Wikipedia

Jhinwar

The Jhinwar or Jhir are a caste with a significant population in Northern parts of India and Pakistan.[1][2]

Jhinwar/Jhir
Portrait of a Water Carrier with his Mashk, India, 1836.
Regions with significant populations
Northern India and Pakistan
Languages
Religion

History

Traditionally, the Jhinwar community has primarily been associated with the occupation of supplying water as water-carriers[3][4] and they were commonly engaged in occupations of professional cooking, boating, river fishing and childbirth attendants.[5][6][2][7] The water-carrier used to fetch water from the village well and deliver it using a mashk to every household in the village, twice on a daily basis.[8][9]

In Pakistan, the river fishermen and professional cooks have commonly belonged to the Jhinwar community. They have also been traditionally engaged in the occupations such as basket-makers, field labourers, woodcutters and the Jhinwar women fulfilled the role as midwives.[2]

A Water Carrier in Punjab, 1899.
A Water Carrier in Punjab, 1899.

In India, Jhinwars traditionally used to engage as the water carriers and they used to supply water to their patron, for which they were paid in kind biannually under the jajmani system in Punjab.[10] Jhinwars commonly worked as the baker and seller of the ready-cooked food, known as Bhathyara, in Punjab. Jhinwars operated inns along travel routes and in markets, as well as the tandoor ovens in the villages.[7][5][2] The Jhir women used to prepare the roasted wheat or corn grains for the village in an open-pan over a sand oven, known as bhathi.[10] In Punjab, a vast majority of the dayis, the childbirth attendants and nursing women, belonged to the Jhinwar caste.[5][7]

During the British Raj, Jhinwar Sikhs were often employed as the cooks and butchers in Sikh regiments.[11] With the advent of handpumps, many Jhinwars gradually left their traditional work of supplying water and adopted new professions and occupations.[12][13] In the latter stages of World War I, the Jhiwars, along with Chhimba and Nais, were recruited as soldiers in Jat Sikh regiments in the British Army.[14] The number of Jhiwars 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.[11]

Jhir Sikhs

Several members of the water-carrier caste, who converted to Sikhism, are known as Mehra Sikhs or Jhir Sikhs in Punjab.[7][4][15]

History

The earliest known association of Jhinwars with Sikhism dates to 1664, when Guru Harkrishan asked Chajju Ram Jhinwar to interpret the Bhagavad Gita for Pandit Lal Chand in Delhi.[16] According to SGPC, an old manuscript placed in Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib mentions the visit of Guru Teg Bahadur to village Lehal (currently Patiala city) on the request of his Jhiwar Sikh disciple, Bhag Ram, in 1672.[17] Bhai Kanhaiya, a sikh historical figure, is claimed by the Jhirs.

Bhai Himmat Singh, one of the inaugural panj piare quintets, and his nephew Moti Ram Mehra belonged to the Jhinwar Sikh community.[18] Sardar Budh Singh Mehra, a Jhir Sikh from Mukerian, was a courtier and advisor of Maharaja Sher Singh. Sardar Budh Singh was killed by Ajit Singh Sandhawalia along with Maharaja Sher Singh.[19] Bur Singh of Mukerian, who entered the service of Rani Mehtab Kaur, was a jagirdar of the estates in Mukerian, Batala and Lahore. He later served as the administrator of Amritsar.[16] Master Mota Singh, a Jhinwar Sikh, was a freedom fighter against the British in Punjab.[20]

Bhai Himmat Singh, a detail from a hand-coloured woodblock print, depicting Guru Gobind Singh initiating the first-five members of the Khalsa, 1875.

Diaspora History

The members of Jhir caste, along with Jats and Chhimbas, were among the early Punjabi immigrants in Canada who emigrated from Punjab to Canada via ships in 1920s. The Punjabi emigrants regularly sent remittances to Punjab.[21]

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Jhinwar Sikhs began migrating to the United Kingdom, establishing a British diaspora community. In Britain, they worked as unskilled labourers. Some were twice-migrants, who came to the U.K. from the East African diaspora.[10]

As noted among the UK diaspora in 1992, Jhir Sikhs tended to have been clean-shaven rather than keeping their kesh and have Hindu-inflected name, but they still assert their identity as Sikhs and attend gurdwaras.[10] Jhir Sikhs practice arranged marriages and caste endogamy.[22] They also had their own unique rituals, such as the kumbh, which was performed by Jhir women. It involved pouring coins into a jug of water being carried by the Jhir woman and, in the U.K. diaspora, these coins were donated to the gurudwara.[10]

Cultural Practices

Bhagat Baba Kalu, a Hindu Jhinwar ascetic, is a revered figure among Jhirs.[23] The followers of Baba Kalu are known as Kalupanthis and they venerate the Hindu gods as well as revere the Guru Granth Sahib.[24][25] Annual Vaisakhi Mela (religious congregation) and Shobha Yatra (religious processions) are held at the temples of Baba Kalu, primarily in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.[26]

In Punjab, the Khawaja Khidr, a water-god, and Guggā, the snake-god, are the local deities of many of the Jhinwars. The folk custom involves venerating the water-god on his festival day. Jhirs carry-out a ritual called bera tarna (sailing a bark) which consists of sailing a decorated piece of bark on a local canal or village-tank. The cooked sweet dalia (porridge) is given-out to the attendees to consume.[10]

Hindu and Sikh Jhinwars practice caste endogamy and gotra exogamy.[27]

Sub-groups

Jhinwars are also known as Kashyap Rajput and Mehra.[28][7][1][29][15] The regional phonetic variations of the word Jhinwar include Jhimar, Jhiwar, Jheor, Jheeur, Jhir, Jheewar, Jheer, Chir, Cheer, Dhenwar and Dhinwar.[30] Jhinwar is a composite caste consisting of various subgroups. The subgrous include Hindu Jhinwar, Sikh Jhinwar, Dhimar, Hindi Jhinwar, Kashyap, Mehra, Rajput.[31] In India, as according to the Mandal Commission, the Jhinwar caste is included in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category in the states of Punjab,[32] Haryana,[33] Uttar Pradesh,[34] Jammu & Kashmir,[35] Himachal Pradesh[36] and Rajasthan.[37][38]

References

  1. 1 2 Singh, K. S. (1998). People of India: India's communities. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1388. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2. In Haryana, the Jhinwar are also known as Dhimar, Jhimar and Kashyap Rajputs
  2. 1 2 3 4 Jaffrelot, Christophe (2002). A history of Pakistan and its origins (in French). Translated by Beaumont, Gillian. Internet Archive. London : Anthem Press. pp. 209, 211. ISBN 978-1-84331-030-3. 1. River Fishermen are of the Jhinwar community. 2. Professional cooks belong to the same community and, under the name Bhatyara.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  3. ↑ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (2007) [1968]. "Caste Regions of the North Indian Plain". In Singer, Milton; Cohn, Bernard S. (eds.). Structure and Change in Indian Society (Reprinted ed.). Transaction Publishers. pp. 96, 101. ISBN 9780202361383. Jhinwar (Water Carrier)
  4. 1 2 Parsons, Gerald (1993). The Growth of Religious Diversity: Traditions. Psychology Press. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-415-08326-3. Jhir (water carriers)
  5. 1 2 3 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
  6. ↑ Bhatia, Shyamala (1987). Social Change and Politics in Punjab, 1898-1910 (Digital version of Book). New Delhi: Enkay Publishers. p. 29. ISBN 978-81-85148-13-7. It was generally believed that watermen, boatmen and cooks were all of the same caste, Kahar being their name in the North-West, Jhinwar in the Eastern parts.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  8. ↑ Hershman, Paul (1981). Punjabi Kinship and Marriage. Hindustan Publishing Corporation (India). p. 16. ISBN 978-0-391-02583-7.
  9. ↑ Singh, K. S. (1996). Identity, Ecology, Social Organization, Economy, Linkages and Development Process: A Quantitative Profile. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-19-563353-5.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kalsi, Sewa Singh (1992). "4.3 Jhir Sikhs". In Knott, Kim (ed.). The Evolution of a Sikh Community in Britain: Religious and Social Change Among the Sikhs of Leeds and Bradford (PDF). Department of Theology and Religious Studies. England: University of Leeds. pp. 95–99. ISBN 9781871363036.
  11. 1 2 Singh, Joginder (1997). The Sikh Resurgence (Digital & Hardcover Book). National Book Organisation. p. 41. ISBN 978-81-85135-87-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  12. ↑ Grewal, J.S. (1997). Banga, Indu (ed.). Five Punjabi Centuries: Policy, Economy, Society, and Culture, C. 1500-1990 : Essays for J.S. Grewal. Manohar. pp. 426, 482. ISBN 978-81-7304-175-4.
  13. ↑ Mathar, Man Singh (1966). Yojana. Vol. 10. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. p. 26.
  14. ↑ Jr, DeWitt C. Ellinwood; Enloe, Cynthia H. (1978). Ethnicity and the Military in Asia. Transaction Publishers. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-4128-2290-9.
  15. 1 2 Singh, Kumar Suresh (2003). People of India: Punjab. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 275. ISBN 978-81-7304-123-5. The Jhinwar or Jhinur are also known as Mehre.
  16. 1 2 Dilgeer, Harjinder Singh (1997). The Sikh Reference Book. Sikh Educational Trust for Sikh University Centre, Denmark. pp. 240, 326. ISBN 978-0-9695964-2-4.
  17. ↑ "History – Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala". Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib, Patiala (Official Website). Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committe, Amritsar. Retrieved 1 May 2026. ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਸੈਫਾਬਾਦ (ਬਹਾਦਰਗੜ੍ਹ) ਤੋਂ ਚੱਲ ਕੇ ਸੰਗਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਾਮ-ਬਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਨਿਹਾਲ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਇੱਕ ਝਿਊਰ ਸਿੱਖ ਭਾਗ ਰਾਮ ਦੀ ਬੇਨਤੀ ਮੰਨ ਕੇ ਪਿੰਡ ਲਹਿਲ ਵੱਲ ਇੱਕ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇ ਟੋਬੇ ਦੇ ਕਿਨਾਰੇ 'ਤੇ ਬਿਰਾਜਮਾਨ ਹੋਏ। ਇਹ ਅਸਥਾਨ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਾਹਬਿ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਚਰਨ ਛੋਹ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਗੁ:ਸ੍ਰੀ ਦੂਖ ਨਵਾਰਨ ਸਾਹਬਿ ਕਰਕੇ ਜਾਣਆਿ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।ਇਸ ਅਸਥਾਨ 'ਤੇ ਸੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਸਾਹਬਿ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਕਰ ਕਮਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਲਖਿਆਿ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ ਵੀ ਸੁਸ਼ੋਭਤਿ ਹੈ। [Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, while moving from Saifabad (Bahadargarh) and delighting the Sangat through the preaching of Naam-Bani, accepted the request of a Jheor Sikh Bhag Ram and sat on the bank of a water tank towards the village of Lehal. This place is known as Guru Sri Dukh Nawaran Sahib, where the lotus feet of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji were touched. This place is also adorned with the Hukamnama written with pious hands of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji.]
  18. ↑ Takhar, Opinderjit Kaur (2005). Sikh Identity: An Exploration of Groups Among Sikhs. Ashgate. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7546-5202-1.
  19. ↑ Singh Historian, Sardar Karam (1997). Singh 'Dard', Hira (ed.). ਸਰਦਾਰ ਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਹਿਸਟੋਰੀਅਨ ਦੀ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਖੋਜ [Historical research of Sardar Karam Singh Historian]. Vol. 2. Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Comittee, Sri Amritsar. pp. 50, 158. ਬੁੱਧ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਵੀ ਮਾਰਿਆ ਗਿਆ, ਬੁੱਧ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਹਿਰਾ ਮਹਾਰਾਜਾ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਾ ਸਲਾਹਕਾਰ ਹੈ (Budh Singh Mehra was also killed, Budh Singh Mehra is the advisor of Maharaja Sahib)
  20. ↑ Nijjar, Bakhshish Singh (1987). History of the Babar Akalis. ABS Publications. ISBN 978-81-7072-010-2.
  21. ↑ Verma, Archana B. (2002). The making of Little Punjab in Canada. Internet Archive. New Delhi ; Thousand Oaks, Calif. : Sage Publications. pp. 192–193. ISBN 978-81-7829-005-8.
  22. ↑ Singh, Gurharpal; Singh, Pritam; Talbot, Ian; Thandi, Shinder Singh, eds. (1994). International Journal of Punjab Studies. Sage Publications India Pvt L.td. p. 298. a significant number of Ramgarhia, Chamar, Julaha, Jhir, Bhatra, Nai, and Khatri families have also settled in the area. Yet, although each of these caste groups can be clearly and unambiguously identified, not least because the rule of endogamy ensures that the members of each are involved in a wholly separate kinship network, in what sense are they 'Sikhs'?
  23. ↑ Singh, Jagpal (7 October 2020). Caste, State and Society: Degrees of Democracy in North India. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-19606-1. According to the Dhinwars, there had been one Kalu Baba, who was so known because of his dark complexion. He was a vichlit pravravrati (ascetic nature) and would listen to debates among Brahmins.
  24. ↑ Singh, Deepak K., ed. (2014). Social Sciences Research Journal (Research Paper). Vol. 22–23. Panjab University, Chandigarh. pp. 27, 28.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  25. ↑ Oberoi, Harjot (15 December 1994). The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition. University of Chicago Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-226-61592-9.
  26. ↑ Pancholi, Indu Shekhar, ed. (2022). "महर्षि कश्यप कालू बाबा की जयंती पर निकाली शोभायात्रा" [Procession taken out on the birth anniversary of Maharishi Kashyap Kalu Baba]. Amar Ujala (E-Newspaper) (in Hindi). Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  27. ↑ Census of India, 1981: Haryana. Controller of Publications, Government of India. 1981. p. 25.
  28. ↑ Lavania, B. K.; Samanta, D. K. (1998). "Kahar". Rajasthan. Popular Prakashan. p. 467. ISBN 978-81-7154-769-2. The Kahars are also called Mehra which is derived from the word Mihir. Mihir means Sun in Sanskrit. They believe that this community has originated from Kashyap rishi. Therefore, they also claim to be Kashyap Rajputs.
  29. ↑ Lee, Alexander (27 February 2020). From Hierarchy to Ethnicity: The Politics of Caste in Twentieth-Century India. Cambridge University Press. pp. 222, 223. ISBN 978-1-108-48990-4. 1. Dhimar 1931 Central Provinces Kashyap Rajput 2. 1. Mahar 1931 Central Provinces Kashyap Rajput
  30. ↑ Singh, K. S. (1992). People of India. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 1361. ISBN 978-81-85579-09-2. JHEEWAR/JHINWAR Synonyms: Dhimar, Dhiwar, Jimar, Kashap Rajput [Haryana] Groups/ subgroups: Hindu Jhinwar, Sikh Jhinwar [Haryana], Dhimar, Hindi Jhinwar, Kahar, Kashyap, Mallah, Rajput, Sikh Jhinwar [Punjab]
  31. ↑ Singh, K. S. (1996). Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN 978-0-19-563357-3.
  32. ↑ "List of Backward classes/other backward classes – Punjab Govt. Notification". 23 January 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  33. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF HARYANA" (PDF). ncbc.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  34. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH" (PDF). ncbc.nic.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  35. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR" (PDF).
  36. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH" (PDF).
  37. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN" (PDF).
  38. ↑ Shah, Pankaj (6 April 2013). "Political parties eye Lok Sabha polls, bank on boatmen to claim pole position". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 April 2026.

Bibliography

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