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* [http://www.surnameanalysis.com/Saini/ Namesakes with surname Saini]
* [http://www.surnameanalysis.com/analysis/Saini/ Phonosemantic analysis of surname Saini]

*[http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D80201011%26ct%3D0 The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians. The Muhammadan Period; by Sir H. M. Elliot; Edited by John Dowson; London Trubner Company 1867–1877 vol I-VIII] –
*[http://persian.packhum.org/persian/main?url=pf%3Ffile%3D80201011%26ct%3D0 The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians. The Muhammadan Period; by Sir H. M. Elliot; Edited by John Dowson; London Trubner Company 1867–1877 vol I-VIII] –
{{Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab}}
{{Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab}}

Revision as of 08:00, 20 September 2010

This article is about the present day Shoorsaini [1] or Saini tribe, found mainly in Punjab and bordering areas. For Mali community found in south Haryana, Rajasthan, UP and other states, which started using surname 'Saini' only since 1940 [2][3][4], see Mali caste and Rajput Mali. For Bhagrathi cummunity of Western UP who also use Saini last name with a different meaning, see Bhagrathi community (Western UP).
See also: Saini history
See also: List of Saini people
Saini or Shoorsaini/Sauraseni)(Šúraséna in Sanskrit) (Sourasenoi in Greek)
ClassificationYaduvanshi [5][6][7] (Shoorsaini) [8] Kshatriya/Rajput [9][10][11][12] (agricultural) [13]
ReligionsHinduism and Sikhism
LanguagesMainly Punjabi and its dialects like Dogri & Pahari ;Hindi and its dialects in Haryana
Populated statesPunjab (India) predominantly, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, & Jammu & Kashmir[14][15]
SubdivisionsPunjabi and Haryanvi

Saini (Hindi: सैनी pronunciationⓘ is a warrior [9][10][16][17][18][19] caste of India. Sainis, also known as Shoorsaini (Hindi: शूरसैनी) [1] in Puranic literature, are now found by their original name only in Punjab and in the neighboring states of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. They trace their descent from Rajputs [8][9][10][20] of the Yaduvanshi [5][7][12][21] Surasena [1][6] lineage, originating from Yadava King Shurasena,[1] who was the grandfather of both Krishna and the legendary Pandava warriors. Sainis relocated to Punjab from Mathura and surrounding areas over different periods of time.[9][22][23]

Ancient Greek traveller and ambassdor to India, Megasthenes, also came across this clan in its glory days as the ruling tribe with its capital in Mathura. There is also an academic opinion that the ancient king Porus, the celebrated opponent of Alexander the Great, belonged to this once most dominant Yadava sept.[24][25][26][27] Megasthenes described this tribe as Sourasenoi.[28]

Like most other Rajput origin tribes of Punjab,[13][29][30][31] Sainis also took up farming during medieval period due to the Turko-Islamic political domination, and have been chiefly engaged in both agriculture and military service since then until the recent times.[11] During British period Sainis were enlisted as a statutory agricultural tribe [13] as well as a martial class.[17][18] [32][33][34][16][19]

Sainis have a distinguished record as soldiers in the armies of pre-British princely states, British India and independent India. Sainis fought in both the World Wars and won some of the highest gallantry awards for 'conspicuous bravery'.[35][36][37] Subedar Joginder Singh, who won Param Vir Chakra, Indian Army's highest war time gallantry award, in 1962 India-China War was also a Saini of Sahnan sub clan.[38]

During the British era, several influential Saini landlords were also appointed as Zaildars, or revenue-collectors, in many districts of Punjab and modern Haryana.[39][40][41][42][43]

Sainis also took active part in the freedom movement of India and many insurgents from Saini community were imprisoned, hanged or killed in encounters with colonial police during the days of British Raj.[44][45][46][47][48]

However, since the independence of India, Sainis have diversified into different trades and professions other than military and agriculture. Sainis are now also seen in increasing numbers as businessmen, lawyers, professors, civil servants, engineers, doctors and research scientists, etc.[49] Well known computer scientist, Avtar Saini, who co-led the design and development of Intel's flagship Pentium microprocessor, belongs to this community.[50] The current CEO of global banking giant Master Card, Ajay Banga,[51] is also a Saini. Popular newspaper daily Ajit, which is the world's largest Punjabi language news daily,[52] is also owned by Sainis.[53][54]

A significant section of Punjabi Sainis now lives in Western countries such as USA, Canada and UK, etc and forms an important component of the global Punjabi diaspora.

Sainis profess in both Hinduism and Sikhism. Several Saini families profess in both the faiths simultaneuosly and inter-marry freely in keeping with the age-old composite Bhakti and Sikh spiritual traditions of Punjab.

Until recent times Sainis were strictly an endogamous kshatriya group and inter-married only within select clans.[55] They also have a national level organization called Saini Rajput Mahasabha located in Delhi which was established in 1920.[56]

History

" The above group of Yadavas came back from Sindh to Brij area and occupied Bayana in Bharatpur district. After some struggle the 'Balai' inhabitants were forced by Shodeo and Saini rulers to move out of Brij land and thus they occupied large areas.".[8]

— Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Volume 100, pp 119 - 120
Historical Surasena Mahajanapada in the political map of ancient India. Sainis ruled this kingdom upto 11 A.D (right upto the time of earliest Muhammadan invasions).[8][10]

See: Saini history

Geographic distribution and relative population size

According to the census of 1881, which is the most authentic record as it predates the era before all kinds of groups adopted Saini identity, Sainis were not found outside undivided Punjab which in present day's terms mean the following states:

  • Punjab
  • Haryana
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir

Geographical distribution as per A. E. Barstow

According to A. E. Barstow the total population of Sainis as per 1911 census was only 113,000 and their presence was restricted mainly to Delhi, Karnal, Ambala and Lyallpur (modern Faislabad in Pakistan) distrcts, the Jalandhar and Lahore Divisions and the Kalsia, Nahan, Nalagarh, Mandi, Kapurthala and Patiala states. According to him, only 400 of them were Muslims and the rest were Hindu and Sikh.[14] As per 1881 census the largest Saini clans were in Hoshiarpur district of Jalandhar division where they were in quite commanding position in terms of land holdings and influence, holding at least two zails. In Lahore division they were chiefly concentrated in Gurdaspur where the Salahrias (Salariya) were returned as the largest Saini clan. The Sainis of Jammu area were essentially part of Sainis from the bordering Gurdaspur district.[57]

Present day cross-reference of divisions of British Punjab

The British Punjab Jalandhar division comprised the following districts: Kangra, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ferozepur. Lahore division comprised the following districts: Lahore, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Sialkot, Gujranawala and Sheikhupura. The present day Ropar district fell in Ambala district before partition. Hence Ropar Sainis were included in that district in the colonial accounts.[58]

It is clear from Barstow's account that the majority of the Saini population fell in the areas which are now part of present day Punjab, with a smaller population in the areas falling in present Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, and absolutely no Saini population in UP or Rajasthan or beyond. People returning themselves as Saini in Bijnore and Saharanpur in 1881 census were excluded from Saini category in 1901 census after mistakes of the previous census were detected.[15][59]

Relative population size as per 1881 census

The population of Sainis has not been enumerated separately since independence but their relative population is rather small compared to the other groups. As per 1881 total Saini population all over India was no more than 137,380 which was further reduced to 106,011 in the 1901 census .[15][59] In the same census the total population of Khatris as 439,089.[15] while according to 1881 census figures the population of Jats was 2630,994 on an all-India basis. This makes proportionate Saini population to be approximately 1/4 of Khatris and 1/25 of Jats.[60] Acoording to another contemporary authoritative ethnological work written in 1896,[61] Jat population was 4,625,523 and Saini population was 125,352, making comparative ratio 1:37. Even taking 1881 census result as basis, with 4 Khatris and 25 Jats for every Saini, it is clear that numerically Sainis are among the minority groups when compared to these most significant ethnic groups of present day Indian Punjab and Haryana.

Neo-Saini groups

In 1881 census, a minuscule Saini presence was also recorded in Bijnore and Saharanpur, which now falls in Western UP but in this area some people returning themselves as 'Saini' were said to be inter-marrying with Malis who are not acknowledged to be authentic Sainis by those of submontane Punjab, Haryana and HP, all of whom claim Yaduvanshi Rajput descent from Mathura and have maintained their historical Rajput character to the extent it was possible for any other Hindu Rajput origin tribe in a Muslim ruled Punjab.[9] In the census of 1901 these Malis in Bijnor area, who were included in Saini category by mistake, were excluded from Saini category and the overall Saini population was reduced by over 21% to 106,011.[15][59] So this population group cannot be regarded Saini as authentic Sainis have never had any marital relations with them (a fact acknowledged by Ibbetson).[62] Another noteworthy fact is that in census of 1881 there was absolutely no Saini population recorded in Rajputana (present Rajasthan), although almost all of the Mali groups, who returned their caste as Mali in 1881 census, now claim Saini identity.[2][3] These neo-Saini groups cannot be treated as part of Saini fold and simply need to be treated and studied as part of the group named after their original identity (See Mali caste).

Prominent Saini villages & estates in different parts of British Punjab

As per colonial records of Jalandhar district of 1904 Sainis held a number of villages near the eastern border of Nawashahr and in the south-west of the tahsil.

Following is the list of prominent villages that were fully or partly owned by Sainis in Jalandhar and Nawanshahr Tahsils of British era:[63]

Nawanshahr & Jullundhur Tahsils (British Punjab)Ropar

  • Behron Majra (Near Chamkaur Sahib)
  • Birampur(disstt. Hoshiarpur near Bhogpur) complete village.
  • Ladhana (complete village)
  • Jhika (complete village)
  • Sujjon (complete village)
  • Surapur (complete village)
  • Pali (complete village)
  • Jhiki (complete village)
  • bharta (near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • langroya(near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • sona (near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • mehatpur (near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • alachaur (near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • kahma (near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • banga city (banga is last nama of saini's)(near shaheed bhagat singh city)
  • Chak (complete village)
  • Khurd (complete village)
  • Dalli (complete village)
  • Gehlar (complete village )
  • Saini Majra (Complete Village)
  • Desu Majra near mohali (Complete Village)
  • Hawali near Ropar (Complete Village)
  • Laroha (almost complete village)
  • Nangal shahidan ( almost complete village)
  • Bhundian (almost complete village, 5/6)
  • Urapur- (part- 3/4 or 75%)
  • Bajidpur- (part- 3/4 or 75%)
  • Pali Unchi (part- 1/3 or 33%)
  • Naura (part- 1/2 or 50%)
  • Gobindpur (part- 1/4 or 25%)
  • Kama (part- 1/4 or 25%)
  • Dipalpur (part- 1/2 or 50%)
  • Balur Kalan (part- proportion not known)
  • Khurde(part- proportion not known)
  • Dudhala-(part- proportion not known)
  • Dalla (1/2 or 50%)
  • Jandhir (1/2 or 50%)
  • Chulang (1/3 or 33%)
  • Giganwal (1/2 or 50%)
  • Lasara ((1/2 or 50%) Note: this village fell in Phillaur Tahsil.
  • Adda Jhungian (complete village)
  • khurampur (75%)tehsil phagwara
  • akalgarh(nawa pind)(75%)tehsil phagwara
  • fadma(tehsil hoshiarpur)
  • bhungrani(tehsil hoshiarpur)
  • harta (tehsil hoshiarpur)90%
  • badla (tehsil hoshiarpur)90%
  • mukhliana (tehsil hoshiarpur)90%
  • rajpur (tehsil hoshiarpur)90%
  • kadola (near adampur)
  • rajpur (tehsil hoshiarpur)
  • tanda (tehsil hoshiarpur)

Apart from the above villages in Jullundhur district of British Punjab, Sainis were also amongst the proprietors or landowners of Phagwara. It needs to be duly noted that the Saini population in Jullundhur district was only 14324 as per 1880 records.[64] So the above list only contains a small fraction of total Saini landownership in Punjab. The largest Saini estates and villages were in Hoshiarpur and Dasuya tahsils of Hoshiarpur district where they were much more influential and numerous. Ambala division (which included Ropar district) also had a large number of Saini owned villages. There were 54 villages that were held by Sainis in Gurdaspur district.

Religion

Hindu Saini

Though a large number of Saini's are Hindu, their religious practices are best described as eclecticism of Sanatani Vedic and Sikh traditions. Most Sainis are proud of their Vedic past and play willing hosts to learned Brahmin priests. At the same time, there is hardly a Hindu Saini who does not treat the Sikh Gurus with extreme reverence.

Some Hindu Sainis around Hoshiarpur region are also well versed in Vedic astrology.

Unlike other farming and martial communities, converts to Islam amongst Sainis are generally unheard of.

Sikh Saini

With the rise of Sikhism in the fifteenth century, many Saini's adopted Sikhism. So, there is a substantial Sikh Saini population today in Punjab . The boundary lines between Hindu and Sikh Sainis are quite blurred as they freely inter-marry. Within one extended family both Hindus and Sikhs can be found.

Post-1901 demographic shift towards Sikh identity

In 1881 census only 10% of Sainis were returned as Sikhs but in 1931 census the number of Sikh Sainis ballooned to over 57%. It is to be noted that a similar demographic shift was also noted among other rural communities of Punjab such as Jat, Mahton, Kamboh, etc.[65] The reason generally attributed for the post-1901 demographic shift towards Sikhism are explained as follows[66]:

  • Sikhs were preferred over Hindus and Muslims for army recruitment by the British. All of these rural communities heavily depended on army jobs in addition to agriculture for subsistence. Consequently, a large number of Punjabi Hindus from these communities started returning themselves as Sikh for preferential treatment in army recruitment. Since most of Sikh and rural Punjabi Hindu customs, beliefs and historical perspectives were identical or closely related, this transformation did not pose any social challenge;
  • Early 20th century reform movements within Sikhism simplified marriage rituals which eliminated a major factor in rural indebtedness in addition to failed crops. This also attracted many rural Hindus of farming background to identify themselves with Sikhism as a cultural response to this widespread problem. The Punjab Alienation of Land Act of 1900 was also instituted by colonial government for the same purpose to prevent appropriation of agricultural land belonging to these rural communities, who formed the back bone of Indian army, by money-lenders who were generally of Khatri and Baniya backgrounds;
  • General polarization of Hindu and Sikh identities after 1881 census due to polemical debates between extremist factions of Singh Sabha and Arya Samaj movements. Prior to 1881, the separatist consciousness among Sikhs was not very strong or well-pronounced. According to 1881 census only 13% of Punjab's population was returned as Sikh and many groups with Sikh background had returned themselves as Hindu.

Marriage

Strictly endogamous

Sainis were strictly endogamous until a few decades ago but had strict regulations to prevent inbreeding. Generally as a rule the marriage could not take place if:[55]

a) even one of the four gots from boy's side was common with one of the four gots from girl's side . These four gots from each side were the gots of : 1) paternal grandfather 2) paternal grandmother 3) maternal grandfather & 4) maternal grandmother. Needless to say marriage between cousins was an impossibility ;

b) despite none of the above gots being common between both sides, both the families were from same village. In this case as per the ancient honour system, the boy and girl in question were to treat each other mutually as brother and sister.

Prior to 1950s, it was not possible for Saini bride and groom to see each other before the marriage. The marriage decision was strictly taken by elders of the both families. Bride and groom got to see each other only after the marriage. If the groom attempted to see his would-be wife stealthily, it would lead to breaking up of the betrothal by girl's family in most or all cases.

However since 1950s, this is no longer the case even for arranged marriages within the community.

Divorce

Historically

Prior to The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, it was not possible for a Saini man to divorce his wife.[55] Divorce was non-existent and there was very strong community taboo and stigma against it. Other than the reason of infidelity, it was not possible for a Saini man to desert his wife without facing ostracism and inviting stigma for his whole family.

But if a Saini man repudiated his wife on the basis of infidelity or elopement, reconciliation was not possible again under any circumstances. The consequences were often grave under this condition. The woman thus accused most certainly faced ostracism for the rest of her life. No other man from the community would marry a woman thus repudiated. In great many cases a certain prospect of honor killing loomed over the 'offenders'.[67] However, there was intervention by village elders in all cases to prevent any woman from being wrongfully accused by malicious in-laws. The husband's family in such cases also did not escape some form of stigma. So situations like these would come to fore very rarely, only if there was a genuine grievance.

Present day situation

However, divorce is now a possibility among the present day Sainis and it does not attract the stigma and ostracism that it once did.

Widow remarriage

Historically, among Sainis widow remarriage was not a possibility like in any other community of ksyatriya or rajput origin.[68]

Levirate marriages not possible

Generally speaking, levirate marriage, or karewa, was not permisssible among Sainis,[55][68] and the elder brother's wife had the same status as of one's own mother and younger brother's wife had the same status as of one's daughter. This relationship continued even after the death of the brother. After the death of a married male member the responsibility of taking care of his widow was collectively shared by the deceased's brothers or cousins (if there were no brothers who were alive). Owing to close-knit social fabric of Saini owned villages, the widow and her wards were also collectively taken care of by the larger community-based brotherhood (called Sharika in Punjabi) in the village.

Present day situation

Among present day Sainis the taboo against widow remarriage, especially if they are widowed at young age, has now dissolved or almost disappeared even in Punjab.[55] However, in the village based communities there might still be some resistance left.

Marriage rituals

Traditionally, Sainis have been married through vedic ceremonies performed by brahmins of Sanatani tradition . However, in 20th century some Hindu families started opting for Arya Samaj based vedic ceremonies and Sikh Sainis started opting for Anand Karaj ritual.

Saini sub clans

There are many sub clans in the Punjabi Saini community.

The most common are generally: Annhe, Bimb (Bimbh), Badwal, Baloria, Banwait (Banait), Banga, Basuta (Basotra), Baunsar, Bhela, Bola, Bhondi (Bondi), mundh.Chera, Chandel, Chilana, Daulay (Dolle), Daurka, Dhak, Dhamrait, Dhanota (Dhanotra) ,Dhaul, Dheri, Dhoore, Dulku, Dokal, Farad, Maheru, Mundh (Mundhra), Mangar, Masuta (Masotra), Mehindwan, Gehlen (Gehlon/Gill), Gahir (Gihir), Gahunia (Gahoon/Gahun), Girn, Gidda, Jadore, Japra, Jagait (Jaggi), Jangliya, Kalyani, Kaloti (Kalotia), Kaberwal (Kabadwal), Khargal, Kheru, Khuthe, kuhada(kuhar), Longia (Longiye),Sagara, Sahnan (Shanan), Salaria (Salehri), Suji, Nanua (Nanuan), Naru, Pabla, Pawan, Pamma (Pamma/Pama), Pangliya, Pantaliya, Partola, Tamber (Tumber/Tanwar/Tomar), Thind, Taunque (Tonk/Taank/Taunk/Tak), Togar (Togad/Taggar), Ugre, Vaid etc.

In Haryana most common are generally: Bawal (बावल), Banait (बनैत), Bharal (भरल), Bhuteral (भुटरल), Dhahiya (Dhayia) (दहिया), Kachal (कच्छल), Sandal, Tondwal (Tondwall/Toondwaal,Tondval/Tandoowal) (तोन्डवाल) etc.

Note: Some Saini sub clans overlap with the Dogra and Bagri Rajputs. Some Saini clans names overlapping with Dogras are: Badwal, Baloria, Basuta, Masuta, Dhanota, Salariya, Chandel, Jagait, Vaid etc. Historically regional endogamy and social distinctions also prevailed within the community. For example, Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar Sainis would not go beyond these districts for match-making and regarded themselves of higher grade. But such restrictions have somewhat eased up in recent times including increasing instances of inter-caste marriage, especially among the NRI Saini families.

Saini Tribe Differentiated from other Occupational Castes & Ethnic Tribes

Sainis differentiated from Arains or Raiens

Ibbetson, the colonial ethnographer also confused Sainis with Arain or Raiens.

Ibbetson appears to have confused ethnic communities with occupational communities. According to Anthropological Survey of India, Malis and Arains are occupational communities, while Sainis appear to be distinct ethnic community with a common origin at a specific geographic location and a specific time, with a unique historical narrative which gives distinctness to their identity.[69]

Sainis differentiated from Malis (neo-Sainis)

Mali caste, in southern districts of Haryana and beyond in the states of UP, MP, and Rajasthan, also started using the surname "Saini" in 20th century.[2][3][4] However, this is not the same community as Yaduvanshi Sainis of Punjab This is testified by the fact that census of 1881 [70] does not acknowledge of the existence of Saini community outside Punjab and, despite the insinuations of colonial writers like Ibbetson, records Sainis and Malis as separate communities.[71][72] The Marwar State Census Report of 1891 A.D. also did not contain reference to any community called 'Saini' in Rajputana and recorded only two groups as Malis,[73][74] namely, Mahoor Malis and Rajput Malis, among which the latter are also included in Rajput sub-category.[75] Rajput Malis changed their identity to Saini in 1930 but in the later censuses other non-Rajput Malis such as Mahur or Maur also adopted 'Saini' as their last name.[2][3][4]

Sainis of Punjab historically have never inter-married with the Mali community (a fact accepted even by Ibbetson and duly recorded in 1881 census report itself), or with any community other than Sainis for that matter, and this taboo prevails even today generally. Both the communities are socially, culturally and also geographically distinct for most part.

Differences acknowledged in the colonial accounts

Differences as per Denzil Ibbetson's account

Even colonial census authorities, somewhat eager to club Sainis with Malis for the sake of getting easier handle on complex Saini history and ethnography, were forced to acknowledge this stark fact with the remark: "...that some of the higher tribes of the same class (Sainis) will not marry with them (Malis).[76]

But despite this ambivalence the colonial accounts do not fail to record that unlike Malis:

  • Sainis claimed Rajput origin from Mathura.
  • Sainis were enlinsted as a "martial race".
  • Sainis did horticultural farming only in addition to ordinary farming .
  • Sainis were land owners and sometimes owned the entire villages.
  • Sainis did not intermarry with Malis, and that, except perhaps for Bijnore (now in UP), they were regarded as entirely separate from the Malis in North-West Provinces (a fact that made them record Sainis and Malis as distinct communities in 1881 census report). A note needs to be taken of the fact these so-called Sainis of Bijnore were excluded from the Saini category in the 1901 census when the mistakes and mistrepresentations in the 1881 census were discovered by the authorities. [59]
  • Sainis were not found outside Punjab.

Another work of 19th century by Jogendra Nath Bhattachary [61] also treated Saini group to be completely distinct from Malis.

Differences as per Edward Balfour's account

In 1885 Edward Balfour, another colonial scholar, clearly identified Sainis as distinct from Malis.[77] What is more interesting is that Edward Balfour found Sainis to be largely involved with sugar-cane farming instead of vegetable farming while only Malis to be involved with gardening. Edward Balfour's account thus gives further confirmation, in addition to self-contradiction implied in Ibbetson's account, that Sainis were understood to be entirely different from Malis in the colonial times.

Differences as per E.A.H Blunt

E.A.H. Blunt who produced a seminal work on caste system of Northern India also placed Sainis as a group completely distinct from Malis, Baghbans, Kacchis and Muraos. He enlisted Sainis a landholding group while describing the latter groups as having mainly gardening, flower and vegetable cultivation as their major occupations.[78] The strength of Blunt's work lies in the fact that he had the advantage of looking at the work of all the prior colonial writers like Ibbetson, Risley, Hunter, etc and revising their inconsistencies.

Differences acknowledged by post-colonial scholars

In Punjab there is no confusion whatsoever about the difference between Mali and Saini community and Sainis are nowhere confused with the Mali community. But in Haryana, a lot of Mali tribes have now adopted 'Saini' last name [4] which has made the Saini identity somewhat confused in the state and southwards of it. Marking out the clear difference between Malis and Sainis of Haryana, an Anthroplogical Survey of India report published in 1994 states the following:[79]

"Many of them are large landowners. Besides during the past, the Malis had served the royal courts and were mainly working as gardners;but the Sainis did not serve others; rather they were independent agriculturists. Arain, Rain, Baghban, the Mali and the Maliar constitute a mixed body of men denoting occupation rather than caste...1) The Malis are not as rigid as the Sainis in accepting food from members of other castes; 2) Mali women were found working as agricultural labourers which is not the case with Saini women; 3) Educationally, occupationally, and economically, the Sainis are far better placed than are the Malis, and 4) Sainis are landownders and own large lands as compared to the Malis."

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Referencing the historical texts extant and available during his time and demonstrating Chandra Vansha (Lunar Dynasty) of Lord Krishna as the origin of Saini community and reproducing the entire lineage of Chandra Vansha he concluded: " The progeny of Chandra Vanshi King Yadu started being called Yadava. After 42 generations in the same lineage was born a ruler called King Shoorsen who controlled Mathura and surrounding area...After Chaudhary Lal Saini's 'Taarikh Quam Shoorsaini' the other historians of Shoorsaini community (which is also called Saini community) have regarded Shiv Lal's history work to be the basis of their research and publications", Dr. Pritam Saini as quoted in Saini Jagat : Utpati Ate Vikas, Professor Surjit Singh Nanua, p 115, Manjot Publications, Patiala, 2008
  2. ^ a b c d Rajasthan, Kumar Suresh Singh, B. K. Lavania, Dipak Kumar Samanta, S. K. Mandal, N. N. Vyas, p 845, Anthropological Survey of India
  3. ^ a b c d "...the Malis (ie gardners who call themselves Saini now).." A Muslim Sub-Caste of North India: Problems of Cultural Integration Partap C. Aggarwal Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 1, No. 4 (Sep. 10, 1966), pp. 159–161, Published by: Economic and Political Weekly
  4. ^ a b c d "At the time of 1941 Census most of them got registered themselves as Saini (Sainik Kshatriya) Malis." p 7, Census of India, 1961, Volume 14, Issue 5, Office of the Registrar General, India.
  5. ^ a b "The Sainis believe that their ancestors were Yadavas and that it was the same lineage in which Krishna was born. In the 43rd generation of the Yadavas there was a king known as Shoor or Sur, the son of King Vidaratha....It was in the name of these, father and son, that the community was known as Shoorsaini or Sursaini." People of India: Haryana, p 430, Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994
  6. ^ a b "Surasena was a Yadava. One of his descendants could, therefore, call himself a Yadava or a Surasena as he liked..." Chauhān Dynasties: A Study of Chauhān Political History, Chauhān Political Institutions, and Life in the Chauhān Dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D., By Dasharatha Sharma, p 103, Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 1975
  7. ^ a b "In a four-fold division of the Hindu social order, the Sainis invariably claim a Kshatriya origin. Among different groups of Kshatriya, the Sainis are the ones who consider themselves Rajputs." People of India: Haryana, p 430, Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994
  8. ^ a b c d " Before the formation of Bharatpur state the capital of Sinsinwars was at Sinsini. Sinsini earlier was known as 'Shoor saini' and its inhabitants were known as 'Saur Sen'. The influence of Saur Sen people can be judged from the fact that the dialect of the entire north India at one time was known as 'Saursaini'. Shoor Sain people were Chandra Vanshi kshatriyas. Lord Krishna was also born in vrishni branch of Chandravansh. A group of Yadavas was follower of Shiv and Vedic God in Sindh. Some inscriptions and coins of these people have been found in 'Mohenjo Daro'. ' Shiv Shani Sevi' words have been found engraved on one inscription. Yajur Veda mentions 'Shinay Swah'. 'Sini Isar' was found on one gold coin. Atharva Veda mentions 'Sinwali' for Sini God. The above group of Yadavas came back from Sindh to Brij area and occupied Bayana in Bharatpur district. After some struggle the 'Balai' inhabitants were forced by Shodeo and Saini rulers to move out of Brij land and thus they occupied large areas.", Encyclopaedia Indica: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Volume 100, pp 119–120, SS Sashi, Anmol Publications, 1996/ Alternate Secondary Source: http://www.bharatpuronline.com/history.html
  9. ^ a b c d e "In the Punjab in the sub- mountainous region the community came to be known as 'Saini'. It maintained its Rajput character despite migration." Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan, p 108, Sukhvir Singh Gahlot, Banshi Dhar, Jain Brothers, 1989
  10. ^ a b c d "A few adventurers came to terms with the invaders and obtained from them grants of land. The Sainis trace their origin to a Rajput clan who came from their original home near Muttra [sic] on Jumna, south of Delhi, in defence of the Hindus against the first Muhammadan invasions.." The land of the five rivers; an economic history of the Punjab from the earliest times to the year of grace 1890, p 100, Hugh Kennedy Trevaskis, [London] Oxford University press, 1928
  11. ^ a b "One of the main explanation for different names Sainis are known has been the emergence of adverse political circumstances in history. While many powerful kings were responsible for naming the community after them, the constant invasions of by the Moghuls of Hindu dominated states, and the consequent need to keep themselves unidentified, compelled the community members to move from one place to others, take up different occupations...and when the need arose they as true Rajputs took up military service also. It is in this perspective that some trace the origin of the word 'Saini' to from Sena or army in need. " People of India: Haryana, pp 430–431, Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994
  12. ^ a b "He went to a landlord at Nathal who was called the King of the area. He was a Saini Rajput...." A farmer who fought against injustice, Madan Mohan Sharma, The Daily Excelsior, June 28, 2010
  13. ^ a b c The Punjab Alienation of Land Act. XIII of 1900 (Lahore: Amrit Electric Press, 1924), pp 146–9, Appendix A — Notified Tribes
  14. ^ a b The Sikhs, an Ethnology: An Ethnology, p 71, By A. E. Barstow Published by B.R. Pub. Corp., 1985, Original from the University of Michigan
  15. ^ a b c d e Census of India, 1901, p 50, By India Census Commissioner, Edward Albert Gait, Published by Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India, 1902
  16. ^ a b "Jadeja, Saini, Bhati, Jadon", Martial races of undivided India, p 189, Vidya Prakash Tyagi, Delhi : Kalpaz Publications, 2009.
  17. ^ a b "Men of this tribe not seldom take service especially in cavalry." Final report of the revised settlement of the Jullundur District in the Punjab, p 84, W.E. Purser, BCS, THE "CIVIL AND MILITARY GAZETTE" PRESS, Contractors to the Punjab Government, Lahore, 1892
  18. ^ a b Punjab District Gazetteers, Volume XIV A., Jullundur District with Maps, p 269, 1904, Lahore, Printed at the "Civil and Military Gazette" Press
  19. ^ a b "The chief areas for Saini recruitment were the Ambala, Hoshiarpur, and Jullundur Districts. ", The Golden Galley: the story of the Second Punjab Regiment, 1761–1947, p 313, Sir Geoffrey Betham, Herbert Valentine Rupert Geary,rinted for the 2d Punjab Regiment Officers ̕Association at the University Press, by C. Batey, printer to the university, 1956
  20. ^ "In Jullundhur the Sainis are said to claim Rajput origin...and lived principally in the Muttra district. When Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India their ancestors came into Jullundur and settled down there...". See p 346 of Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1990
  21. ^ "It is said about Balaram-Hercules that he came as a stranger to Greece from outside. (In my opinion he was Bhim of Harikula and Col. Tod also holds the same view). Yaduvanshis ruled here. 'Yehudi' is the distortion of 'Yadu'. In the land in which Saini Yaduvanshis settled, it was called 'Sinai'." Ghazni to Jaiselmer (Pre-medieval History of the Bhatis), p 42, Hari Singh Bhati, Publisher: Hari Singh Bhati, 1998, Printers: Sankhala Printers, Bikaner
  22. ^ "Another numerous tribe, the Saini (14000), also trace their origin to a few ancestors who came from their home in Mathura (North-West Provinces) in defence of the Hindus against the first Moslem invasions", The Indian village community, p 274, Baden Henry Baden-Powell, Adegi Graphics LLC, 1957
  23. ^ Visnu Purana, Section 5
  24. ^ "We have assigned to the Yadus the honour of furnishing King Puru, who opposed Alexander", History of India: (from the earliest times to the fall of the Mughal Empire), pp 86, 91–95, Indian Press (1947),Dr. Ishwari Prashad, ASIN: B0007KEPTA
  25. ^ "It is evident from this that Krishna, Raja Porus, Bhagat Nanua, Bhai Kahnaiya and many other historical personages were related with the Saini brotherhood" Dr. Pritam Saini, Preface to Saini Jagat: Utpati Ate Vikas, 26-04-2002, Professor Surjit Singh Nanuan, Saini Jagat: Utpati Ate Vikas, Manjot Publications, Patiala, 2008
  26. ^ Proceedings, p 72, Indian History Congress, Published 1957
  27. ^ According to Arrian, Diodorus, and Strabo, Megasthenes described an Indian tribe called Sourasenoi, who especially worshiped Herakles in their land, and this land had two cities, Methora and Kleisobora, and a navigable river, the Jobares. As was common in the ancient period, the Greeks sometimes described foreign gods in terms of their own divinities, and there is a little doubt that the Sourasenoi refers to the Shurasenas, a branch of the Yadu dynasty to which Krishna belonged; Herakles to Krishna, or Hari-Krishna: Mehtora to Mathura, where Krishna was born; Kleisobora to Krishnapura, meaning "the city of Krishna"; and the Jobares to the Yamuna, the famous river in the Krishna story. Qunitus Curtius also mentions that when Alexander the Great confronted Porus, Porus's soldiers were carrying an image of Herakles in their vanguard. Krishna: a sourcebook, p 5, Edwin Francis Bryant, Oxford University Press US, 2007
  28. ^ "This Herakles is held in special honour by the Sourasenoi, an Indian tribe, who possess two large cities, Methora and Cleisobora" Arrian, Indika, viii, Methora is Mathura ; Growse (Mathura, 3rd ed. 279) suggests Cleisbora is Krisnhapura, 'city of Krishna', ANNALS AND ANTIQUITIES OF RAJASTHAN, James Tod, Vol. 1, p 36, Oxford University Press, 1920
  29. ^ Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province, pp 33, 39, 102, 154, 233, 239, 325, 240, 302, 534, H.A. Rose, IBBETSON, Maclagan
  30. ^ Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province, p 361, H.A. Rose, IBBETSON, Maclagan
  31. ^ The other 'agriculturists' were Rajputs, Mughals and Pathans with some Gujars and Dogars."The Indian Army and the Making of Punjab, p 149, By Rajit K. Mazumder, Permanent Black
  32. ^ The Indian Army and the Making of Punjab, pp 99, 205, By Rajit K. Mazumder, Permanent Black
  33. ^ Annual Class Return, 1919, pp 364–7
  34. ^ Annual Class Return,1925, pp 96–99
  35. ^ "The Order of St. George, Imperial Russia's highest exclusively military order, was instituted in 1769 and came to be considered among the most prestigious military awards in the world... The order was awarded to officers and generals for special gallantry, such as, personally leading his troops in rout of a superior enemy force, or capturing a fortress, etc. Before membership in the Order could be granted, a candidate's case had to be investigated by a council composed of Knights of the Order." Source: http://www.gwpda.org/medals/russmedl/russia.html
  36. ^ "I will give you here the names of three of those men who have earned fame by their heroism. Jamadar Gurmukh Singh, a Saini Sikh of Gadram Badi in Rupar, won the 1st Class Order of Merit and the 2nd Class Cross of the Russian Order of St. George for his splendid courage on the night of the 1st March 1916 when he advanced under the greatest difficulties, continually crawling forward and digging himself in." War speeches (1918), p 128, Author: O'Dwyer, Michael Francis, (Sir) 1864–, Subject: World War, 1914–1918; World War, 1914–1918 – Punjab Publisher: Lahore Printed by the Superintendent Government Printing
  37. ^ "his conspicuous gallantry in action on the 17th November 1914 when with a party of Sappers under the command of a British Officer he was always to the fore and led his men with great determination into the enemy's trenches. Subedar-Major Jagindar Singh, Saini Sikh of Kheri Salabatpur in Bupar, gained the 2nd Class Order of Merit at the battle of Loos in Belgium for striking leadership and conspicuous bravery in action after most of his company and all but one British Officer in his regiment had been killed or wounded. This officer was also awarded the 2nd Class of the Order of British India for distinguished conduct in the field."War speeches (1918), p 129, Author: O'Dwyer, Michael Francis, (Sir) 1864–, Subject: World War, 1914–1918; World War, 1914–1918 – Punjab Publisher: Lahore Printed by the Superintendent Government Printing
  38. ^ Saini Jagat: Utpati Ate Vikas, p 121, Prof. Surjit Singh Nanuan, Manjota Publications, Patiala, 2008
  39. ^ Final Report of Revised Settlement, Hoshiarpur District, pp 58, 59 1879–84 By J. A. L. Montgomery
  40. ^ " Chaudhri Dewan Chand Saini was another lawyer practicing on the criminal side those days. Later on he became Rai Sahib and leader of the Criminal Bar, but unfortunately died of cancer at a comparatively young age." Looking Back: The Autobiography of Mehr Chand Mahajan, Former Chief Justice of India, p 45, Mehr Chand Mahajan, Published by Asia Pub. House, 1963
  41. ^ History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, p 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
  42. ^ The Punjab Legislative Council Debates. Official Report, pp 1028, 1047, Published By Legislative Council, Punjab (India), 1936, Item notes: v.27, Original from the University of California, Digitized 7 Feb 2007
  43. ^ "Though majority of the Sainis in village I, who are top ranked in the caste hierarchy..." Emerging pattern of rural leadership, Mehta, Shiv Rattan, Wiley Eastern, 1972
  44. ^ Who's who of Indian Martyrs, pp 83, 165, By Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan, India Ministry of Home Affairs, Published by Ministry of Education and Youth Services, Govt. of India, Item notes: v.1, Original from the University of Michigan
  45. ^ "..the second martyr of march 16 was Harnam Singh Saini of Fatehgarh, Hoshiarpur. He was arrested from Battavia by the Dutch." A day to remember Lahore's martyrs, 16 Mar 2002, KS Dhaliwal, Time of India [1]
  46. ^ Indian Independence Movement in East Asia: The Most Authentic Account of the I. N. A. and the Azad Hind Government, Compiled from the Original Official Records, p 102, By Kesar Singh Giani, Published by Singh Bros., 1947, Original from the University of Michigan
  47. ^ Senior journalist, Punjabi writer Ajit Saini passes away, Punjab Newsline Network, Monday, 10 December 2007
  48. ^ Raja Nahar Singh Ka Balidan, Dr. Ranjit Singh Saini (MA, LLB, Ph.D), p 10, New Bhartiya Book Corporation, 2000 Edition, Printers- Amar Jain Printing Press, New Delhi.
  49. ^ "The members of Saini community are employed in business and white-collar jobs and as teachers, administrators, lawyers, doctors and defence personnel." People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3091, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
  50. ^ "Saini had co-led the development of the Pentium processor and was responsible for the first phase development of Intel’s 64-bit architecture – the Itanium processor. Driven by desire to work in India, he moved back in 1999 as director, south Asia." ,Avtar Saini joins eInfochips board, 29 Nov, 2005, 1306 hrs, IST,INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK
  51. ^ http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/newsroom/mc_names_Ajay_Banga_president_and_chief_operating_officer.html
  52. ^ World's No. 1 Punjabi Newspaper
  53. ^ "From among the Sikh newspaper owners, one is a Jat and the other a Saini. There is no low caste newspaper proprietor." The Indian journal of public administration: quarterly journal of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, p 39, By Indian Institute of Public Administration, Published by The Institute, 1982
  54. ^ "The exceptions are The Tribune and Ajit. a Punjabi daily run by a Saini-Sikh", India's new capitalists: caste, business, and industry in a modern nation, Harish Damodaran, Palgrave Macmillan, 2008
  55. ^ a b c d e Endogamy and village/gotra level exogamy: "The Saini are endogamous community and observe exogamy at village and gotra level." Present day widow marriage & divorce liberalization: "Nowadays, the Saini community allows remarriage of widows and widowers and divorces of both sexes. Reportedly there has been a liberalization of the marriage rules within the community." People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3090, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
  56. ^ People of India: Haryana, p 437, Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994
  57. ^ "The Saini do not appear to have returned any large clans except in Hushyárpur, of which district some of the largest clans are shown in the margin, and in Gurdáspur where 1,541 Saini showed their clans as Salahria." W.Chichele Plowden, ( 1883 ), Census of British India taken on the 17th of February 1881, Volume III, London, Eyre and Spottiswoode, p. 257
  58. ^ The Social & Economic History of Punjab, 1901–1939 (including Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, Administrative Divisions of the Punjab), p 367, B. S. Saini MA Ph.D, Ess Ess Publications, Delhi, 1975
  59. ^ a b c d "The decrease of nearly 21 per cent is chiefly found in Bijnor district where the figures indicate that at last census Malis were included in Saini." Census of India, 1901, p 227, By India Census Commissioner, Edward Albert Gait, Published by Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India, 1902
  60. ^ W.Chichele Plowden, ( 1883 ), The Indian Empire Census of 1881 Statistics of Population Vol. II., Calcutta, Superintendent of Government Printing India, p. 30
  61. ^ a b Hindu castes and sects : an exposition of the origin of the Hindu caste system and the bearing of the sects towards each other and towards other religious systems, pp285, Jogendra Nath Bhattachary, Publisher: Calcutta : Thacker, Spink, 1896
  62. ^ "...that some of the higher tribes of the same class (Sainis) will not marry with them (Malis)." W.Chichele Plowden, ( 1883 ), Census of British India taken on the 17th of February 1881, Volume III, London, Eyre and Spottiswoode, p. 256
  63. ^ PUNJAB DISTRICT GAZETTEERS,VOLUME XIV, JULLUNDUR DISTRICT, 1904, p 93, Lahore, PRINTED AT THE "CIVIL AND MILITARY GAZETTE" PRESS, 1908
  64. ^ Final report of the revised settlement of the Jullundur District in the Punjab, Appendix XIII, p 50, W.E. Purser, BCS, THE "CIVIL AND MILITARY GAZETTE" PRESS, Contractors to the Punjab Government, Lahore, 1892
  65. ^ History and ideology: the Khalsa over 300 years,Contributed papers on Sikh history; previously presented at the various sessions of Indian History Congress, pp 124, J. S. Grewal, Indu Banga, Tulika, 1999
  66. ^ "Thus the Hindu Jats decreased from 15,39574 in 1901 to 9,92309 in 1931, while the Sikh Jats increased from 13,88877 to 21,33152 during the same period.", The social & economic history of the Punjab, 1901-1939, including Haryana & Himachal Pradesh, B. S. Saini, Ess Ess Publications, 1975
  67. ^ In as late as 1994, a Saini girl who had eloped with non-Saini boy, was lynched by her family along with the boy in Nayagaon village in Haryana. See the article Silence of the lambs, Sep 2, 2001 Times of India edition [2]
  68. ^ a b "As regards re-marriage of widows, the only classes that re-marry are Jats, Lohars, Jhinwars, Tarkhans, Mahatams, who are allowed by their custom to go through the ceremony of Karewa." PUNJAB DISTRICT GAZETTEERS,VOLUME XIV, JULLUNDUR DISTRICT, 1904, p 59, Lahore, PRINTED AT THE "CIVIL AND MILITARY GAZETTE" PRESS, 1908
  69. ^ Arain, Rain, Baghban, the Mali and the Maliar constitute a mixed body of men denoting occupation rather than caste. People of India: Haryana, p 433, Author: T.M. Dak, Editors: Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994
  70. ^ W.Chichele Plowden, ( 1883 ), The Indian Empire Census of 1881 Statistics of Population Vol. II., Calcutta, Superintendent of Government Printing India, pp 243–258, 294
  71. ^ The Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia: Commercial, Industrial and Scientific, Products of the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures, pp 233 & 294, Edward Balfour, Published by B. Quaritch, 1885
  72. ^ "The Mali were reported from Gurgaon, Karnal, Hissar, Rohtak, Sirsa and Jind. The Sainis lived in Ambala. " The Journal of the Anthropological Survey of India, p 20, By Anthropological Survey of India, Published by The Survey, 1993
  73. ^ Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan, p 107, Sukhvir Singh Gahlot, Banshi Dhar, Jain Brothers, 1989
  74. ^ In 1881 census Saini presence was not recorded outside the undivided Punjab (even beyond south of Ghaggar river within undivided Punjab). In 20th century, the Mali community also adopted 'Saini' as a general name as part of Sanskritization. See Census of India, 1961, Volume 14, Issue 5, p 7, Office of the Registrar General, India. Sainis of Punjab do not intermarry with these neo-Sainis. Sainis of present Punjab are regarded as a forward community. See the list of 68 OBCs in Punjab [3]
  75. ^ "One sub-category recognized among Rajputs is that of the minor agricultural castes which comprises among others, Sirvis, Mali and Kallu or Patel." The Castes of Marwar, Being Census Report of 1891, p vi, Hardyal Singh, Edition: 2, Published by Books Treasure, Original from the University of Michigan
  76. ^ W.Chichele Plowden, ( 1883 ), Census of British India taken on the 17th of February 1881, Volume III, London, Eyre and Spottiswoode, p. 256
  77. ^ "The most industrious are the Rain, Mali, Saini, Lubana, and Jat...The Mali are chiefly gardeners. The Saini occupy sub-mountain tracts, and grow sugar-cane largely. Their village lands are always in a high state of tillage." The Cyclopædia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia, Commercial Industrial, and Scientific: Products of the Mineral, Vegetable, and Animal Kingdoms, Useful Arts and Manufactures, Edward Balfour, p 118, Published by Bernard Quaritch, 1885, Item notes: v.3,Original from Oxford University
  78. ^ The Caste System of Northern India, pp 25, 166, 174, 247, E.A.H. Blunt, CIE, OBE, S. Chand & Co., 1969
  79. ^ People of India: Haryana, pp 432, 433, Author: T.M. Dak, Editors: Kumar Suresh Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, A. K. Bhatia, Anthropological Survey of India, Published by Published on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers, 1994

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