Deshi people
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Nashya Shaikh. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2022. |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India (West Bengal, Assam) Bangladesh | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Koch, Mech |
Deshi or Desi people are an indigenous Muslim community from Assam.[1] Deshis are Muslim converts from Koch and Mech communities. In 2022, the government of Assam gave them recognition as an indigenous community.[2][3]
Ali Mech is said to be the first person of the community.[4]
Most other converts took place during the 16th-century, when the lowerclass Koch and Mech people unable to find a respectable position in the newly formed Koch kingdom (1515 - 1956) switched to Islam.[5]
References
- ^ Saikia, Arunabh. "'We don't want to be identified on the basis of our religion,' say Assam's indigenous Desi Muslims". Scroll.in. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
- ^ Singh, Bikash. "Assam cabinet approves identification of five indigenous Assamese Muslim communities". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (2022-07-06). "Assamese Muslims recognised as a distinct indigenous community". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Nath, Monoj Kumar (2021). The Muslim Question in Assam and Northeast India. Taylor & Francis. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-000-37027-0.
- ^ Mitra, A (1953). "The Koches: their racial affinities and original homeland". The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal. Alipore, West Bengal: West Bengal Government Press. p. 225.
The grandson of Haju, Vishu Sing (1515-1540) with all the people of condition apostatised to Hinduism and took the name of Rajbonshi, those who declined, finding that they were treated as vile, adopted Islam. Thus the mass of the Koch people became Mohammadans