Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Delhi

Qaume-e-Punjaban / Shamsi

Total population
3,000,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
•  Pakistan •  India
Languages
• Punjabi • Urdu • English
Religion
• Islam 100% •
Related ethnic groups
• Khatri • Arora • Punjabi Shaikh • Shaikh

The Jamiat-e-Punjabi-Saudagaran-e-Delhi Or Punjabi Shamsi (Urdu: جمعیت پنجابی سوداگران دہلی ‎) or sometime referred to as the Qaum-e-Punjabian (Urdu: قوم پنجابیان), or simply Shamsi Biradari are a community of Muslims that historically came from Sargodha in Punjab and then lived mainly in the old Delhi, India. They also settled in a number of towns in western Uttar Pradesh, such as Agra, Aligarh, Meerut, Bareilly and Kanpur. After independence of Pakistan in 1947, many members of the community migrated to Pakistan.

History

According to their tradition, they belonged to the Muslim Khatri communities and were converted to Islam by Hazrat Shamsuddin Sabzwari. They often use the surname Shamsi ( a disciple of Shams), in his honour.^[2] Some families moved from Sargodha, in what is now Pakistan in the 17th century, in search of business opportunities to Uttar Pradesh and especially in Delhi on behalf of Mughal Empire Aurangzaib Alamgir . Other than Delhi, important Qaume-e-Punjabian communities exist in Aligarh, Agra, Roorkee, Aonla, Hapur, Moradabad, Rampur, Kanpur and Kolkata.^[2]

The Qaum-e-Punjabian use Saudagar or shamsi as their surname.They are an endogamous community, practising both cross cousin and parallel cousin marriages.

They are divided into various lineages some also use Multani, Sheikh, Allahwala,Namoonay Walay, Taar-gitti Walay, Dawawala as a title. Allahwala that literally translates as "God fearing" in English.

The Qaum-e-Punjabian played an important role in India's transregional trade. They are "most important Muslim Merchant communities of North India. ^[2]

Quam –e-Punjabian Aonla

The Quam-e-Punjabian Aonla, are separate sub-group of the Punjabi Saudagars. They are said to have settled in the town of Aonla in Rohilkhand in the early 17th Century. The Aonla Punjabi Saudagar are now found scattered all over Rohilkhand, in particular the city of Bareilly, where the settlement of Saudagar Tola is particularly ancient. In spite of their common ethnic origin with Qaum -e -Punjabian Delhi, they form a distinct community, with their own communal organizations. A significant number have immigrated to Kolkata and Mumbai. Their main biradaris are the Soleja, Mahindarata, Chabra and Khera. A much smaller number have also settled in Karachi.^[3]

Associations

The Jamiyat Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Delhi (Association of Punjabi traders of Delhi) was registered in Delhi 1910, and is composed of a president, two vice-presidents, one honorary secretary and one joint secretary.^[4] A monthly digest containing all the happenings in the community all around the world and efforts made for the nation by the community's prominent persons, is published and issued named "Saudaagar". There is a book acknowledging the great people in the community from Tipu Sultan to many, is found with the title, "Yaad-e-Raftgaan". They also have a Jamiyat Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Dehli Maiyat Bus Service. They have their own graveyards for their Biradri known as "Yousuf Pura", "Shams Pura", "Bagh Nawab Uddin" and "Shafiq Pura" at Karachi. They also provide a Ghusal e Maiyat Service.

List of institutions under 'Jamiyat Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Dehli' :

Jamiyat Education Board, Alamgir Welfare Trust International, Baigum Haji Hospital, Marrium Batla Hospital, Bilqees Memorial Hospital, Haji Fazal Ilahi General Hospital, Ismail Allahwala Boys Campus, Najam Girls School, Jamiyat Ahle Hadees, Delhi Mercantile Society, Riaz Masjid, All Pakistan Anjuman Punjabi Saudagaran Iqbal Arcade Siraj Uddola Road, Shamsi Cooperative Housing Society, Saudagaran Cooperative Housing Society, Alamgir Road, Jamiyat Taalim Al Quran, Ameeniya Muslim Girls School, Yahya Sootwalay Hospital, Jamiyat Sabira Clinic and Diabetic Centre, M.Y. Chandiwala Clinic, Abdul Khaliq Abdul Razzaq Hospital, B.H.Y.Hospital. Abdul Khaliq Allah wala town

The Jamiyat also give monthly pension, houses, daily household things to widows, unmarried, orphans and other poor people of their Biradri.

Current position

The independence in 1947, was extremely traumatic event, and a significant portion of this community had to leave India. After independence of Pakistan in 1947, a large number of these traders migrated to Lahore and Karachi. Some still continue to live in Delhi.^[5]

The Jamiyat is now split into two organizations, one in India and one in Pakistan. In Karachi, the Qaum-e-Punjabian form an important element within the business community of that city.^[6] The Delhi Mercantile Society, K.A.E.C.H.S, Defence Housing Authority (D.H.A), Shamsi Society,Delhi Colony and some concentrations at P.E.C.H.S in Karachi are the principal settlements of the Qaum-e-Punjabian in Pakistan.

See also

• Punjabi Shaikhs
• Hazrat Shamsuddin Sabzwari

References