Dhawan

It is popularly believed to mean "runner" or "messenger" which is derived from the Sanskrit word "dhav" (to run).^[1] As per the historian R.C. Dogra, Dhawan translates to "messenger of the battlefield".^[2] Before 1947, they were found in the districts of Lahore, Jhang, Lyallpur and Shahpur in West Punjab, now part of Pakistan.^[3]

Notable people who bear the name, although they may not necessarily be connected to the caste group, include:

• Anil Dhawan, Indian actor
• Ashish Dhawan (born 1969), Indian private equity investor and philanthropist
• Ashita Dhawan (born 1980), Indian television actress
• Ashok Dhawan (born 1947), Indian politician
• Bhupender Dhawan, Indian weightlifter and coach
• David Dhawan (born 1951), Indian film director
• Deepak Dhawan (1955–1987), Communist activist from Punjab
• Dilip Dhawan (1955–2000), Indian actor
• Harmohan Dhawan (1940–2024), Indian politician and former member of Parliament
• Ishaan Dhawan (born 1995), Indian actor
• Jyotsna Dhawan, Indian cell and developmental biologist
• Krishan Dhawan (1926–1994), Indian actor
• Mehar Chand Dhawan (born 1912), Indian sprinter and triple jumper
• Prem Dhawan (1923–2001), Indian lyricist
• Rajeev Dhavan (born 1946), Indian lawyer and human rights activist
• Rani Dhavan Shankardass, Indian social historian and prison reform expert
• Ravi S. Dhavan (1942–2016), Indian judge
• Rishi Dhawan (born 1990), Indian cricketer
• Robin Dhowan, Indian admiral and the 22nd Indian Navy Chief
• R. K. Dhawan (1937–2018), Indian politician
• Rohit Dhawan (born 1983), Indian film director
• Ruhanika Dhawan (born 2007), Indian actress
• Sabrina Dhawan, England-born Indian screenwriter and producer
• Sacha Dhawan (born 1984), English actor
• Satish Dhawan (1920–2002), Indian aerospace engineer and rocket scientist
• Shanti Swaroop Dhavan (1906–1978), Indian statesman, diplomat and jurist
• Shikhar Dhawan (born 1985), Indian international cricketer
• Shruti Dhawan (born 1982), Indian tennis player
• Varun Dhawan (born 1987), Indian actor