- Nai (caste)
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The word Nai refers to a particular profession, that of cutting hair, running beauty salons, makeup or facelift clinics, beauty parlours, etc. among Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims in India.[1] They are also referred to as Nai and Nai-Thakur, Sains. In Pakistan, the Nai (Urdu: نائی) or hairdresser were following it as a family tradition. Now, many Nais are educated and have left their family profession. Men and women belonging to different castes or social groups: Brahmins, Rajputs, Punjabis, Jats and other castes are adopting this profession and becoming rich in modern India.
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History and origin
According to their legends, the persons from the upper castes took up this profession to earn their livelihood.[citation needed] In earlier times, when a person who chose a particular job, he was to be called by that particular profession, and it was very difficult for him to change his profession or social status and accordingly a particular community was formed. They were in minority as only one or two persons used to adopt the job from the upper caste or it could be said that from the majority caste/tribe. Now, anybody, whether he is Brahmin, Rajput or Jat is adopting and doing the job of barbers, running beauty parlors or saloons, beauty clinics to earn their livelihood and becoming prosprous. Had it would be happened in those days, they would be converted in this particular caste/community. This section is divided mainly into two sections/ endogamous sub-castes: the Gole and Bhanberu. The evidence of formation of this caste/section from upper castes is the gotras of persons of this community, Kacchawayas (found in Delhi jonapur ayanager chatarpur ghitorni, Haryana and Rajasthan), Bachhas( in Delhi and Haryana),Tanwars in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttarpradesh, Ranas in Brijwasan, Gautam (in Uttar Pradesh), Maans in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, Dahiya in Haryana, Delhi, Chauhan in Haryana and Delhi, Dabas in Delhi, Dalals in Delhi and Haryana, Bad-Gujar in Rajasthan, Sisodia in Uttarpradesh and Rajasthan, Gaur, Kaushik, Bhardwaj, Vats, Vashisth in Uttarpradesh etc.
Each of these divisions is subdivided into numerous gotras.there are Atry Gotra.In Bihar, people mainly has surnames Thakur or Sharma. In West Bengal, they mainly have Pramanik as surname. In eastern Uttar Pradesh they have Sharma as surname Sain Bhagat also belonged to this profession and presently his name and sayings are the part and parcel of the Holy Guru Granth sahib. [1]
Most of the historians agree that Nandas of Nanda Dynasty were Nai by caste. Nandas founded the earliest and biggest dynasties of India, they conquered and ruled a vast part of ancient India.Chandragupta Maurya is believed to be the son of a Nanda prince and some courtesan by some historians.
Present circumstances
The community is included as Other Backward Castes in many states of India. Their occupation no longer restricted, members of the Nai community have moved into various branches of government service.
See also
References
Categories:- Sikh communities
- Social groups of Pakistan
- Social groups of Uttar Pradesh
- Indian castes
- Social groups of Madhya Pradesh
- Social groups of Haryana
- Social groups of Rajasthan
- Social groups of Bihar
- Social groups of Gujarat
- Social groups of Maharashtra
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