Muslim Khatris

Muslim Khatris are originally from Hindu Khatri community of India who had converted to Islam. In western districts of the Punjab (Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Jhang, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Faislabad), converted Khatri traders called themselves "Khoja". Some times they are called "Khoja Sheikh".

History

Khatris have an extensive military tradition and have excelled in the armed forces, having received many honors and gallantry awards for their service. Khatris have sometimes expanded into trade and mercantile businesses, including architecture. Although a large majority of Khatris are Hindus, many converted to Islam. The conversion started in 12th century. In western districts of the Punjab (Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Jhang, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Faislabad) converted Khatri traders called themselves "Khoja". Some time they are called "Khoja Shaikh". With the advent of Islam following conquests by Turkic tribes from Central Asia 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 and clan 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 Shaikh.

Khawaja Shaikh

Members of the Khatri caste, after converting to Islam, adopted the title Khawaja Shaikh (Arabic: خواجہ شيخ‎) and to this community belong many prominent Muslim trading families of South Asia.

Qanungoh Shaikh

Qanungoh Shaikhs (Persian: قانونگوہ شيخ‎‎) belonged to all the districts of the Punjab. They have different lineages and represent families who were holding hereditary office of Qanungoh ("law readers") during the Muslim period.

This designation was used in the Punjab and other provinces of India and Pakistan for hereditary registrar of landed property in a subdivision of a district.

Saudagaran-e-Delhi

In addition the Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Delhi community are also of Khatri ancestry. Historically, this community lived in Delhi, and other north Indian towns, but after the independence a lot of them moved to Pakistan. In Pakistan also the Muslim Khatris are expanded to various occupations.

Notes

References

• Basham, Arthur Llewellyn (1954). The Wonder That Was India: A survey of the culture of the Indian sub-continent before the coming of the Muslims. London: Sidgwick & Jackson. OCLC 181731857. 
• Patel, Yusuf (Yoosaf) A. (1975). Khatrī itihāsa (History of Khatris) (in Gujarati). Karachi, Pakistan: Maḷavānuṃ Ṭhekāṇaṃ Ala-Śāheda Ṭreḍiṅga Korporeśan. OCLC 19376021.  in two volumes