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| Classification: | Ethnic Group | |
| Subdivisions: | No ethnic subdivisions[citation needed] | |
| Significant populations in: | South Asia, East Africa, Europe and North America | |
| Language | The Indo-Aryan languages of Urdu, Sindhi, Gujarati, Memoni and Kutchi | |
| Religion | Primarily Ismaili Shi'a, with significant Twelver Shi'a and Sunni minorities | |
The Khwajahs or officially Khojas (Urdu: خوجہ) are an ethno-religious community that are mainly concentrated in South Asia, but due to migrations over the centuries have spread to many parts of the globe. The word Khoja is a phonetic corruption of the word Khawaja, an Arabic/Persian title (Arabic: خواجه).
In Pakistan, Many Khojas migrated to and settled in the province of Sindh and especially in the city of Karachi. While in India, most Khojas live in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and the city of Hyderabad. Many Khojas have also migrated and settled over the centuries in East Africa, Europe and North America. They are mainly adherents of Ismaili Shi'a Islam, but because of extensive periods of feigning their faith, minorities have adopted Hinduism, Sunni Islam, and Twelver Shi'a Islam.[1]
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Ismaili Khojas
The Persian-born Pir Sadarddin arrived in Sindh, now Pakistan from Persia. The most common consensus among historians is that Pir Sadarddin was a Ismaili Da'i, or missionary. Pir Sadarddin lived for some time amongst the rich Hindu landowners of Sindh known as the Thakurs. After studying their way of life, and religious faith Pir Sadarddin managed to convert many Thakurs to a version of Ismaili Shi'a Islam, known as the "Satpanth". Many converts could no longer be called Thakurs or Hindus and they came to be known by the Persian name "Khawja" (Persian: خوجہ; lord, master) which overtime became phonetically corrupted to "Khojah".
Over a period of time, several pirs came after Sadarddin and gradually, the beliefs crystallised to those of the Nizari Shia Isma'ilism; After the arrival of the Aga Khan I from Iran to South Asia in the first half of the 19th Century community infrastructure came under the direct control of the Aga Khan.
By this time, the Khojas had spread all over Gujarat. Some had also moved to Bombay and Muscat. They paid their dues to the Ismaili Jamaat-khana and lived quite harmoniously within their society. The main place of worship was the Jamatkhana and the community was organised round the Jamatkhana too - which served as a religious as well as a social centre. The Ismaili Khojas number Several Million in South Asia, and an estimated 20,000 in East and Southern Africa, at least 150,000 in North America, and 30,000 in Europe.[citation needed]...
Ithnaasheri Khojas
A number of Khoja families resented the direct control of the Imam on community affairs and formed a reform movement, some even claimed that Khojas were originally a sunni community which resulted in a court case which ruled in favor of the Aga Khan I. In the early 1800s, some Khojas went for Ziyarat and while in Najaf, they met the Twelver Mujtahid of the time, Sheikh Zainul Aabedeen Mazandarani. During their discussions they converted to Twlever Shi'ism, at the behest of Sheikh Mazandarani, Mullah Kader Hussein arrived in the subcontinent several more Khoja families left the Ismaili sect and learnt from Mullah Kader, the principles of the Twelver Shi'a faith.
A student of Mullah Kader Hussein, Haji Ghulamali Haji Ismail, remembered as Haji Naji was born in Bombay (now Mumbai, India) was a Gujarati speaking Twelver scholar who was instrumental in converting many Ismaili Shi'a to Twelver Shi'a Islam. He published magazines like Rah-e-Nijat and books of supplications in the Gujarati language. One such book, Majmuaa, is an integral part of Twelver Khoja literature to date. His speeches, his preaching, and his simple way of explaining the faith has earned him respect and he is revered by Twelver Khojas all around the world. Famous people from the twelver shia khoja include Pakistan's founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his sister Fatima .[2]
Punjabi Khojas
| “ | any Hindu trader converted to Islam being known by that name. Thus, the Khojas of Shahpur are almost entirely Khatris, and a Khatri now becoming a Musalman in that district would be called a Khoja. The Khojas of Jhang, on the other hand are converted Rajputs; while some at least of the Lahore Khojas claim Bhatia origin , and one section of the Ambala Khojas are Kayasths. But in the north west Punjab and the northern districts of the North west Frontier Province, the term Paracha is preferred by Hindu traders converted to Islam, so that where the Parachas are recognised and wealthy caste, Khoja is used for miscellaneous Muhammadan traders, chiefly hawkers and Pedlers, or at least petty traders, while in the eastern districts in the Derajat, where the Khojas are commercially important, paracha is used for [3] | ” |
| “ | These Muhammadan traders, whether called Khoja or Paracha are found all along the northern portion of the two Provinces under the hills from Amritsar to Peshawar, and have spread southwards into the central and eastern districts of the Western Plains, but have not entered the Deajat or Muzzaffaragarh, in any numbers. Their eastern boundary is the Sutlej valley, their western the Jhelum-Chenab and they are found throughout the whole of the Salt Range.[3] | ” |
| “ | In spite of their conversion to Islam the Khojas retain many traces of the Khatri caste organisation. Thus at Bhera in Shahpur they have the following sub-divisions:[3] | ” |
| 1.Sahgal | 4.Kanpur hyd | 7.Gorawala |
|---|---|---|
| 2.Wohra or Bhora | 5.Duggal | 8.Magun |
| 3.Sethi | 6.Rawar or Ror | 9.Mahendru |
| “ | The Khojas of Bhera claim to be strictly monogamous, so much so that as a rule a Khoja cannot obtain a second wife in the caste, even though his first have died and he is thus driven to take his second wife from some other Muhammadan tribe. The Khojas of Liah have the Khatri section - names of Kapur, Puri, Tandon and Ghambhir [4] | ” |
Migration to Africa
It is a well known fact[citation needed] that for hundreds of years South Asians sailed down the coast of East Africa in their sail ships during the North Eastern Monsoons. There were young Khojas amongst these early sailors and some of them stayed behind in East Africa and took advantage of opportunities in commerce and trade.
While the new land offered limitless opportunities to the Khojas, the new environment and prevailing influences called for a reorientation.
The Khojas around the 1870s primarily followed Ismaili Shi'a Islam. For a few, their beliefs had thrown them into disorder. The devout ones with their orthodoxy, could not bear and accept the changes and modernity that seemed creeping into their system, under the guidance of the present & manifest Imam (Hazar Imam) of that era. They revolted and while some were debarred from the Jama'at Khana, the Shi'a Ismaili place of worship, others abandoned it on their own. For those few, they adopted the larger Twelver (Ithnaasheri) branch of Shi'a Islam. They even were aided by scholars from Iran, hence the origination of an Agha (Persian) community in Zanzibar. Alongside were the Bahranis (Arab Twelver Shi'a from Bahrain) whose inspirations emanated from Kalbe Aly Khan, a wazir (minister) to Sultan Majid/Bargash. He proved a great influence and helped out the Khojas to secede.
Zanzibar had a prosperous Khoja community and it was quite forthcoming into this secession. In fact, the Kuwwat Jamaat (communal society) of Zanzibar became the first ever Khoja Twelver Shi'a Jamaat in the world in 1882 when the Khojas elsewhere including the subcontinent were still facing opposition to establish their separate identity. There were stirring events and emotions were roused as the dissidents fervently built up their mosque. Initially the connection between the two Khoja groups persisted for a while and even a couple of dhegs (large pots) used to be dispatched to the Jama'at Khana from the mosque during jaman (feast). Social traditions also prompted the two counterparts to meet each other. Later restrictions became severe and even family members separated disconnecting ties between each other or the two met in hiding at a secret place.
Religious centres
Members of the Jamaat engaged in religious activities, first with modesty appropriate to their means; but as their fortunes grew, they became vigorously activated. They built Mosques, Imambargahs, Madrasahs and schools.
Retention of identity
Under German rule in Tanganyika, British rule in other parts of East Africa, French rule in Madagascar, Italian rule in Somalia, Belgian rule in the Congo and Portuguese rule in Mozambique, these early settlers were subjected to a variety of influences and experience.
The thrust of these influences was great, engendering a fear in the minds of the Khoja of losing their identity. Hence the persistent perseverance by the Khojas to remain within a well-knit framework of the Jamaat, allowing no intrusion.
Amongst Shia Khoja groups, it is believed there exists a heavy "Khoja only" attitude. This idea is further demonstrated by the history of "Khoja Only Membership" among Islamic centres. While many centres no longer say they're Khoja only, the idea is not completely off the table.
Overall, Khojas tend to be progressive community.
Beyond Africa
In the same manner, that the young Khojas had braved the monsoons in search for better opportunities, the Khoja Community has now spread all over the world.
See also
External links
References
- ^ http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/316803/Khoja
- ^ Haji Naji Memorial Trust
- ^ a b c d Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD, Page 537, Vol II,
- ^ Denzil Ibbetson, Edward MacLagan, H.A. Rose "A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North-West Frontier Province", 1911 AD, Page 538, Vol II,
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