GIIAKKAR, a Scythie race inhabiting the banks of tho Indus. The Ghakkar was a warliko tribe in the time of Mithmud of Ghazni, inhabiting the Salt Range or Jail mountains, between the Indus aud tho Bellut (Hydaspes). The Moghul, and subsequently the Daurani, failed to master them, but the Sikh rulers, after having been frequently foiled, at length nominally accom plished their subjugation by stirring lip internal faction, and by the perpetration of acts of cruelty and treachcr7 (Rec. Grovt. of India). The Gliakkar opposed Mahinud ; in 1205 they ravaged the Panjab to the gates of Lahore ; in 1206 they stabbed the Mahomedan sultan in his tent. They were converted to Mahomedanhan, and in 1525 submitted to Barer, in return for a grant of country. During the next two centuries they rendered great services to the Moghul dynasty against the Afghan usurpers, and rose to high influence in the Panjab. They were driven from the plains by the Sikhs in 1765 A.D., but they maintained their independence on the Murree) Hills till 1830, when they were crushed after a bloody struggle. In 1849, Rawal Pindi, with the rest of the Panjab, fell t,o the British, but the Ghakkar revolted four years afterwards, and threatened Murree aa late as 1857. They now
number only 10,153 souls, described WS a fine spirited race, gentlemen in ancestry, and bearing and clinging under all reverses to the traditions of noble blood.
At an early period of history they were given to infanticide. It was a custom, says Ferislita, as soon as a female child was born, to carry her to the market-plaeo, and there proclaim aloud, holding the child in one hand, and a knife in the other, that any ono wanting a wife might have her, otherwise she was immolated.' By this means they had more men than women, which occasioned the custom of several husbands to one wife. When any one husband visited her she set up a mark at the door, which, being obsL-ved by the others they withdrew till tho signal was removed. They continued polyandric till I3aber's time. The Ghakkar aro supposed to be the descendants of the mountaineers whose chief Ambisaces sent ambassadors with presents to Alexander. Baber writes the name Gitker but it is also written Glinka and Khaka.—Ted s 'Rajas than, p. 636 ; Imp. Gaz. iv. p. 278.