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{{short description|Mohyal Brahmin community of the Punjab-region}}
{{short description|Mohyal Brahmin community of the Punjab-region}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=February 2024}}
{{Lead too long|date=February 2024}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Hussaini Brahmins
| rawimage        =
| total_ref        = <!-- references supporting total population -->
| total_year      = <!-- year of total population -->
| total_source    = <!-- source of total population; may be ''census'' or ''estimate'' -->
| regions          = '''India''': [[Delhi]], [[Chandigarh]], [[Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Jammu]]
'''Pakistan''': [[Sindh]], [[Chakwal]], [[Lahore]],
'''Afghanistan''': [[Kabul]], southern regions
| languages        = [[Hindi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Urdu]]
| religions        = Syncretized [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] [[Islam]] and  [[File:Om.svg|10px]] [[Hinduism]]
| related_groups  = [[Mohyal Brahmins]], [[Saraswat Brahmins]]
}}


'''Hussaini Brahmin''' is a [[Mohyal Brahmin]] community of the [[Punjab]]-region.
'''Hussaini Brahmins''' are a small sect within the [[Mohyal Brahmin]] community of the [[Punjab]] region.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Non-Shia practices of Muḥarram in South Asia and the diaspora: beyond mourning |date=2022 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-367-81904-0 |editor-last=Sohoni |editor-first=Pushkar |series=Routledge South Asian religion series |location=Abingdon, Oxon; New York |editor-last2=Tschacher |editor-first2=Torsten}}</ref>


The Mohyal community comprises seven sub-clans named [[Bali clan|Bali]], [[Bhimwal]], [[Chhibber]], [[Datt]], [[Lau clan|Lau]], [[Mohan (clan)|Mohan]] and [[Vaid (surname)|Vaid]].
The Mohyal co normally associated with orthodox Brahminsmmunity comprises seven sub-clans named [[Bali clan|Bali]], [[Bhimwal]], [[Chhibber]], [[Datt]], [[Lau clan|Lau]], [[Mohan (clan)|Mohan]] and [[Vaid (surname)|Vaid]].


However, as consistent with their [[Hindu]] tradition, they have adopted non-[[Indian religions|Indic]] traditions. This has led to a small sub-set of the Moyhal community paying reverence to Islam, most notably to the third [[Husayn ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]].<ref>{{cite web | author= Nonica Datta | url= https://thewire.in/religion/the-forgotten-history-of-hussaini-brahmins-and-muharram-in-amritsar | title= The Forgotten History of Hussaini Brahmins and Muharram in Amritsar | publisher= The Wire (Indian News and Opinion Website) | date= 30 September 2019 | accessdate=17 December 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201101130440if_/https://thewire.in/religion/the-forgotten-history-of-hussaini-brahmins-and-muharram-in-amritsar | archive-date=17 December 2020 | url-status= live }}</ref> Citing source from history of the Mohyals, published in 1911 CE., it is disclosed that about 1,400 Brahmins had been living in [[Baghdad]] capital of Iraq when the [[Battle of Karbala]] took place in 680 AD.<ref>{{cite web | author= Shafaqna | url= http://en.shafaqna.com/news/38333 | title= Who are the Hussaini Brahmins? What part did they play in the Battle of Karbala | publisher= Shafaqna (Shia International News Association) | date= 15 October 2016 | accessdate= 18 October 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161017234420/http://en.shafaqna.com/news/38333 | archive-date= 17 October 2016 | url-status= live }}</ref>
They have adopted non-Brahmanical traditions leading to the sub-set of the Moyhal community paying reverence to Islam, most notably to the third [[Husayn ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]].<ref>{{cite web | author= Nonica Datta | url= https://thewire.in/religion/the-forgotten-history-of-hussaini-brahmins-and-muharram-in-amritsar | title= The Forgotten History of Hussaini Brahmins and Muharram in Amritsar | publisher= The Wire (Indian News and Opinion Website) | date= 30 September 2019 | accessdate=17 December 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201101130440if_/https://thewire.in/religion/the-forgotten-history-of-hussaini-brahmins-and-muharram-in-amritsar | archive-date=1 November 2020 | url-status= live }}</ref>


Few families can still be found in parts of [[Iraq]] but most families of Hussaini Brahmins are now settled in [[Pune]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=NADEEM INAMDAR|first1=RIZWAN KHAN|title=Brahmins who went to war for the Imam|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/MIRRORNEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR/2010/12/19&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar00700&AppName=1|accessdate=22 January 2016|agency=The Times of India|publisher=Times group, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127211246/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/MIRRORNEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR%2F2010%2F12%2F19&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar00700&AppName=1|archive-date=27 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Delhi]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Akram|first1=Maria|title=For Hussaini brahmans, it's Muharram as usual|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/For-Hussaini-brahmans-its-Muharram-as-usual/articleshow/45039950.cms|accessdate=22 January 2016|agency=The Times of India|publisher=Times group, India|date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122165217/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/For-Hussaini-brahmans-its-Muharram-as-usual/articleshow/45039950.cms|archive-date=22 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chandigarh]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Jammu region]] in India. [[Sindh]], [[Chakwal District|Chakwal]] and [[Lahore]] in Pakistan and [[Kabul]] and South Afghanistan in [[Afghanistan]]. Some of them also observe Muharram every year.
According to V. Upadhyaya<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=cmtIAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3 संत-वैष्णव काव्य पर तांत्रिक प्रभाव, V. Upadhyaya, 1962, Page 181]</ref> they were influenced by the [[Chisti]] Sufis. While they wear the yajnopavita and the tilak, they take alms from only the Muslims, and not from Hindus.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=A40cAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3 Hamara Samaj, Sant Ham, 1957, p. 115]</ref> Some of them are found in Pushakar, Ajmer, where [[Mu'in al-Din Chishti]] is buried.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=xJ8RAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3 Jayasi, Malik Muhammad, Ramchandra Billaurey, 1973, p. 131]</ref> According to another tradition, Yazid's troops had brought Imam Husain's head to their ancestors home in Sialkot. In exchange for his head, the ancestor exchanged his own sons' heads.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Vcx-7gUN0g4C&dq=husaini+brahmin&pg=PA141 A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province,  Based on the Census Report for the Punjab, 1883 · Volume 2, Horace Arthur Rose, Sir Denzil Ibbetson, Sir Edward Maclagan, 1911, p. 141]</ref> Famous Hussaini Brahmins include the actor [[Sunil Dutt]], Urdu writers [[Kashmiri Lal Zakir]], Sabir Dutt, and Nand Kishore Vikram.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mujtaba |first1=Syed Ali |title=Uniqueness of Indian culture: Hussaini Brahmins are Hindus but observe Muslim traditions |url=https://www.siasat.com/uniqueness-of-indian-culture-hussaini-brahmins-are-hindus-but-observe-muslim-traditions-2388090/#google_vignette |website=The Daily Siasat |date=11 August 2022 |access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>


A sect of [[Bhumihar|Bhumihar Brahmins]] in the Muzzafarpur district of Bihar also claim ancestry from Hussaini Brahmins and take part in Muharram each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/bihar/where-hindus-join-shias-to-mourn-imam-hussain_812803.html|title = Where Hindus join Shias to mourn Imam Hussain|date = 25 November 2012}}</ref>
Few families can still be found in parts of [[Iraq]] but most families of Hussaini Brahmins are now settled in [[Pune]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=NADEEM INAMDAR|first1=RIZWAN KHAN|title=Brahmins who went to war for the Imam|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/MIRRORNEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR/2010/12/19&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar00700&AppName=1|accessdate=22 January 2016|agency=The Times of India|publisher=Times group, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127211246/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/MIRRORNEW/ArtWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=PMIR%2F2010%2F12%2F19&ViewMode=HTML&EntityId=Ar00700&AppName=1|archive-date=27 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Delhi]],<ref>{{cite news|last1=Akram|first1=Maria|title=For Hussaini brahmans, it's Muharram as usual|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/For-Hussaini-brahmans-its-Muharram-as-usual/articleshow/45039950.cms|accessdate=22 January 2016|agency=The Times of India|publisher=Times group, India|date=5 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122165217/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/For-Hussaini-brahmans-its-Muharram-as-usual/articleshow/45039950.cms|archive-date=22 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Chandigarh]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Jammu region]] in India. [[Sindh]], [[Chakwal District|Chakwal]] and [[Lahore]] in Pakistan and [[Kabul]] and South Afghanistan in [[Afghanistan]]. Some of them also observe [[Muharram]] every year.


Muhiyals have been rulers of territories in the present day [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]] and [[India]].
==History==
As per Mohyal oral history, a Mohyal Brahmin of the Dutt clan had fought on behalf of Imam al-Husayn in the [[Battle of Karbala]] (680 C.E.), more specifically in the storming of Kufa—sacrificing his seven sons in the process.<ref>Mohyals, Muslims and Mustafabad". ''The Tribune'', Chandigarh. 8 August 1993</ref> According to legend, Rahab Sidh Dutt (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala.<ref name=":1">Mahdi Nazmi (1984). Reg-i-Surkh: Dut Brahman Imam Husain se Rabt o Zabt. Abu Talib Academy, New Delhi. pp. 63–71.</ref> The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an [[Hindiya|Al-Hindiya]] in existence today.<ref name=":1" />


==Story of Mohyal Brahmin<ref name="Zeba T Hashmi, Daily Times">{{cite web|author=Zeba T Hashmi |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/17-Mar-2015/ashura-and-pluralism |title=Ashura and pluralism |publisher=Daily Times, Pakistan |date=17 March 2015 |accessdate=4 November 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117023612/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/17-Mar-2015/ashura-and-pluralism |archivedate=17 November 2015 }}</ref><ref name="Abul Fazl in Kashmir Observer">{{cite web|author=Abul Fazl|url=http://www.kashmirobserver.net/news/features/brahmins-who-fought-imam-hussain-karbala|title=The Brahmins Who Fought For Imam Hussain At Karbala|publisher=Kashmir Observer Online|date=5 November 2014|accessdate=4 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020020150/http://www.kashmirobserver.net/news/features/brahmins-who-fought-imam-hussain-karbala|archive-date=20 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>==
== Notable Figures ==


As per Mohyal oral history, a Mohyal Brahmin of the Dutt clan had fought on behalf of Imam al-Husayn in the [[Battle of Karbala]] (680 C.E.), more specifically in the storming of Kufa—sacrificing his seven sons in the process.<ref>Mohyals, Muslims and Mustafabad". ''The Tribune'', Chandigarh. 8 August 1993</ref> According to legend, Rahab Sidh Dutt (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala.<ref name=":1">Mahdi Nazmi (1984). Reg-i-Surkh: Dut Brahman Imam Husain se Rabt o Zabt. Abu Talib Academy, New Delhi. pp. 63–71.</ref> The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an [[Hindiya|Al-Hindiya]] in existence today.<ref name=":1" />
* [[G. D. Bakshi|Maj. General G. D. Bakshi]] - Retired Major General of Indian Army, leading defence analyst of India


==Other==
==Other==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dehlvi |first=Ghulam Rasool |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=_IdSEQAAQBAJ&pg=PA74&dq=hussaini+brahmin&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&ovdme=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJqKCc_7qTAxU22TgGHVnkM78Q6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=hussaini%20brahmin&f=false |title=Ishq Sufiyana: Untold Stories of Divine Love |date=2025-02-24 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |pages=70-4 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Haryanawala |first=Huzaifa |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=koiTBQAAQBAJ&pg=PP6&dq=hussaini+brahmin&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&ovdme=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJqKCc_7qTAxU22TgGHVnkM78Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=hussaini%20brahmin&f=false |title=IMAM HUSAIN and INDIA |date=2013-06-14 |publisher= |isbn=978-1-304-13565-0 |pages=6-X |language=en}}
* {{Cite web |title=Al-Serat |url=https://dn720003.ca.archive.org/0/items/english_shia_books/Al-Serat.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503165354/https://dn720003.ca.archive.org/0/items/english_shia_books/Al-Serat.pdf |archive-date=2025-05-03 |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=}}
{{India topics}}
{{India topics}}
{{Demographics of India}}
{{Demographics of India}}
{{Hinduism in Pakistan}}
{{Hinduism in Pakistan}}
{{Islam in Pakistan}}
{{Islam in India}}
{{Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab}}
{{Ethnic groups, tribes and clans of the Punjab}}
{{The seven Mohyal clans}}
{{The seven Mohyal clans}}
{{Hinduism in India}}
{{Hinduism in India}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mohyal (Jati)}}
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Mohyal]]
[[Category:Mohyal]]
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[[Category:Secularism in India]]
[[Category:Secularism in India]]
[[Category:Punjabi Brahmins]]
[[Category:Punjabi Brahmins]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of India]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities of India]]
[[Category:Brahmin communities across India]]
[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Punjabi tribes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Social groups of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Social groups of India]]
[[Category:Social groups of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:Cultural anthropology]]
[[Category:Cultural anthropology]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Afghanistan]]

Latest revision as of 11:32, 28 March 2026


Hussaini Brahmins
Regions with significant populations
India: Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu

Pakistan: Sindh, Chakwal, Lahore,

Afghanistan: Kabul, southern regions
Languages
Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu
Religion
Syncretized Islam and Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Mohyal Brahmins, Saraswat Brahmins

Hussaini Brahmins are a small sect within the Mohyal Brahmin community of the Punjab region.[1]

The Mohyal co normally associated with orthodox Brahminsmmunity comprises seven sub-clans named Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Datt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid.

They have adopted non-Brahmanical traditions leading to the sub-set of the Moyhal community paying reverence to Islam, most notably to the third Imam Hussain.[2]

According to V. Upadhyaya[3] they were influenced by the Chisti Sufis. While they wear the yajnopavita and the tilak, they take alms from only the Muslims, and not from Hindus.[4] Some of them are found in Pushakar, Ajmer, where Mu'in al-Din Chishti is buried.[5] According to another tradition, Yazid's troops had brought Imam Husain's head to their ancestors home in Sialkot. In exchange for his head, the ancestor exchanged his own sons' heads.[6] Famous Hussaini Brahmins include the actor Sunil Dutt, Urdu writers Kashmiri Lal Zakir, Sabir Dutt, and Nand Kishore Vikram.[7]

Few families can still be found in parts of Iraq but most families of Hussaini Brahmins are now settled in Pune,[8] Delhi,[9] Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu region in India. Sindh, Chakwal and Lahore in Pakistan and Kabul and South Afghanistan in Afghanistan. Some of them also observe Muharram every year.

History[edit | edit source]

As per Mohyal oral history, a Mohyal Brahmin of the Dutt clan had fought on behalf of Imam al-Husayn in the Battle of Karbala (680 C.E.), more specifically in the storming of Kufa—sacrificing his seven sons in the process.[10] According to legend, Rahab Sidh Dutt (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala.[11] The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an Al-Hindiya in existence today.[11]

Notable Figures[edit | edit source]

Other[edit | edit source]

In Ajmer, Rajasthan, a place of Sufi pilgrimage, where Moinuddin Chishti lived and passed his last days, there is even today a class of people who call themselves Hussaini Brahmins, who are neither 'orthodox Hindus' nor orthodox Muslims. Hussaini Brahmins practiced a mixed blend of orthodox Vedic and Islamic traditions. A saying in Hindi/Urdu language refers to the Hussaini Brahmans thus: "Wah Datt Sultan, Hindu ka dharm, Musalman ka Iman, Adha Hindu adha Musalman" (Well Datt Sultan, declaring Hindu Dharma and following Muslim practice, Half Hindu and Half Muslim.[12]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Sohoni, Pushkar; Tschacher, Torsten, eds. (2022). Non-Shia practices of Muḥarram in South Asia and the diaspora: beyond mourning. Routledge South Asian religion series. Abingdon, Oxon; New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-367-81904-0.
  2. Nonica Datta (30 September 2019). "The Forgotten History of Hussaini Brahmins and Muharram in Amritsar". The Wire (Indian News and Opinion Website). Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  3. संत-वैष्णव काव्य पर तांत्रिक प्रभाव, V. Upadhyaya, 1962, Page 181
  4. Hamara Samaj, Sant Ham, 1957, p. 115
  5. Jayasi, Malik Muhammad, Ramchandra Billaurey, 1973, p. 131
  6. A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province, Based on the Census Report for the Punjab, 1883 · Volume 2, Horace Arthur Rose, Sir Denzil Ibbetson, Sir Edward Maclagan, 1911, p. 141
  7. Mujtaba, Syed Ali (11 August 2022). "Uniqueness of Indian culture: Hussaini Brahmins are Hindus but observe Muslim traditions". The Daily Siasat. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  8. NADEEM INAMDAR, RIZWAN KHAN. "Brahmins who went to war for the Imam". Times group, India. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  9. Akram, Maria (5 November 2014). "For Hussaini brahmans, it's Muharram as usual". Times group, India. The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  10. Mohyals, Muslims and Mustafabad". The Tribune, Chandigarh. 8 August 1993
  11. 11.0 11.1 Mahdi Nazmi (1984). Reg-i-Surkh: Dut Brahman Imam Husain se Rabt o Zabt. Abu Talib Academy, New Delhi. pp. 63–71.
  12. Mitra, Sisir Kumar. The Vision of India. Bombay, India: Jaico Publishing House. pp. 229–230 (First Print 1949).

Template:Demographics of India Template:Hinduism in Pakistan Template:Islam in Pakistan

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