Malik (Kashmir)

The Malik (Kashmiri: मालिक (Devanagari), ملِک (Nastaleeq)) is a caste of Rajput status,[1][2] found in principally in the Darhal Valley of Jammu & Kashmir, India and over the Pir Panjal mountains in Poonch (both Indian & Pakistani administered), Jammu and few are also found in the Kotli and Mirpur Districts of Azad Kashmir.[3] Accorduing to the 1931 census, their male population numbered 19,000.

The Maliks are also found within the Kashmiri diaspora communities in Punjab region, namely in the cities of Amritsar and Ludhiana, where their traditional occupation has been weaving.[4][5]

History

They describe themselves as having been brought into Poonch by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to guard the passes into Kashmir from the Punjab.[6].

Malik is title given to the tribe, according to their traditions by Emperor Akbar. They were required to defend the passes that led into Kashmir, and appear in the field for the Emperor when required. In return they were given villages.[7]

See Also

References

  1. ^ A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Nirmal Publishers and Distributors. http://books.google.com/books?id=LPsvytmN3mUC&pg=PA479&dq=malik+kashmir+caste&hl=en&ei=OPjxTISOA4GC8gb92eThDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCIQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=malik%20kashmir%20caste&f=false. Retrieved 2007–03–25. "Caste or designation: Malik / Corresponding to: Rajput" 
  2. ^ Census of India, 1901. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, India. http://books.google.com/books?id=z64JAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA572&dq=malik+caste+kashmir&hl=en&ei=3PXxTLH2N8L78Aa35bikDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=malik%20caste%20kashmir&f=false. Retrieved 2007–03–25. "Entry in Provincial Table: Malik / Number of Persons: 25,871 / Province in which found: Andamans, Kashmir and Rajputna / Head under which claimed in Imperial Table: Main Caste." 
  3. ^ People of India Jammu & Kashmir Volume XXV K. S Singh editor
  4. ^ A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province. Nirmal Publishers and Distributors. http://books.google.com/books?id=LPsvytmN3mUC&pg=PA479&dq=malik+kashmir+caste&hl=en&ei=OPjxTISOA4GC8gb92eThDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCIQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=malik%20kashmir%20caste&f=false. Retrieved 2007–03–25. "The most important Kashmiri element in the Punjab is found in the cities of Ludhiana and Amritsar, which still contain large colonies of weavers, employed in weaving carpets and finer fabrics." 
  5. ^ Kashmiris’ contribution to Ludhianvi culture. The Tribune. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030724/ldh1.htm. Retrieved 2007–03–25. "In fact, the Ludhiana hosiery industry owes its origin to Kashmiris. According to the Ludhiana District Gazetteer, during a devastating famine in the 19th century a number of Kashmiris migrated to Ludhiana. They are known world over for their handicraft skills. They started weaving woollen fabric here. Slowly the trade got popular and Ludhiana started to be identified with hosiery only." 
  6. ^ PUNJABI MUSALMANS Lt. Col. J.M. Wikeley Second Edition THE BOOK HOUSE
  7. ^ People of India Jammu & Kashmir Volume XXV K. S Singh editor
Bhat/Bhatt/Butt • Dhar/Dar • Haksar • Kak • Kaul/Koul • Kichlu • Lone • Malik • Mattoo • Mir • Pandit • Sapru • Shaikh/Sheikh