Created by Fylindfotberserk
Last edited June 16, 2026
Removed a source
No edit summary
 
Line 4: Line 4:
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2019}}
The '''Kalwar,''' '''Kalal''' '''or''' '''Kalar''' are an [[Indian caste system|Indian caste]] historically found in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu & Kashmir]] and other parts of north and central India. The caste is traditionally associated with the distillation and selling of [[liquor]], but around the start of the 20th century assorted Kalwar caste organisations sought to leave that trade and redefine their community through [[Sanskritisation]] process.<ref name="bayly">{{cite book |title=Locality, Province and Nation: Essays on Indian Politics 1870 to 1940 |editor1-first=John |editor1-last=Gallagher |editor2-first=Gordon |editor2-last=Johnson |editor3-first=Anil |editor3-last=Seal |edition=Reprinted |publisher=Cambridge University Press Archive |year=1973 |isbn=978-0-52109-811-3 |first=Christopher A. |last=Bayly |authorlink=Christopher Bayly |chapter=Patrons and Politics in Northern India |page=[https://archive.org/details/localityprovince0000unse/page/63 63] |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x104AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA63 |url=https://archive.org/details/localityprovince0000unse/page/63 }}</ref>
The '''Kalwar,''' '''Kalal''' '''or''' '''Kalar''' are an [[Indian caste system|Indian caste]] historically found in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu & Kashmir]] and other parts of north and central India. The caste is traditionally associated with the distillation and selling of [[liquor]].<ref name="bayly">{{cite book |title=Locality, Province and Nation: Essays on Indian Politics 1870 to 1940 |editor1-first=John |editor1-last=Gallagher |editor2-first=Gordon |editor2-last=Johnson |editor3-first=Anil |editor3-last=Seal |edition=Reprinted |publisher=Cambridge University Press Archive |year=1973 |isbn=978-0-52109-811-3 |first=Christopher A. |last=Bayly |authorlink=Christopher Bayly |chapter=Patrons and Politics in Northern India |page=[https://archive.org/details/localityprovince0000unse/page/63 63] |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x104AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA63 |url=https://archive.org/details/localityprovince0000unse/page/63 }}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Because their hereditary occupation of distilling and selling liquor was considered degrading, the Kalals held a very low status  in the traditional [[Indian caste system|caste]] hierarchy of [[South Asia]]. This situation changed when the Kalal chief [[Jassa Singh Ahluwalia|Jassa Singh]] rose to political power in the 18th century. Jassa Singh styled himself as [[Ahluwalia (misl)|Ahluwalia]] after the name of his native village, and established the ruling dynasty of the [[Kapurthala State]].<ref name="Donald_1968">{{cite book |author=Donald Anthony Low |title=Soundings in Modern South Asian History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfD02m8q8eYC&pg=PA70 |year=1968 |publisher=University of California Press |oclc=612533097 |pages=70–71 }}</ref>
In Hindu Mythology they are believed to be as descendants of Haihaya Vansh. The Kalar's had a monopoly in the liquor trade in India, because of this they were always stayed financially strong. The warrior  [[Jassa Singh Ahluwalia|Jassa Singh]] also belonged to this clan. Jassa Singh styled himself as [[Ahluwalia (misl)|Ahluwalia]] after the name of his native village, and established the ruling dynasty of the [[Kapurthala State]].<ref name="Donald_1968">{{cite book |author=Donald Anthony Low |title=Soundings in Modern South Asian History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WfD02m8q8eYC&pg=PA70 |year=1968 |publisher=University of California Press |oclc=612533097 |pages=70–71 }}</ref>


Following Jassa Singh's rise, other [[Sikh]] Kalals also adopted Ahluwalia as the name of their caste, and started giving up their traditional occupation. The regulations imposed by the [[British Raj|colonial British administration]] on manufacture and sale of liquor accelerated this process, and by the early 20th century, most Kalals had abandoned their traditional occupation. By this time, they had started claiming [[Khatri]] or [[Rajput]] origins to try and enhance their social status.<ref name="Donald_1968"/>
Following Jassa Singh's rise, other [[Sikh]] Kalals also adopted Ahluwalia as the name of their caste, and started giving up their traditional occupation. The regulations imposed by the [[British Raj|colonial British administration]] on manufacture and sale of liquor accelerated this process, and by the early 20th century, most Kalals had abandoned their traditional occupation. Still they dominance in liquor trade in till 2000s, then after govt. strict rules broke their monopoly. Jawahar Prasad Jaiswal used to be called as Liquor King of North India. In many parts of India they are considered as Vaishya community. <ref name="Donald_1968"/>


Before the advent of the British rule, the Muslim Kalals also attempted to raise their social status by adopting the [[Kakezai]] [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] identity. Some of these Kalal-turned-[[Kakazai|Kakezais]], such as the [[Hoshiarpur district|Hoshiarpur]] family that ruled the [[Doaba|Jalandhar Doab]] in the 1840s, further raised their status by claiming to be high-caste [[Punjabi Shaikh|Shaikhs]]. Sikh Kalals also claimed Khatri or Rajput origin.<ref name="Donald_1968"/>
Before the advent of the British rule, the Muslim Kalals also attempted to raise their social status by adopting the [[Kakezai]] [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] identity. Some of these Kalal-turned-[[Kakazai|Kakezais]], such as the [[Hoshiarpur district|Hoshiarpur]] family that ruled the [[Doaba|Jalandhar Doab]] in the 1840s, further raised their status by claiming to be high-caste [[Punjabi Shaikh|Shaikhs]]. Sikh Kalals also claimed Khatri or Rajput origin.<ref name="Donald_1968"/>

Latest revision as of 19:59, 16 June 2026


Portrait of a Lahore distiller and vendor of liquor (Kalwar, Kullal, Kalal, or Kalar), ca.1862–72

The Kalwar, Kalal or Kalar are an Indian caste historically found in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of north and central India. The caste is traditionally associated with the distillation and selling of liquor.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

In Hindu Mythology they are believed to be as descendants of Haihaya Vansh. The Kalar's had a monopoly in the liquor trade in India, because of this they were always stayed financially strong. The warrior Jassa Singh also belonged to this clan. Jassa Singh styled himself as Ahluwalia after the name of his native village, and established the ruling dynasty of the Kapurthala State.[2]

Following Jassa Singh's rise, other Sikh Kalals also adopted Ahluwalia as the name of their caste, and started giving up their traditional occupation. The regulations imposed by the colonial British administration on manufacture and sale of liquor accelerated this process, and by the early 20th century, most Kalals had abandoned their traditional occupation. Still they dominance in liquor trade in till 2000s, then after govt. strict rules broke their monopoly. Jawahar Prasad Jaiswal used to be called as Liquor King of North India. In many parts of India they are considered as Vaishya community. [2]

Before the advent of the British rule, the Muslim Kalals also attempted to raise their social status by adopting the Kakezai Pashtun identity. Some of these Kalal-turned-Kakezais, such as the Hoshiarpur family that ruled the Jalandhar Doab in the 1840s, further raised their status by claiming to be high-caste Shaikhs. Sikh Kalals also claimed Khatri or Rajput origin.[2]

Kalwars in Allahabad were claiming themselves to be of the Kshatriya status in the 1890s.[1]

During the British rule, the Kalals took up a variety of occupations, including trade, agriculture, army service (especially the Ahluwalias), government service, and law.[2]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bayly, Christopher A. (1973). "Patrons and Politics in Northern India". In Gallagher, John; Johnson, Gordon; Seal, Anil (eds.). Locality, Province and Nation: Essays on Indian Politics 1870 to 1940 (Reprinted ed.). Cambridge University Press Archive. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-52109-811-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Donald Anthony Low (1968). Soundings in Modern South Asian History. University of California Press. pp. 70–71. OCLC 612533097.