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'''Punjabi Shaikh and Pakistani sheikh or shaikh''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq| پنجابی شيخ}}}}) are a branch of the ]. The family name is popularly known for its merchant-focused businessmen and noblemen in South Asia. After the advent of Islam in India, high class businessmen and tradesmen converted to Islam and adopted the title ''shaikh''. These Shaikhs are not of Arab descent rather the title was used as a polite euphemism. They are generally from wealthy backgrounds and are known for their hospitality.<ref>{{Cite book|date=20 February 2004|title=Sociology of religion in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q_0O8LxsWb8C&q=shaikh+occupational+caste&pg=PA97|isbn=9780761997818|last1=Robinson|first1=Rowena}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Nyrop|first=Richard F.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FaggQsmGFWkC&q=sheikh+occupational+title+in+pakistan&pg=PA149|title=Pakistan a country study|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1983|edition=4|pages=149}}</ref> |
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'''Punjabi Shaikh and Pakistani sheikh or shaikh''' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq| پنجابی شيخ}}}}) are a branch of the ]. The family name is popularly known for its merchant-focused businessmen and noblemen in South Asia. Shaikhs claimed to be descended from Arabs, however this was almost never the case. In Punjab, the title ''shaikh'' was given to recent converts and not to those of Arab descent as a polite euphemism.<ref>{{Cite book|date=20 February 2004|title=Sociology of religion in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q_0O8LxsWb8C&q=shaikh+occupational+caste&pg=PA97|isbn=9780761997818|last1=Robinson|first1=Rowena}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Nyrop|first=Richard F.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FaggQsmGFWkC&q=sheikh+occupational+title+in+pakistan&pg=PA149|title=Pakistan a country study|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1983|edition=4|pages=149}}</ref> |
