Manihar
Encyclopedia
The Manihar or more commonly referred to as the Siddiqui Manihar, are a Muslim
community, found mainly in North India
, and the province of Sindh
in Pakistan
. A small number of Manihar are also found in the Terai
region of Nepal
.
of Islam
, Abu Bakr
, and as such are sub-group of the Shaikh Siddiqui
community.
Their main clans are the Bachchal, Baheriya, Banjara, Chandchi, Darzi, Ghosi, Kachchoiyana, Kalavant, Khalri, Kunjra, Mukeri, Murai, Panwar, Qalandar, Rajput, Rawat and Raikwar. Some of these clans are territorial groupings, others reflect a background from originating from other communities, such as the Rajput
, Kunjra
and Panwar. The community uses the surname Siddiqui. A sections of the Manihar claim to be Rajput
converts to Islam
.
The Manihar of Uttar Pradesh
have a traditional community council, which resolves disputes with in the community. They are an endogomous community, and have a preference of cross - cousin and parallel cousin marriages. The Manihar are Sunni Hanafi
Muslim
s and like other artisan communities in North India
, have now become fairly orthodox. In Rajasthan
, the Manihar are found in Jhunjhunu
, Jaipur
, Sikar, Churu
and Ajmer
districts. They are bangle makers and dealers in lac or sealing wax. They are divided into three territorial groupings, the Shishgar, Shekhawati and Padiya, which are further divided into several clans. Their main clans are the Chauhan, Kasali, Gori, Nausal, Bathhot, Sheikh and Mughal. The community speak the Shaikawati dialect of Rajasthani
. They are endogamous community, and maintain a system of gotra
exogamy.
In Gujarat, the Manihar are also referred to as the Chundrigar
. They are mainly conentrated in Ahmedabad
, but also found in the districts of Kutch, Khada, Jamnagar
and Vadodara
. The community claim to have come from Sindh
and speak Kutchi
, and have three clans, the Lodani, Kachani and Ishani. They have their own caste association, the Gujarat Manihar Jamaat.
in Uttar Pradesh
have settled in the city of Hyderabad
in Sindh
. The Sindh Manihar are still involved in the manufacture of the glass bangles.
Their main settlements are Churi Para and its neighbouring localities of Noorani Basti
and Ilyasabad
all located in the historic core of Hyderabad
. The Manihar emigrated to Pakistan
after independence in 1947, and form an Urdu speaking community, although many are now bilingual, speaking Sindhi
as well. Unlike their Indian counterparts, the Manihar are no longer just involved in the manufacture of bangles, but also involved in the retail side, and many have now become small businemen. The traditional community council has now been replaced by the Siddiqui Welfare Society, which is involvved in a number of activities for the imporovement of the community, and has established a charitable hospital in Churi Para.
In addition to the Hyderabad
community, the Siddiqui Manihar are also found in the cities of Karachi
, Rohri
and Sukkur
.
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community, found mainly in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, and the province of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. A small number of Manihar are also found in the Terai
Terai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
region of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
History and origin
The word Manihar is derived from Man, meaning jewel in Urdu, and the agentive sufix har. Their traditional occupation is bangle making, and they are also known as Churihar, this word being derived from churi (bangles in Urdu) and har. They claim descent from the first CaliphCaliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death...
, and as such are sub-group of the Shaikh Siddiqui
Siddiqui
Siddiqui, is a Muslim family name, found in the South Asia and the Middle East. Shaikh is an additional title used occasionally by Siddiqui/Siddique to signify their Arab heritage...
community.
Their main clans are the Bachchal, Baheriya, Banjara, Chandchi, Darzi, Ghosi, Kachchoiyana, Kalavant, Khalri, Kunjra, Mukeri, Murai, Panwar, Qalandar, Rajput, Rawat and Raikwar. Some of these clans are territorial groupings, others reflect a background from originating from other communities, such as the Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
, Kunjra
Kunjra
The Kunjra are a Muslim community found in North India, Central India and Pakistan.-History and origin:The Kunjra are a community associated with green grocing, who sell mainly vegetable and fruits. The name of the community is derived from arabic word kunj, which means a group of warrior...
and Panwar. The community uses the surname Siddiqui. A sections of the Manihar claim to be Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
converts to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
.
India
Selling of glass bangles has been the traditional occupation of the Manihar. Some members of the community have now taken to other occupations, such as taloring, others have opened shops, and many have taken formal education. The Manihar are one of the most wide spread Muslim community in IndiaIndia
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...
The Manihar of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
have a traditional community council, which resolves disputes with in the community. They are an endogomous community, and have a preference of cross - cousin and parallel cousin marriages. The Manihar are Sunni Hanafi
Hanafi
The Hanafi school is one of the four Madhhab in jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. The Hanafi madhhab is named after the Persian scholar Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man ibn Thābit , a Tabi‘i whose legal views were preserved primarily by his two most important disciples, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani...
Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s and like other artisan communities in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, have now become fairly orthodox. In Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, the Manihar are found in Jhunjhunu
Jhunjhunu
Jhunjhunu is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India, and the administrative headquarters of Jhunjhunu District. It is located a 180 km from Jaipur and 245 km from Delhi. The town is famous for the frescos on its grand Havelis, a special artistic feature of this region.- Etymology...
, Jaipur
Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
, Sikar, Churu
Churu
Churu is a town in the desert region of Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Churu District. It lies in the Thar Desert on the National Highway-65 connecting Pali to Ambala and is a junction station on the railway line to Bikaner...
and Ajmer
Ajmer
Ajmer , formerly written as Ajmere, is a city in Ajmer District in Rajasthan state in India. Ajmer has a population of around 800,000 , and is located west of the Rajasthan state capital Jaipur, 200 km from Jodhpur, 274 km from Udaipur, 439 km from Jaisalmer, and 391 km from...
districts. They are bangle makers and dealers in lac or sealing wax. They are divided into three territorial groupings, the Shishgar, Shekhawati and Padiya, which are further divided into several clans. Their main clans are the Chauhan, Kasali, Gori, Nausal, Bathhot, Sheikh and Mughal. The community speak the Shaikawati dialect of Rajasthani
Rajasthani language
Rajasthani Rajasthani Rajasthani (Devanagari: , Perso-Arabic: is a language of the Indo-Aryan languages family. It is spoken by 50 million people in Rajasthan and other states of India and in some areas of Pakistan. The number of speakers may be up to 80 million worldwide...
. They are endogamous community, and maintain a system of gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
exogamy.
In Gujarat, the Manihar are also referred to as the Chundrigar
Chundrigar
The Chundrigar are a Muslim community found in the state of Gujarat in India. A few are also found in the city of Karachi in Pakistan.-History and origin:...
. They are mainly conentrated in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, but also found in the districts of Kutch, Khada, Jamnagar
Jamnagar
Jamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when the district was known as Nawanagar. The district lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch and is...
and Vadodara
Vadodara
Vadodara formerly known as Baroda is the third most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat . It is one of the four cities with the population of over 1 million...
. The community claim to have come from Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
and speak Kutchi
Kutchi language
Kachhi Kachhi Kachhi (also spelt Cutchi, Kutchhi or Kachchhi, is an Indo-Aryan Language spoken in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat as well as in Sindh.- Closely related languages :...
, and have three clans, the Lodani, Kachani and Ishani. They have their own caste association, the Gujarat Manihar Jamaat.
Pakistan
The Manihar community from the town of FirozabadFirozabad
Firozabad is a city in India, in the state of Uttar Pradesh.The ancient name of this town was Chandwar nagar; it is said that once in reign of Akbar the great, revenue was being brought through the city. it was looted by the people who lived here...
in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
have settled in the city of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Sindh
is the second largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the seventh largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot...
in Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. The Sindh Manihar are still involved in the manufacture of the glass bangles.
Their main settlements are Churi Para and its neighbouring localities of Noorani Basti
Noorani Basti
Noorani Basti is a locality of Hyderabad, in Sindh, Pakistan.- References :...
and Ilyasabad
Ilyasabad
Ilyasabad is a town in the southern suburbs of the city of Hyderabad, in Sindh, Pakistan.- References :...
all located in the historic core of Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Sindh
is the second largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the seventh largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot...
. The Manihar emigrated to Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
after independence in 1947, and form an Urdu speaking community, although many are now bilingual, speaking Sindhi
Sindhi language
Sindhi is the language of the Sindh region of Pakistan that is spoken by the Sindhi people. In India, it is among 22 constitutionally recognized languages, where Sindhis are a sizeable minority. It is spoken by 53,410,910 people in Pakistan, according to the national government's Statistics Division...
as well. Unlike their Indian counterparts, the Manihar are no longer just involved in the manufacture of bangles, but also involved in the retail side, and many have now become small businemen. The traditional community council has now been replaced by the Siddiqui Welfare Society, which is involvved in a number of activities for the imporovement of the community, and has established a charitable hospital in Churi Para.
In addition to the Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Sindh
is the second largest city in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is the seventh largest city in the country. The city was founded in 1768 by Mian Ghulam Shah Kalhoro upon the ruins of a Mauryan fishing village along the bank of the Indus known as Neroon Kot...
community, the Siddiqui Manihar are also found in the cities of Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Rohri
Rohri
Rohri is a town of Sukkur District, Sindh province, Pakistan. It is located at 27°40'60N 68°54'0E, on the east bank of the Indus River. Rohri town is the administrative headquarters of Rohri Taluka, a tehsil of Sukkur District with which it forms a metropolitan area...
and Sukkur
Sukkur
Sukkur, or Sakharu , formerly Aror and Bakar, is the third largest city of Sindh province, situated on the west bank of Indus River in Pakistan in Sukkur District. However, the word Sakharu in Sindhi means "superior", which the spelling of the city's name in Sindhi suggests is the origin of the...
.
See also
- Shaikh SiddiquiSiddiquiSiddiqui, is a Muslim family name, found in the South Asia and the Middle East. Shaikh is an additional title used occasionally by Siddiqui/Siddique to signify their Arab heritage...
- SaifiSaifiThe Saifi are a Muslim community found in North India, Pakistan. They are now considered as forming a community with in the Shaikh caste. They are also known as Muslim BadhaiLohar Kalayi gar.-History and origin:...
- Momin AnsariMomin AnsariThe Momin Ansari or Ansari, are a Muslim community, found mainly in West and North India, and the province of Sindh in Pakistan. A small number of Ansaris are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. The community were once known as al ansar, although the term is now obsolete. In North India, the...
- QassabQassabThe Qassab are members of the Muslim community involved in meat business. They are butchers and work in abattoirs and meat shops where they process and sell meat of poultry, seafood, cattle, goats, sheeps, etc. The most common surname of Qassab community is Quraishi. But all Quraishis are not ...
- HajjamHajjamHajjam , alternately pronounced and spelled as Hajaam , are a ethnic group found in North India and Pakistan. In Pakistan, they are settled in Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. The word Hajaam is derived from the Urdu word Hajaamat which in Urdu means barber and hairdresser...
- Muslim HalwaiMuslim HalwaiThe Muslim Halwai are a Muslim community found in Pakistan and in the Uttar Pradesh state, in India. They were former members of the Hindu Halwai caste, who have converted to Islam. Halva means sweets in Urdu and Halvai or Halwai are sweet makers...
- NanbaiNanbaiThe Nanbai are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Many members of Nanbai community have migrated to Pakistan after independence and have settled in Karachi, Sindh.-History and origin:...
- Muslim RaibhatMuslim RaibhatThe Muslim Raibhat are a Muslim community found in North India. They are converts to Islam from the Rai Bhat community. The Muslim Rai Bhat are the heredity bards and genealogists of many communities in India...