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|religions=[[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Islam]]}}
|religions=[[Hinduism]], [[Sikhism]], [[Jainism]] and [[Islam]]}}


The caste Khatri is found in many parts of India particularly in Punjab. The Khatris or Lalas are a caste of merchants. Forward looking and decent people but they are not Kshatriyas. The Kshatriyas are the warriors and kings. Inder Kumar Gujral is a Khatri, while Bhairon Singh Shekwat and P.S. Badal are the Kshatriyas. Khatri (Punjabi: ਖੱਤਰੀ, khatrī) is the Punjabi adaptation of Sanskrit word Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kşhatriya). The Khatri is a distinct warrior caste and are the actual one and only true Kshatriyas. The Khatri is indeed an important caste. Lord Ram was a Kshatriya, but not from Punjab because he was from [[Ayodhya]] which is in the modern state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The Kshatriya are the traditionally members of the Hindu military order. As administrators and rulers, Kshatriya were assigned with protecting [[Dharma]], and serving humanity and the world.
Khatri (Punjabi: ਖੱਤਰੀ, khatrī) is the Punjabi adaptation of Sanskrit word Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kşhatriya). The Khatri is a distinct warrior caste and are the actual one and only true [[Kshatriya]]s. The Khatri is indeed an important caste. Lord Ram was a Kshatriya, but not from Punjab because he was from [[Ayodhya]] which is in the modern state of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. The Kshatriya are the traditionally members of the Hindu military order. As administrators and rulers, Kshatriya were assigned with protecting [[Dharma]], and serving humanity and the world. In course of time, however, as a result of economic and political exigencies, the Khatri also expanded into mercantile occupations. They became very important in their mercantile occupations. They also started going into things like cinema and sport when India became indepent. Many other communities that are usually in close proximity to the Khatris are the [[Ahluwalia]], [[Arora]]s, [[Lohana]]s, [[Sood]]s and [[Bhatia]]s, many of whom claim to be of Khatri origin as well (This is usually disputed by many of the true Khatris, however, intermarriage between these communities can be common (more so with the Aroras or the Soods.)

Colnel Cracoroft thus describes the Khatri <br>
{{cquote|''If on the one hand , the Khattar be fierce and blood thirsty , the Khatri of Jandal is courageous and persevering , and although living from day to day with a knife at his throat is as defiant as if he were backed by force far out weighing that of the Khattars and Khattaks and Afridis together '' |30px|30px|From ''Gazetteer of the Rawalpindi District 1893-94 page 126 '' <ref> Gazetteer of the Rawalpindi District Published by Sang -e-meel Publications ,Lahore , Pakistan</ref>}}




In course of time, however, as a result of economic and political exigencies, the Khatri also expanded into mercantile occupations. They became very important in their mercantile occupations. They also started going into things like cinema and sport when India became indepent. Many other communities that are usually in close proximity to the Khatris are the [[Ahluwalia]], [[Arora]]s, [[Lohana]]s, [[Sood]]s and [[Bhatia]]s, many of whom claim to be of Khatri origin as well (This is usually disputed by many of the true Khatris, however, intermarriage between these communities can be common (more so with the Aroras or the Soods.)


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]], [[Gujarat]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. While most Khatris are Hindu, a some are also [[Sikh]] and a smaller minority are [[Jain]] or [[Muslim]]<ref>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
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]], [[Gujarat]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. While most Khatris are Hindu, a some are also [[Sikh]] and a smaller minority are [[Jain]] or [[Muslim]]<ref>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

Revision as of 23:32, 29 September 2007

Khatris
ClassificationKshatriya
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 (Punjabi: ਖੱਤਰੀ, khatrī) is the Punjabi adaptation of Sanskrit word Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, kşhatriya). The Khatri is a distinct warrior caste and are the actual one and only true Kshatriyas. The Khatri is indeed an important caste. Lord Ram was a Kshatriya, but not from Punjab because he was from Ayodhya which is in the modern state of Uttar Pradesh. The Kshatriya are the traditionally members of the Hindu military order. As administrators and rulers, Kshatriya were assigned with protecting Dharma, and serving humanity and the world. In course of time, however, as a result of economic and political exigencies, the Khatri also expanded into mercantile occupations. They became very important in their mercantile occupations. They also started going into things like cinema and sport when India became indepent. Many other communities that are usually in close proximity to the Khatris are the Ahluwalia, Aroras, Lohanas, Soods and Bhatias, many of whom claim to be of Khatri origin as well (This is usually disputed by many of the true Khatris, however, intermarriage between these communities can be common (more so with the Aroras or the Soods.)

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, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. While most Khatris are Hindu, a some are also Sikh and a smaller minority are Jain or Muslim[1]. Khatris of Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths have traditionally intermarried.[citation needed]

Etymology

The name "Khatri" is derived from the Sanskrit word 'ksatriya' ‘member of the warrior class’, derived from Sanskrit word ksatra which means ‘dominion’, ‘power’.

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.[2]

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 [3] and Panini's Ashtadhyayi took place here[4].

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.[5] 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.[6] 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 [7], 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.

  1. Khatri is a Punjabi word that has derived from the Sanskrit word Kshatriya, much like the word Chettri in Nepal (Chettri are a Kshatriya clan).[8]
  2. According to Manu Smirti one of the acceptable forms of work for a Kshatriya in times of peace is land/property ownership, money lending, mercantile trade.
  3. Historically Khatri's appear to have been involved in civil administration and military under the Mughals and later under the Sikhs (Dewan Mul Chand, Hari Singh Nalwa, Binod Singh, Gulab Singh, Ran Singh Bedi etc). These occupations were reserved traditionally for Rajputs and Kshatriya's.
  4. There are many examples of rulers and kings with common Khatri surnames eg Raja of Porus was a Hindu Khatri of the Sabharwal sub-caste. Sagham Rai (founder house of Maharaja's of Burdwan). Raja Todar Mal. Kingdoms of Magadh, Kosala, Vatsa,Bimbisara, Ajatshatru, Udayan and Avanti were Khatri Kingdoms. Towns of Ujjayini (Malwa), Bhrigukachchha (Gujarat), Tamralipti (Ganga Delta), Shravasti, Kaushambi, Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Champa, Vaishali, Pataliputra, Rajagriha (Bihar), and Pratisthana (Deccan) were ruled by Khatri rulers. It should be noted that Kingship and state head is something generally reserved for Rajputs and Kshatriya's in Ancient India.

One of the most important character of famous Punjabi legend Raja Rasalu is minister Mahita Chopra. [9] 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.[10] 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.

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

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.[11]The Sarasvat Brahmin clan of which some of 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 [12]. 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. [13]

Sikh Khatris

A portion of the Khatris are Sikh.[14] The Sikh panth is not caste based, still the Khatris played a major role in development of Sikhism as a warrior faith and inclusive faith. All the Ten Sikh Gurus were Khatri's from the Sodhi and Bedi clans (which claim Surya Banshi Kshatriya descent) [15]. During the lifetime of the Gurus, most of their major supporters and Sikhs were Khatris. A list of this is provided by Bhai Gurdas in Varan Bhai Gurdas a contemporary of the Sikh Guru's[16] .However it must be noted that the rejection of the caste system by Sikhs meant that the Gurus did not see themselves as Khatris.

The martial development by the Sikh Guru's is well documented, with the first Guru (Guru Nanak), calling upon Sikhs to make a "ball of their head" to play the game of love. The second Guru (Guru Angad) encouraged physical activities of Sikhs by encouraging wrestling bouts and "Kabbadi" matches (Kabbadi an ancient game used by Kshatriya's to develop physical prowess). The 6th Guru (Guru Hargobind) took up the sword and fought many battles against neighboring Rajputs and Mughals. The 9th Guru (Guru Teg Bahadhur) fought many battles with the 6th Guru and was an accompalished martial artist. The 10th Guru (Guru Gobind Singh), was proficient in the art of warfare as well as an accompalished swordsman, marksman and horse rider. The tenth Guru's maternal side of the family were accompalished warriors and fighters in their own right (Kirpal Chand), descended from Surya Banshi Kshatriya clans [17].

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.

41.207.112.1 14:19, 1 September 2007 (UTC)==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. Today many muslim khatris are settled in the western part of India which is called Kutch in the gujarat state these khatri have migrated from some part of pakistan the record of these muslim khatri date back to 17th century in present divided India. These muslim khatris are businessman and they specialies in dyeing cloth by hand which is called bandhni they are kind of craftsman also.Some of them have even migrated to the eastern part of africa.

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.[6] Members of the Dhai Ghar are encouraged only to marry within their three subcastes.[18] Along with the Seth clan these four subdivisions form the Char Ghar (4 houses) grouping.[19].

With the Chopra, Dhawan, Mahendra, Sahgal, Talwar, Tandon, Vohra and Wadhawan sub castes, all 12 form the barah-jati grouping [20]. Another group is called Bavanjai (52)[21] . 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 [22]

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 [23] 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. ^ 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
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ http://punjabgovt.nic.in/Culture/Historical.htm Punjab Historical Background
  4. ^ http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/wonder.pdf Wonder that was Kashmir, Subhash Kak
  5. ^ As Kshatriyas
  6. ^ a b Punjab Revenue Castes and Religions of Punjab]
  7. ^ 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
  8. ^ http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0014-1836(196205)6:2%3C93:TFON%3E2.0.CO;2-6
  9. ^ Four Legends of King Rasalu of Sialkot, The Folk-Lore Journal, 1883 Folklore Enterprises, Ltd, p. 129-151
  10. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  11. ^ Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914
  12. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  13. ^ Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914
  14. ^ 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
  15. ^ http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=113
  16. ^ http://www.searchgurbani.com/main.php?book=bhai_gurdas_vaaran&action=intro
  17. ^ http://www.sridasam.org/dasam?Action=Page&p=144
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference BR was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  20. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  21. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  22. ^ http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/fdigs.htm Punjab District Gazeeters
  23. ^ M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  24. ^ 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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