- Chura
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For the Islamic principle, see Shura.
Chura is a caste in Punjab whose traditional occupation is sweeping. Churas are largely followers of Sikhism and secondly Christianity. A small minority practice Valmikism an off shoot or cult form of mainstream Hinduism which still incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices. They were treated as untouchables as they belong to Dalit category in Hinduism.
The majority of Churas in Pakistani Punjab are Christians. Many converted during partition in 1947 so that they would not have to flee to India during the riots and bloodshed in Punjab following partition.
The Churas and Musalis are essentially the same caste. Musalis (also referred to as Muslim Shaikh) are Churas who converted to Islam during the period of Muslim rule in Northern India.
Contents
In Sikhism
Amongst Sikhs, Chura are known as a warrior landowning caste called Mazhabi,[1][2] made famous by their service in the Sikh 10th Light Infantry.[3]
In Islam
Islam despite placing great emphasis on social equality and brotherhood among all muslims did not address the problem of untouchability for the Churas or Bhangis, even if they did convert.[4] As a result, only a very few members from this community ever embraced Islam. Churas adopted the externals of islam by keeping Muslim names, Namaz, Viz, observing Ramadan and burial of the dead.[5] However they never underwent circumcision.[6] Only a few cases of circumcision have ever been recorded for Churas or Bhangis[7] and these were Churas who lived very near Jama Masjid.[8] The Churas did not accept Mohammed as their prophet[9] and also continued observing traditional Hindu festivals, such as Diwali, Raki and Holi.[10]. The Muslim caste system was simply a continuation from the Hindu Caste System; and islam did not raise the social status of Churas.[11] Just like their Hindu brethren they continued with their traditional caste work.[12] Untouchability was fully accepted and justified by the Muslim Orthodoxy[13] in India and the caste system was fully observed by Muslim society.[14]
Just like Hindu Churas who were barred from entrance to temples; Churas were barred from entrance to mosques[15] and churas were never allowed to go past the outside steps to Muslim religious places.[16] Muslim untouchablily even extended after death, Churas were to bury their dead in separate graveyards away from other Muslims.[17]
See also
Reference
- ^ Nation and migration: the politics of space in the South Asian diaspora By Peter van der Veer
- ^ India and World War 1 By DeWitt C. Ellinwood, S. D. Pradhan Page 216
- ^ The Sikh Light Infantry
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p128
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p129
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p129
- ^ Sharma, R. Dr. (1995) Bhangi, scavenger in Indian Society: marginality, identity, and politicization of the community. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p129
Ethnic groups, social groups and tribes of the Punjab Agrawal Arains Aroras Brahmins Scheduled Castes Ahirs Gurjars Jats Bajwa • Basra • Batth • Beniwal • Birring • Bhatti • Tiwana • Bhullar • Chahal • Chatha • Cheema • Dhaka • Dhillon • Dhaliwal • Dhindsa • Ghuman • Gill • Gondal • Goraya • Grewal • Heer • Jassal • Khokhar • Maan • Patlan • Ponwar • Randhawa • Sandhu • Saharan • Sidhu • Sodhi • Sohal • Virdi • Virk • Sanghera • Tiwana • Wahla • Sahi • Nanda.Labana Julaha Khatris Rajputs Babbar • Baghela • Bais • Bhakral • Bhatti • Candel • Chattar • Chib • Chhimba • Chauhan • Doad • Dhulia • Deora • Gohil • Jamwal • Janjua • Khokhar • Mair • Manhas • Manj • Mekan Naroo • Naruka • Nauls • Noon • Panwar • Prasad • Pundir • Puni • Ranawat • Rawat • Ranial • Rathore • Saharan • Saini • Sulehria • Sial • Shaktawat • Solangi • Sohlan • Sisodia • Tuar • Thakial • VaryaRavidassia Saini Tarkhan Shaikhs Sial Bharwana • BhawanaSayyid Gardezi • HashemiKumhar Others Categories:- Social groups of Punjab (India)
- Indian castes
- Punjabi tribes
- Dalit
- Social groups of Haryana
- Social groups of Punjab (Pakistan)
- Christian communities of Pakistan
- Indian ethnic group stubs
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