| Total population |
|---|
| 83,000 [1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| • India • Pakistan |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
• Islam 100% • |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
• Muslim Chhipi • Chhimba |
The Chhipa are a Muslim community found in the state of Gujarat in India. A few Chhipa are also found in the city of Karachi in Pakistan.[2]
Chhipa is also hindu community which believes in Sant Namdev. Chhipa means a person who Prints (Textile Printer)
According to the “Balwa Pothy”, a traditional account of the Chhipa community, they came from Jaisalmer and initially settled in Nagor. Before the Samvat Year 1291, all Chhipas were Hindus. In the Samvat Year 1291, when Firozshah Taghlakh of Taghlakh lineage was on the throne of Delhi, they adopted Islam in Nagor sharif.
The word chhipa is derived from the Gujarati word chhapa, which means to print. They are Rajputs who converted to Islam, under the influence of a Sufi preacher, Sultan Saify Sahib. The community was originally found in Nagaur in Rajasthan, but had to leave after their conversion. After their settlement in Gujarat, the community took up the occupation of dyeing and printing clothes. The community speak Marwari, and are found mainly in north Gujarat, in the districts of Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Baroda and Bharuch. Most Chhipa also speak Gujarati.[3]
The Chhipa community is divided into a number of clans, known as ataks, the main ones being the Rao, Tak, Bhati, Doera, Chauhan and Molvi. Each of these clans are of equal status, and intermarry. But the community has a marked preference for cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages.[4]
The community is still mainly involved in its traditional occupation of dyeing and printing clothes. Many is the community have taken up trade, or are employed in the local textile mills. Like other Gujarati Muslims, they have a caste association, the Chhipa Samast Jamat Committee,Ahmedabad, which is active in the social welfare of the community.[5] One may contact http://chhipajamat.org/
Chhipa