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Khatri

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Khatris
ClassificationKhatri
ReligionsHinduism, Sikhism, Jainism and Islam
LanguagesPunjabi, Hindi and Urdu
Populated statesPunjab (India), Haryana, Delhi, Punjab (Pakistan) and Sindh
SubdivisionsAathghar, Barahghar, Bawanjahi, Charghar, Dhaighar, Kukhran, Sareen and others

Khatri are NOT Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kṣatriya), as commonly misinformed. Khatris are a mixed caste. No Kstriya (Rajput) ever marry with Khatris. Khatris are business community. The Khatris, along with the Aroras, Lohanas, Soods and Bhatias, are the Khatri communities of Punjab.[1][2]

The Khatris are a north Indian community that originated in the Potohar Plateau of Punjab.

When Pakistan and India gained independence, most of the Khatris in what became Pakistan migrated to India. Today Khatris live in all regions of India, but are concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. While most Khatris are Hindu, a some are also Sikh and a smaller minority are Jain or Muslim[3]. Khatris of Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths have traditionally intermarried.[citation needed]

File:MalikbhagoMOD.jpg
Guru Nanak Dev the founder of Sikh religion was born in Khatri clan.

Khatri Family Names

Main article: List of Khatri surnames on Wiktionary

The Arora (see List of Arora surnames), Sood, Bhatia and Lohana castes are distinct communities of the Punjab and Sindh. Although they are not Khatri, they share a similar cultural background, all five communities being Kshatriya in origin.

Aroras and Khatris in particular share a close heritage. With Aroras having separated from the Khatri community in ancient times and migrating to Aror in the process.[4]

History of the Khatri Community

Historical Background

See also: Hinduism in Punjab and Indian caste system

The Khatris are a prominent Indian community that originated in the Potohar region of north-western Indian subcontinent. This region is of considerable historical significance in the development of the Indian culture since the composition of the Vedas and classics like the Mahabharata [5] and Panini's Ashtadhyayi took place here[6].

The Potohar Plateau: the Khatris' place of origin

Main article: Potohar

Many parts of Potohar (Rawalpindi, Jhelum etc.) before the Partition of 1947, were dominated by Sikh Khatri landowners. These families included clans such as Bindra, Bedi and Gujral (inter alia).[citation needed] According to historical records, many Khatri clans of Rawalpindi received jagirs from the British and/or Sher-e-Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, for contributions to civil-service i.e. Treasury, Administration and Military.[citation needed]

For the most part, Khatris have been in the civil, government, and military administrators roles for centuries.[7] Khatris have sometimes expanded into trade and mercantile businesses, including architecture. Many Khatris in ancient times got engaged in the wool industry, which brought them into contact with the Kashmiri people, whom they are related to.[8] The Hindu temples of Kabul built by the Khatris still exist.[citation needed]

Prominent historical Khatris

Many prominent historical figures have emerged from the Khatri. All ten Sikh Gurus were Khatri, belonging to the Bedi, Trehan, Bhalla and Sodhi subcastes. Raja Todar Mal was a Tandon Khatri who codified the revenue collection system as Revenue Minister for Akbar. Haqiqat Rai was a Puri Khatri whose martyrdom was celebrated on Basant Panchami in Lahore until independence. Hari Singh Nalwa, an Uppal Khatri [9], was a prominent general under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The father and son pair of the Diwans Sawan Mal and Mul Raj Chopra were successive governors of Multan under Ranjit Singh. The former instituted vast improvement in agriculture, while the latter was instrumental in leading the revolt against the British to prevent the annexation of the Sikh Empire into the East India Company territory. Sadhu Singh Gulla fought against the British Empire in 19th century. Later on he died in prison or battle.

One of the most important character of famous Punjabi legend Raja Rasalu is minister Mahita Chopra. [10] Most scholars agree that Raja Rasalu ruled from Sialkot and lived sometime between 400 to 500 AD.[citation needed] If it is true then Chopra family name, a Baraghar Khatri, developed by that time.[citation needed]

Historical Mentions

Khatri gots have often been divided into three major groups; Baraghar, Bawanjahi, and Sarin.[11] These divisions were reported by Emperor Akbar's close adviser Abu'l Fazal in his book Ain-i-Akbari(compiled in 1590 AD). These grouping is said to be happened at the time of Ala-uddin Khilji (1296-1316 AD).[citation needed]

Bhai Gurdas (b. AD 1551) in his "Varan Bhai Gurdas Ji", Vaar 8 - Pauri 10 (Khatri jatan) mentions: barahi, bavanjahi, Pavadhe, pachadhia, phalian, khokharainu, chaurotari and serin sections.

The family name mentioned above existed for long time. The four gots of Sikh gurus existed at least since 15th century AD.:

  • Guru Nanak: Bedi
  • Guru Angad: Trehan
  • Guru Amardas: Bhalla
  • All seven others: Sodhi

Khatris and Sun Worship

Raja Vanvihari Kapoor has written that major Khatri clans are named after Lord Sun.[12]The Sarasvat Brahmin clan of which some of these these were yajamanas are also mentioned below.


  • Kripakar Kapur Priests: Pambu
  • Shankan Khanna Priests: Jhingana
  • Martanada Tandan Priests: Jhingana
  • Mitra Mehra Priests: Jetali
  • Shreshtha Seth
  • Dhavan Dhavan
  • Mahendra Mahindru
  • Bahukar Bahora (Vohra)
  • Chakravali Chaupada (Chopra)
  • Karalagni Kakkar Priests: Kumadiye
  • Surya Suri
  • Sahasrakar Sahgal Priests: Mohile
  • Raja Fateh Chand Maini: Was chieftien of bihar during childhood of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and being a childless he adopted Bal Gobind Rai as his son.[citation needed]

According to Bhavishya Purana, Punjab indeed was an ancient center of Sun worship.

Religion

Hindu Khatris

A majority of Khatris are Hindus [13]. As noted in the introduction, the Khatri community have been positioned in roles of administration, rule and warfare within Punjab. The Khatris were the patrons ('yajamansas' or in Punjabi 'jajmani') of the Saraswat Brahmins. [14]

Sikh Khatris

A portion of the Khatris are Sikh.[15] The Sikh panth is not caste based, still the Khatris played a major role in development of Sikhism as a gentle and inclusive faith. All the Ten Sikh Gurus were Khatri. During the lifetime of the Gurus, most of their major supporters and Sikhs were Khatris.[citation needed] However it must be noted that the rejection of the caste system by Sikhs meant that the Gurus did not see themselves as Khatris.

Khatris were the main leaders in Sikhism until the early 20th century when the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee and the Tat Khalsa movements took over ithe institutions from the traditional Masand .[citation needed]

See also: Hinduism and Sikh Panth

Jain Khatris

The number of Khatris who are Jain is very small. However one of the best known Jain munis in recent times, Acharya Atmaram (also known as Shri Vijayanandsuri) (1841-1900) was a Kapoor Khatri, born at Lahra, Firozepur.[citation needed]

Muslim Khatris

With the advent of Islam following invasions by Turkic tribes from Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province from the 11th century onwards, there were conversions of Hindus to the faith from among various Punjabi communities, including Khatris .Generally they retained their tribal, clan or caste affiliations as has been the norm in the Indian Subcontinent. Similarly, the Khatris who converted to Islam, continue to retain a strong social identity and are known as Punjabi Shaikhs. They came to become incorporated within the Muslim caste system, they are therefore not strictly Khatris in modern caste differentiation, but are Khatri in heritage.

Pakistan continues to have a prominent community of Khatris known as Punjabi Shaikhs as well as Khawaja Shaikhs. Some Muslim Khatris like the Sahgal family of Pakistan are examples of well-known and successful Islamic Khatris.

Khatris and Indian Culture

The Khatris were adversely affected by the partition of India, as it resulted in the loss of their traditional home regions. These Khatris migrated to India, where they were forced to start anew their life. Some Khatris are now modernizing along with the rest of India.

Khatris Organizations

The sessions of Akhil Bhartiya Khatri Mahasabha were held in Lucknow in 1916, 1936, 1952 and 1980.[citation needed] Lucknow Khatri Sabha was established in 1927 and publication Khatri Hitashi was started in 1936.[citation needed]

Divisions among the Khatris

There are several subdivisions within the Khatri clans. There are the Dhai Ghar (i.e. 2 1/2 houses -the number 3 being considered unlucky) grouping comprising of Kapur/Kapoor,Khanna, and Mehra/Mehrotra in order of their social status.[8] Members of the Dhai Ghar are encouraged only to marry within their three subcastes.[16] Along with the Seth clan these four subdivisions form the Char Ghar (4 houses) grouping.[17].

With the Chopra, Dhawan, Mahendra, Sahgal, Talwar, Tandon, Vohra and Wadhawan sub castes, all 12 form the barah-jati grouping [18]. Another group is called Bavanjai (52)[19] . Other regional clan groupings include the Sarin and the Kukhrain.

Regionally Churamani, Nanda, Khullar, Jerath, Chopra and Vig were particularly connected with Ludhiana; Bahl, Kapoor, Mehra, Seth, Beri, Sencher and Dhir with Jagraon; Batte, Sondhi and Karir with Machhiwara and Bahlolpur; Sehgal and Thapar with Raikot; and Had and Cham with Khanna [20]

The origin of many clans and surnames is not exactly clear.[citation needed] Most Kshatriya draw their relations together at some point after the Indo-Aryan settlement of Northern India.

Kukhran

File:Manmohan singh with bush.jpg
Dr. Manmohan Singh with President of the United States George W. Bush

Kukhran (also spelt Kukhrain) are a regional subcaste of Khatris [21] of ten clans of Punjab, originally from the town of Bhera in the Jech doab (Jhelum - Chenab interfluve) region of Sargodha district of Pakistani Punjab. In keeping with Khatri-like traditions, Bhera was an important trading outpost on the road to Kabul, and a 'taksal' (mint) during the reign of Ranjit Singh. Kukhrans are Aryan and Vedic peoples and have originally followed Hinduism, however a significant number adapted Sikhism during the 18th and 19th centuries.

This, and also because many Hindu Kukhran families, as well as other Khatri and Khatri-like clans (Arora), raised at least one Sikh son after the formation of the Khalsa in 1699, resulted in Kukhran family names, as well as other Khatri-like clan names, being present in both Hindu and Sikh communities worldwide. Common Kukhran names are Anand, Bhasin, Chadha, Chandok,Gadhok, Gadok, Kohli, Sabharwal, Sahni/Sawhney, and Sethi; many of whom had migrated from present Pakistan to India during partition. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh is a Kukhran of the Kohli subcaste.

See also: Kukhran

See Also


Distinguished Khatris

The following is a list of eminent Khatris:

References

  1. ^ Punjab Revenue Religion and Castes
  2. ^ Ancestry.com Origin of Arora
  3. ^ Census of India, 1901 By India Census Commissioner, Sir Edward Albert Gait, Published 1903 Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India, Part 2 Tables, page 292. The Sikhs form 5.89% of the Khatris
  4. ^ D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, " A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North West Frontier Province", 1911, pp 17 Vol II
  5. ^ http://punjabgovt.nic.in/Culture/Historical.htm Punjab Historical Background
  6. ^ http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/wonder.pdf Wonder that was Kashmir, Subhash Kak
  7. ^ As Kshatriyas
  8. ^ a b Punjab Revenue Castes and Religions of Punjab]
  9. ^ http://www.punjabheritage.org/cultural-heritage/legend---stories-from-the-life-of-hari-singh-nalwa.html Stories from the Life of Hari Singh Nalwa by Dr. Vanit Nalwa
  10. ^ Four Legends of King Rasalu of Sialkot, The Folk-Lore Journal, 1883 Folklore Enterprises, Ltd, p. 129-151
  11. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  12. ^ Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914
  13. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  14. ^ Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914
  15. ^ Census of India, 1901 By India Census Commissioner, Sir Edward Albert Gait, Published 1903 Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India, Part 2 Tables, page 292. The Sikhs form 5.89% of the Khatris
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference BR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  18. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  19. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  20. ^ http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/fdigs.htm Punjab District Gazeeters
  21. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  22. ^ Nair are not Khatri
  • Public Domain This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914.
  • M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  • Raja Vanvihari Kapur, The History of Khatris
  • The Khatris, a socio-historical study, Baij Nath Puri, M.N. Publishers, 1988.
  • Bhai Gurdas Ji, Varan Bhai Gurdas Ji, Vaar 8 - Pauri 10.
  • The Indian Diaspora in Central Asia and Its Trade, 1550-1900 by Scott Cameron Levi.
  • Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD, Page 501-526, Vol II,
  • Ibid, Page 537-538, Vol II.
  • Temple, R.C. "The Legends of The Panjab", 1884, Reprinted by Institute of Folk Heritage, Islamabd, 1981.
  • Khatris are Kshatri http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/gaz_ldh8.htm
  • Mahan Kosh by Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha
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