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The Pipa Vanshi community is actually a Rajput community with a rich historical and cultural background.
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{{Short description|Muslim community, found in North India and Pakistan}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{infobox ethnic group|
{{infobox ethnic group
| group            = Darzi
| group            = Darzi
| native_name      = Hindi
| native_name      =  
| native_name_lang = [[HI]]
| native_name_lang =  
| poptime          =  
| image            = Darzi.jpg
| popplace        = • India • Pakistan
| image_caption    =
| langs            = • [[Hindi]] • [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| popplace        = • India • Pakistan (Indian subcontinent)
| rels            = • [[Hinduism]] • [[Islam]]
| langs            = • [[Hindi]] • [[Gujarati language|Gujrati]] • [[Urdu]] • [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]
| related          = • [[Chhimba Darzi]] • [[Chhimba]] •  [[Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh|Shaikh]] • [[Peepa Kshatriya Darzi]] • [[Kakusth]] • [[Chhipa]] • [[Chhipi]]
| rels            = • Hinduism • Islam
| related          = • [[Indian people|Indians]] •  [[Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh|Shaikh]]
}}
}}
Tailoring is a profession which is done by the people of different religions and communities of India for their livelihood. Talking about the old times, the tailoring business can be seen among the elite class people because in Indian elite society only There was a custom of stitched clothes, on the contrary, in the middle class Indian tradition, it was customary to wrap it over the body rather than wearing. Taylor's work is done by people of different ethnic community in different regions of India. The most adopted work among different castes is that of tailor. Various castes have adopted it as a profession, most of them are from Hindu castes and some Muslim castes have also adopted it as a better alternative profession


The '''Darzi''' caste, sometimes pronounced '''Darji''', are [[Hindus]] and [[Muslim]] community both, found in [[India]] and [[Pakistan]]. A small number are also found in the [[Terai]] region of [[Nepal]]. ''Darzi'' means ''[[tailor]]''. They are also known as [[Kshatriya]] Darji in Hindus <ref>{{Cite book|last=Digital Library Of India|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.271875|title=Kshatriya Vansh Pradeep|date=1928}}</ref> and Idrisi<ref>''People of India: Uttar Pradesh'' Volume XLII Part One, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, {{ISBN|9788173041143}}, pages 412–415</ref> in Muslim Community. The Darzi or Darji are a community of tailors, numbering around more than 3,240,00 people in India. Darzi are largely a landless or less land community whose main occupation is tailoring. The profession of tailoring is being done by Both Hindu and Muslim Community. In Hindu Community, Darzi are known as Hindu Darzi who have mainly Gotras of kshatriya Varna. In muslim community, Darzi caste is known as Idrisi (Hazrat Idris). The idrisi community of Uttar Pradesh are those Turkic Muslim tribes of the 13th century who were settled in Delhi and different states of India. These both castes are enlisted in central and state caste lists for [[Other Backward Class (OBC)|Other Backward Class(OBC)]] in [[India]].
'''Darzi''' are a [[caste]] among both Hindus and Muslims. Darzi are known as [[Idrisi Darzi|Idrisi]] in the Muslim community.<ref>''People of India: Uttar Pradesh'' Volume XLII Part One, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, {{ISBN|9788173041143}}, pages 412–415</ref>
 
"Tailoring" is the English translation of ''Darzi''. In the Indian tradition, it was customary to wrap clothing over the body rather than wear stitched clothes. Used in [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]], the word Darzi comes from the [[Persian language]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taleghani |first=Azita Hojatollah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=31domikfP54C |title=Modality, Aspect and Negation in Persian |date=2008 |publisher=John Benjamins Publishing |isbn=978-90-272-5511-2 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The Panjab Past and Present |date=1986 |publisher=Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University |page=63 |language=en |quote=A tailor in Hindi is ''darzi'' and his wife is called ''darzin''. A dyer of clothes was termed as ''rangrez''. A washerman was called ''dhobi'' or ''rajak''.}}</ref>


.
==History and origin==
==History and origin==
The Darzi claim descent from Idris ([[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]]), one of the biblical and Islamic prophets. According to their traditions, Idris was the first person to learn the art of sewing. The word ''Darzi'' literally means ''business of tailor'' in Hindustani. It is said to be derived from the [[Persian language|Persian]] word {{transl|fa|darzan}}, which means ''to sew''. This is also the commonly accepted derivation of the name of the non-related religion Druze. The Darzi are said to have settled in [[South Asia]] during the early period of the [[Sultanate of Delhi]]. They are also divided on a linguistic basis, with those of [[North India]] speaking various dialects of Urdu,<ref>''People of India: Uttar Pradesh'' Volume XLII Part Two, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, {{ISBN|9788173041143}}, page 413</ref> while those of [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] speaking [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]. The Punjabi Darzi are said to be converts from the [[Hindu]] [[Chhimba]] caste, and have several territorial divisions. These include the Sirhindi, Deswal and Multani. The Punjabi Darzi ([[Chhimba Darzi]]) are almost entirely [[Sunni]].<ref>H.A. Rose, ''A Glossary of the Tribes & Castes of Punjab'', Low Price Publications, page 228</ref>
[[File:Photograph of tailors at-work, India, albumen print on card, ca.1870's–'80's.jpg|thumb|Photograph of tailors at-work, India, albumen print on card, ca.1870's–'80's]]
The word ''Darzi'' (दर्ज़ी درزی) literally means "business of [[tailor]]" in [[Hindi]] and [[Urdu]]. The Darzis adopted the name ''Idrisi'' from Idris ([[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]]), a Biblical and Koranic prophet. According to their traditions, Idris was the first person to learn the art of sewing. It is said to be derived from the [[Persian language|Persian]] word {{Transliteration|fa|darzan}}, which means "to sew".{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} This is also the commonly accepted derivation of the name of the non-related religion Druze. The Darzi are said to have settled in [[South Asia]] during the early period of the [[Sultanate of Delhi]]. They are also divided on a linguistic basis, with those of [[North India]] speaking various dialects of Urdu,<ref name="people413">''People of India: Uttar Pradesh'' Volume XLII Part Two, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, {{ISBN|9788173041143}}, page 413</ref> while those of [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] speaking [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]].
 
== In India ==
== In India ==
=== Muslim Darzi ===
In [[Uttar Pradesh]] state of india, Muslim Darji are also called as Khayyat and have recently begun affixing the title Idrisi, thereby tracing their origin to Hazrat Idris. They believed that he was the real teacher from whom their forefathers learned the art of tailoring. The Idrisi Darzi claim descent from Idris ([[Enoch (ancestor of Noah)|Enoch]]), one of the biblical and Islamic prophets. {{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}


According to their traditions, Idris had learned the art of sewing. The word ''Darzi'' literally means ''business of tailor'' in Hindustani. It is said to be derived from the [[Persian language|Persian]] word {{transl|fa|darzan}}, which means ''to sew''. This is also the commonly accepted derivation of the name of the non-related religion Druze.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
=== Hindu Darzi ===
The Hindu Darzi have various synonyms as well as legends about their community origins. The legends vary according to the Indian states in which they reside.


The Idrisi Darzi is said to have settled in [[South Asia]] during the early period of the [[Sultanate of Delhi]]. They are also divided on a linguistic basis, with those of [[North India]] speaking various dialects of Urdu,<ref>'' People of India: Uttar Pradesh'' Volume XLII Part Two, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, {{ISBN|9788173041143}}, page 413</ref> while those of [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] speaking [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}
In the desert state of [[Rajasthan]], the Darzi trace their descent from their legendary hero [[Bhagat Pipa|Shri Peepa Ji Maharaj]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Enthoven|first=R. E.|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.8508/page/n319/mode/2up|title=The Tribes and Castes of Bombay, Vol. I|date=1920|publisher=Government Central Press, Bombay}}</ref> who later became saint during the [[Bhakti movement]] in India,<ref>{{Cite book|last=N.R. Godbole|url=http://archive.org/details/stories-of-indian-saints-n.-r.-godbole|title=Stories Of Indian Saints N. R. Godbole}}</ref> who was the [[Guru–shishya tradition|Great Spiritual Scholar]] of [[Ramananda|Swami Ramanada]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Digital Library Of India|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.271875|title=Kshatriya Vansh Pradeep|date=1928}}</ref> Swami Ramananda was a 14th century [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] devotional poet and saint who lived in the Gangetic basin of [[North India|Northern India]]. Over time, people from this community shifted from their originating place to their place of work to the other cities, and can be found all over India.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Enthoven|first=R. E.|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.csl.7645|title=The tribes and castes of Bombay|date=1920|publisher=Government Central Press, Bombay}}</ref>


Delhi During the Mughal period, some units of Mughal soldiers who were Ilbari Turks used to protect the borders of Delhi. In the beginning of the 18th century, the weakening army of the Mughals and the increasing rebellions and internal wars of the Jaats and Sikhs took away the power of the Mughal forces and these soldiers left their areas around Delhi and left for Awadh. There were more in which children and women were also included.
=== Muslim Darzi ===
 
This was the first military exodus from Delhi to Awadh in the early 18th century. These military families were settled in Ismailganj village by the Nawab of Awadh, A few decades later, in the war of 1857, these Ilbari soldiers fought with British power at a place called Chinhat, where there was a caravan saraaen and in the village of Ismailganj, Ilbari and Sayyad were victorious. and caused heavy loss of life and property to the British Cantonment in which the British lived along with their families.
 
After the end of the revolution, the revolutionaries were searched and action was taken against them, the houses were demolished and the Ilbari and Sayyid revolutionaries were hanged on the trees and their dead bodies were left hanging on the trees.


The jagirs of Sayyad's were confiscated and the Ilbaris had to leave the village and take refuge in other areas like Barabanki, Satrikh, Kanpur, Faizabad, Rudauli and other areas, due to the brutality and barbarism of the British soldiers, they had to change their hideouts again and again, but due to the rebels, the British They could not get any help, permanent shelter from the zamindars. Due to which he had to change his surname from Ilbari to Idrisi to hide his identity.
The Punjabi Darzi is said to have converted to Islam from the [[Hindu]] [[Chhimba]] caste, and have several territorial divisions. These include the Sirhindi, Deswal and Multani. The Punjabi Darzi ([[Chhimba Darzi]]) are almost entirely [[Sunni]].<ref>H.A. Rose, ''A Glossary of the Tribes & Castes of Punjab'', Low Price Publications, page 228</ref>


Therefore, later some regional zamindars were given shelter in their areas to save their rapidly deteriorating economic condition.
The Idrisi of [[Jharkhand]] have a common origin with those of [[Bihar]], and intermarry. The community speak the Angika dialect of [[Hindi]]. Most Idrisis are still engaged in tailoring, but many Idrisis, particularly in [[Jharkhand]], are now farmers. Their customs are similar to other [[Bihari Muslim]]s.<ref>''People of India: Bihar'' Volume XVI Part One, edited by S. Gopal & Hetukar Jha, Seagull Books, pages 392–394</ref>


The Punjabi Darzi is said to be converted from the [[Hindu]] [[Chhimba]] caste, and have several territorial divisions. These include the Sirhindi, Deswal and Multani. The Punjabi Darzi ([[Chhimba Darzi]]) are almost entirely [[Sunni]].<ref>H.A. Rose, ''A Glossary of the Tribes & Castes of Punjab'', Low Price Publications, page 228</ref>
The Idrisi of [[Jharkhand]] have a common origin with those of [[Bihar]], and intermarry. The community speak the Angika dialect of [[Hindi]]. Most Idrisis are still engaged in tailoring, but many Idrisis, particularly in [[Jharkhand]] are now farmers. Their customs are similar to other [[Bihari Muslim]]s.<ref>''People of India: Bihar'' Volume XVI Part One, edited by S. Gopal & Hetukar Jha, Seagull Books, pages 392–394</ref>
==In Pakistan==
==In Pakistan==
In [[Pakistan]], the Darzi are two distinct communities, the Delhiwal Idrissis, who are found among the [[Muhajir (Pakistan)|Muhajir]] ethnic group, and the Chhimba Darzi, who are ethnically [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]]. The former are immigrants from [[Delhi]] and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are concentrated in the port city of [[Karachi]]. Like their North Indian kinsmen, many have now opened small shops and businesses, although many other members of the community work for other Idrissis. They remain divided by sectarian divisions, the Sunni Idrisi not marrying into [[Shia]] Idrisi families. The community claims itself to be of [[Shaikhs in South Asia|Shaikh]] status.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
In Punjab, the Punjabi Darzi are migrants from [[Punjab (India)|East Punjab]]. Many in rural areas of Punjab have taken to cultivation, while those in urban areas have opened up small businesses. The Punjabi Darzi claim to belong to the [[Muslim Rajput]] community. They are entirely [[Sunni]], and many belong to the orthodox [[Deobandi]] sect.<ref>[[Pnina Werbner]], ''The Migration Process: Capital, Gifts and Offerings among British Pakistanis'', Berg publications</ref>


In [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]], the Chhimba Darzi are immigrants from [[Punjab (India)|East Punjab]]. Many in rural areas of Punjab have taken to cultivation, while those in urban areas have opened up small businesses. The Chhimba Darzi claim to belong to the [[Muslim Rajput]] community. They are entirely [[Sunni]], and many belong to the orthodox [[Deobandi]] sect.<ref>[[Pnina Werbner]], ''The Migration Process: Capital, Gifts and Offerings among British Pakistanis'', Berg publications</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
* [[Druze]] [[heterodox]] [[Muslim]] community of [[Syria]], also derived their name from the word ''Darzi''
* The [[Druze]] [[heterodox]] [[Muslim]] community of [[Syria]] also derived their name from the word ''Darzi.''
 
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Indian Muslim}}
{{Indian Muslim}}
{{Muhajir communities}}
{{Muhajir communities}}
[[Category:Muslim communities of Bihar]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Bihar]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of India]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of India]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 7 September 2025

Darzi
Regions with significant populations
• India • Pakistan (Indian subcontinent)
Languages
• Hindi • Gujrati • Urdu • Punjabi
Religion
• Hinduism • Islam
Related ethnic groups
• Indians • Shaikh

Darzi are a caste among both Hindus and Muslims. Darzi are known as Idrisi in the Muslim community.[1]

"Tailoring" is the English translation of Darzi. In the Indian tradition, it was customary to wrap clothing over the body rather than wear stitched clothes. Used in Hindi and Urdu, the word Darzi comes from the Persian language.[2][3]

History and origin[edit | edit source]

Photograph of tailors at-work, India, albumen print on card, ca.1870's–'80's

The word Darzi (दर्ज़ी درزی) literally means "business of tailor" in Hindi and Urdu. The Darzis adopted the name Idrisi from Idris (Enoch), a Biblical and Koranic prophet. According to their traditions, Idris was the first person to learn the art of sewing. It is said to be derived from the Persian word darzan, which means "to sew".[citation needed] This is also the commonly accepted derivation of the name of the non-related religion Druze. The Darzi are said to have settled in South Asia during the early period of the Sultanate of Delhi. They are also divided on a linguistic basis, with those of North India speaking various dialects of Urdu,[4] while those of Punjab speaking Punjabi.

In India[edit | edit source]

Hindu Darzi[edit | edit source]

The Hindu Darzi have various synonyms as well as legends about their community origins. The legends vary according to the Indian states in which they reside.

In the desert state of Rajasthan, the Darzi trace their descent from their legendary hero Shri Peepa Ji Maharaj,[5] who later became saint during the Bhakti movement in India,[6] who was the Great Spiritual Scholar of Swami Ramanada.[7] Swami Ramananda was a 14th century Vaishnava devotional poet and saint who lived in the Gangetic basin of Northern India. Over time, people from this community shifted from their originating place to their place of work to the other cities, and can be found all over India.[8]

Muslim Darzi[edit | edit source]

The Punjabi Darzi is said to have converted to Islam from the Hindu Chhimba caste, and have several territorial divisions. These include the Sirhindi, Deswal and Multani. The Punjabi Darzi (Chhimba Darzi) are almost entirely Sunni.[9]

The Idrisi of Jharkhand have a common origin with those of Bihar, and intermarry. The community speak the Angika dialect of Hindi. Most Idrisis are still engaged in tailoring, but many Idrisis, particularly in Jharkhand, are now farmers. Their customs are similar to other Bihari Muslims.[10]

In Pakistan[edit | edit source]

In Punjab, the Punjabi Darzi are migrants from East Punjab. Many in rural areas of Punjab have taken to cultivation, while those in urban areas have opened up small businesses. The Punjabi Darzi claim to belong to the Muslim Rajput community. They are entirely Sunni, and many belong to the orthodox Deobandi sect.[11]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ People of India: Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, ISBN 9788173041143, pages 412–415
  2. ↑ Taleghani, Azita Hojatollah (2008). Modality, Aspect and Negation in Persian. John Benjamins Publishing. ISBN 978-90-272-5511-2.
  3. ↑ The Panjab Past and Present. Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University. 1986. p. 63. A tailor in Hindi is darzi and his wife is called darzin. A dyer of clothes was termed as rangrez. A washerman was called dhobi or rajak.
  4. ↑ People of India: Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, ISBN 9788173041143, page 413
  5. ↑ Enthoven, R. E. (1920). The Tribes and Castes of Bombay, Vol. I. Government Central Press, Bombay.
  6. ↑ N.R. Godbole. Stories Of Indian Saints N. R. Godbole.
  7. ↑ Digital Library Of India (1928). Kshatriya Vansh Pradeep.
  8. ↑ Enthoven, R. E. (1920). The tribes and castes of Bombay. Government Central Press, Bombay.
  9. ↑ H.A. Rose, A Glossary of the Tribes & Castes of Punjab, Low Price Publications, page 228
  10. ↑ People of India: Bihar Volume XVI Part One, edited by S. Gopal & Hetukar Jha, Seagull Books, pages 392–394
  11. ↑ Pnina Werbner, The Migration Process: Capital, Gifts and Offerings among British Pakistanis, Berg publications

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