Bamral (subcaste)
Bamral or Bhamral is an Indian subcaste of the Ahluwalia caste. They are natives of the Punjab region.[1][2]
| Bamral/Bhamral | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Bamra/Bhamra |
| Jāti | Ahluwalia (caste) |
| Classification | Forward caste |
| Religions | Sikhism Hinduism |
| Country | India Pakistan |
| Original state | Punjab |
| Related groups | Ahluwalia (misl) Rekhi (subcaste) |
| Kingdom (original) | Kapurthala State |
Origin
Bamrals are also known as Bhamra or Bhamral. They are one of the various divisions under the Ahluwalia caste previously known as Karals/Kalals or Kharrals. The majority of them follow either Sikhism or Hinduism. They practice endogamy as a division under Ahluwalias, who are historically related to Hindu Karals.[3][4][5] Members of this group have followed Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam.
Some Kalals adopted Islam as part of a broader effort to improve their social position, as their traditional occupation of distilling and selling liquor was considered degrading in the caste hierarchy of South Asia. During the colonial period, a few Muslim Kalals also adopted the name "Kakezai" (or "Kakkezai") in an attempt to elevate their status. This has been described by historians as a case of name appropriation, not a reflection of shared ancestry or tribal affiliation with the Pashtun Kakazai tribe.[6]
The Kakazai are a distinct Pashtun tribe—specifically a branch of the Mamund subdivision of the larger Tarkanri lineage. Historically Muslim, they settled in the Indian subcontinent (modern-day Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh), including the Punjab region, long before the emergence of Sikhism. They are unrelated to the Kalal, Karal, or Ahluwalia castes.[7]
See also
- Ahluwalia (misl)
- Ahluwalia (surname)
- Bimbat (subcaste)
- Judge (subcaste)
- Tulsi (Sikh clan)
References
- ^ Dogra, R. C.; Mansukhani, Gobind Singh (1995). Encyclopaedia of Sikh Religion and Culture. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-7069-8368-5.
- ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (2003). People of India: Punjab. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7304-123-5.
- ^ McLeod, W. H. (1999). Sikhs and Sikhism. Internet Archive. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-564745-7.
- ^ W. H. McLeod (1989). Who Is A Sikh? (W. H. McLeod).
- ^ Singh, K. S.; Bhalla, V.; Singh, Swaran (1997). Chandigarh. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7304-119-8.
- ^ van den Dungen, P. H. M. (1968). "Changes in status and occupation in nineteenth century Panjab". In Low, D. A. (ed.). Soundings in Modern Southern Asia History. University of California Press. pp. 70–71. OCLC 612533097.
- ^ Joshi, Rita (1985). The Afghan Nobility and the Mughals: 1526–1707. Vikas Publ. House, New Delhi, India. p. 9. ISBN 978-0706927528.