.jpg) A Khatri nobleman, in Kitab-i tasrih al-aqvam by Col. James Skinner in (1778–1841) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| • India • Pakistan • Europe • United States • Canada • Australia • Dubai • Saudi Arabia • United Kingdom | |
| Languages | |
| • Kutchi• English • Urdu | |
| Religion | |
| Islam 100% | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Khatris • Kamboj/Kamboh/Kamboja • Punjabi Sheikh |
22 Nukh Khatris are originally from Hindu Khatri community of Sindh who had converted to Islam. 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 edit
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(these khatri's were often called Jutts). 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 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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
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.
Muslim khatries are settled in almost all cities of Punjab , and have influential role in the community development . Some of them use the word sheikh , khawaja , khoja sheikh etc and some use their original clan as sure name . And people with same sub cast are sheikh as well Jutt depending upon their forefathers are khatri or skih i.e Chaatta چٹہ , bathla, sethi, puri etc . In district sahiwal are two major Muslim khatri families Bathla and Chaatta چٹہ and use the word sheikh as sure name , sheikh Master Khalid Pervaiz , sheik Mubashar Pervaiz , sheikh Muhammad tahir javed XEN irrigation, sheikh muhammad Baber JAVED civil judge , Dr . sheikh Muhammad Muddasar javed , Muhammad Iqbal bathla Numberdar, Manzoor Hussain bathla Numberdar, Zahid iqbal bathla etc are well known members of family.
References edit
- 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
[[Category:Surnames]] [[Category:Punjabi tribes]] [[Category:Shaikh clans]] [[Category:Social groups of Punjab, Pakistan]] [[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]