Jhinwar
Encyclopedia
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The Jhinwar are a Hindu
caste
and Sikh
caste found in the states of Haryana
and Punjab
in India
. They are also known as Dhimar, Jhimar and Kashyap Rajputs. A smaller number of Jhinwar are Sikh
.
According to one account Akis, a Chauhdri Rajput of Garh Mukhidla
(in the Salt Range), died leaving a son of tender age named Dhiugar.
The people treated him as a servant and nicknamed him Jhiwar.
Bhdt his son, who fed the people at each full moon with rice, had four
sons> who founded 4 miihins, each containing several gotras : —
The Jhinwar descended from Kashyap
Rishi, who is said to have lived during the time of Lord Ram
. They are found throughout Haryana
, and in that state speak Haryanvi. The community is divided into the Hindu
and Sikh
Jhinwar. These two groupings are effectively separate communities, with no intermarriage among them. The Jhinwar are said to be by origin Kahar
s.
, the Jhinwar are divided into two distinct groupings, the Sikh
Jhinwar who are found in the districts of Patiala
, Bhatinda, Sangrur
, Faridkot
and Ropar, and those of Jalandhar
, Ludhiana
and Amritsar
who are known as Mehre and are sikh
.
, and from their community came Baba Himat Singhji, one of the Panch Piara. There is no intermarriage between Hindu
and Sikh
Jhinwar. sikh mehra is upper middle caste n has very much respect through people & Baba Moti Ram Mehra a devoted disciple and selfless servant of the Guru Gobind Singh, disregarding the risk to his own life, managed to enter the Thanda Burj in a very dramatic manner and served milk to the Mata Gujri and Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, two younger Sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh for three nights, where they were kept under arrest by Mughal Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan.On December 27, the Sahibzadas were martyred and Mata Gujri also breathed her last. He also arranged sandal wood for their cremation. Someone told the Nawab that his servant had served those prisoners with milk and water. The Nawab ordered the arrest of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his mother, wife and a little son. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Nawab that it was his pious duty to serve the imprisoned children and their grandmother. Hence Baba Moti Ram Mehra, along with his family, was sentenced to death by being squeezed in a Kohlu (oil press). His sacrifice was first sermonized by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
, with the Sikh
Jhinwar also speaking Punjabi
. In neighbouring Punjab
, the community speaks Punjabi
.
The Jhinwar seem to be a remarkably composite caste, comprising several sub-groups. Further the division between the Sikh
and Hindu
Jhinwar is sharp. The community consists of a hundred and eleven exogamour
clans, which are as follows:
Traditionally the Jhinwar were water carriers and palanquin bearers, but both these occupations have been abandoned. A very much number are now farmers, but a greater number are landless agricultural labourers or daily wage labourers. A large number of the community are now operating road side restaurants, a trade that seems to have been monopolized by the Jhinwar. Mamy in Punjab
have become professional cooks. Others are involved in the cultivation of waternuts locally known as singhara. A significant number of Jhinwar in rural areas are agricultural labourers.
Another less known fact is that Bhai Himmat Singh
who was a Prajapati/Ghumar,,(one of the Original Panj Pyaras) was Bhai Mehra Ji's uncle.
The Jhinwar are a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
and Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
caste found in the states of Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
and Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are also known as Dhimar, Jhimar and Kashyap Rajputs. A smaller number of Jhinwar are Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
.
Origin
Jhiwar origins.According to one account Akis, a Chauhdri Rajput of Garh Mukhidla
(in the Salt Range), died leaving a son of tender age named Dhiugar.
The people treated him as a servant and nicknamed him Jhiwar.
Bhdt his son, who fed the people at each full moon with rice, had four
sons> who founded 4 miihins, each containing several gotras : —
- Mxihins
- Makhu
- Dhengi
- Gadri
- Harsni
- Waddau
- Malle
- Muhins
- Oote
- Malinf
- Mande
- Dhengi
- Fiha.
- Khone.
The Jhinwar descended from Kashyap
Kashyap
Kashyapa was an ancient sage , who is one of the Saptarshis in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishvamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, Bharadwaja...
Rishi, who is said to have lived during the time of Lord Ram
Rama
Rama or full name Ramachandra is considered to be the seventh avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism, and a king of Ayodhya in ancient Indian...
. They are found throughout Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, and in that state speak Haryanvi. The community is divided into the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
Jhinwar. These two groupings are effectively separate communities, with no intermarriage among them. The Jhinwar are said to be by origin Kahar
Kahar
Kahar is an ancient community of India. They are divided in to Hindu ,Muslim and Sikhs respectively. The muslim kahar chiefly found in Punjab,Haryana and western belt of Uttar Pradesh...
s.
Regional Groups of Jhinwars
In PunjabPunjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, the Jhinwar are divided into two distinct groupings, the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
Jhinwar who are found in the districts of Patiala
Patiala District
Patiala district is one of the twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West India.Patiala District lies between 29 49’ and 30 47’ north latitude, 75 58’ and 76 54' east longitude, in the southeast part of the state...
, Bhatinda, Sangrur
Sangrur district
Sangrur district is in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. Earlier Barnala was part of Sangrur district, but now Barnala is a separate district.-Sangrur consists of following cities:DHURIMALERKOTLA...
, Faridkot
Faridkot District
Faridkot district is one of the twenty districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. According to Punjab's Geo-Area, Faridkot is a Malwa District. It is one of the biggest cotton markets in South-East Asia. The name 'Faridkot' is derived from Baba Farid, a god-lover who wanted...
and Ropar, and those of Jalandhar
Jalandhar District
Jalandhar district , Jalandhar Zilā) is one of the 22 districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. The capital is Jalandhar City...
, Ludhiana
Ludhiana District
-Rainfall:The rainfall in the district increases from the southwest toward the northeast. About 70% of the rainfall is received during the period of July through September...
and Amritsar
Amritsar District
Amritsar district is one of 22 districts in the state of Punjab in West India. It has a population of 3,074,207 and covers an area of 5075 km²...
who are known as Mehre and are sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
.
In Sikh History
The Jhinwar are early followers of SikhismSikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
, and from their community came Baba Himat Singhji, one of the Panch Piara. There is no intermarriage between Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
and Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
Jhinwar. sikh mehra is upper middle caste n has very much respect through people & Baba Moti Ram Mehra a devoted disciple and selfless servant of the Guru Gobind Singh, disregarding the risk to his own life, managed to enter the Thanda Burj in a very dramatic manner and served milk to the Mata Gujri and Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, two younger Sahibzadas (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh for three nights, where they were kept under arrest by Mughal Governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan.On December 27, the Sahibzadas were martyred and Mata Gujri also breathed her last. He also arranged sandal wood for their cremation. Someone told the Nawab that his servant had served those prisoners with milk and water. The Nawab ordered the arrest of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and his mother, wife and a little son. He did not conceal his act and boldly told the Nawab that it was his pious duty to serve the imprisoned children and their grandmother. Hence Baba Moti Ram Mehra, along with his family, was sentenced to death by being squeezed in a Kohlu (oil press). His sacrifice was first sermonized by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
Present Circumstances
The community is divided into different clans such as the Antal, Badran, Baison, Bhatiara, Bhatti, Bharth, Brahia, Khokhar, Chalag, Chauhan, Dhonchak,dari,mamotra,-Behal, Samala, Dehn, Sinhotra, Lendichuk and Memotra, mahlotra,chabra,randon,dingye,mamotra,dari,dhingre, Dhora, Gadri, Hadda, Inan, Inar, Jalan, Jhoka, Kalan, and Tuar. They are a strictly endogamous, but practice clan exogamy. The community speaks Haryanvi in HaryanaHaryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, with the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
Jhinwar also speaking Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
. In neighbouring Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, the community speaks Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
.
The Jhinwar seem to be a remarkably composite caste, comprising several sub-groups. Further the division between the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
and Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
Jhinwar is sharp. The community consists of a hundred and eleven exogamour
Exogamy
Exogamy is a social arrangement where marriage is allowed only outside of a social group. The social groups define the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. In social studies, exogamy is viewed as a combination of two related aspects:...
clans, which are as follows:
- Jhoje
- Titriya
- Lambsar
- Tawna
- Lalne
- Subhjauge
- Bagal
- Barni
- Bharth
- Barain
- Mausor
- Khubhjange
- Katoch
- Dube
- Rura
- Tinder
- Kangar
- Khas
- Sanotra
- dari
- malhotra
- mehra
- kashyap
- jaiswar
- bhatti
- bhati
- dhen
- rahelu
- neela
- bhaini
- batra
- syan
- chouhan
- malhi
- saini
- sonar
Traditionally the Jhinwar were water carriers and palanquin bearers, but both these occupations have been abandoned. A very much number are now farmers, but a greater number are landless agricultural labourers or daily wage labourers. A large number of the community are now operating road side restaurants, a trade that seems to have been monopolized by the Jhinwar. Mamy in Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
have become professional cooks. Others are involved in the cultivation of waternuts locally known as singhara. A significant number of Jhinwar in rural areas are agricultural labourers.
Another less known fact is that Bhai Himmat Singh
Bhai Himmat Singh
Bhai Himmat Singh , one of the Panj Pyare, or the Five Beloved, celebrated in Sikh history, was born in 1661 at JagannathPuri in a Jhinwar/Mehra family . He came to Anandpur at the young age of 17, and attached himself to the service of Guru Gobind Singh...
who was a Prajapati/Ghumar,,(one of the Original Panj Pyaras) was Bhai Mehra Ji's uncle.