Chhipi

Chhipi

Total population
387,000 [1]
Regions with significant populations
•  India
Languages
• Hindi • Haryanvi
Religion
• Hinduism 100%
Related ethnic groups
• Muslim Chhipi • Chhimba • Chhipa • Bhavsar

The Chhipi, pronounced as Chhimpi as well, are a Hindu caste found in the states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Rohilla. The Chhipi are one of a number communities in India that were traditionally connected with dyeing and printing clothes, other groups include the Bhavsar in Maharashtra, the Chhimba in Punjab and the Chhipa in Gujarat.^[2][3]

Origin

According to their traditions, the Chhipi/Chhimpa/Chhipa/chhimba 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/chhimpa. Other traditions state that they get their name from the Hinda word chhapna, which means to print. In Uttar Pradesh, the community has two four sub-divisions, the Rohilla, who are traditionally tailors, the Tonkia, are mainly dyers, while the Hansari and Pacchade are mainly calico printers. There is also a fifth group of Muslim Chhipis, who are converts to Islam from the Chhipi caste. They are found mainly in the districts of Saharanpur District, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Agra, Mathura and Hamirpur. A small number are also found in the Haridwar District of Uttarakhand.^[4]

In Haryana, the community’s traditional occupation was dyeing and printing of clothes. They are found throughout Haryana and speak Haryanvi. The community is uncertain as to when they migrated from Rohilkhand. There connection with the Chhimba community of Punjab is uncertain.^[5]

Present circumstances

In Uttar Pradesh, the four sub-divisions are strictly endogamous, as well as there being no intermarriage with the Muslim Chhipi. Each sub-group is further divided into clans known as gotras, amd marriages are forbidden within the gotra. Important clans include the Gidharwal, Gotre, Jagarwal, Singhmar, and Jalotare. The Rohella sub-group remains mainly engaged in tailoring, but the other groups have now abandoned their traditional occuapation. Most are now petty traders, a few are cultivators and wage labourers. They are Hindus, except the Muslim Chhipi sub-group, and are followers of Namdev. They are closely associated with the Namdev temples. The Chhipi/Chhimpa/Chhimpi speak the Khari boli dialect of Hindi.^[6]

In neighbouring Haryana Hindus, the Chhipi community's main clans include the Chooriyapar, Moosla, Gadaiyya, Gadhe,Khatti, Contwal and Lakhmara. Each of these clans are of equal status and intermarry.^[7]

The Chhipi/chhimpa/chhimpi are still involved with the printing and dyeing of clothes. A small number have now entered other professions. In addition, the Chhipi are also involved in thre sewing and selling of quilts. Like other artisan castes, they have also seen a decline in their traditional occupation. A good many are now wage labourers, with a smaller number who have taken to agriculture.

See also

• Chhimba

These days Rohillas are well educated race and have joined military, education, govt jobs and legal professions.

References

1. ^ Joshua Project. "Chhipi Hindu". Joshua Project. http://www.joshuaproject.net/peoples.php. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
2. ^ People of India Hayana Volume XXIII edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 117 to 121 Manohar
3. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 385 to 389 Manohar Publications
4. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 385 to 389 Manohar Publications
5. ^ People of India Hayana Volume XXIII edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 117 to 121 Manohar
6. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 385 to 389 Manohar Publications
7. ^ People of India Hayana Volume XXIII edited by M.L Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 117 to 121 Manohar