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Saini (pronunciation) is a caste of northern India. The community is given representation in government jobs and educational institutes as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

As both a statutory agricultural tribe and a designated martial race during the British Raj era that followed the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Sainis had been chiefly engaged in both agriculture and military service. Since the independence of India, they have diversified into white-collar professions.

History

Mythology

The Sainis of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts claim to be the descendants of kings of the Yaduvanshi or Surasena lineage who ruled these kingdoms, who came to these areas to avoid forced conversion to Islam.

Academic

Gahlot and Banshidhar indicate some commonality in origin with Rajput Malis of Rajputana, who also claim to be of Rajput descent.

British era

During the British period Sainis were classified as both a statutory agricultural tribe and, later, a martial race. The latter was an administrative device based on the now-discredited theories of scientific racism: ethnic communities were categorised as being either martial or non-martial, with the latter being those who were thought to be unfit to serve in armies due to their sedentary lifestyles. The community was also one of several peasant peoples who benefitted from the development of the Punjab Canal Colonies, through which they obtained land grants from the British authorities, especially in the Chenab Colony following the introduction of the Punjab Land Alienation Act, 1900.

Some Saini landlords were also appointed as zaildars, or revenue-collectors, in various districts.

Post Independence India

Castes similar to Sainis in north India are Koeri, Kushwaha, Maurya and Shakya. Over the time, these communities have come together and started inter-marrying among themselves for caste consolidation.

Marriage

According to the Anthropological Survey of India, "The Saini are endogamous community and observe exogamy at village and gotra level." Remarriage after the death of a spouse is permitted nowadays, as is divorce.

Notable people

Armed Forces

• Joginder Singh (Param Vir Chakra)

Indian National Freedom Movement

• Gurdan Saini (Rajput General- died in Ranthambore also known as Rana Gurdan Saini)
• Harnam Singh Saini (Ghadar movement, died - hanged on March 16, 1917 after Lahore Conspiracy Case trial)

Religious and political leaders

• Labh Singh Saini (Akali dal president)
• Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhaura (Akal Takht Jathedar)

Civilians with titles

• Chaudhari Nand Ram Saini (Zaildar from Hissar Division)
• Sardar Nanu Singh Saini(Sikh army General and well Known Jagirdar in Phulkian Rayast)

Others

• Sumedh Singh Saini (former Director general of police of Punjab, India

References

1. "CENTRAL LIST OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES" (PDF). CHANDIGARH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
2. "17 Most Backward Castes May Play Kingmaker as Purvanchal Gears Up to Vote in Final Phase". News18. 15 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
3. "Saini, Swarnkar/Sunar communities to be backward classes in Punjab". The Indian Express. 10 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
4. "Haryana government adds Kushwaha, Keori, Maurya castes to BC list". The Economic Times. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
5. "Rajasthan assembly polls 2018: RSS stronghold, Anta, has been electing influential leaders". Hindustan Times. 11 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
6. N, TN (11 September 2014). "Shubha Mudgal: Commission starts hearing on inclusion of OBCs from Madhya Pradesh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
7. "The members of Saini community are employed in business and white-collar jobs and as teachers, administrators, lawyers, doctors and defence personnel." People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3091, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
8. "Surasena refers to an ancient region named after a Jadu raja who is believed to have lived before Krishna. Bayana (near Mathura) from where the Jadus ruled ..." Against History, Against State: Counterperspectives from the Margins, p 54, Shail Mayaram, published by Permanent Black, 2004
9. Gahlot, Sukhvir Singh; Dhar, Banshi (1989). Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan. Jain Brothers. p. 108. ISBN 9788185287003. In the Punjab in the sub-mountainous region the community came to be known as 'Saini'. It maintained its Rajput character despite migration. In other parts, it came to be called by the name of "Kshatriya-Mali" (Rajput Mali)
10. Mazumder, Rajit K. (2003). The Indian army and the making of Punjab. Orient Blackswan. pp. 99, 105, 205. ISBN 978-81-7824-059-6.
11. Rand, Gavin (March 2006). "Martial Races and Imperial Subjects: Violence and Governance in Colonial India 1857–1914". European Review of History. 13 (1). Routledge: 1–20. doi:10.1080/13507480600586726. ISSN 1350-7486. S2CID 144987021.
12. Streets, Heather (2004). Martial Races: The military, race and masculinity in British Imperial Culture, 1857-1914. Manchester University Press. p. 241. ISBN 978-0-7190-6962-8.
13. Ali, Imran (2014) . The Punjab Under Imperialism, 1885-1947. Princeton University Press. pp. 51, 56, 64, 73. ISBN 978-1-40085-958-0. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
14. History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, p 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
15. Patel, Mahendra Lal (1997). Awareness in Weaker Section: Perspective Development and Prospects. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 37. ISBN 8175330295. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
16. People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3090, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
17. Subedar Joginder Singh Saini Parmvir chakar winners https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/when-the-will-became-a-weapon-572352
18. A Comprehensive History of India : The Delhi Sultanat, A.D. 1206–1526, pp 318, Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri, Indian History Congress, 1957
19. Agrarian Scene in British Punjab, pp 71, By Hari Singh, Published by People's Pub. House, 1983, Item notes: v.2, Original from the University of Michigan
20. Pratap Singh, Giani, Gurdwara Sudhar arthat Akali. Lahir. Amritsar, 1975
21. Surjit Singh Nanua, Saini Jagat (Utpati Ate Vikas), Patiala, 2008
22. History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, pp 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
23. Saini jagata utapati ate wikasa / Surajita Singha Nanua, pp 108, 109, pp 111, Patiala : Manajota Prakashana, ਪਟਿਆਲਾ : ਮਨਜੋਤ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਨ, 2008, DK Agencies DKPAN-5413 ( HBD )
24. Vasudeva, Vikas (12 September 2020). "Sumedh Singh Saini | A former top cop on the run". The Hindu.

External links

• SainiOnline.com
• SainiInfo.com

• Saini
• Indian castes
• Punjabi tribes
• Social groups of Punjab, India
• Social groups of Haryana