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Khatri

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Khatris
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Khatri (Hindi: खत्री, Punjabi: ਖੱਤਰੀ,Urdu: کھتری) is the Punjabi adaptation of Sanskrit or Pali word Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, Kşhatriya).[2][3][4] a warrior tribe from the northern Indian subcontinent. As administrators and rulers, Kshatriya were assigned with protecting dharma, and serving humanity and the world. Over time, as a result of economic and political exigencies, the Khatri also expanded into other occupations.[5]

The Khatri community traces its origins to the Taxila, Potohar, and Majha regions of the Punjab. These regions are historically connected with the composition of the Vedas, the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas as well as more modern religious texts such as the Guru Granth Sahib.

Historically, Khatris were found throughout the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, although there had been some migration to northern and eastern India a few centuries ago. After the partition of India, the Hindu and Sikh Khatris migrated from Pakistan to India and the Muslims Khatris migrated to Pakistan from India. They are found in several other north Indian states, particularly Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Well integrated into India, from historical times to modern times, the Khatris have played a significant role in the Indian economy, as businessmen, civil and government administrators, landlords, and military officials/generals.[5] In Pakistan there are significant Muslim communities with a Khatri background who have preserved their unique identity. Hindu and Sikh Khatris have had a historic presence in Afghanistan (Kabul, Herat) where they have been involved mostly in the mercantile business, although they have also served as administrators in the past.

Khatris have a significant role in shaping the Punjabi culture. All throughout their history, Punjab has been their homeland.They have a total population of about 12 million.

Origin and distribution

See also: Hinduism in Punjab, Indian caste system, Potohar, and Taxila

The Khatris are a prominent Indian community originally from the Potohar and Majha region of the north-western Indian subcontinent, now largely in Punjab in Pakistan. 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, Ramayana and Puranas. Genetic tests demonstrate that Aroras, Khatris, and Rajputs are strongly clustered together. Genetically they are closer to Brahmin than to Vaish and Scheduled Castes.[6]

According to the Ramayana,[7] Taksha and Pushkala, the sons of Bharata, the brother of Lord Rama, founded Taxila and Pushkalavati in this region. According to the Bichitra Natak written by Guru Gobind Singh around 1696 AD, Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama, founded Lahore and Kasur, and the descendants of Lava and Kusha form the Khatri Bedi and Sodhi clans.[8] An empty temple dedicated to Lava still exists in the Lahore Fort.[9]

The region was ruled by Hindu kings until 1013 AD. King Bhimapala,[10] the son of Trilochanapala, has his capital at Nandana in the Salt Range region, where many temples and archaeological relics from their period are still present. Katas Raj remained a major pilgrimage center until the partition of India. Khatris encountered hardships after the conquest of the region, but stubbornly clung to their heritage. Because of high levels of education and scholarship, they were able to survive even in difficult times.[5]

The Khatris, along with Aroras and Lohanas, engaged in trade in Central Asia.[11][12] The Hindu temples of Kabul and the Hindu Fire Temple of Baku built and maintained by them still exist.

Khatris are now present in all the states of India, although the major concentration remains in Punjab and the Delhi region. Khatris are of Aryan origin.[citation needed]

Military tradition

Khatris have an extensive military tradition and have excelled in the Armed Forces, having received many honors and gallantary awards for their service. Within the Indian Armed Forces, the former Chief of Indian Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor is Khatri. He took charge from another Khatri, General Joginder Jaswant Singh, who took charge from another Khatri, General Nirmal Chander Vij.

Prominent historical Khatris

A character of the Punjabi legend Raja Rasalu is minister Mahita Chopra.[13][14] Most scholars agree that Raja Rasalu ruled from Sialkot and lived sometime between 400 to 500 AD.[15]

Many prominent historical figures have emerged from the Khatri. All ten Sikh Gurus were Khatri. The four gotras of the Sikh gurus have existed since at least the 15th century AD.

Sangam Rai Kapoor was the founder of the house of Maharajas of Bardhaman Raj in 1657. The family continued as rulers of Bardhaman until feudal estates were abolished by the government of India in 1955/56.

Raja Fateh Chand was a Maini Khatri chieftain of Bihar who served Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with dedication during his visit in 1665. Raja Fateh Chand and his wife converted their house into a dharamsala (religious house) for the sanghat (devotees) to assemble in holy congregation. The place came to be known as Maini Sangat. Gurdwara Bal Lila Maini now stands on the site.

Haqiqat Rai was a Puri Khatri whose martyrdom was celebrated on Basant Panchami in Lahore until independence. Hari Singh Nalwa,[16] Maharaja Ranjit Singh's most feared general was an Uppal Khatri. The father and son pair of the Diwans Sawan Mal and Mul Raj Chopra were successive governors of Multan under Ranjit Singh.

Khatris and sun worship

According to the Bhavishya Purana, Punjab was an ancient center of Sun worship. Raja Vanvihari Kapoor has written that major Khatri clans are named after Lord Sun.[17]

  • Sahasrakar Sahgal. Priests: Mohile
  • Kripakar Kapur. Priests: Pambu
  • Shankan Khanna. Priests: Jhingana
  • Martanada Tandon. Priests: Jhingana
  • Mitra Mehra. Priests: Jetali
  • Shreshtha Seth
  • Mahendra Mahindru
  • Bahukar Bahora (Vohra)
  • Chakravali Chaupada (Chopra)
  • Karalagni Kakkar. Priests: Kumadiye
  • Surya Suri
  • The Royal Treasurer (Bhandari)

Sanatan Khatris

A majority of Khatris are Sanatan Hindus.[18] The Khatri community have been active in roles of administration, rule, and warfare within Punjab. The Khatris were the patrons ('yajamansas' or in Punjabi 'jajmani') of the Saraswat Brahmins.[17] The Khatris are among the very few non-Brahmin communities that have traditionally studied the Vedas.[19] Saraswat Brahmins accept both Kachcha and Pakka food from Khatris.[clarification needed] Hindu Khatris constitute 9% of the total population of Delhi.[20]

Arya Samaj Khatris

Swami Dayanand was invited to Punjab by prominent individuals who also founded the Singh Sabha, to counter the missionaries. He established Arya Samaj in Lahore in 1877, a society and reform movement which was against casteism, rituals, and idol worship. The group promoted strict monotheism, which Swami Dayanand claimed was the essential message of the Vedas. Arya Samaj became popular among Punjabi Hindus, especially Khatris[21] who were attracted to a similar message by the Sikh Gurus earlier.[22] Arya Samaj inspired individuals like Swami Shraddhanand and institutions like the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System, started by Lala Hansraj.[23]

Sikh Khatris

A portion of the Khatris are Sikh.[24] All the Ten Sikh Gurus were Khatris from the Sodhi, Bedi, Trehan, and Bhalla clans which like other Khatri clans, claim Suryavanshi Kshatriya descent according to the autobiographical Bichitra Natak by Guru Gobind Singh.[25] 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 Gurus.[26]

The martial development by the Sikh Gurus is well documented, with the first master, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, calling upon Sikhs to make a "ball of their head" to play the game of love.[clarification needed] The second Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji, encouraged physical activities for Sikhs such as wrestling bouts and Kabaddi. The sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Dev Ji, took up the sword and fought many battles against neighboring Rajputs and Mughals. The ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, fought many battles and was an accomplished martial artist. The tenth master, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was proficient in the arts of warfare: he was an accomplished swordsman, marksman, and equestrian. The tenth Guru's maternal side of the family were accomplished warriors and fighters in their own right. Guru Gobind Singh Ji's maternal uncle, Kirpal Chand Ji, served as a General in the army of Guru Hargobind Ji and guided Guru Gobind Singh Ji from an early age.

The sacred sections of the Khatris. There are four sacred sections among the Khatris, whose position must be touched upon. These are the:

  • Bedi (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) of the Dharman or Chota Sarin sub group
  • Sodhi (Last seven Gurus) of the Chota Sarin sub group
  • Trehan (Guru Angad Dev Ji) of the Bara Sarin sub group
  • Bhalla (Guru Amar Das Ji) of the Bara Sarin sub group

These four sections became sanctified by the births of the various Sikh Gurus to them.

— x, x, Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose. A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province, 1911 AD, Page 512, Vol II.

Sahib Singh Bedi (1756–1834), was tenth in direct descent from Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and much revered in Sikh times for his piety as well as for his martial prowess. He was born at Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district. At the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's coronation at Lahore on April 11, 1801, Baba Sahib Singh Bedi placed the tilak or mark of sovereignty on Ranjit Singh's forehead, anointing him Maharaja of Punjab.

Bhai Binod Singh, a Khatri of the Trehan clan, was a direct descendent of the second Sikh Guru, Angad Dev Ji. Bhai Binod Singh was a devoted disciple of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and was one of the few Sikhs to accompany the tenth master to the South in 1708. Bhai Binod Singh fought many battles as a commander and was leader of the Tatt Khalsa, (True Khalsa). It was Bhai Binod Singh whose Tatt Khalsa declared the official Sikh warcry to be Sat Sri Akal (God is the ultimate truth).

Bhai Daya Singh was a Khatri of the Sobti clan and the first of the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones). In the historic divan in the Keshgarh Fort at Anandpur on 30 March 1699, Bhai Daya Singh was the first to rise at the Guru's call and offer his head.

Gulab Singh Dallewalia, a Khatri Sikh, founded and led the Dallewalia Misl, one of the twelve sovereign Sikh states during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Tikka Baba Harbhajan Singh Bedi is based in Chandigarh, India. He is the sixteenth descendant in the bloodline starting from Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He has two sons, Tikka Surjinder Singh Bedi and Kunwar Arvinder Singh Bedi. Arvinder Singh Bedi has two sons: Tikka Nain Noor Singh Bedi and Kunwar Gagandeep Singh Bedi, who are of the eighteenth generation starting from Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Jain Khatris

The number of Khatris who are Jain is very small. One of the best known Jain munis (monks) in recent times is Acharya Atmaram, also known as Shri Vijayanandsuri (born 1821).[27]

Muslims of Khatri origin

A Khattri nobleman, in Kitab-i tasrih al-aqvam by Col. James Skinner, aka Sikandar (1778–1841)

Following invasions by Turkic tribes from Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province from the 11th century onwards, there were conversions of Hindus to Islam from among various Punjabi communities, including Khatris. Generally they retained their tribal and clan affiliations, as has been the norm in the region. Similarly, the Khatris who converted to Islam continue to retain a strong social identity.

Pakistan continues to have a prominent community of Khatris. Some Muslim Khatris like the Sahgal family, Aftab Ahmed Vohra, and Najam Sethi of Pakistan are examples of well-known and successful Muslim Khatris.

Khawajas

When Khatri traders from the western districts of the Punjab like Sargodha, Jhang, Jehlum, Chakwal, Faisalabad accepted Islam, they called themselves Khawaja and adopted Shaikh as their title. They are thus called Khawaja Shaikh. Some of them have also adopted Mian as a title. In recent years traders from the small town of Chiniot, in the Chiniot District, became prominent due to their contribution in the industries of Pakistan. These traders are known as Chiniotis or Chinioti Shaikhs. The trading family of Sahgals, Sahgal Khatris of Chakwal, are known simply as Punjabi Shaikh instead of Khawaja Shaikh. They use "Mian" as a title.

The first censuses of the Punjab were conducted by Denzil Ibbetson and Edward Maclagan in 1883 and 1892. According to their reports, the Khawajas of Bhera in Shahpur, Sargodha District were converted from Khatris, and those from Jhang were said to be converted from Aroras. At Chiniot, the majority of the Khawajas are Khatris, and some are Arora. They reported the following sections (gotras) of Khatris from Chiniot: Sahgal, Wadhaun (or Vadhavan), Talwar, Puri, Topra. One gotra of Arora was reported from Chiniot: the Goruwala.

The gotras of Khawajas from Bhera were reported as follows: Vohra, Sahgal, Kapur, Sethi, Duggal, Nanda, Mehndru, Chadha, Suri. These are all Khatri gotras.

The Khawajas of Layyah have following Khatri sections: Kapur, Puri, and Tandan.[28]

Khatri organizations

The sessions of Akhil Bhartiya Khatri Mahasabha[clarification needed] were held in Lucknow in 1916, 1936, 1952, and 1980. The Lucknow Khatri Sabha[clarification needed] was established in 1927 and the publication Khatri Hitashi was started in 1936.[29]

Divisions among the Khatris

There are social divisions within the community which includes the Dhai-Ghar (2½ clans, the number 3 being considered unlucky) grouping comprising Malhotra, Khanna, and Kapoor.[30] Along with the Seth clan these four subdivisions form the Char Ghar (4 houses) grouping.[18]

The Chopra, Dhawan, Batta, Bandha, Kakar, Mahindru, Sahgal, Soni, Talwar, Tandon, Vohra, Wadhaun, and Wahi form the Barah-Ghar group of Khatris.[18]

Other groups include the Khukhrain (8 clans), Bara-Jati (12 clans), Bavanjai (52 clans),[18] and Sarin (300 clans) Khatris.[18]

The Sarin Khatris include the Bedi and Sodhi clans, to which belonged the founders of the Sikh faith.[18]

Other khatri groups include Savji khatris they are mostly found in south India and also in northern india like madhyapradesh,gujarath,rajasthan


Divisions recorded in the Ain-i-Akbari

Divisions among the Khatri groups were reported by Emperor Akbar's close adviser Abu'l Fazal in his book Ain-i-Akbari (compiled in 1590 AD).[31][32]

The division into the Bara and Bunjahi groups is noticed in the Ain-i-Akbari:- "The Kshatriya (now called Khatris) form two races, the Surajbansi and Sombansi * * There are more than 500 tribes of these Kshatriyas, of whom 52 (Bawanjai) are pre-eminently distinguished and 12 (Baraghar) are of considerable importance."

— x, x, Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province, 1911, Page 510, Vol II.

Regionally Abbhi, Basur, Nanda, Khullar, Jerath, Chopra and Vig/Vij were particularly connected with Ludhiana & Hoshiarpur; Bahl, Kapoor, Mehra, Seth, Beri, and Dhir with Jagraon; Sondhi with Machhiwara and Bahlolpur; and Thapar with Raikot; Gulla with Sahowala, Bhopalwala with Daska Gujranwala, Sialkot, Delhi and Ghaziabad, and Had and Cham with Khanna.[33]

Khukhrain

Dr. Manmohan Singh with President of the United States George W. Bush
Main article: Khukhrain

Khukhrain (also spelt Khokhran/Kukhrain/Kukhran) are a regional subcaste of Khatris[18] consisting of eight clans who live in Punjab. They were originally from the town of Bhera in the Jech Doab (Jhelum — Chenab interfluve) region of Sargodha district of Pakistani Punjab. A significant number of Khukhrains, along with other major Khatri groups, adopted Sikhism during the 18th and 19th centuries. The names of the eight clans are Anand, Bhasin, Chadha, Kohli, Sabharwal, Sahni/Sawhney, Sethi, and Suri. Three new subclans were later formed: Chandok (Chandhoke, Chandhok, Chandiok), Gandhoke, and Ghai. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, is a Khukhrain of the Kohli clan.

Distinguished Khatris

In addition to three Indian prime ministers, many distinguished soldiers, administrators, writers, businessmen, and artists have been Khatri.

Main article: List of distinguished Khatris

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ History of the Sikhs, Hari Ram Gupta, Munshiram Manoharlal, 1978
  2. ^ People, Gazetteer Ludhiana, Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India), Homepage: [1]
  3. ^ Gazetteer Amritsar, Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India) (First Edition 1976)
  4. ^ Gazetteer of India Punjab Faridkhot
  5. ^ a b c The Khatris, a Socio-Historical Study. by Baij Nath Puri Published in 1988, M.N. Publishers and Distributors (New Delhi)
  6. ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6242530
  7. ^ Ramayana, Romesh C. Dutt, Publisher Kessinger Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-4191-4387-5, 9781419143878
  8. ^ a b c The Cosmic Drama: Bichitra Natak, Author Gobind Singh, Publisher Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy of the U.S.A., 1989 ISBN 0-89389-116-9, 9780893891169
  9. ^ Lahore and its Important Monuments, Mohammad Waliullah Khan, Edition 3, Publisher Dept. of Archaeology and Museums, Ministry of Education, Govt. of Pakistan, 1973
  10. ^ Bhimapala's descendants migrated to Kashmir and became prominent members of the court. They are referred to as "rajaputra" in Rajatarangini
  11. ^ Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, By R.V. Russell, R.B.H. Lal, Re-Published 1995, Asian Educational Services
  12. ^ The Indian Diaspora in Central Asia and Its Trade, 1550–1900, By Scott Cameron Levi, Published 2002, Brill.
  13. ^ The Legends of the Panjab, by Sir Richard Carnac Temple, Reprint of the 1884–1900 ed. published by Education Society's Press, Bombay, ISBN 0-405-10128-7
  14. ^ Four Legends of King Rasalu of Sialkot, The Folk-Lore Journal, 1883 Folklore Enterprises, Ltd, p. 129-151
  15. ^ The Adventures of the Panjab Hero Raja Rasalu and Other Folk-Tales of the Panjab, by Charles Swynnerton, Published 1884. Original from Oxford University
  16. ^ Nalwa, V. (2009), Hari Singh Nalwa-Champion of the Khalsaji, New Delhi: Manohar
  17. ^ a b Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914
  18. ^ a b c d e f g M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as Represented in Banares, 1872.
  19. ^ Hindu Tribes and Castes, by Matthew Atmore Sherring, Published 1872 Trubner and co [2] p 277
  20. ^ http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/534/534%20sanjay%20kumar.htm HT-CSDS 2003 Survey Estimates
  21. ^ Political Elite and Society in the Punjab, by Nina Puri. Published 1985 Vikas
  22. ^ "Chowk: : The Amazing Khatris of Punjab". Chowk.com. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  23. ^ Mahatma Hansraj: Maker of the Modern Punjab By Sri Ram Sharma, Published 1941, Arya Pradeshik, Pratinidhi Sabha
  24. ^ 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.
  25. ^ "Sri Dasam Granth Sahib". Sridasam.org. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  26. ^ "Vaaran Bhai Gurdas:VaarPauri:SearchGurbani.com". Searchgurbani.com. Retrieved 2008-11-15. [dead link]
  27. ^ The Svetambar Murtipujak Jain Mendicant, by John E. Cort Man, 1991 Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
  28. ^ Ibbetson, Denzil; Edward MacLagan and H.A. Rose. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province, vol. II, 1911, pp. 537–538.
  29. ^ The Indian Historical Review, by Indian Council of Historical Research, Published 1982 Vikas Pub. House
  30. ^ Punjab Revenue Castes and Religions of Punjab
  31. ^ Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province, 1911, Page 510, Vol II
  32. ^ The Ain i Akbrai by Abul Fazallami. Translated from the original Persian by H. Blochmann, MA, and Colonel H.S. Jarrett. Volume 111, Page 114
  33. ^ "Punjab District Gazeeters". Punjabrevenue.nic.in. Retrieved 2008-11-15.

Source texts

  • 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,
  • Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD,Page 537-538, Vol II.
  • Temple, R.C. "The Legends of The Panjab", 1884, Reprinted by Institute of Folk Heritage, Islamabd, 1981.
  • Khatris are Kshatryas http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/gaz_ldh8.htm
  • Mahan Kosh by Bhai Kahan Singh Nabha
  • Mani Sikka
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