The term "Pachhada" is derived from the Punjabi word "Pachádhar," meaning "westerner," [1] as they were believed to be the people of the west.
With the establishment of British rule in the early 19th century, the authorities took measures to settle the Pachhada, along with other pastoral groups in the region, as part of efforts to control nomadism.
While many have assimilated into the broader society, they have maintained some aspects of their distinct cultural identity in settlement areas across west Punjab, particularly in Okara, Sahiwal, Muzaffargarh, and Layyah districts.
One tradition suggests that the Sahu are descendants of a Rana Jatu who originally lived in Rawalpindi, later settling in Rania and finally Bhirana.
Although he eventually returned to Rawalpindi, his son Lal, who remained in Bhirana, is regarded as the ancestor of the Sahu tribe.
According to the second tradition, their ancestors originated from Jilopatan near Jaipur in Rajasthan, eventually moving to Delhi before migrating to the Ghaghar valley.
Other significant populations were found in the districts of Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sialkot, Lahore, Sargodha, Jhang, Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Sahiwal.