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{{Short description|Indian caste}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Cheetah Mehrat
| native_name = चीता मेहरात
| image =
| caption =
| population = 1 million
| regions = [[Ajmer]], [[Bhilwara]], [[Pali district|Pali]], and [[Rajsamand]] districts of [[Rajasthan]], India
| languages = [[Rajasthani languages|Rajasthani]], [[Hindi]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]], [[Islam]]
| related = [[Rajasthani people]], Chauhan Rajput
}}

'''Cheetah Mehrat''' is an ethnic group in the state of [[Rajasthan]], India.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Rajasthani Community With Unique Traditions |url=https://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2009/07/16/a-rajasthani-community-with-unique-traditions/ |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=July 16, 2009}}</ref> They are spread across [[Ajmer]], [[Bhilwara]], [[Pali district|Pali]], and [[Rajsamand]] districts of Rajasthan.<ref name=Cheetahmehrat>{{cite news|title=Rajasthan's Cheetah Mehrat community: Hindus, Muslims in same family; water scarcity main poll issue|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/apr/28/rajasthans-cheetah-mehrat-community-hindus-muslims-in-same-family-water-scarcity-main-poll-issue-1970186.html|publisher=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=28 April 2019}}</ref> The estimated population of Cheetah Mehrat is approximately one million people.<ref>{{cite news |title=अनोखा है राजस्थान का चीता मेहरात समुदाय |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/lok-sabha-election/story-read-about-the-cheetah-mehrat-community-of-rajasthan-and-their-issues-2508019.html |publisher=[[Hindustan (newspaper)|Live Hindustan]] |date=April 28, 2019 |language=Hindi}}</ref> The community is known for its harmonious coexistence between [[Hindus]] and [[Muslims]]. They practise both religions.<ref name=History/> Cheetah Mehrat is classified as an [[Other Backward Class]].<ref>{{cite news |title=BJP walks out over conversion charges |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/bjp-walks-out-over-conversion-charges/articleshow/90063942.cms |publisher=[[Times of India]] |date=March 8, 2022}}</ref>

== History and culture ==
The origin of the Cheetah Mehrat community lacks documented historical accounts, making it difficult to ascertain their exact roots. The Cheetah Mehrat community claims its origins back to the [[Chauhan Dynasty|Chauhan rulers]] and adopted Islam approximately 700 years ago while preserving their Hindu customs and practices. Despite practicing different religions, the community maintains a strong cultural identity. Their names, marriage rituals, and dressing styles reflect the religion they follow, be it [[Hinduism]] or [[Islam]].<ref name=Cheetahmehrat/>

According to local legend, they claim descent from the [[Chauhan Dynasty|Chauhan Rajputs]], specifically Rao Anhal Chauhan and his brother Rao Anoop Chauhan. As per the folklore, these brothers established a small kingdom in the region known as Magra Merwara after successfully defeating the [[Gurjar|Gujjars]].<ref name=History>{{cite news | title=Puja & namaaz, part of this community | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/puja-namaaz-part-of-this-community/articleshow/6668970.cms | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=2 October 2010}}</ref>

The Cheetah Mehrat are notable for their harmonious coexistence between Hindus and Muslims, exemplified by families with members of both religions living together. This cultural diversity is deeply ingrained in their heritage, and the community takes pride in their longstanding tradition of unity.<ref>{{cite news |title=हिंदू-मुस्लिम दोनों धर्म मानने वाला राजस्थान का अनोखा समुदाय:नाम रामा खां, लक्ष्मण खां...ईद-दीवाली मनाते हैं, निकाह से पहले गणेश स्थापना |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/ajmer/news/naam-rama-khan-laxman-khancelebrate-eid-diwali-establish-ganesh-before-marriage-130732418.html |publisher=[[Dainik Bhaskar]] |date=December 27, 2022 |language=Hindi}}</ref>

In [[Ajaysar Village, Ajmer]] village in [[Ajmer district]], a prominent location for the Cheetah Mehrat community, a temple and mosque coexist within the same compound, symbolizing unity and understanding. During their weddings, it is customary for the procession to visit both the temple and mosque, honoring the traditions of both religions.<ref name=Cheetahmehrat/>

== Present circumstances ==
The Cheetah Mehrat community faces challenges in accessing government schemes and obtaining necessary documents such as ration cards due to their unique identity. Officials sometimes lack understanding of their situation, leading to difficulties in receiving support. However, the community is gradually becoming more aware of its distinctive identity and striving for recognition and equal opportunities.<ref>{{cite news |title=इन 10 लाख वोटरों ने राजनीतिक दलों को किया कन्फ्यूज, ये हिंदू भी हैं और मुस्लिम भी |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/lok-sabha-elections/lok-sabha-elections-2019-rajasthan%E2%80%99s-cheetah-mehrat-community-follow-muslims-and-hindu-religion-they-demands-water/521205 |publisher=[[Zee News]] |date=April 2022 |language=Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rebbapragada |first1=Pallavi |title=In Rajasthan's Chita Mehrat community, Narendra Modi's schemes on toilets, bank accounts leave an impact on voters |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/in-rajasthans-chita-mehrat-community-narendra-modis-schemes-on-toilets-bank-accounts-leave-an-impact-on-voters-6495961.html |publisher=[[Firstpost]] |date=April 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ब्यावर: मुस्लिम होने के बाद भी अधिकारी नहीं बना रहे हैं अल्पसंख्यक प्रमाण पत्र ! |url=https://www.janamanas.com/ajmer-muslim-chita-mehrat-kathat-community-denied-for-minority-certificate/ |publisher=Janmanas |date=December 4, 2021 |language=Hindi}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Rajasthani people]]
* [[List of Muslim Other Backward Classes communities in India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mehrat, Cheetah}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhLNAb-NGzI A documentary on Cheetah Mehrat] telecasted on [[Doordarshan]]

[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Hindu communities]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Other Backward Classes of Rajasthan]]
{{India-ethno-stub}}

Cheetah Mehrat - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Creating a new article