Bhukai (subcaste)

Bhukai or Bukai is an Indian subcaste of the Sikh Ahluwalia and Hindu Karal (Ahluwalia) castes. People belonging to this subcaste are natives of South Asia.[1][2][3]

Bhukai/Bukai
JātiSikh Karal/Kalal (Ahluwalia)
Hindu Karals
ReligionsHinduism
Sikhism
Islam
CountryIndia
Pakistan
Kingdom (original)Kapurthala State

Origin

Bhukai (also spelled Bukai or Bukhai) are a South Asian sub‑caste historically associated with the Karal/Kalal (Kharral) community and the Sikh Ahluwalia clan. They practice endogamy as a division under Ahluwalias, who are historically related to Hindu Karals.[1] 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.[4]

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.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Dogra, R. C.; Mansukhani, Gobind Singh (1995). Encyclopaedia of Sikh Religion and Culture. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-0-7069-8368-5.
  2. ^ Singh, Kumar Suresh (2003). People of India: Punjab. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-81-7304-123-5.
  3. ^ McLeod, W. H. (2000). Exploring Sikhism: Aspects of Sikh Identity, Culture and Thought. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-564902-4.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Joshi, Rita (1985). The Afghan Nobility and the Mughals: 1526–1707. Vikas Publ. House, New Delhi, India. p. 9. ISBN 978-0706927528.
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