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{{Short description|Muslim community of Uttar Pradesh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{infobox ethnic group|
{{infobox ethnic group|
|group= Atishbaz  
| group           = Atishbaz
|population = 3,700 <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joshuaproject.net/peoples.php?peo3=16260|title=Atishbaz &#124; Joshua Project}}</ref>
| population       =  
|popplace = • {{flagcountry|India}} • {{flagcountry|Pakistan}}
| popplace         = • India • Pakistan
|langs = • [[Urdu language|Urdu]] • [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
| langs           = • [[Urdu language|Urdu]] • [[Hindi language|Hindi]] • [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]
|rels= • [[File:Allah-green.svg|18px]] [[Islam]] 100% •
| rels            = Islam 100%
|related= • [[Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh]]
| related         = • [[Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh]]
}}
}}


The '''Atishbaz''' are a [[Muslim]] community found in the state [[Uttar Pradesh]] in [[India]]. They also refer to themselves as '''Atishbaz Shaikh''' or sometimes just Shaikh, which is also a common surname. The [[Uttar Pradesh]] Atishbaz have been granted [[Other Backward Class]] status. A small number are also found in the city of [[Karachi]], [[Sindh]] [[Pakistan]].<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 90 to 94 Manohar Publications</ref>
'''Atishbaz''' are a [[Muslims|Muslim]] community mainly found in the state [[Uttar Pradesh]] in India.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=K. S. |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/India_s_Communities/Jw9uAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Atishbaz+community&dq=Atishbaz+community&printsec=frontcover |title=India's Communities |date=1998 |publisher=Anthropological Survey of India |isbn=978-0-19-563354-2 |language=en}}</ref> The word ''Atishbaz'' originates from two [[Persian language|Persian]] words. "Atish" means "fire" and "Baz" means "to play". The [[Mughals]] brought members of the community to India from [[Central Asia]]. From the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Era]], they worked in manufacturing [[fireworks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-24 |title=How did firecracker makers Atishbaz become pasmanda? |url=https://www.awazthevoice.in/culture-news/how-did-firecracker-makers-atishbaz-become-pasmanda-16841.html |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=www.awazthevoice.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=B. N. |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Trade_and_Industrial_Markets_of_Bihar/betXAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Atishbaz+community&dq=Atishbaz+community&printsec=frontcover |title=Trade and Industrial Markets of Bihar |date=1974 |publisher=Arvind Publications |language=en}}</ref> In [[India]] most of them speak [[Urdu]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=Joshua |title=Atishbaz in India |url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16260/IN |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=joshuaproject.net |language=en}}</ref>


==Origin==
They also refer to themselves as Atishbaz Shaikh or sometimes just Shaikh, which is also a common surname.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hasnain |first=Nadeem |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Other_Lucknow/fjO6DQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Atishbaz+community&pg=PA58&printsec=frontcover |title=The Other Lucknow |date=2016 |publisher=Vani Prakashan |isbn=978-93-5229-420-6 |language=en}}</ref>
 
The word ''atishbaz'' literally means a firework maker, from the [[Persian language|Persian]] ''atish'' meaning fire, and ''baz'' meaning to play, and the community is said to have acquired the name on account of their traditional occupation, which was the manufacture of fireworks. According to the traditions of the community, they were originally brought over by the [[Mughal Dynasty|Mughals]] from [[Central Asia]], as their ancestors were specialists in the manufacture of gunpowder. With the decline of the [[Mughal Empire]], the community took to the manufacturing of fireworks. They are found mainly in eastern [[Uttar Pradesh]],  in the districts of [[Mirzapur District|Mirzapur]], [[Azamgarh District|Azamgarh]], [[Jaunpur District|Jaunpur]], [[Basti District|Basti]], [[Gonda District|Gonda]] and [[Varanasi District|Varanasi]]. In [[Varanasi]], they are found in the Kashipura, Aurangabad and Ram Nagar localities. The Atishbaz speak [[Bhojpuri]], although most educated Atishbaz also speak [[Urdu]].<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 90 to 94 Manohar Publications</ref> A separate grouping of Atishbaz is found in [[Moradabad District|Moradabad]] and [[Aligarh District|Aligarh]] districts, where in the city of [[Aligarh]], they occupy the neighbourhood of Atishbazan. These Atishbaz speak [[Khari boli]], as well as [[Urdu]].<ref>Tribes and Castes of North Western Provinces and Oudh Volume I by William Crook page 86</ref>
 
==Present circumstances==
 
Although the traditional occupation of the Atishbaz was the selling and manufacture of fireworks, the majority are now small to medium-sized farmers, while a larger number are agricultural labourers. In their urban settlements, such as those found in [[Varanasi]], the majority are still involved in their traditional occupation. While the [[Moradabad]] and [[Aligarh]] Atishbaz are mainly petty businessmen, or involved in the manufacture of locks.<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 90 to 94 Manohar Publications</ref>
 
The community live in multi caste and multi religious settlements, but occupy their own distinct quarters. Each settlement has a [[caste]] council, known as a [[panchayat]], which acts as an instrument of social control. It deals with intra community disputes, as well as punishing those who breach communal norms. Unlike other [[Muslim]] artisan castes in [[North India]], the Atishbaz have not set a formal caste association. However, like other Muslim artisan groups, they are strictly endogamous, preferring to marry close kin. The community are [[Sunni]] [[Muslim]]s, and have practices similar to other [[Muslims of Uttar Pradesh|Uttar Pradesh Muslims]].<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das page 90 to 94 Manohar Publications</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Shaikh clans]]
 
[[Category:Muhajir communities]]
 
{{India-ethno-stub}}

Latest revision as of 15:27, 14 September 2025


Atishbaz
Regions with significant populations
• India • Pakistan
Languages
• Urdu • Hindi • Sindhi
Religion
Islam 100%
Related ethnic groups
• Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh

Atishbaz are a Muslim community mainly found in the state Uttar Pradesh in India.[1] The word Atishbaz originates from two Persian words. "Atish" means "fire" and "Baz" means "to play". The Mughals brought members of the community to India from Central Asia. From the Mughal Era, they worked in manufacturing fireworks.[2][3] In India most of them speak Urdu.[4]

They also refer to themselves as Atishbaz Shaikh or sometimes just Shaikh, which is also a common surname.[5]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Singh, K. S. (1998). India's Communities. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
  2. ↑ "How did firecracker makers Atishbaz become pasmanda?". www.awazthevoice.in. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  3. ↑ Singh, B. N. (1974). Trade and Industrial Markets of Bihar. Arvind Publications.
  4. ↑ Project, Joshua. "Atishbaz in India". joshuaproject.net. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  5. ↑ Hasnain, Nadeem (2016). The Other Lucknow. Vani Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5229-420-6.


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