Chura

Chura is a caste in Punjab whose traditional occupation is sweeping. Churas are largely followers of Sikhism and secondly Christianity. A small minority practice Valmikism an off shoot or cult^[1][2][3] form of mainstream Hinduism which still incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices. They are treated as untouchables or Dalits as they occupy the lowest category in Hinduism's religious hierarchy.^[4][5]

In Sikhism

By the 15th century Guru Nanak the founder of Sikhism brought a new message and spoke out against the Hindu religion and the inequality of its caste system.^[6] He stressed that all people were equal^[7] and the new religion forbade the caste system.^[8] The Churas flocked to the new religion.

Amongst Sikhs, the Churas are known as a warrior landowning caste called Mazhabi Sikhs,^[9][10] they have a fine and feared reputation as soldiers; a reputaion made famous by their service in the Sikh 10th Light Infantry.^[11]

In Christianity

The Churas were largely converted to Christianity in North India during the British raj. The vast majority were converted from the Mazhabi Sikh communities of Punjab, and to a lesser extent Hindu Churas; under the influence of enthusiastic British army officers and christian missionaries. Consequently, since partition they are now divided between Pakistani Punjab and Indian Punjab. Large numbers of Mazhabi Sikhs were also converted in the Moradabad district and the Bijnor district ^[12] of Uttar Pradesh. Rohilkhand saw a mass conversion of its entire population of 4500 Mazhabi Sikhs into the Methodist Church.^[13] Sikh organisations became alarmed at the rate of conversions among the Mazhabi Sikhs and responded by immediately dispatching Sikh missionaries to counteract the conversions.

In Hinduism

The caste system with all its inequalities is closely identified with, and supported by the Hindu religion.^[14] In sharp contrast to a Brahmin a sweeper born of sweeper parents is considered to be born "Inherently polluted".^[15] The Churas occupy the lowest rank in the Hindu religious hierarchy.^[16] Maintenance of purity is especially important for upper castes in the Hindu religion^[17] and if an upper caste were to accept food or drink prepared by members of lower castes, they would become polluted.^[18] For a Hindu to accept food from a Christian or Muslim it would be considered "Highly polluting"^[19] for the upper caste.^[20] If a Brahmin where to accept food and drink from a sweeper, he would immediately become polluted and would expect social rejection from his caste fellows.^[21] from that moment, Brahmins following traditional "pollution rules" would refuse food touched by him and would abstain from traditional social interaction from him.^[22] He will not be welcome in other Brahmin homes and would be barred especially from ritually pure kitchens.^[23] He and his relatives would also not be considered eligible marriage partners by other Brahmins.^[24]

Valmikis

A minority of Punjabi Churas based around the Jallandhar area have undergone "Hinduisation"^[25] in the form of the "Valmiki cult"^[26][27][28]

In Islam

Islam despite placing great emphasis on social equality and brotherhood among all muslims did not address the problem of untouchability for the Churas or Bhangis, even if they did convert.^[29] As a result, only a very few members from this community ever embraced Islam. Churas adopted the externals of islam by keeping Muslim names, Namaz, Viz, observing Ramadan and burial of the dead.^[30] However they never underwent circumcision.^[31] Only a few cases of circumcision have ever been recorded for Churas or Bhangis^[32] and these were Churas who lived very near Jama Masjid.^[33] The Churas did not accept Mohammed as their prophet^[34] and also continued observing traditional Hindu festivals, such as Diwali, Raki and Holi.^[35] The Muslim caste system was simply a continuation from the Hindu Caste System; and islam did not raise the social status of Churas.^[36] Just like their Hindu brethren they continued with their traditional caste work.^[37] Untouchability was fully accepted and justified by the Muslim Orthodoxy^[38] in India and the caste system was fully observed by Muslim society.^[39]

Just like Hindu Churas who were barred from entrance to temples; Churas were barred from entrance to mosques^[40] and churas were never allowed to go past the outside steps to Muslim religious places.^[41] Muslim untouchablily even extended after death, Churas were to bury their dead in separate graveyards away from other Muslims.^[42]

See also

• Dalit
• Punjabi Shaikh
• Ravidasi

Reference