Punjabis

Punjabis

Regions with significant populations
Majority populations in: Pakistan Significant populations in: India Other: United Kingdom Canada Malaysia
Languages
Majority Punjabi Minority: Multani Hariyanavi Hindko Kangri Dogri Potwari
Religion
Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Seraikis, Dogra

Punjabis are largely an Indo-Aryan people native to the Punjab region located in the north west corner of the Indian subcontinent. There are also traces of Dravidian ancestry found in many sections of the Punjabi population. Punjabis are the largest ethnic group of Pakistan and are also found in India, where they are a tiny minority.

The Punjabis are a heterogeneous group and can be subdivided into a number of tribal or 'caste' identities each having their own subtle differences and sense of difference in ancestry or origin. However, there is usually a lack of evidence to give credit to many of the claims made by the various subgroups of Punjabis as it relates to the ancestry or origins of their group and most stories appear to be purely myths.

Some of the major subgroups of the Punjabis include the Jats, Rajputs, Khatris, Gakhars, Aroras, Brahmins, Tarkhans, Sainis, Arains, Ahirs, Gujjars, Sansis and Harijans and Chamars. Most of these subgroups can be further sub-divided into clan and family groups.

Religion has played an important part in shaping Punjabi ethnic identity and it is not uncommon for Punjabis to generally treat their religious identity as their ethnic one. Punjabis belong largely to three major religions, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism. The large majority of Punjabis are Muslims, followed by Hindus and Sikhs, although a large number of Punjabis in Pakistan are Christian as well. Although the Punjabi Sikhs are smaller in number than the Punjabi Muslims and Punjabi Hindus they are often thought of to have the strongest Punjabi identity due to their more frequent and visible use/display of the Punjabi language and traditional, non-religious aspects of the Punjabi culture.

Further reading

• H.A. Rose, Ibbetson, Maclagan, (1990). Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province. Asian Educational Services, India, ISBN 8120605055
• Ibbetson, Punjab Castes: Race, Castes and Tribes of the People of Punjab. Cosmo Publications, ISBN 8170204585
• Ibbetson, Denzil, (2002). Panjab castes. Low Price Publications. ISBN 8175362901