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The '''Jhinwar/ Jheer''' are a caste with a significant population in Northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are also known as ''Kashap Rajput'' and ''Mehra''. Jhinwar caste has a significant population in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.<ref name=":0">Dogra, R. C. (1995). Encyclopaedia of Sikh religion and culture. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Vikas Pub. House. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-7069-8368-5. The Jhinwar, generally called Mahra among the Sikhs, is a carrier, waterman, fisherman, cook, woodcutter and basketmaker. He is also concerned with the cultivation of waternuts, the netting of waterfowl and sinking of the wells. Jhinwar's wife usually works as Dayi (nurse). Moreover, the common oven (tandoor) wich forms so important a feature in village life of the Punjab, and at which the peasantry have their bread baked in the hot weather, is always in the hands of a Jhinwar.</ref> | The '''Jhinwar / Jheer''' are a caste with a significant population in Northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are also known as ''Kashap Rajput'' and ''Mehra''. Jhinwar caste has a significant population in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.<ref name=":0">Dogra, R. C. (1995). Encyclopaedia of Sikh religion and culture. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Vikas Pub. House. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-7069-8368-5. The Jhinwar, generally called Mahra among the Sikhs, is a carrier, waterman, fisherman, cook, woodcutter and basketmaker. He is also concerned with the cultivation of waternuts, the netting of waterfowl and sinking of the wells. Jhinwar's wife usually works as Dayi (nurse). Moreover, the common oven (tandoor) wich forms so important a feature in village life of the Punjab, and at which the peasantry have their bread baked in the hot weather, is always in the hands of a Jhinwar.</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Traditionally, the Jhinwar community | Traditionally, the Jhinwar community was primarily engaged in the occupation of water supply, serving as water-carriers. Members of the community were also involved in related occupations such as cooking, boating, and river fishing. Water-carriers were responsible for collecting water from village wells and delivering it to households using a ''mashk'' (a traditional leather water bag), generally on a twice-daily basis.<ref name=":1">Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Gyan Publishing House. p. 360. ISBN 978-81-7835-664-8. 1. The Bhatyara is the baker and seller of ready-cooked food, who is found in all the caranaversaries in towns and encamping grounds. It has been believed that almost without exception, a Jhinwar by caste. 2. Jhinwar, Machhi is the cook and midwife of Punjab Proper | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
In India, | In India, the Jhinwar community was traditionally engaged in the occupation of water-carrying, supplying water to their patrons in return for payments made in kind, typically twice a year in Punjab. Members of the community were also commonly employed as bakers and vendors of prepared food, a profession known locally as ''Bhathyara'', particularly in Punjab.<ref name=":1" /> The Jheer community traditionally operated inns along trade and travel routes, managed lodging establishments in market centers, and maintained village ''tandoor'' ovens. Jheer women were commonly engaged in roasting wheat and maize grains for village households using a ''bhathi'' (sand oven). In Punjab, a significant proportion of ''dayis''—traditional birth attendants and nursing women—were drawn from the Jhiwar community.<ref>Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Gyan Publishing House. p. 360. ISBN 978-81-7835-664-8. 1. The Bhatyara is the baker and seller of ready-cooked food, who is found in all the caranaversaries in towns and encamping grounds. It has been believed that almost without exception, a Jhinwar by caste. 2. Jhinwar, Machhi is the cook and midwife of Punjab Proper</ref> | ||
During the British Raj, | During the British Raj, Jheer Sikhs were often employed as the cooks in Sikh regiments. With the advent of handpumps, many Jhinwars gradually left their traditional work of supplying water and adopted new professions and occupations. In the latter stages of World War I, the Jhiwars were recruited as soldiers in Jat Sikh regiments in the British Army. The number of Jheers employed in civil administration and military increased significantly between the years of 1911 and 1921, with some Jhirs serving as officers in the armed forces. Although, the Jhinwars primarily worked in the hospitals for the local population.<ref>Singh, Joginder (1997). The Sikh Resurgence (Digital & Hardcover Book). National Book Organisation. p. 41. ISBN 978-81-85135-87-8.</ref> | ||
== Jhinwar Sikhs == | == Jhinwar Sikhs == | ||
Several members of the water-carrier caste, who converted to Sikhism, are known as Mehra Sikhs or | Several members of the water-carrier caste, who converted to Sikhism, are known as Mehra Sikhs or Jheer Sikhs in Punjab.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
=== Historical Figures === | === Historical Figures === | ||
The earliest | The earliest documented link between the Jhinwar community and Sikhism can be traced to 1664, when Guru Harkrishan directed Chajju Ram Jhinwar to interpret the Bhagavad Gita for Pandit Lal Chand in Delhi. According to the SGPC, a historical handwritten Hukamnama further records that Guru Teg Bahadur visited the village of Lehal (now part of Patiala) in 1672 at the request of his Jhinwar Sikh devotee, Bhag Ram.<ref name=":2">Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh (1997). The Sikh Reference Book. Sikh Educational Trust for Sikh University Centre, Denmark. p. 240, 326 ISBN 978-0-9695964-2-4. | ||
Bhai Himmat Singh, one of the | NOTE: For detailed description of Bur Singh and Budh Singh, refer to the book "CHIEFS AND FAMILIES OF NOTE IN THE DEHLI, JALANDHAR, PESHAWAR AND DERAJAT DIVISIONS OF THE PANJAB BY CHARLES FRANCIS MASSY". This source can't be cited here because it's a primary colonial era source.</ref> | ||
Bhai Himmat Singh, one of the original Panj Piare, and his nephew, Moti Ram Mehra, were members of the Jhinwar Sikh community. Sardar Budh Singh Mehra, a Jhir Sikh from Mukerian, served as a courtier and advisor to Maharaja Sher Singh and was killed alongside the Maharaja by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia. Bur Singh of Mukerian, who entered the service of Rani Mehtab Kaur, held jagirs in Mukerian, Batala, and Lahore, and subsequently served as the administrator of Amritsar.<ref name=":2" /> Master Mota Singh, also from the Jhinwar Sikh community, was a prominent anti-colonial revolutionary who opposed British rule in Punjab.<ref>Nijjar, Bakhshish Singh (1987). History of the Babar Akalis. ABS Publications. ISBN 978-81-7072-010-2.</ref> | |||
== Cultural Practices == | == Cultural Practices == | ||
Bhagat Baba Kalu was a Hindu | Bhagat Baba Kalu was a medieval Hindu ascetic from the Jhinwar community of Hoshiarpur district in Punjab and is regarded as the founder of the Kalupanthi sect. The Kalupanthi tradition combines the worship of Hindu deities with reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib. Annual Vaisakhi melas and Shobha Yatras are organized at temples dedicated to Baba Kalu, particularly across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.<ref>Social Sciences Research Journal (Research Paper). Vol. 22–23. Panjab University, Chandigarh. 2014. pp. 27, 28.</ref><ref name="shah">{{citation |title=Political parties eye Lok Sabha polls, bank on boatmen to claim pole position |first=Pankaj |last=Shah |date=6 April 2013 |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Political-parties-eye-Lok-Sabha-polls-bank-on-boatmen-to-claim-pole-position/articleshow/19409283.cms |accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=BJP castes a wider UP net, uses Modi's background to attract OBC votes while seeking blessings by feeding Brahmins |first=Piyush |last=Srivastava |work=India Today |date=25 February 2014 |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-leads-in-the-caste-game-in-up-2014-lok-sabha-polls/1/345392.html |accessdate=14 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
The regional phonetic variations of the word Jhinwar include Jhimar, Jhiwar, Jheor, Jheeur, Jhir, Jheewar, Jheer and Chir. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 01:45, 8 June 2026
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Himchal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. | |
| Languages | |
| Religion | |
| Sikhism and Hinduism |
The Jhinwar / Jheer are a caste with a significant population in Northern parts of India and Pakistan. They are also known as Kashap Rajput and Mehra. Jhinwar caste has a significant population in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.[1]
History
Traditionally, the Jhinwar community was primarily engaged in the occupation of water supply, serving as water-carriers. Members of the community were also involved in related occupations such as cooking, boating, and river fishing. Water-carriers were responsible for collecting water from village wells and delivering it to households using a mashk (a traditional leather water bag), generally on a twice-daily basis.[2]
In India, the Jhinwar community was traditionally engaged in the occupation of water-carrying, supplying water to their patrons in return for payments made in kind, typically twice a year in Punjab. Members of the community were also commonly employed as bakers and vendors of prepared food, a profession known locally as Bhathyara, particularly in Punjab.[2] The Jheer community traditionally operated inns along trade and travel routes, managed lodging establishments in market centers, and maintained village tandoor ovens. Jheer women were commonly engaged in roasting wheat and maize grains for village households using a bhathi (sand oven). In Punjab, a significant proportion of dayis—traditional birth attendants and nursing women—were drawn from the Jhiwar community.[3]
During the British Raj, Jheer Sikhs were often employed as the cooks in Sikh regiments. With the advent of handpumps, many Jhinwars gradually left their traditional work of supplying water and adopted new professions and occupations. In the latter stages of World War I, the Jhiwars were recruited as soldiers in Jat Sikh regiments in the British Army. The number of Jheers employed in civil administration and military increased significantly between the years of 1911 and 1921, with some Jhirs serving as officers in the armed forces. Although, the Jhinwars primarily worked in the hospitals for the local population.[4]
Jhinwar Sikhs
Several members of the water-carrier caste, who converted to Sikhism, are known as Mehra Sikhs or Jheer Sikhs in Punjab.[1]
Historical Figures
The earliest documented link between the Jhinwar community and Sikhism can be traced to 1664, when Guru Harkrishan directed Chajju Ram Jhinwar to interpret the Bhagavad Gita for Pandit Lal Chand in Delhi. According to the SGPC, a historical handwritten Hukamnama further records that Guru Teg Bahadur visited the village of Lehal (now part of Patiala) in 1672 at the request of his Jhinwar Sikh devotee, Bhag Ram.[5]
Bhai Himmat Singh, one of the original Panj Piare, and his nephew, Moti Ram Mehra, were members of the Jhinwar Sikh community. Sardar Budh Singh Mehra, a Jhir Sikh from Mukerian, served as a courtier and advisor to Maharaja Sher Singh and was killed alongside the Maharaja by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia. Bur Singh of Mukerian, who entered the service of Rani Mehtab Kaur, held jagirs in Mukerian, Batala, and Lahore, and subsequently served as the administrator of Amritsar.[5] Master Mota Singh, also from the Jhinwar Sikh community, was a prominent anti-colonial revolutionary who opposed British rule in Punjab.[6]
Cultural Practices
Bhagat Baba Kalu was a medieval Hindu ascetic from the Jhinwar community of Hoshiarpur district in Punjab and is regarded as the founder of the Kalupanthi sect. The Kalupanthi tradition combines the worship of Hindu deities with reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib. Annual Vaisakhi melas and Shobha Yatras are organized at temples dedicated to Baba Kalu, particularly across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.[7][8][9]
The regional phonetic variations of the word Jhinwar include Jhimar, Jhiwar, Jheor, Jheeur, Jhir, Jheewar, Jheer and Chir.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dogra, R. C. (1995). Encyclopaedia of Sikh religion and culture. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Vikas Pub. House. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-7069-8368-5. The Jhinwar, generally called Mahra among the Sikhs, is a carrier, waterman, fisherman, cook, woodcutter and basketmaker. He is also concerned with the cultivation of waternuts, the netting of waterfowl and sinking of the wells. Jhinwar's wife usually works as Dayi (nurse). Moreover, the common oven (tandoor) wich forms so important a feature in village life of the Punjab, and at which the peasantry have their bread baked in the hot weather, is always in the hands of a Jhinwar.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Gyan Publishing House. p. 360. ISBN 978-81-7835-664-8. 1. The Bhatyara is the baker and seller of ready-cooked food, who is found in all the caranaversaries in towns and encamping grounds. It has been believed that almost without exception, a Jhinwar by caste. 2. Jhinwar, Machhi is the cook and midwife of Punjab Proper
- ↑ Kumar, Raj (2008). Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Gyan Publishing House. p. 360. ISBN 978-81-7835-664-8. 1. The Bhatyara is the baker and seller of ready-cooked food, who is found in all the caranaversaries in towns and encamping grounds. It has been believed that almost without exception, a Jhinwar by caste. 2. Jhinwar, Machhi is the cook and midwife of Punjab Proper
- ↑ Singh, Joginder (1997). The Sikh Resurgence (Digital & Hardcover Book). National Book Organisation. p. 41. ISBN 978-81-85135-87-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh (1997). The Sikh Reference Book. Sikh Educational Trust for Sikh University Centre, Denmark. p. 240, 326 ISBN 978-0-9695964-2-4. NOTE: For detailed description of Bur Singh and Budh Singh, refer to the book "CHIEFS AND FAMILIES OF NOTE IN THE DEHLI, JALANDHAR, PESHAWAR AND DERAJAT DIVISIONS OF THE PANJAB BY CHARLES FRANCIS MASSY". This source can't be cited here because it's a primary colonial era source.
- ↑ Nijjar, Bakhshish Singh (1987). History of the Babar Akalis. ABS Publications. ISBN 978-81-7072-010-2.
- ↑ Social Sciences Research Journal (Research Paper). Vol. 22–23. Panjab University, Chandigarh. 2014. pp. 27, 28.
- ↑ Shah, Pankaj (6 April 2013), "Political parties eye Lok Sabha polls, bank on boatmen to claim pole position", The Times of India, retrieved 14 April 2014
- ↑ Srivastava, Piyush (25 February 2014), "BJP castes a wider UP net, uses Modi's background to attract OBC votes while seeking blessings by feeding Brahmins", India Today, retrieved 14 April 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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