Muslim Khatris

Muslim Khatri
A Khatri nobleman, in Kitab-i tasrih al-aqvam by Col. James Skinner in (1778–1841)
Total population
1,130,000
Regions with significant populations
• India • Pakistan • Europe • United States • Canada • Australia • Dubai • Saudi Arabia • United Kingdom
Languages
• Punjabi • Kutchi• English • Urdu
Religion
Islam 100%
Related ethnic groups
Khatris • Kamboj/Kamboh/Kamboja • Punjabi Sheikh

Muslim Khatris are religious converts from Hindu Khatri community. Khatri word in Punjabi is thought to be variant of kshatriya in Sanskrit. In western districts of the Punjab (Sargodha, Mianwali, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Gujrat, Gujranwala), converted Khatri traders called themselves "Sheikh", a family title or surname which is carried on up to their current generations throughout Pakistani Punjab.

History

Khatri's have an extensive military tradition and have excelled in the armed forces, having received many honors and gallantry awards for their service.khatri word is Punjabi version of kshatriya in Sanskrit or the warrior class. Khatri's have sometimes expanded into agriculture. Although a large majority of Khatris are Muslims. The conversion started in 12th century. In western districts of the Punjab (Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Jhang, Chakwal, Rawalpindi,Eminabad 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 on wards, 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.

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
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