Arain

Arain is a Punjabi Muslim community and social group primarily located in the Punjab regions of Pakistan and India. The Arain are traditionally associated with agriculture and landholding, and they have long been described as a prominent agrarian community in the Punjab. They are concentrated in rural and urban areas of Punjab, with diasporic communities in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

The origins of the Arain are disputed, and community traditions offer varying genealogies. Some accounts link Arains to Rajput, Persian, or other Punjabi agrarian lineages. Historically, Arains have been prominent as peasants, landholders, and traders, and they held roles in administration and local governance under various empires. During the British colonial period, some Arains occupied revenue-farming or landed positions, and later land-reform measures in the region reshaped ownership patterns.

In socio-economic terms, the Arain have been one of the larger agrarian groups in the Punjab, often associated with farming and land management. In Pakistan, they have played a role in regional politics and local governance; in India, they are one of several Punjabi Muslim communities integrated into broader social and economic structures.

Culture and language within the Arain community typically center on Punjabi language and Muslim religious practice. Most identify as Sunni Muslims, largely following the Hanafi school, though regional variations exist.

Today, Arain communities are found in both rural and urban settings and participate in a range of occupations beyond farming, including business, professionals, and public service. The community also forms part of the Punjabi-speaking diaspora in multiple countries.