Misplaced Pages

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Siddiqui (talk | contribs) at 17:03, 28 December 2006 (Cleanup and removed material already discussed in other pages.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Shaikh (Arabic: شيخ ), meaning elder of a tribe, lord, revered old man, or Islamic scholar. In South Asia, it signifies Arab ancestry. From the beginning of Muslim rule in South Asia in 713 AD, the Arab technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to Islamic Sultanate in South Asia and settled permanently.

In South Asia, after the advent of Islam, many high caste Hindus (Brahman or Khatri) converted to Islam in the Punjab region and adopted this title. They are known as Punjabi Shaikh (Urdu: پنجابی شيخ ). Many of the Punjabi Shaikhs families were converted from Khatri tribe. The prominent Buddhists clans also adopted this title after converting to Islam. Kashmiri Shaikhs residing in the Punjab also converted from Brahman class. Punjabi Shaikhs are mostly urban and non agriculturist. Their main professions are business and public service.

Before the independence of Pakistan in 1947, Khatris were living in all the districts of Punjab. Most of them were concentrated in the western districts. The people of the Punjab started converting to Islam in 11th century. In the western districts conversion was almost universal. People from all classes; Rajputs, Jats, Gujjars, Arains, Gakhars, etc; embraced Islam in large numbers. In districts east of Sutlej River (now in Punjab) conversion was limited. Large numbers of Khatris remained Hindu. In 1947 almost all Punjabi Shaikhs moved to Pakistan.

Khawaja Shaikh

Khatris after accepting Islam adopted Khawaja Shaikh (Arabic: خواجہ شيخ ) as title and it is generally assumed to belong to Muslim trading families. Although large number of them were employed in government services.

When Khatri traders from the western districts of the Punjab; Sargodha, Jhang, Jehlum, Chakwal, Faisalabad; accepted Islam called themselves Khawaja and adopted Shaikh as title. They are also called Khawaja Shaikh. Some of them adopted Mian as title. In recent years traders from a small town of Chiniot of district Jhang became prominent due to their contribution in the industries of Pakistan. These traders are known as Chiniotis or Chinioti Shaikhs.

Famous trading family Sahgals, Sahgal Khatris of Chakwal, are known as Punjabi Shaikh instead of Khawaja Shaikh. They use Mian as title.

Qanungoh Shaikh

Qanungoh Shaikhs (Persian: قانونگوہ شيخ ) are Muslim Khatris. They belonged to all the districts of the Punjab. They are descendant of Khatri families who were holding hereditary office of ‘’Qanungoh’’ (‘’Law givers’’) during the Muslim Period.

This designation was used in the Punjab and other provinces of India and Pakistan for hereditary registrar of landed property in a subdivision of a district. In Mughal times most of these offices were held by Khatris. When these families converted to Islam, they called themselves Qanungo Shaikh.

Delhi Punjabi Sodagran

Delhi Punjabi Sodagran are descendant of Muslim Khatri traders who settled in the old city of Delhi. The date of settlement in Delhi is not certain. They use Shaikh as title. After independence of Pakistan in 1947, a large number of these traders migrated to Karachi. Some still live in Delhi Death no leveller in Capital cemetery.

Other Shaikhs

Kashmiri Shaikhs is another community living in different districts of the Punjab. They emigrated from Kashmir during 19th & 20th century. Allama Shaikh Muhammad Iqbal belonged to this group. His grandfather Shaikh Rafiq migrated to Sialkot in early 19th century.

Kakkezai traders, who claim descent from Afghan of Sistan are residing in almost all the districts of the Punjab. They also use Shaikh as title. Ghulam Muhammad, the 3rd Governor General of Pakistan belonged to this community.

Punjabi Shaikh joined government services during 19th century, provided high education to their children. They are now most successful community of the Punjab and represented heavily in the public service, in professions like doctors, lawyers, and engineers.

Distinguished Punjabi Shaikhs

• Wasim Sajjad, Chairman of Senate and 2 time Acting President of Pakistan. A Qanungo Shaikh from Jalandhar.
• Najam Sethi, Chief Editor of Weekly "The Friday Times".
• Mian Rafiq Saigol, Ex Chairman of Pakistan International Airline.
• Mian Mohammad Mansha; Chairman of Nishat Group, largest industrial & financial conglomerate of Pakistan.
• Aftab Ahmed Vohra, Chief Executive of Vohra Group of Industries
• Amin Saigol, founder of House of Saigols.
• Shaikh Maula Baksh, founder of Ismael Maula Baksh Industrial Group.
• Sir Muhammad Iqbal, National Poet of Pakistan, Poet of East. A Kashmeri Sheikh from Sialkot.

References

1. D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, " A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North West Frontier Province", 1911, pp 502 Vol II
2. Wendy Doniger, tr. "The Law of Manu", (Penguin Books, 1991 ) Verses 43-44, Chapter 10.
3. A.L. Basham " The Wonder That Was India", ( Sidgwick & Jackson, 1967)
4. D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, pp 58, Vol I
5. Abu Fazal, "Ain-i-Akbari", translated by H.Blocmann & H.S. Jarrett, (Calcutta, 1873-94) 3 Vols., a gazetteer of the Mughal Empire compiled in 1590 AD.
6. D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, pp 513-514 Vol II

External link

• Shaikh Siddiqui

See also

• Shaikh
• Shaikhs in South Asia
• Khawaja Shaikh
• Qanungoh Shaikh

• Islamic culture
• Pakistani surnames
• Punjab
• Social groups of Pakistan
• Pakistani names
• Surnames
• Pakistan-related lists
• Ethnic groups in Pakistan