Muslim Halwai

Last updated

Muslim Halwai
Regions with significant populations
• Pakistan • India
Languages
UrduHindiAwadhi
Religion
Islam 100%
Related ethnic groups
HalwaiBhatiaraNanbaiShaikh

The Muslim Halwai are a Muslim community found in various parts of India and Pakistan, mainly in Uttar Pradesh. They have their ancestral backgrounds from Hakwai tribes. Halva means sweets in Hindi and Halvai or Halwai are sweet makers. Their preferred self-designation is Shaikh. They are also known as Mohammadi Halwai, Faridi, Adnani, Siddiqui.

Contents

History and origin

The Halwai are a community associated with the manufacture of sweetmeats. Their name comes from the Arabic word Halva, which means a sweetmeat. [ citation needed ]

They have the following subdivision, the Purbi or eastern and Pachaon or western group, and speak Urdu, as well as local dialects of Hindi. These sub-divisions are further divided into clans, known as biradaris, which claim descent from a common ancestor. Important biradaris include the Tobacco Traders, The biscuit Traders and the Sweet Makers but Halwai is common among them. Marriages are preferred within the biradari, and only rarely will take place outside the community.[ citation needed ]

Present circumstances

The Halwai are a Sunni Muslim community. They also visit the shrines of various Sufi saints found in North India, such as Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. [1]

They are a landless community, involved in the selling of sweetmeats, tobacco, and as well as the occupation of dyeing clothes. Members of the community members have taken up jobs in government and private service. They are largely an urban community, living in their residential quarters. Almost all older cities in North India and Pakistan have a Halwai Mohalla [2] The Muslim Halwai have their own registered committee with name of All India Muslim Halwai biradari committee to deal with matters relating to the community. Haji Mahmood Ahmad is a founder and President of all India Muslim halwai biradari committee.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nomads of India</span> Nomadic communities in India

Nomads are known as a group of communities who travel from place to place for their livelihood. Some are salt traders, fortune-tellers, conjurers, ayurvedic healers, jugglers, acrobats, actors, storytellers, snake charmers, animal doctors, tattooists, grindstone makers, or basketmakers. Some anthropologists have identified about 8 nomadic groups in India, numbering perhaps 1 million people—around 1.2 percent of the country's billion-plus population. Aparna Rao and Michael Casimir estimated that nomads make up around 7% of the population of India.

The Hijama, also known as cupping are an ethnic group in India known for practicing cupping therapy. The word Hijama has been derived from the Arabic word Al Hajm, means "sucking", referring to this therapy. A practitioner was called a Hijama in Arab countries, and the name was used in India as well.

Garha are a Muslim community found in the Indian states of Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

The Rangrez are a Muslim community found in North India. They are also known as Sabagh. Many members of Muslim Rangrez community have migrated to Pakistan after independence and have settled in Karachi, Sindh.

The Muslim Raibhat or Raibhaat are a Muslim community found in North India they also known as bhaat and Sheikh in Islam. They are converts to Islam from the Rai Bhatt or Raibhaat community. The Muslim Rai Bhatt or Raibhaat are the heredity bards and genealogists of many communities in India. A small number are also found in the city of Karachi in Pakistan, where they now form a component of the Muhajir community. Muslim Rai Bhatt or Raibhaat is not only in Uttar Pradesh but is registered in the Indian Gazette all over India but according to the state, all are placed in different categories.

The Halalkhor are a Dalit Muslim community, found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India. The Halalkhor are also known as Shaikhra or Shahani in Bihar and Muslim Bhangi and in Uttar Pradesh.

The Muslim Teli are members of the Teli caste who follow Sunni Islam. They are found in India and Pakistan.

The Bisati` are a Muslim community, found in North India. Many members of this community migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and have settled in Karachi and Sindh.

The Bhatiara are a Pashtun community found in North India.

The Muslim Dhagi are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They were also known as the Julahas.

The Sai or sometimes pronounced Sayee are a Muslim community found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as the Sain.

The Mujavir are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Shaikh Hashemi Or Sheikh Masudi.

The Kingharia are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Panwariya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islam in Uttar Pradesh</span>

Islam in Uttar Pradesh is the second largest religion in the state with 38,483,967 adherents in 2011, forming 19.26% of the total population. Muslims of Uttar Pradesh have also been referred to as Hindustani Musalman. They do not form a unified ethnic community, but are differentiated by sectarian and Baradari divisions, as well as by language and geography. Nevertheless, the community shares some unifying cultural factors. Uttar Pradesh has more Muslims than any Muslim-majority country in the world except Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran and Turkey.

The Atishbaz are a Muslim community found in the state Uttar Pradesh in India. They also refer to themselves as Atishbaz Shaikh or sometimes just Shaikh, which is also a common surname. The Uttar Pradesh Atishbaz have been granted Other Backward Class status. A small number are also found in the city of Karachi, Sindh Pakistan.

The Dharhi are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.

The Muslim Saifi, or sometimes pronounced Barhai are Muslim community, found in North India. They are also known as Saifi which denotes the Muslim sub-caste of blacksmiths and carpenters. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. And a small number found in karachi Pakistan.The community is also sometimes referred to as Saifi or Tarkhan descendent of Tarkhan dynasty of Sindh, Pakistan.

The Muslim Chhipi are Muslim community found mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Chhipi caste.

The Kanmailia are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Their preferred self-designation is Shaikh.

Mochi are a community, found in North India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.They are the traditional shoemakers of South Asia.

References

  1. People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1042 Manohar Publications.
  2. People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1240 Manohar Publications.