The Ranjha family , the aristocratic landlords of Kot Sher Muhammad, are sitting in a richly adorned hall.
The Ranjha family , the aristocratic landlords of Kot Sher Muhammad, are sitting in a richly adorned hall.
Khan Bahadur MLA Chaudhary Irshadullah Ranjha of Kot Sher Muhammad with Nawab Sir Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana of Kalra State Shahpur at the aristocrats party in 1927.
Khan Bahadur MLA Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, Nawab Sir Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana, Khan Bahadur Nawab Sir Sikander Hayat Khan, Governor of Punjab, British India during a session at legislative assembly in 1939.
In this picture Khan Bahadur MLA Chaudhary Irshadullah Ranjha of Kot Sher Muhammad is addressing to the speaker with Khan Bahadur Nawab Sir Sikander Hayat Khan the acting governer of British India in 1941.
In this picture Chaudhary Ikramullah Ranjha was elected as MPA in 1985 general elections and was taking a ceremonial credential by Muhammad Khan Junejo the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
In this picture Member District Council Gujrat Chaudhary Ehsan Ullah Ranjha is meeting with Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan Chaudhary Hamid Nasir Chattha.
The Ranjha family, a Punjabi Muslim Feudal landlord family from Kot Sher Muhammad and is the Chief of Ranjha Jatt tribe. Due to their influential connections, the family holds a prominent position in the Kirana Bar, and its members have played a significant role in Punjab's politics since the 1800s. Moreover, this family has been ruling the Kirana Bar for several generations and is considered amongst the largest landowner and senior political families in Central Punjab. The Ranjha family has ruled over 105 villages, including those in the Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin districts. They own lands around Kirana and Kadi Bar.
The family had strong influence in British India, as they had familial ties with several prominent landlord families, including the Chief Daultana family, Chief Chattha family, Chief Khattak family, Chief Qureshi family, Chief Khakwani family, and Chief Tarar family, who supported them in national and provincial politics.
The Ranjha family also has connections with top industrialists and business families, including the Habib Group, which is considered one of the most significant business families since the establishment of Pakistan. These connections helped them establish the textile and cotton industries before the creation of Pakistan. Additionally, they had a significant stake in Pepsi Cola since the 1950s. The family was also known for participating in Derby games at Lahore’s Racecourse Park with other aristocrats and owned over a hundred horses, which they used for riding, hunting, and traveling in tribal areas, including thoroughbreds, Arabians, and Marwari horses.
In the early 1900s, they were among a few landlord and nawab families with a collection of luxury vehicles imported from England, Germany, and Italy, including Ford, Jaguar, Lincoln, Bentley, and Mercedes-Benz. Almost every member of the Ranjha family was a graduate of Chief Aitchison College and Government College Lahore.
From the British Indian period to today, the Ranjha family has been honored with several titles, including Sir, Khan Bahadur, Inamdar, Zaildar, and Jagirdar, due to their amicable relationship with the British government and their significant roles in the bureaucracy and judiciary both during and after British India. The family has served as Members of Parliament since the 1930s and has had close ties with major political parties, including the Punjab Unionist Party, as their close friends included Nawab Malik Khizr Hayat Tiwana, former Prime Minister of Punjab, Nawab Malik Feroze Khan Noon, and Nawab Muhammad Hayat Qureshi.
many prominent figures have visited the family's estate, including Justice Dilip Singh, Justice Amir, Nawab Khizr Tiwana of Kalar, Feroze Khan Noon of Noor Pur, Nawab Nawaz Khan of Dabb Kallan, and Nawab Mumtaz Daultana of Luddan.
After Partition, they allied with the Muslim League in 1946, leaving the Unionist Party, and joined the Muslim League along with their dear friends such as Nawab Sir Malik Shahnawaz Khan Mamdot, Sir Feroze Khan Noon, and Begum Jahan Ara Shahnawaz. In the 1980s, they aligned with Pakistan’s four major political parties, including the Junejo and Chattha League, the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, Pakistan Muslim League (Q), and Pakistan Peoples Party.
Until the early 2000s, the Ranjha family remained with the Pakistan Peoples Party due to their close relationships with former PPP President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The family’s strong political presence in the districts of Gujrat, Sargodha, and Mandi Bahauddin helped PPP maintain a strong position in central Punjab. However, following the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, the family parted ways with the PPP, as they were not ready to continue in politics under President Asif Ali Zardari's leadership. In 2008, they joined Pakistan Muslim League (N), led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Chaudhry Sher Muhammad Ranjha was the founder of the Ranjha family, and the village "Kot Sheer Muhammad" was named after him. Around the 1700s, his son, Chaudhry Jalal Sher Ranjha, established Kot Sher Muhammad, and gradually, during the era of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the family began to gain control over the Kairana Bar. This continued until the mid-1800s when the British Empire took control of the subcontinent.
Chaudhry Jalal Sher Ranjha had three sons: Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha, who was the eldest son of Chaudhry Jalal, and his two younger brothers were Chaudhry Mehr Dad and Chaudhry Karam Dad Ranjha. Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha was the beloved grandson of Chaudhry Sher Muhammad Ranjha. He was a prominent landlord in British India and one of the largest landowners in the Shahpur district, as well as the Chief of Kirana Bar.
Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha was a generous and understanding person, and he worked alongside the British government to improve the facilities, infrastructure, and industrial sectors in his region. He played an essential role in the establishment and enhancement of local facilities. At that time, the Deputy Commissioner of Shahpur was Captain J.W. II Jonathan, who provided him with the necessary facilities as per his requirements.
In 1897, Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha was awarded the title of "Inamdar" (landlord) and received a reward of 100 rupees from the British government. His cousin, Rehmat Khan Badarana, was also given the title of "Inamdar" and was rewarded with 200 rupees.
The Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad was also honored with the title of Zaildar. Chaudhry Fazal Elahi Ranjha, who was the son-in-law of Chaudhry Karam Elahi Chatha and the father of Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, was appointed as the Zaildar of the Kot Sher Muhammad District Board. Later, in the late 1800s, he was also given the position of honorary First-Class Magistrate.
The Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad is among the few aristocratic families that were honored with the title of Khan Bahadur in the Punjab region before Partition. In 1933, Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, the grandson of Inamdar Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha, was granted the title of Khan Bahadur by Lord Willington, the Viceroy of the British colonial government.
In this memorable picture, Khan Bahadur MLA Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha of Kot Sher Muhammad and the Chief Minister of Punjab, Nawab Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana of Kalra State Khizrabad, are present.
This is a picture of the Punjab Legislative Council from 1930. In the second row, standing at number 10 from the left is Chaudhry Nazir Hussain Ranjha, who was elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from the rural area of Gujarat West Muhammadan on the platform of the Unionist Party.
This is a picture of the Punjab Legislative Council from 1937. In the second row, sitting at number 7 from the left is Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, who was elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from the rural area of Gujarat West Muhammadan on the platform of the Unionist Party.
This is a picture of a meeting of the Muslim League, where all the key members are giving their briefings, including Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, who was re-elected in the general elections of 1951.
This picture shows all the members of the Muslim League in a group, gathered for a portrait at the time of the establishment of Pakistan's in 1947.
Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha was a member of the Punjab Legislative Council of British India (1937-1945) and a member of the Provincial Assembly of West Punjab, Pakistan (1951-1955).
Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha (B.A., L.L.B.) was an MLA in the Punjab Legislative Council of British India (1930-1936), the Home Secretary of undivided Punjab, and the Attorney General of the High Court of West Pakistan.
Chaudhry Altaf Ahmad Ranjha was a member of the District Council Gujrat and a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (1988-1990).
Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha was a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (1985-1988) and a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (1990-1993).
Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha is a retired District and Sessions Judge and a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (2024-2029).
Chaudhry Fazal Ahmad Ranjha was a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab (2002-2007).
Chaudhry Khurram Ehsan Ranjha was a member of the District Council Mandi Bahauddin (2001-2005) and a member of the District Council Mandi Bahauddin (2005-2009).
Chaudhry Khizr Hayat Ranjha is a prominent aristocrat and member of district council Gujrat .
Chaudhry Usman Ahmad Ranjha is the Zonal Chief of ZTBL and a renowned lawyer of the High Court. He is also a member of the Anti-Dumping Appellate Tribunal. He is the son of MPA Chaudhry Altaf Ahmad Ranjha.
Chaudhry Waleed Ahmad Ranjha is considered one of the young and prominent lawyers, having earned his LLM with distinction from the University of London. He is the son of MPA Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha, who has also served as a District and Sessions Judge.
Barrister Amir Sikander Ranjha is a renowned corporate lawyer at the Lahore High Court. He is the nephew of MPA Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha and son of Chaudhry Khizar Hayat Ranjha.
Members of the Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad have graduated from the Chief Aitchison College for three generations, including Chaudhry Nazir Hussain Ranjha, Chaudhry Imtiaz Nazir Ranjha, Chaudhry Ehsan Ullah Ranjha, Chaudhry Fazal Ahmad Ranjha, Chaudhry Khurram Ehsan Ranjha, and Chaudhry Ehsan Ikram Ranjha.
Among the members of the Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad, Chaudhry Usman Ahmad Ranjha and Chaudhry Amir Sikander Ranjha have received their education from King's College London.
Members of the Ranjha family have also received their education from Government College Lahore, including Chaudhry Khizr Hayat Ranjha, Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha, and Chaudhry Akhtar Hayat Ranjha.
Members of the Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad have also completed their education from the University of London, including Chaudhry Waleed Ahmad Ranjha, Chaudhry Murtaza Khurram Ranjha, and Chaudhry Ahsan Akram Ranjha.
This is a picture from Aitchison College Lahore in 1946, featuring Chaudhry Imtiaz Nazir Ranjha and Chaudhry Ehsan Ullah Ranjha in this group photo.
The Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad has had a deep passion for sports, including derby, horseback riding, hunting (such as Houbara Bustards, partridges, geese, and Punjab Horya), and thrilling adventures, which is a renowned aspect of the family. The family has a unique connection with horseback riding, collecting weapons (ranging from ancient to automatic), traveling, and hosting people. They are also famous for their parties, dinners, and hospitality.
Chaudhry Nazir Husain Ranjha, Chaudhry Sikandar Hayat Ranjha, and Chaudhry Jalal Haider Ranjha's greatest passion was watching the derby & tentpegging at the racecourse and buying horses. This was an integral part of their interests.
Hunting is a hereditary tradition of the Ranjha family, and many prominent figures have visited the family's estate for hunting Special protection was provided for hunting in Kot Sher Muhammad, which allowed for the flourishing of birds and wildlife. This tradition continues to this day.
The Ranjha family inherits a unique collection of weapons that has been passed down through generations, including valuable firearms such as Holland & Holland, Churchill's, Beretta, and Smith & Wesson
Nawabzada Mian Mumtaz Daultana, who was the Chief Minister of West Punjab, is the maternal uncle of Chaudhry Imtiaz Nazir Ranjha. Mumtaz Daultana's father, Nawab Ahmad Yar Khan Daultana, was the father-in-law of Chaudhry Nazir Hussain Ranjha, who was a member of the Punjab Assembly, the Attorney General of the High Court, and the Home Secretary of undivided Punjab.
Muhammad Yusuf Khan Khattak, a Member of the National Assembly and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, is the father-in-law of Chaudhry Imtiaz Nazir Ranjha and the great-grandfather of Chaudhry Umar Nazir Ranjha.
Chaudhry Akmal Cheema, a District Chairman of Sialkot, and CEO of Leader Field Group, is the father-in-law of Chaudhry Waleed Ahmad Ranjha and the co-in-law of MPA Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha.
Khan Bahadur Chaudhry Sir Shahabuddin, the Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Council, was the father-in-law of Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha and Nawab Ahmad Yar Khan Daultana.
Mian Mamoon Jafar tarar, a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, is the grandson of Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha and a paternal cousin of Chaudhry Khurram Ehsan Ranjha, the member of the District Council.
Chaudhry Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, a Member of the National Assembly and Federal Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, is married to the niece of MPA Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha.
Chaudhry Hamid Nasir Chatha, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, is the maternal cousin of Chaudhry Ihsan Ullah Ranjha (Chairman District Council) and Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha (MPA). His father, Chaudhry Salahuddin Chatha, was the maternal cousin of Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha and Khan Bahadur Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha. His grandfather, Khan Bahadur Karam Ilahi Chatha, was the father-in-law of Chaudhry Fazal Elahi Ranjha.
Muhammad Tariq Tarar, a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, is the father-in-law of Chaudhry Haider Ikram Ranjha and the brother-in-law of MPA Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha.
Nawabzada Muhammad Munir Qureshi, a member of the Punjab Assembly, is the grandson of Chaudhry Nazir Hussain Ranjha.
Chaudhry Liaquat Hayat Badrana, a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, and his brother Chaudhry Amanullah Khan Badrana also known as King of the Kadhi, was a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, they were maternal cousins of Chaudhry Sikandar and Khizr Hayat Ranjha. Their father, Chaudhry Nazir Badrana, a Zaildar and Honorary Magistrate, was the nephew of Chaudhry Fazal Ilahi Ranjha.
Anwar Saifullah Khan, a Member of the National Assembly and Federal Minister for Environmental Affairs and Urban Development, is the father-in-law of Chaudhry Umar Nazir Ranjha, as Chaudhry Umar Nazir Ranjha is the son-in-law of the Saifullah Khan family.
Nawabzada Ishaq Khan Khakwani, a Member of the National Assembly and Federal Minister of State for Railways, is the brother-in-law of Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha, and Begum Riffat Nazir Ranjha is the daughter-in-law of this family.
Chaudhry Sher Muhammad Ranjha (the founder of the family) had a son, Chaudhry Jalal Sher Ranjha. He had three sons: Inamdar Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha, Chaudhry Mehrdad Ranjha, and Chaudhry Karamdad Ranjha. Chaudhry Khudadad Ranjha, whose father-in-law was Khan Bahadur Karam Ilahi Chatha. Chaudhry Khudadad had three children: Chaudhry Fazal Ahmad Ranjha, Chaudhry Khushi Muhammad Ranjha, and Begum Fazal Ranjha, who was married to Khan Bahadur Chaudhry Karam Elahi Chatha. Chaudhry Fazal Ahmad Ranjha's son, Zaildar and Honorary Magistrate Chaudhry Fazal Elahi Ranjha, was the father-in-law of Khan Bahadur Karam Elahi Chatha and the husband of Begum Sardar Chatha, while Chaudhry Khushi Muhammad Ranjha's son, Chaudhry Muhammad Fareed Ranjha, carried on the family's legacy.
Chaudhry Fazal Elahi Ranjha's sons, Khan Bahadur MLA Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, who was the brother-in-law of Chaudhry Muhammad Walyait Ranjha and the cousin of MLA Chaudhry Salahuddin Chatha, and MLA Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha, who was the son-in-law of Khan Bahadur Chaudhry Sir Shahabuddin and the co-in-law of Nawab Mian Ahmad Yar Khan Daultana and Nawab Sardar Ali Khan Dhillon, furthered the family's history. Chaudhry Muhammad Farid Ranjha's sons, Chaudhry Muhammad Waliat Ranjha and Chaudhry Muhammad Nazir Ranjha, contributed to the family legacy as well.
Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha's children, Chaudhry Ehsan Ullah Ranjha, who was the brother-in-law of MPA Chaudhry Jafar Khan Tarar.MPA Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha, who was the son-in-law of MLA Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha, and Begum Ruksana Ranjha, who was the daughter in law of MNA Chaudhry Saifullah Khan Tarar, continued the family history.
Chaudhry Muhammad Waliat Ranjha's children, Chaudhry Sikandar Hayat Ranjha, who was the brother-in-law of MPA Chaudhry Altaf Ahmad Ranjha and Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha,Chaudhry Khizr Hayat Ranjha, who was the brother-in-law of MNA Chaudhry Liaquat Hayat Badrana and MNA Chaudhry Amanullah Khan Badrana, and Begum Mushtaq Ranjha, who was the wife of Chairmman District Council Chaudhry Ehsanullah Ranjha, all brought pride to the family.
Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad Ranjha's children, MPA Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha, who is the brother-in-law of industrialist Chaudhry Akmal Cheema, MPA Chaudhry Altaf Ahmad Ranjha, and Begum Naseem Ranjha, also contributed to the family's heritage.
MPA Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha's children, MPA Chaudhry Fazal Ahmad Ranjha, who was the son-in-law of MNA Chaudhry Wazir Ali Khan Bhatti, and Chaudhry Haider Akram Ranjha, who was the son-in-law of MNA Chaudhry Tariq Tarar, further enhanced the family's respect.
MLA Chaudhry Nazir Hussain Ranjha's children, Chaudhry Imtiaz Nazir Ranjha, who was the cousin of Nawab Mian Mumtaz Daultana and the son-in-law of MNA Yusuf Khan Khattak, and his son Chaudhry Umar Nazir Ranjha, who was the son-in-law of MNA Anwar Saifullah Khan, along with Begum Mahjabeen Ranjha, who was the wife of MPA Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha, all carried forward the family's legacy.
District Council member Chaudhry Khurram Ahsan Ranjha and Shiraz Ali Ranjha are both sons of Chairman District Council Chaudhry Ehsan Ullah Ranjha.
Barrister Chaudhry Amir Sikander Ranjha, son of Chaudhry Sikandar Hayat Ranjha, and Chaudhry Akhtar Hayat Ranjha, son of Chaudhry Khizr Hayat Ranjha, are also contributors to the family's progress.
MPA Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha's son Chaudhry Waleed Ahmad Ranjha, and MPA Chaudhry Altaf Ahmad Ranjha's sons Chaudhry Zeeshan Ranjha and Chaudhry Usman Ahmad Ranjha, have further elevated the family's honor.
The Ranjha family of Kot Sheer Muhammad is one of the senior aristocratic political families in Central Punjab and is known as the oldest political family in the Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin districts. Many Prime Ministers have visited Kot Sher Muhammad (Shere Wala), including Nawab Sir Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Muhammad Khan Junejo, Benazir Bhutto, and Nawab Mian Mumtaz Daultana. The Ranjha family has been active in politics since and member of the parliment since1930 till date 2024.
Zaildar and Honorary Magistrate Chaudhry Fazal Elahi Ranjha's two sons were also involved in politics. His elder son, Chaudhry Sir Nazir Hussain Ranjha, was elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from Gujrat West Muslim Rural in the 1930 general elections on the Unionist Party's platform. His younger son, Chaudhry Irshad Ullah Ranjha, was elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Council from Gujrat West Muslim Rural as a Unionist Party candidate in the 1937 general elections. He was re-elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Council in 1951 as a candidate of the Muslim League. His elder son, Chaudhry Ehsan Ullah Ranjha, was elected Chairman of the District Council Gujrat, and his younger brother, Chaudhry Ikram Ullah Ranjha, was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Gujrat XII PP 36 in the 1985 general elections as a candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He was re-elected in the 1990 general elections from Gujrat XII PP 101 as a candidate of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (Islamic Democratic Alliance) and was appointed Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Punjab. His son, Chaudhry Fazal Ahmad Ranjha, was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Mandi Bahauddin III PP 118 in the 2002 general elections as a candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) and was appointed a member of the Committee on Labour and Human Resources.
Chaudhry Ehsan Ullah Ranjha's son, Chaudhry Khurram Ehsan Ranjha, won elections to become a member of the District Council Mandi Bahauddin for two consecutive terms (2001-2005 and 2005-2009). His elder maternal uncle, Chaudhry Altaf Ahmad Ranjha, was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Gujrat XII PP 101 in the 1988 general elections as a candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party. His younger maternal uncle, Chaudhry Khalid Mahmood Ranjha, was elected as a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Mandi Bahauddin III PP 42 in the 2024 general elections as a candidate of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad has made significant efforts toward the development of their district, with interests in the development of infrastructure, improvement of irrigation systems, healthcare, and education.
The Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad is one of the most influential landowning families in Central Punjab and the largest landowning family in Mandi Bahauddin. In addition, the Ranjha family has a deep interest in Pakistan's agricultural sector, whether it is modern or traditional farming. The family has inherited thousands of acres of cultivable land in Kot Sheer Muhammad. They are generally engaged in orange orchards, wheat and rice crops, sugarcane cultivation, and tunnel farming.
They own more than hundred acres of land dedicated to orange orchards and tunnel farming, while their wheat, rice, and sugarcane fields span thousands of acres collectively.
In 2024, the Ranjha family of Kot Sher Muhammad was awarded the title of Pakistan’s largest garlic cultivators by the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), marking a significant achievement in what has now become a comprehensive agricultural industry for the family.
Jalal Farms is an agricultural initiative launched by the Ranjha family of Kot Sheer Muhammad. Leveraging their expertise and experience in the agricultural sector, the family has developed this industry to promote both traditional farming practices and modern techniques. The goal of Jalal Farms is not only to improve conventional farming but also to enhance production through the use of advanced methods and technology.
The Ranjha family, through this venture, cultivates various crops such as oranges, wheat, rice, sugarcane, and other agricultural products.
Jalal Farms aims not only to increase agricultural production but also to educate farmers about modern agricultural techniques, ultimately contributing to agricultural development and economic growth in the region.