Khatri

Castes of India
Khatris
Classification Kshatriya
Subdivisions Aathghar, Barahghar, Bawanjahi, Charghar, Dhaighar, Kukhran, Sareen and others
Significant populations in ,Punjab (India), Punjab (Pakistan), Delhi, and Sindh
Languages Punjabi, Hindi, Sindhi, Pashto and Urdu
Religions Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism,Islam,

Khatri (Punjabi: ਖੱਤਰੀ, Hindi: खत्री) is the Punjabi language adaptation or pronunciation of Sanskrit word Kshatriya (Hindi: क्षत्रिय, Kşhatriya)[1][2][3] In Punjab region the local Kshatriya are known as Khatri. Khatri is a Punjabi language word for Kshatriya the warrior caste. The Kshatriya are the traditional members of the Hindu military order. As administrators and rulers, Kshatriya were assigned with protecting Dharma. In course of time, however, as a result of economic and political exigencies, the Khatri also expanded into other occupations.

The Khatri community traces its origins to the 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 major sections of the Guru Granth Sahib.

The Khatris have historically been most numerous in the Jalandhar, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Lahore and Amritsar districts. After the creation of Pakistan, those who found themselves in the newly created Pakistan, migrated to India. Another very high concentration of Khatris is in Delhi. They can also be found in major towns of Haryana like Karnal, Panipat, Ambala, Sirsa, Kurukshetra and Hisar. Historically, there were very high concentrations of Khatris in the North-West Frontier Province, notably in Peshawar.

Khatris along with other Punjabi tribes like Rajputs, Jatts, Aroras, Banias and Harijans, historically bore the brunt of all invasions into India yet remaining to the core-Indian[4].

During the partition of India, Khatris in what became Pakistan migrated to India. Today Khatris live in all regions of India, but are concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Gujrat.

Punjabi Khatris were adversely affected by the partition of India, as it resulted in the loss of their traditional home regions.

Most Khatris are Hindu or Sikh, and a smaller minority belong to other faiths such as Jainism. Khatris of all these faiths collectively form one community and traditionally intermarry.

Contents

Khatri Family Names

Main article: List of Khatri surnames on Wiktionary

Origin and Distribution

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

Description of "Khatri Caste" from the GAZETTEER LUDHIANA by Government of Indian State of Punjab, India

“ Khatris. – Khatri is a popular variant of the Sanskrit word Kashtrya, which was used to describe the warrior caste among the Hindu according to the varanashram propounded by the Shastras. In course of time as a result of economic and political exigencies, however, the Khatris also resorted to mercantile occupations, which were originally adopted by the Vaisas, the trading classes.

Like Brahmans there are further sub-divisions amongst Khatris-Bannjais, Sarin, Dhaigharas, chargharas, etc. in the reign of Alaudin Khiliji widoe re-marriage was enforced. Fifty-two castes of Khatris are said to have submitted a memorandum, duly signed, to the Emperor. The signatory castes are called Banjais. Certain castes of eastern Punjab refused to sign the memorandum and were called Shari-Ain, later corrupted to that of Sarin. The Khokhrain baradari is said to consist of the descendants of certain families of Khatris who were believed to have joined the Khokhars in a rebellion and with them other Khatri families were loath to have matrimonial relations. The Bahri section of the descendants of Mehr Chand, Khan Chand and Kapur Chand, three Khatris who went to Delhi in attandance upon one of Akhar’s Rajput wives, and who thus separated from rest of the Khatri castes, married only within each other’s families.8 (8.These appear to be conjectural for the same division appears among the Brahmans of western plains.) the number of the members of this caste is fairly large. The more prominenty, however, in point of social rank are the Mehra or Mehrotra, Khanna, Kapur and the Seth sub-castes.
Prior to partition certain castes, such as churamani, Nanda. Khullar, Jerath, Chopra and Vig were particularly associated with Ludhiana ; Bahl, Kapur, Mehra, Seth, Beri Sencher and Dhir with jagraon ; Batte, sondhi and Karir with Machhiwara and Bahlolpur ; sehgal and Thapar with Rai kot and Had and Cham with Khanna. After partition different castes of Khatris have been widely dispersed with the result that it is very difficult to ascertain their numbers caste-wise, especially because compilation of statistics according to castes has been discontinued since 1947.
Khatris are generally mild in disposition. They are mostly literate and law abiding. Khatris in the district are a great commercial class. They have also made their mark in industry. In Payal sub-tahsil they are generally land-owners. They also engage themselves in Government or private service[5]

 ”

Source: Castes, People, GAZETTEER LUDHIANA, Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India)[6]

The Dasam Granth account

In the 17th century Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gives a detailed account of two Khatri lineages, his Sodhi lineage and Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Bedi lineage in the autobiographical Bichitra Natak portion of the granth. He begins by stating that he is of the Sodhi clan which belongs to the Suryavanshi Kshatriya dynasty. Guru Gobind Singh Ji further traces the Sodhi and Bedi Khatri clans to the two sons of Lord Sri Rama Ji, Luv and Kush. [7].

Luv and Kush were born to Sita at Ram Tirath, which is a temple situated on the outskirts of Amritsar. The place gets a special mention in the great Hindu epic Ramayana. It was here that Sita was given shelter by the great sage Valmiki, who is also the author of Ramayana, after she was ostracised from Ayodhya on the doubts about her chastity. Luv and Kush were trained in shastras and art of warfare by rishi Valmiki.

The Dasam Granth states that Lahore was named after Lava, son of Lord Rama, who supposedly founded the city. To this day, the Lahore fort has a deserted temple dedicated to Luv (also pronounced as Loh, hence "Loh-awar" or fort of Loh). Another legend says the town of Kasur (now in Pakistan) was named after Kusha, the younger son of Lord Rama.

He mentions that the Bedis got their clan name because of the study of the Vedas, a tradition that has continued among the Khatris.

Prominent historical Khatris

One of the most important character of famous Punjabi legend Raja Rasalu is minister Mahita Chopra,[8][9] Most scholars agree that Raja Rasalu ruled from Sialkot and lived sometime between 400 to 500 AD.[10] If it is true then Chopra clan name originated in that time.[11]

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh Panth, was born in the Bedi Khatri clan.

Many prominent historical figures have emerged from the Khatri. All ten Sikh Gurus were Khatri. Three out of the five "dear fives" Chosen by Guru Gobind singh were so called Dalits or low castes. This clearly reinforces the fact that people do not become superior by being khatris, jatts or Brahmins. The four gots of Sikh gurus existed at least since 15th century AD: As also the names of most Khatris included the word 'Dev', such as Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji etc.

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 for the sangat or devotees to assemble in holy congregation. The place came to be known as Maini Sangat. On the site now stands Gurdwara Bal Lila Maini Sangat.

Haqiqat Rai was a Puri Khatri whose martyrdom was celebrated on Basant Panchami in Lahore until independence. Hari Singh Nalwa,[12] Maharaja Ranjit Singh's most feared general was not a khatri, but a Deol jat and followed the teaching of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 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

Raja Vanvihari Kapoor has written that major Khatri clans are named after Lord Sun.[13] The Saraswat Brahmin clan of which some of these were yajamanas are also mentioned below.

According to the Bhavishya Purana, Punjab indeed was an ancient center of Sun worship.

Religion

Sanatan Khatris

A majority of Khatris are Sanatan Hindus.[14] As noted in the introduction, the Khatri community have been positioned in roles of administration, rule and warfare within Punjab. The Khatris were the patrons ('yajamansas' or in Punjabi 'jajmani') of the Saraswat Brahmins.[13] The Khatris are among the very few non-Brahmin communities that have traditionally studied the Vedas.[15] Additionally, Saraswat Brahmins accept both Kachcha and Pakka food from Khatri's.

Arya Samaj Khatris

Swami Dayanand was invited to Punjab to counter the missionaries by prominent individuals who also founded the Singh Sabha. He established Arya Samaj in Lahore in 1877, which was against casteism, rituals, idol worship and promoted strict monotheism, which he claimed was the essential message of the Vedas. Arya Samaj became popular among Punjabi Hindus, especially Khatris [16] who were attracted to a similar message by the Sikh Gurus earlier [17]. Arya Samaj inspired individuals like Swami Shraddhanand and institutions like Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System started by Lala Hansraj.[18]

Sikh Khatris

A portion of the Khatris are Sikh.[19] All the Ten Sikh Gurus were Khatris from the Sodhi, Bedi, Trehan and Bhalla clans which claim Suryavanshi Kshatriya descent according to the autobiographical Bichitra Natak by Guru Gobind Singh. [20]. 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[21].

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. The second Guru (Guru Angad Dev) Ji encouraged physical activities of Sikhs by encouraging wrestling bouts and Kabaddi. The 6th Guru (Guru Hargobind Dev) Ji took up the sword and fought many battles against neighboring Rajputs and Mughals. The 9th Guru Guru Teg Bahadhur Dev Ji fought many battles with the 6th Guru and was an accomplished martial artist. The 10th master Guru Gobind Singh Ji, was proficient in the art of warfare as well as 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 Guru Hargobind Ji army 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-Bunjahi 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 Dev) Ji of the Bara-Sarin sub group .
These four sections became sanctified by the births of the various Sikh Gurus to them [22]

 ”

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 anoiting him Maharaja of Punjab.

Bhai Binod Singh, was a Khatri of the Trehan clan and a direct descendent of the second Sikh Guru 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.

Bhai Daya Singh- Was a Khatri of the Sobti clan and the "first" of the Panj Pyare
. 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.

Many Hindu Khatri families raised at least one Sikh son after the formation of the Khalsa in 1699. This resulted in Khatri clan names being present in both Hindu and Sikh communities worldwide.

But the most feared caste in the Sikh religion are Jats because they are the most akhian people meaning brave and are never scared to fight. Maharaja Ranjit Singh a Jat who ruled over Punjab for many years was the most feared individual in the Punjab and in india by the British. Even during the British rule Jat Sikhs fought like Bhagat Singh who belonged to jat Sandhu family, Udham Singh, and Kartar Singh who belonged to a Grewal jat family to achieve india's freedom.

Jain Khatris

The number of Khatris who are Jain is very small. However one of the best known Jain munis in recent times, Acharya Atmaram (also known as Shri Vijayanandsuri [23]) (1841-1900) was a Kapoor Khatri, born at Lahra, Firozepur.[24]

Muslim Khatris

The Muslim Khatri (Urdu: کهتری ) are the Khatri converts to Islam. With the advent of Islam following invasions by Turkic tribes from Afghanistan and the North West Frontier Province from the 11th century onwards, there were conversions of Hindus to the faith from among various Punjabi communities, including Khatris .Generally they retained their tribal, clan or caste affiliations as has been the norm in the region. Similarly, the Khatris who converted to Islam, continue to retain a strong social identity and are known as Punjabi Shaikhs.

Pakistan continues to have a prominent community of Khatris known as Punjabi Shaikhs as well as Khawaja Shaikhs. Some Muslim Khatris like the Sahgal family of Pakistan are examples of well-known and successful Muslim Khatris. They are also known as Qanungoh Shaikh, Khoja and Chiniotis.

Khatris in Central Asia

The Khatris, along with Aroras and Lohanas engaged in trade in Central Asia.[25][26] The Hindu temples of Kabul and the Hindu Fire Temple of Baku built and maintained by them still exist.

Khatri Organizations

The sessions of Akhil Bhartiya Khatri Mahasabha were held in Lucknow in 1916, 1936, 1952 and 1980. Lucknow Khatri Sabha was established in 1927 and publication Khatri Hitashi was started in 1936.[27]

Divisions among the Khatris

There are social divisions within the community which includes the Dhai-Ghar (2&1/2 Houses), Bara-Ghar (12 Houses), Bunjahi (52 Houses), Sarin and Kukhran Khatris. [14]

The Bunjahi Khatris include the Bedi and Sodhi clans, to which belonged the founders of the Sikh faith.

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).[28][29]

There are several subdivisions within the Khatri clans. There are the Dhai Ghar (i.e. 2 1/2 houses - the number 3 being considered unlucky) grouping comprising of Mehra/Mehrotra/Mehrota/Malhotra, Khanna and Kapur/Kappor/Kapoor.[30] Along with the Seth clan these four subdivisions form the Char Ghar (4 houses) grouping.[14]

With the Bhandari, Chopra, Dhawan, Sahgal, Talwar, Tandon, Vohra, Wadhawan, and Wahie sub castes, all 12 form the Barah-Jati grouping.[14] Another group is called Bavanjai (52).[14] Other regional clan groupings include the Sarin and the Kukhran.

Regionally Nanda, Khullar, Jerath, Chopra and Vig were particularly connected with Ludhiana; Bahl, Kapoor, Mehra, Seth, Beri, and Dhir with Jagraon; Sondhi with Machhiwara and Bahlolpur; Sehgal and Thapar with Raikot; Gulla with Sahowala, Bhopalwala - Daska Gujranwala - Sialkot, Delhi & Ghaziabad and Had and Cham with Khanna[31]

Kukhran

Dr. Manmohan Singh with President of the United States George W. Bush

Kukhran (also spelt Khukhrain/Kukhrain) are a regional subcaste of Khatris [14] of nine clans of Punjab, originally from the town of Bhera in the Jech doab (Jhelum - Chenab interfluve) region of Sargodha district of Pakistani Punjab. A significant number adopted Sikhism during the 18th and 19th centuries. The nine Kukhran family names are Anand, Bhasin, Chadha, Chandok, Kohli, Sabharwal, Sahni/Sawhney, Sethi and Suri. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh is a Kukhran of the Kohli clan.

Distinguished Khatris

In addition to three Indian prime ministers, many soldiers, administrators, writers, businessmen and artists have been Khatri, a list appears at List of distinguished Khatris.

See also

References

  1. ↑ People, GAZETTEER LUDHIANA, Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India), Homepage: [1]
  2. ↑ GAZETTEER AMRITSAR ,Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India) (First Edition 1976)
  3. ↑ GAZETTEER OF INDIA PUNJAB FARIDKOT
  4. ↑ Who's who of Delhi Freedom Fighters, Prabha Chopra, Uma Prasad Thapliyal, Gazetteer Unit, Delhi Administration, 1974
  5. ↑ Castes, People, GAZETTEER LUDHIANA, Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India), Accessed on November 15, 2008; Homepage: [2]
  6. ↑ Castes, People, GAZETTEER LUDHIANA, Department of Revenue, Government of Punjab (India), Accessed on November 15, 2008; Homepage: [3]
  7. ↑ "Sri Dasam Granth Sahib". Sridasam.org. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
  8. ↑ The Legends of the Panjab By Sir Richard Carnac Temple, Reprint of the 1884-1900 ed. published by Education Society's Press, Bombay, ISBN 0405101287
  9. ↑ Four Legends of King Rasalu of Sialkot, The Folk-Lore Journal, 1883 Folklore Enterprises, Ltd, p. 129-151
  10. ↑ The adventures of the Panjab hero Raja Rasalu and other folk-tales of the Panjab By Charles Swynnerton, Published 1884 Original from Oxford University
  11. ↑ ibid
  12. ↑ "Stories from the Life of Hari Singh Nalwa by Dr. Vanit Nalwa". Punjabheritage.org. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Jwalaprasad Mishra, Jati Bhaskar, 1914
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 M.A. Sherring, Hindu Castes and Tribes as represented in Banares, 1872.
  15. ↑ Hindu Tribes and Castes By Matthew Atmore Sherring, Published 1872 Trubner and co[4]p 277
  16. ↑ <Political Elite and Society in the Punjab, By Puri, Nina Published 1985 Vikas
  17. ↑ "Chowk: : The Amazing Khatris of Punjab". Chowk.com. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
  18. ↑ Mahatma Hansraj: Maker of the Modern Punjab By Sri Ram Sharma, Published 1941, Arya Pradeshik, Pratinidhi Sabha
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ "Sri Dasam Granth Sahib". Sridasam.org. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
  21. ↑ "Vaaran Bhai Gurdas :VaarPauri:SearchGurbani.com". Searchgurbani.com. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
  22. ↑ 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,
  23. ↑ The Svetambar Murtipujak Jain Mendicant, by John E. Cort Man, 1991 Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.
  24. ↑ Mangilal Bhutoria, Itihas ki Amar Bel- Oswal, Ppriyadarshi Prakashan, Calcutta, 1988
  25. ↑ Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India By R.V. Russell, R.B.H. Lal, Re-Published 1995, Asian Educational Services
  26. ↑ The Indian Diaspora in Central Asia and Its Trade, 1550-1900 By Scott Cameron Levi, Published 2002 BRILL
  27. ↑ The Indian Historical Review By Indian Council of Historical Research, Published 1982 Vikas Pub. House
  28. ↑ Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD, Page 510, Vol II,
  29. ↑ THE AÍN I AKBARI BY ABUL FAZLALLÁMI, TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL PERSIAN,BY H. BLOCHMANN, M.A.AND COLONEL H. S. JARRETT Volume 111 Page 114
  30. ↑ Punjab Revenue Castes and Religions of Punjab]
  31. ↑ "Punjab District Gazeeters". Punjabrevenue.nic.in. Retrieved on 2008-11-15.
Ethnic groups, Social groups (Caste) and tribes of the Punjab
Khatris
List of Khatri subgroups
Aroras
Bhatia · List of Arora subgroups
Arains
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Brahmins
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Dalits
Punjabi Dalits · Balmiki/Chura · Ramdasia · Mazhabi  · Ravidasias
Jats
Maan  · Bhullar  · cheema
Julaha
Kabirpanthi · Ramdasia
Rajputs
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Saini
Adhopia · Annhe · Attar · Badwal · Banait · Banga · Banwait · Basuta/Basoota · Bhela · Bimbh  · Bola · Bondi · Budwal/Bodwal · Caberwal · Chandan · Chandel · Chepru · Chera · Chere · Chilne · Darar · Daurka/Dhorke · Dhamrait · Dhanota · Dheri · Dhoore · Dulku · Gahunia
Shaikhs
Shaikh · Abbasi · Alavi · Farooqi · Gardezi · Gilani · Hashemi · Osmani · Paracha · Quraishi · Sayyid · Awan  · Shaikh Siddiqui
Tarkhans
Jhangra · Kalsi · Matharu · Nagi · Seyan · Panesar · Palahi · Riat Rayat · Virdi · Ramgharia  · List of Tarkhan clans
Labana
Ghotra · Multani · Labana · Datla · Fatra · Lohana · Narowal · Parwal · Lalia
Ravidass
Mahey · Mahay · Basra · Nagra · Badhan · Bangar · Jassal · Kainth · Saroya · Simk · Bhatoe · Chumber · Mall · Kaler · Chopra · Leer
Others
Ahluwalia · Agarwal · Bakarwal · Bania · Bishnois · Sansi