Nayak (ethnic group)

The Nayak are a Muslim Rajput community found in the state of Gujarat in India.^[1]

History and origin

The word nayak means a head of a regiment. This word is derived from the Sanskrit senanayaka, which means head of a regiment. The community trace there descent from the Vaghela Rajputs who converted to Islam in the 12th Century. They established a number of petty states in Saurashtra. The community have been Sunni Muslims for the last eight centuries, and are now fairly orthodox. They perceive themselves to be Muslim Rajputs.^[2]

Present circumstances

The community are now found mainly in Saurashtra and the Banaskantha District. They are endogamous, but do intermarry with the Pathan, Malik and Molesalam Rajput community. The community are now mainly small to medium sized cultivators. They have an caste association, the Nayak Jamaat.^[3]

See also

• Muslim Rajputs
• Molesalam Rajputs

References

1. ^ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1028-1032
2. ^ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1028-1032
3. ^ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1028-1032