Kagzi
The Kagzi also pronounced kagdi are a Muslim community found in the states of Rajasthan Gujarat and Maharashtra in India.And in sialkot karachi[1][2]
The term Kagzi in Urdu means a manufacturer of paper, from the word kagaz or paper. There are, in fact there are two history of kagzi ancestors one claim to have from samarkand, bukhara and other have from turkey
The community have always been associated with the manufacture of paper. Kagzi,s were brought from samarkand bukhra to kashmir then to central india in Rajasthan later some migrated to gujrat and Maharashtra after india pak divided in 1947 some to sialkot now in pakistan and karachi.
Other myths
From Turkey.
When the Uzbek, Ghiasuddin Babur finally defeated Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1456, he was in addition to being a conqueror, a man with a vision for a grand empire. His hordes were not all armed soldiers. Bringing up the rear was a team of scholars, craftsmen, designers and theologists. Among these were a few papermakers drawn from Turkey. Their charter was to produce paper and parchments for the Moghul court. [Not to be asserted, but was this the moment paper was introduced India, as an alternative to the traditional palm leaf and fabric?].
Fast forward to Akbar's times. The small band of paper-makers had developed into a guild, restricted to those born into the clan. They had adapted the surname, Kagzi, after 'kagaz' meaning paper. And spread to Sialkot [now in Pakistan], Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jaipur.
Of these the only surviving settlement of Kagzis today is at Sanganer, in the outskirts of Jaipur. Sanganer is blessed with water and open spaces, that are essential for paper making. From here the Kagzis enjoyed patronage of the royal court of Sawai Man Singh and his successors. And all seemed well..
Kagzi in sanganer town in Jaipur Rajsthan today are proud producer of Paper in india. They manufactured paper that can last upto centuries. After that handmade paper total eco friendly and got glory of largest exporter of traditional handmade paper. Card board paper for making boxes for sweets. Some kagzi's manufacture paper cone and other speaker's soft components
Present circumstances
The Gujarat Kagzi are divided into a number of clans, the main ones being the Mehtar, Pathan, Raddiwala, Khanzada, Munshi(enjoying the mujtahedun status within the community), Mirza and Shaikh. Their traditional occupation has been greatly affected by the growth of paper mills, and many Kagzis have abandoned their paper manufacturing. Many are now involved in petty trade, or have taken to farming. The Ahmadabad Kagzi Jamaat is their caste association, and deals with the various problems of the community.[3]
The Maharashtra Kagzi are divided into a number of territorial groupings, such as the Yawalwale, Badwale and Kalekhwale. Each of these territorial groupings has a caste association, known as a jamaat. Although marriages are permitted within these groupings, they are rear. The Kaghzi have seen a complete decline in their traditional occupation, and most are now either petty businessmen or involved in other occupations. They are one of the more successful Muslim community in Maharashtra, and have a fairly active caste association, the Kagzi Jamaat, which deals with issues of community welfare. They belong to the Sunni sect, and have been affected by the Barelvi Deobandi split among the Sunnis. .[4]
See also
References
- ^ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 571-575
- ^ People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part Two edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pages 882-886
- ^ People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pp. 571–575
- ^ People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part Two edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pages 882-886