Being the largest ethnic group in north-western India, Jats occupy a preeminent place in
Haryana western
Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab,
Delhi and eastern
Rajasthan. They form a predominant proportion in
Hissar and
Karnal districts. Jats are believed to be an Indo-Aryan tribe and are connected to the Vedic civilization (4500 BC - 2500 BC) that existed along the Saraswati River.
A significant number of Jats are Sikhs and Muslims; Muslim Jats are a separate group known as Mullas. Some Jats declare themselves as the descendant of Rajputs and maintained that their Rajput ancestors came from Malwa, Bikaner, Dharangar situated near the historic Hastinapur. The Jats are divided into 12 chief clans and about 137 minor gotras. Jats engage themselves in trade and production of local products in the rural area in addition to agriculture, soldiering and cattle rearing.
