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Arain (Delhi)

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Arain (Delhi)
Rai, Raen
ReligionsIslam
LanguagesUrdu and Punjabi
CountryPakistan and India
RegionPunjab, Sindh and Uttar Pradesh
Migration to IndiaFrom Arab
Feudal titleMian, Mehar, Sardar, Chaudhry, Shah and Malik
LineageSolar Dynasty(Raghuvanshi)
Kingdom (original)Kingdom of Sirsa (Urdu/Hindi)
Kingdom (other)Arabs (Syria= Arehaaa(Jerricho)

The Arain of Delhi are an Urdu speaking muslim community found in Delhi, India. They claim their descendant from the Arain community of Punjab and Sindh, however, this claim needs further verification through the annals of history as most of the Punjabi speaking Arain consider themselves the descendant of Arab Generals who conquered Sindh after the fall of Raja Dahir. The Rayeen community of Uttar Pradesh also claim common ancestry with this community. They are also known as Choudhry, Mian and Malik[1].

Genetics

The Harrappa Ancestry project showed that autosomaly Punjabi Arain are most closely related to Sindhis excluding the African ancestry present among Sindhis. This may give credence to a tradition mentioned by H.A.Rose that Arain are descendants of Raja Bhutta of Multan, a descendant of the Buddhist Rai Dynasty of Sindh that preceded that Brahmin dynasty, the last king of the rai dynasty was a brother of the Rana of Chittor, a member of the Maurya dynasty.Its self a branch of the Suryavanshi Shakya.[2].[3]

Interestingly Arain maintain completely distinct genetics from Hindu Sainis and Kamboj, castes traditionally associated with the Arain. The Arain also show markedly higher amounts of Baloch ancestry then other Punjabi Castes.

History and origin

The Arain of Delhi claim descent from Rai Jaj, grandson of Lava, the mythical founder of the city of Lahore. This Jaj was the ruler of Sirsa territory, and was thus called Rai, a title used by rulers in ancient Haryana. This was later corrupted to Arain over time. They were converted to Islam during the rule of Mohammed Ghori. However, there are other traditions that claim an Arab origin. The Arain of Delhi are said to have emigrated from Sirsa, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.[1]

According to the political scientist Ishtiaq Ahmed (who himself belongs to the Arain caste) "Arain are of Arab extraction" especially based on the fact that they are entirely sunni Muslim and (as according to H.A Rose) "to a man Muhammadan and strongly inclined to orthodoxy", but he also notes that the earliest histories indicated Suryavanshi Lineage.[4]

According to H.A Rose and colonial administrations, Arain are descendants of the Rai Jaj, the ruler of Sirsa and grandson of Lawa, himself the founder of lahore. Lawa is the eldest son of Lord Rama.

Sub-Castes and Gotra

Ishtiaq Ahmed notes that: "in the ancient, Mughal and Sikh periods, Arains had held prominent positions, such as governors and army generals. Many gotras, or sub-clans, of the Arains bear names that indicate soldiering as an occupation. For example: Ghalar, Gahgeer and Goheer (ferocious horse of armoured corps), Gatku (fencer), Kavali (soldier patrolling while others rest), Basroo (observation post), Bahman (brave, uncontrollable or insurmountable), Bhaila (alms-keeper who walks with the commander when he is giving away alms after a victory), Daulay (those who got land in return for military services), Khatora (spy), Ramay (archers), Rattay (bloody, red, ferocious fighters), Ramday (red -eyed soldiers), Labanay (an army column equipped with batons), Jatalay (victors), Qutub Shahi: (soldiers or their offspring who accompanied Qutubuddin Aibak), Sappal (marksmen), Bahalwan (driver of a chariot), Mudh (logisticians supplying logistics and reinforcement to the army), Teerandaz (archers), Katarband (users of katar, a weapon used by ancient armies) and Bhutto (dwellers of high places)."[5]

Present circumstances

The community was traditionally involved in Agriculture. Mostly they speak Punjabi, however, some speak Urdu (Hindi) and claim themselves as Arain, their claim needs further verification as for some geo-political benefits they might have changed their castes.[1]

Famous People

References

  1. ^ a b c People of India Delhi Volume XX edited by T Ghosh & S Nath pages 49 to 52 Manohar Publications
  2. ^ Rose, Horatio Arthur (1911). Glossery of Indian tribes and castes volume 2. p. 13.
  3. ^ Ajmal, Zack. "The Harrapa Project".
  4. ^ Ishtiaq, Ahmed. "There is many a slip betwixt cup and lip Ishtiaq Ahmed". Daily Times.
  5. ^ a b c Ahmed, Ishtiaq. "An Arain Freedom Fighter".
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