| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| • India | |
| Languages | |
| • Hindi • Punjabi • Haryanvi | |
| Religion | |
| • Hinduism 100% • |
The Rai, or sometimes pronounced as Rain or Rayeen is a Hindu caste found in the state of Haryana and Punjab in India. They are also known as Chaudhary, Rao, Rai, Roy and Rana.[1]
Origin
According to their own traditions, the community were Hindus of Sindh, who were expelled by Umayyad general Muhammad bin Qasim during Muslim conquests on the Indian subcontinent. They also claim a connection with the last Hindu Rajput ruler Raja Rai Sahasi II of Rai dynasty (c. 416–644 CE) of the Sindh who was the brother of Rana Maharath of Chittor. The community is now found mainly in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh. [2]
Present circumstances
They were and still zamindars & farmers. A few were substantial landowners, with a small minority being landless. They practice animal husbandry as a secondary occupation, and they provide much of the dairy products for the towns in Haryana.[3]