Malhotra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Malhotra (Hindī: मलहोत्रा) is a Khatri family surname originating from the Indian region of Punjab, common with both Hindu and Sikh families. Malhotra's are Kshatriya caste (the warrior and ruling caste in the varna system).

Along with Khanna, Kapur, & Mehra/Malhotra they are part of the Kshatriya / Khatri Dhai Gar (which means 2 1/2 families).

The Malhotra's are the descendants of the Kshatriya King Yudhishtra (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर, yudhiṣṭhira) who was the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, king of Hastinapura and Indraprastha. He was the principal protagonist of the Kurukshetra War, and for his unblemished piety, known as Dharmaraja (Most pious one).

Mehrotra is a modified form of Malhotra , which is itself may be an extended form of Mehra (Panjabi mérā ‘chief’, ‘master’).

The Malhotras are from Punjab and the Mehrotra are from the state of U.P. Mehrotra along with Tandon , Kapoor and Seth are part of the small Khatri community of U.P. Tandon Kapur Seth Verma are also Punjabi Khatris , However the social,cultural , linguistic and religious customs of UP Khatris are distinct from Punjabi Khatris .

In current times the Malhotra family in line with their Kshatriya origins play a prominent role in the Armed forces where they have occupied a large number of the senior posts in the Army, Navy and Air force including that of Chief of Defence staff.

The Malhotra family were the subject of the 500 long Television series "Swabhimaan" directed by Mahesh Bhatt.

[edit] Prominent Malhotra's

ARMED FORCES


GOVERNMENT


ACADEMIA


BUSINESS

OTHER

[edit] References

  • M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  • Raja Vanvihari Kapur, The History of Khatris
  • The Indian Diaspora in Central Asia and Its Trade, 1550-1900 by Scott Cameron Levi.

http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/governors.aspx

http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/international/english/malhotra_ravish.htm

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../m/a/l/Malhotra.html"