Saini
| Saini | |
|---|---|
| Country | Primarily India |
| Populated states | Punjab, India, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh and Delhi |
Saini () is a caste of North India. The 1901 census noted that people using the Shoorsaini name were by then found in Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, utter predesh, uttarakhand and Delhi.
Sainis were a statutory agricultural tribe and a designated martial race during the British Raj era that followed the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Sainis profess in both Hinduism and Sikhism. They have a national organisation called Saini Rajput Mahasabha located in Delhi, established in 1920.
History
SAINI'S are a kshatriya clan belonging to the CHANDRAVANSHI KSHATRIYA's, a branch of the warrior class. In a high court judgement in punjab the court ruled that this is a KSHATRIYA community and should be known as saini kshatriya's. Sainis claim descent from Sura & his grand father Rajan Saini. Sura was the grand father of Lord Krishna. Saini (Rajan Saini) was the grand father of Satyaki of Mahabharat. Sura & Saini were cousins (as recorded in the Mahabharat). Together they ruled the republic: Andhaka-Vrishni. This was the first known democracy in India. These Kings later adopted the title of Raja Sursen or Sura-Sena, a name adopted from the country they ruled. Satyaki, the grand son of Rajan Saini, ruled the Sura-Sen kingdom in the north-west of India. Rajan Saini founded Saini vansh, which is one of the eleven vanshas of Yadus and one of the tribes of the Yadavas.
Mythology
The Sainis of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts claim to be the descendants of the Rajputs of the Yaduvanshi or Surasena lineage who ruled these kingdoms, who came to these areas to avoid forced conversion to Islam.[1]
Academic
Gahlot and Banshidhar (1989) indicate some commonality in origin with Rajput Malis of Rajputana who are also stated to be of Rajput descent but these scholars add that out of the two the Sainis continued to maintain their Rajput character despite adoption of agriculture in the era of Muslim ascendancy.[2] The former were also included as part of Rajputs in Marwar State Census of 1891[3] Dak (1994), writing for Anthropological Survey of India, also clarified the difference for the Sainis of Haryana [4]
British era
During the British period Sainis were classified as both a statutory agricultural tribe and a martial race.[5] The latter was an administrative device based on the now-discredited theories of scientific racism: ethnic communities were categorised as being either martial or non-martial, with the latter being those who were thought to be unfit to serve in armies due to their sedentary lifestyles.[6][7]
Some Saini landlords were also appointed as zaildars, or revenue-collectors, in various districts.[8]
Marriage
Traditionally, Sainis have been married through Vedic ceremonies performed by Brahmins of Sanatani tradition. However, Sikh Sainis marry by Anand Karaj ritual.
According to the Anthropological Survey of India, "The Saini are endogamous community and observe exogamy at village and gotra level." Remarriage after the death of a spouse is permitted nowadays, as is divorce.[9]
Notable people
See also
References
- ^ "Surasena refers to an ancient region named after a Jadu raja who is believed to have lived before Krishna. Bayana (near Mathura) from where the Jadus ruled ..." Against History, Against State: Counterperspectives from the Margins, p 54, Shail Mayaram, published by Permanent Black, 2004
- ^ Gahlot, Sukhvir Singh; Dhar, Banshi (1989). Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan. Jain Brothers. p. 108.
In the Punjab in the sub-mountainous region the community came to be known as 'Saini'. It maintained its Rajput character despite migration. In other parts, it came to be called by the name of "Kshatriya-Mali" (Rajput Mail)
- ^ "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
- ^ "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." 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 on behalf of Anthropological Survey of India by Manohar Publishers,1994
- ^ Rajit K. Mazumder (2003). The Indian army and the making of Punjab. Orient Blackswan. pp. 99, 105, 205. ISBN 978-81-7824-059-6. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
- ^ Rand, Gavin (March 2006). "Martial Races and Imperial Subjects: Violence and Governance in Colonial India 1857–1914". European Review of History. 13 (1). Routledge: 1–20. doi:10.1080/13507480600586726.
- ^ Streets, Heather (2004). Martial Races: The military, race and masculinity in British Imperial Culture, 1857-1914. Manchester University Press. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-7190-6962-8. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, p 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
- ^ People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3090, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998