Muslim Chhipi
The Muslim Chhipi are Muslim community found mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Chhipi caste.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| Languages | |
| • Hindi • Urdu | |
| Religion | |
| • Islam 100% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Chhipi • Chhimba • Chhipa • Bhavsar |
Origin
According to their traditions, the Chhipi, or sometimes pronounced Chhipa were originally Rajputs who were imprisoned by Taimur at the fort of Lohargarh in Rajasthan. They escaped from the fort and fled to Rohilkhand. The Rajputs then hid, and were known as the chhipna Rajputs after the Hindi word for hidden which is chhipana. Over time chhipna was corrupted to chhipi. Other traditions state that they get their name from the Hindi word chhapna, which means to print. Other traditions refer to their taking up the occupation of printing clothes after the conversion of the community to Islam. The Chhipi is generally considered simply as an endogamous sub-group within the Rangrez community.[1]
See also
- Muslims of Uttar Pradesh
References
- Muslim Caste in Uttar Pradesh: A Study in Culture Contact by Ghaus Ansari