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2021-12-04T10:03:41Z

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{{refimprove|date= January 2018}}

{{infobox ethnic group
| group = Thakurai
| population =
| popplace = {{Flatlist|
* {{flagcountry|India}}
* {{flagcountry|Nepal}}
}}
| langs = {{Flatlist|
* [[Urdu language|Urdu]]
* [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
* [[Bhojpuri]]
}}
| rels = [[Islam]]
| related = {{Flatlist|
* [[Khanzada (Awadh)|Khanzada]]
* [[Muslim Rajput]]
* [[Malik (tribe)|Malik]]
* [[Bihari Rajputs]]
}}
}}

The '''Thakurai''' are a [[Muslim Rajput]] community found in the state of [[Bihar]] in [[India]]. They are mostly concentrated around [[West Champaran district|Champaran district]] and the surrounding region.<ref name="SiddiquiIndia2004">{{cite book|author1=M. K. A. Siddiqui|author2=Institute of Objective Studies (New Delhi, India)|title=Marginal Muslim communities in India|year=2004|publisher=Institute of Objective Studies|isbn=978-81-85220-58-1|pages=151–168}}</ref> A small number are also found in the [[Terai]] region of [[Nepal]].<ref name="S Gopal pages 924">People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part One edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 924 to 927 Seagull Books</ref>

== Origin ==

The Thakurai are said to have originated in [[Rajasthan]], and were converted to [[Islam]] during the rule of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]. They were soldiers in the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] army that was sent to pacify [[Bihar]]. Their ancestor was a Mahabat Khan, (Ashfaque Ahmad (mukhiya) from his family) who was a [[Sisodia]] [[Rajput]] of [[Mewar]], who converted to [[Islam]].They are now found in fifty three villages in Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, East and West [[Champaran District]], and also have a presence in neighbouring [[Terai]] region of [[Nepal]]. The word Thakurai literally means lord, and originates from the [[Hindi]] term [[Thakur (Indian title)|Thakur]]. Informed members of the community claim they use Thakurai to differentiate themselves from local Hindu Rajputs.<ref name="SiddiquiIndia2004"/>

They speak [[Bhojpuri]], [[Urdu]] and [[Hindi]] and are [[Sunni]] [[Muslim]]s. The community perceives itself as being [[Rajput]], and their customs are similar to other [[Muslim Rajput]]s of the [[Bihar]] region, such as the [[Khanzada (Awadh)|Khanzada]] of [[Bhojpur district, Bihar|Bhojpur]], but there is no intermarriage between the two groups.<ref name="S Gopal pages 924"/>

== Present circumstances ==

The Thakurai are divided into a number of lineages, the main ones being Bakcha, Bharadwaj, Chauhan, Kuchbaria, Mahdwar, Raza, Hussain, Saif Ali, s/o Nasir Ahmad, and Nafran. They are strictly endogamous, but do not practice clan exogamy. Marriages take place within the close kin group. The community are still largely farmers, and at one time were substantial landowners. They are now undergoing urbanization which is likely to affect group identity.

There are fairly influential in north [[Bihar]], and historically dominated [[Muslim]] communal politics in this region. They are found mainly in and near the towns of Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Raxaul, [[Ramgharwa]], [[Sagauli]], [[Adapur]], and in villages of Nakerdehi, Khirlichiya and Amodei.<ref name="S Gopal pages 924"/> Unlike, other Muslim communities, they maintain good relations with Hindu Rajputs who live in the same villages, likely due to a common heritage.<ref name="SiddiquiIndia2004"/>

A small number of Thakurai are also found in the [[Parsa District|Parsa]] and [[Bara District|Bara]] districts of [[Nepal]].

==Notable People==

* [[Sabir Ali (politician)|Sabir Ali]], Bihar Politician & Member of Rajya Sabha during 2008-14

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Indian Muslim}}

[[Category:Khanzada]]
[[Category:Rajput clans]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of India]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Nepal]]
[[Category:Rajput clans of Bihar]]
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Bihar]]

Thakurai - Revision history

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