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Punjabi Hindus are a group of people that follow the Hindu religion and have their roots in the erstwhile joint Punjab of undivided India (West Punjab/East Punjab).
Today they are distributed in most parts of the northern India and in some parts of western India like Mumbai. In India, most of the Punjabi Hindus are concentrated in Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. There has also been continuous migration of Punjabi Hindus to western world countries like USA, Canada and UK.
The oldest Hindu texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads and Mahabharata were composed in Punjab or nearby region. The Hindus of Punjab have been there for much more time than the Muslims, although later most turned to Sikhism. In fact, Punjabi Hindus can trace their roots from the time of the Vedas. Many modern day cities in Indian Punjab and Pakistan Punjab are still named from that period like Lahore etc. Former Prime ministers of India I.K. Gujral and Gulzari Lal Nanda are Punjabi Hindus. Former Indian Cricket legend Kapil Dev and Great Indian scientist Hargobind Khorana are also Punjabi Hindus.
Punjabi Hindus have their unique culture which resembles in some ways very closely to the culture of Sikhs and also differs in lot of other ways. They usually have a very liberal lifestyle and are famous for their lavish wedding parties. They are mostly in trade and commerce but some also work as peasants in Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. Like other Hindus, they are also divided into castes. The most common castes are Khatri (Kshatriya in Hindi), Brahman, Baniya, Rajput etc. Punjabi Hindus go to Hindu temples for worship. In addition to that, they also believe in Sikh Gurus and liberal Sufi saints. It is also very common for Hindus to worship at the Gurudwara.
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Vedic Punjab
The original Punjab region is now divided into several units: West Punjab (now in Pakistan) including the Gandhara region, the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and the Indian Union territory of Chandigarh. The regions of POK and Jammu have also been historically associated with the Punjab.
The Punjab is the 'Sapta Sindhu' region mentioned in the Rig Veda, the seven rivers are:
- Saraswati (thought to be the present day Ghaggar),
- Satadru/Shutadri (Sutlej),
- Vipasa (Beas),
- Asikani, Chandrabhaga (Chenab),
- Iravati (Ravi),
- Vitasta/Vet (Jhelum) and
- Sindhu (Indus).
The modern name of the Vipasa,'Beas' is thought to be a corruption of Veda Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata.
The region came to be known as Punjab only in the Mughal period.It was one of the cradles of Indian civilization and Hinduism.
Among the classic books that wholly or partly composed in this region are the following.
- Rigveda
- Grammar of Sakatayana
- Ashtadhyayi of Panini
- Nirukta of Yaska
- Charaka Samhita
- Mahabharata along with the Bhagavad Gita
- Brihatkatha of Gunadya
- The Bakhshali Manuscript
The world's oldest university Takshashila flourished here, even before the Buddha's birth.
The descendants of the Rishis, form the Brahmins of Hindu society. The Brahmins of this region are called 'Saraswata' after the legendary Saraswati river region, once known for the ashramas of the rishis.
Classic cities of the Punjab region
- Peshawar(Purushapur), North West Frontier Province: Capital of Kanishka, the Kushan ruler and the site of the tallest stupa in Jambudvipa.
- Pushkalavati (Charsadda), North West Frontier Province: Founded by a son of Bharata, brother of Sri Rama, according to the Ramayana
- Takshashila (Taxila), Punjab(Pakistan): Also founded by a son of Bharata.
- Multan(Mulasthan),Punjab(Pakistan): Pilgrimage site of the legendary Sun temple.
- Rawalpindi, Punjab(Pakistan): city founded by Bappa Rawal, from the Sisodiya clan of Mewar Rajputs and ancestor of Rana Pratap Singh.
- Sialkot, Punjab(Pakistan): city founded by Sul (Shalya), emperor of Madradesa and brother of Madri, second wife of emperor Pandu and mother to Nakul and Sahadeva
- Kasur, Punjab(Pakistan): city founded by Kusha, son of Sri Rama according to the Bichitra Natak written by Guru Gobind Singh.
- Lahore,Punjab(Pakistan): city founded by Lava(Loh), son of Sri Rama according to the Bichitra Natak.
- Amritsar, Punjab(India): It is believed that the hermitage of Sage Valmiki, author of the Ramayana was located in the vicinity of the area that forms the modern city of Amritsar today. Valmiki is said to have composed the great epic at this very spot. Also, Sita gave birth to the twins, Lava and Kusha in this hermitage.
- Jalandhar, Punjab(India): A historic city mentioned in the Puranas and the most famous city in punjab.
- Kurukshetra,Haryana: The site of the Mahabharata war.
- Karnal, Haryana: city founded by Karna.
- Katasraj temple, Punjab(Pakistan): Classic temple complex in the Chakwal district, site of the 'enchanted pool' episode in the Mahabharata, where Yudhishtira is tested by his father Lord Yama/Dharma.
Punjabi Hindu sects
The Sanatan Dharmis
An important group amongst Hindus in the Punjab are the Sanatan Dharmis. Major deities worshipped include Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Vishnu , Hanuman. One of the major ones is Vaishno Devi of Jammu, (all known commonly as Sheraan-wali('She of the lions') in Punjabi). The worship of Hanuman is usually done on Tuesdays.
Sanatan Dharma Sabha was founded in the Punjab in late 19th century to promote traditional Hinduism. It sent scholars overseas and became a major force in some of the overseas Hindu communities. In January 1933 the session of the All-India Sanatan Dharma Sabha, presided over by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.
The Arya Samajis
An important sect amongst Punjabi Hindus is the Arya Samaj. It was founded by Swami Dayananda (born in the town of Tankara near Morvi(or Morbi) in the Kathiawar region of modern-day Gujarat) in 1875 in Bombay and became popular amongst Hindus in the Punjab and U.P. The first branch of the Arya Samaj was opened in Shantakruj, Mumbai in 1875. Arya Samajists do not believe in idol worship and incarnations of God (Avtarvaad) but believes in the philosophy on re-incarnation and transmigration. They hold the Vedic religion to be the only true religion and as such, regard the Vedas as their only religious books, but also regard Upnishad, Darshan Shastras and some other books written by Rishis (Arsh Granths), on the condition that the text in these should not be contradictory to Vedas. On this basis Arya Samaj rejected some of the Hindu scriptures like Purana etc. and other texts also which, according to Arya Samaj, is against the Vedas. The Arya Samaj also pleads for Shuddhi or the re-conversion into Hinduism of those Hindus who were converted to other religions. The places of worship of the Arya Samajists are different from those of the Sanatan Dharmis. Worship includes performing yajnas, reciting mantras and seeking spiritual solace by listening to religious discourses.
The Radhaswamis
The Radhaswami sect has its headquarters at the town of Beas and is popular amongst Punjabi Hindus. Like the Nirankaris and Namdharis, the Radhaswamis too are a transitional sect between Hinduism and Sikhism.
The Dev Samajis
Dev Samajis, an offshoot of Brahmo Samaj, are rationalists. Their headquarters is at Moga. Their activities are mostly confined to the moral fields. As such Dev Samajists have not attained much popularity. In all other respects the Dev Samajists are not different from the other Hindus.
The Nanak Panthis
The term Nanak Panthi is applied to those who are followers of the tradition of Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak laid the foundation of Sikhism and preached equality among all men, contrary to the caste system, and some of the traditional practices. The Nanak Panth was the sect founded by Guru Nanak's elder son, Sri Chand. The Khalsa order, founded by Guru Gobind Singh is sometimes thought to represent Sikhism today.
Ecumenical Hinduism
A large segment of Punjabis who are now categorized as Hindus or who identify themselves as Punjabi Hindus, continue to live out heterogeneous religious practice that includes spiritual kinship with Sikhism. This not only includes veneration of the Sikh Gurus in private practice, but also visit to Sikh Gurdwaras as well as Hindu temples. Some Punjabi Hindus visit Jain temples and Jain munis.
This is evident from the continuing propensity to conduct important life cycle ceremonies such as on marriage or death by any of the Hindu or Sikh rites. This is especially true for the Khatri and Arora communities, and even more so among the Kukhran tribe emanating from West Punjab, an area now in Pakistan.
This predilection for heterogeneous religious affiliation has continued, in spite of decades of aggressive identity purification efforts by the forces of identity politics in the Punjab.
Punjabi Hindus and 1947 Partition
Punjabi Hindus suffered a great deal due to partition of Punjab in 1947 on the basis of religion. Millions of Hindus/Sikhs had to move to East Punjab and Muslims to West Punjab. At least 2 Million people were killed in the riots following the partition. Most of the Punjabi Hindus who moved from West Punjab settled in the areas which are now Indian state of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Western UP, and even as far as Bombay.
Demand for Punjabi Suba and subsequent trifurcation of Punjab
Since the beginning of 1960's, Sikh leaders and Sikh parties started to demand a so called "Punjabi Suba" (Meaning - Punjabi Province) in North India. The argument was to carve out a state in Northern India where Punjabi was the most predominant language. The idea did not go well with the Punjabi speaking Hindus because the underline motive for the demand of Punjabi Suba was to create a province where Sikhs were in absolute majority. Therefore, it became more of a religious issue rather than a linguistic issue. Some historians argue that "Punjabi Suba" issue was the fore most reason that fomented the Sikh anger and subsequent violent terrorism against Punjabi Hindus. Paul R. Brass, the Professor Emeritus of Political Science and South Asian Studies at the University of Washington, opines that the Sikh leader Fateh Singh tactically stressed the linguistic basis of the demand, while downplaying the religious basis for the demand—a state where the distinct Sikh identity could be preserved.[2] The movement for a Punjabi Suba led to trifurcation of Indian Punjab into three states: Punjab (India), Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Unrest In Punjab in 1980's and 1990's
The Terrorism in Punjab before/after the Operation Bluestar and 1984 Delhi riots, had a very severe effect on Punjabi Hindus. Punjabi Hindus were specifically targeted by members of terrorist groups like Babbar Khalsa etc. There were numerous instances of mass murders like bombing public buses, engineering colleges (Thapar College) etc in which Hindus were specifically targeted. A very conservative estimate says that 65% of the people who died in terrorism related violence in Punjab were Hindus. Many Punjabi Hindus left Punjab during that period and settled in Haryana and Delhi. In 1987, 32 Hindus were pulled out of the bus and shot, near Lalru in Punjab by Sikh militants. According to Human Rights Watch "In the beginning on the 1980s, Sikh separatists in Punjab committed serious human rights abuses, including the massacre of civilians, attacks upon non-Sikhs in the state, and indiscriminate bomb attacks in crowded places. It also created a rift between Punjabi Hindus and Sikhs, which have always lived in harmony and peace. But since the decline of Khalistan movement, both are communities are again living with cordial relations.
Distribution of Population
Today Punjabi are also found in huge numbers in western countries like USA, Canada and UK and EU.
Trivia
The popular prayer Jai Jagdish Hare was composed in Punjab by Pandit Shardha Ram Phillauri.
See also
- Hinduism and Sikh Panth
- Khawaja Shaikh
- Qanungoh Shaikh
- Punjabi Shaikh
- Muslim League Attack on Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab 1947
- Places in Pakistan with Hindu and Sikh Populations before 1947
- Jainism in Punjab
References
Further reading
- Talib, Gurbachan (1950). Muslim League Attack on Sikhs and Hindus in the Punjab 1947. India: Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.Online 1 Online 2 Online 3 (A free copy of this book can be read from any 3 of the included "Online Sources" of this free "Online Book")
2. ^ a b c Brass, Paul R. (2005). Language, Religion and Politics in North India. iUniverse. p. 326. ISBN 9780595343942.
External links
- Very Nice Info About Jalandhar, The Punjab (INDIA)
- The Punjab—An Overview
- Punjab History
- Punjab Historical Background
- Shri Durgiana Tirath
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