F : Fageria, Fandan, Faugat, Faujdar
G : Garcha, Gahlot, Gandhar, Ghatwala, Garewal, Ghumman, Gill, Gauria, Gehlawat, Godara, Ghick, Gora, Goraya, Gosal, Grewal, Gulia, Guram, Gurm
H : Hala, Hanga, Hayer, Heer, Hooda, Hundal
I : Indolia
J : Jakhar, Jaglan, Janghu, Janu, Jatasra, Jatrana, Jatri, Jawanda, Jhajharia, Jhammat, Jhutti, Johal, Johiya, Joon Jagpal
K : Kahlon, Kadian, Kajala, Kakran, Kak, Kaler, Kalirai, Kalkhande, Kandhola, Kang, Karhwasra, Kisana, Kaswan, Kataria, Katewa, Kehal, Khainwar, Khakh, Khalia, Kharb, Khehra, Kherwa, Khichad, Khirwar, Khinger, Khokhar, Khoye Maurya, Kooner, Kuhar, Kular, Kularia, Kulhari, Kundu, Kuntal
L : Lalli, Lakra, Lamba, Lather, Langrial, Lakhlan, Lakhan, Lengha, Liddar
M : Manes, Maan, Madrak, Malik, Mandeer, Mander, Mandiwal, Mangat, Mungut, Mede, Meel, Mehria, Maichu, Mohar Moond, Motsara
N : Naga, Nagra, Nagauria, Nain, Nandal, Nantaal, Nauhwar, Nehra, Nijjar, Nitharwal
O : Ohlan, Ola
P : Pachar, Pachehra, Palsania, Palrwal, Panaich, Panghal, Parihar, Patel, Pandher, Pangli, Pannu, Panwar, Phalaswal, Phogat, Pilania, Punia, Punial, Punian, Purwar, Purewal, Poria Potaysir,
R : Rai, Rajawat, Rajian, Rajaura, Rana, Ranu, Ranwa, Rathi, Rasoda, Rawala, Rehal, Repswal, Rhind-Tutt, Riar, Romana, Rulania, Randhawa
S : Sahota, Saharan, Samra, Sandhu, Sangwan, Sanghera, Saroha, Sran, Sra, Sehrawat, Seen, Sehwag, Sejwal, Sekhon, Seoran, Sheoran, Shokeen, Seokhand, Sidhu, Sigroha, Sikarwar, Sinsinwar, Sansanwal, Sirohi, Sial, Sunda, Soban, Solanki, Sohal, Sohi
T : Takhar, Tanwar, Tarar, Tatla, Tatran, Takshak, Tevatia, Thenua, Thandi, Thatheala, Thori, Tiwana, Tokas, Tomara, Tomar, Toor, Toot, Tott, Tung, Tutt
U : Uppal, Udar
V : Vanar, Virk, Vaince, Vijayrania
W : Wahla, Waraich, Wainse