Kamangar

Kamangar, a bowmaker – Tashrih al-aqvam (1825)

The Kamangar is a Muslim community, found in North India, Dist. Chiniot, South Punjab, North Sindh and South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.[1]

Etymology

The name of the community is derived from the two Persian words Kamaan, which means a bow, and Gar which means maker. Thus Kamangar means bow-makers or weapon-makers. Kamangar must not confused with Kamboh.

History and origin

Kamangars trace their ancestry from a man by the name of Bani Saad. They migrated into Sindh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh from Rewari in Haryana, accompanying the Mughal armies. Some sections claim to belong to the Quraishi community while other claim to belong to the Mughal community.[2]

Present circumstances

The Kamangar found throughout North India, with communities in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. They are also found in Pakistan, particularly in the province of Sindh and South Punjab.

In North India

The traditional occupation of the Kamangar was the making of bows and arrows. They now manufacture toys made of bamboo, as well as Ta'ziya for Ashura. The community is urban and semi-urban, and many are now wage labourers. Many have also been involved in drawing pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses. They have other Backward caste status. The community in Uttar Pradesh are found in Fatehpur, Ferozabad, Budaun, Agra, Varanasi, Sultanpur and Eta, while in Gujarat they are found in Kutch, Mandvi, Bhuj, and Mundra. In Uttar Pradesh, the community speak Urdu and various local dialects like Braj Bhasha and Khari Boli. They have a caste council that deals with disputes within their community. The community belong to the Sunni sects of Islam.[3]

In Pakistan

There is a community of Kamangar found in the districts of Sukkur, Shikarpur, Multan and Dadu, in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab in Pakistan. A well known Kamangar family is living in Chiniot district, Punjab. They migrated from Afghanistan in 17th century and permanently settled at Mohallah Kamangran Chiniot. In Chiniot this family is considered as most educated family of the city form about hundred years. Majority is in government services specially in education, Pakistan Railway and Law department.

In West Iran

Kamangar is a tribe in Iran. Living in the West, Kurdistan province (Kavana; Pirmogha, Voshtrml village) and Kermanshah province (Gharavays and satyari village), kamyaran City (Koreh Dare olya and sofla, Afrian olya and sofla, Marab, Gorgan, Masan, Kolasara, Taa, Tfen, Hane man, Sarchi, Dolaw, Kalateh village) and Marivan (Dadane Kamangar Village)

In Iraq

There is some evidence that a branch of this family are living in Klar, Sharazor (in kani hamza and darah shiish village), Kfri (Ashtokan), Dozkormato, Darbandikhan city (Plis village).

Religion and Sect

Sunni Islam is dominant following Deobandi and Salafi School of Thoughts.

See also

References

  1. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 688 to 690
  2. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 690
  3. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 507

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