Bhabra

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Bhabra (or Bhabhra) is an ancient merchant community from Punjab whose population mainly follows Jainism ^[1], ^[2].

The Bhabra community has had a close historical association with Jainism. It is believed to be connected with the Bhavadar or Bhavada Gachchha to which the legendary Jain Acharya Kalakacharya belonged to. They may have originated from the Bhabra town (32° 13' 30": 73° 13')^[3]. Inscriptions suggest that Bhavada Gachchha had survived until 17th century^[4].

Jainism has been present in Punjab since ancient times. This is where Alexander the Great encountered Gymnosophists and Xuanzang met both Digambara and Swetambara monks^[5].

According to Shatrunjaya Mahatmya of Dhaneshwar Suri, Javad Shah of Taxila had restored Shatrunjaya Tirth and brought an idol of Lord Adinath from Taxila and installed it at Shatrunjaya.

Vaar 8 Pauri 12 of 24 of Vaaran Bhai Gurdas (1550-1620 CE)^[6] says: "kaytarhiaan hee baaneeay kitarhay bhaabharhiaan suniaaray"^[7], there are many are traders and many Bhabras and goldsmiths.

In "Romantic Tales from the Punjab" Charles Swynnerton relates a folk tale about several girls. It mentions a girl being a Bhabra, and mentions them being strictly vegetarian^[8]. Their Jain perspective on God's uninvolvment in world's afairs is mentioned un ^[9]

In 17th century, Fray Sebastien Manrique met them in Amritsar district^[10].Their presence has been noted in the Mughal period^[11], and in the 19th century^[12]

The original home region of the Bhabras is now in Pakistan. While practically all the Bhabras have left Pakistan region, many cities still have sections named after Bhabras.

• Sialkot^[13]: All the Jains here were Bhabra and mainly lived in Sialkot and Pasrur. The Serai Bhabrian and Bhabrian Wala localities are named after them. There were several Jain temples here before partition of india.

• Pasrur: Pasrur was developed by a Jain zamindar who was granted land by Raja Maan Singh. Baba Dharam Dass belonged to the zamindar family who was murdered on a trading visit^[14].

• Gujranwala: Two old Jain libraries managed by Lala Karam Chand Bhabra were present here which were visited by Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar^[15]

• Lahore: There were Jain temples at localities still called Thari Bhabrian and Gali Bhabrian^[16].

• Rawalpindi: Bhabra Bazar is named after them.

Some also lived in Sindh^[17]. A few hundred Bhabras in Pakistan have become Muslim. Some Bhabras in Pakistan now follow Hinduism^{[citation needed]}.

In India they have been present at:

• Amritsar: Kucha Bhabrian, Katra Bhabrian
• Hansi: Mohalla bhabran

The famous Bhabra edict from Maurya period found in Rajasthan is unrelated to the Bhabra community.

[edit] Famous Bhabras

• Son of Shri Sawan Mai Bhabra, Amritsar, nationalist activities, 1901^[18].
• Bhawani Shah Bhabra who loaned money to Diwan Amir Chand^[19]

[edit] Also see

• Jainism in Punjab

[edit] References