Punjabis: Difference between revisions

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	'''Punjabis''' are a largely an ] people native to the ] located in the north west corner of the Indian subcontinent. Punjabis are the largest ] group of ] and are also found in northern ]. In India, ethnic Punjabis can be found across the greater Punjab region which now comprises the states of ], ] and ] and the ] of ] and ].		'''Punjabis''' are a largely an ] people native to the ] located in the north west corner of the Indian subcontinent. Punjabis are the largest ] group of ] and are also found in northern ]. There are also traces of Dravidian ancestry found in many sections of the Punjabi population. In India, ethnic Punjabis can be found across the greater Punjab region which now comprises the states of ], ] and ] and the ] of ] and ].

	The Punjabis are a ] group and can be subdivided into a number of tribal or 'caste' identities each having their own subtle differences and sense of difference in ancestry or origin. However, there is usually a lack of evidence to give credit to many of the claims made by the various subgroups of Punjabis as it relates to the ancestry or origins of their group and most stories appear to be purely myths.		The Punjabis are a ] group and can be subdivided into a number of tribal or 'caste' identities each having their own subtle differences and sense of difference in ancestry or origin. However, there is usually a lack of evidence to give credit to many of the claims made by the various subgroups of Punjabis as it relates to the ancestry or origins of their group and most stories appear to be purely myths.

Revision as of 23:59, 26 January 2006

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Ethnic group

Punjabis
Regions with significant populations
File:Punjabis.JPG
Majority populations in: Pakistan Significant populations in: India Other: United Kingdom Canada Malaysia
Languages
Majority Punjabi Minority: Multani Hariyanavi Hindko Kangri Dogri
Religion
Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Seraikis, Dogra

Punjabis are a largely an Indo-Aryan people native to the Punjab region located in the north west corner of the Indian subcontinent. Punjabis are the largest ethnic group of Pakistan and are also found in northern India. There are also traces of Dravidian ancestry found in many sections of the Punjabi population. In India, ethnic Punjabis can be found across the greater Punjab region which now comprises the states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and the union territories of Chandigarh and Delhi.

The Punjabis are a heterogeneous group and can be subdivided into a number of tribal or 'caste' identities each having their own subtle differences and sense of difference in ancestry or origin. However, there is usually a lack of evidence to give credit to many of the claims made by the various subgroups of Punjabis as it relates to the ancestry or origins of their group and most stories appear to be purely myths.

Subgroups

Some of the major subgroups of the Punjabis include the Jats, Rajputs, Khatris, Gakhars, Aroras, Brahmins, Tarkhans, Sainis, Arains, Ahirs, Gujjars, Sansis and Harijans and Chamars. Most of these subgroups can be further sub-divided into clan and family groups.

Punjabi Diaspora

The Punjabis are native to the Punjab but have immigrated in large numbers to many parts of the world. The United Kingdom has a significant number of Punjabis from both India and Pakistan. Canada also has a big immigrant community of Punjabis. The Middle East has a large immigrant community of Punjabis, in places such as the UAE and Kuwait. Punjabis also emigrated to South East Asia; places such as Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

File:Punjabis3.jpg

Punjabis in Shalwar Kameez

Religion

Religion has played an important part in shaping Punjabi ethnic identity and it is not uncommon for Punjabis to generally treat their religious identity as their ethnic one. Punjabis belong largely to three major religions, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism. The large majority of Punjabis are Muslims, followed by Hindus and Sikhs, although a large number of Punjabis in Pakistan are Christian as well. Although the Punjabi Sikhs are smaller in number than the Punjabi Muslims and Punjabi Hindus they are often thought of to have the strongest Punjabi identity due to their more frequent and visible use/display of the Punjabi language and traditional, non-religious aspects of the Punjabi culture.

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