Kochhar

Kochhar or Kochar is a surname that is found among the Punjabi Khatri community of India. ^[1]

History

Before 1947, Kochhars were located in the districts of Gujrat and Jhang in Punjab, Pakistan. According to historian R.C. Dogra, Kochhar comes from the word "Kavach" meaning armour. ^{[2] [ need quotation to verify ]}

Among the Khatris, it is part of the Bunjahi sub-caste which consists of clans such as Duggal, Handa, Johar, Puri, Nanda, Thapar, Vij, Wahi and 44 other clans. ^[1]

The Kochhar clan has produced Dewan Mokham Chand, described as one of the most important generals of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Sikh Empire who was responsible for defeating the Durrani Empire. ^{[3] [ need quotation to verify ]}

Notable people

• Atul Kochhar, Indian chef who is the first person to receive a Michelin Star
• Ajay Kochhar, Rear Admiral serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy.
• Archana Kochhar, Indian fashion designer
• Chanda Kochhar, MD and CEO of ICICI Bank
• Dheeraj Kumar, Indian actor and producer
• Gaurav Kochar, Indian cricketer
• Pradeep Kochar, Indian cricketer
• Samir Kochhar, Indian actor in Sacred Games
• Saadiya Kochhar, Indian traveler
• Tahira Kochhar, Indian actress
• Vikram Kochhar, Indian actor
• Vim Kochhar, Indo-Canadian businessman and first Senator from the community

References

1. Puri, Baij Nath (1988). The Khatris, a Socio-cultural Study. M.N. Publishers and Distributors. p. 48.
2. Dogra, R. C.; Mansukhani, Gobind Singh (1995). Encyclopaedia of Sikh Religion and Culture. Vikas Publishing House. p. 267. ISBN   978-0-7069-8368-5.
3. Yasmin, Robina (2022-01-13). Muslims under Sikh Rule in the Nineteenth Century: Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Religious Tolerance. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN   978-0-7556-4033-1.