Who are Kashmiris descended from?

The Kashmiri population is an Indo-European ethno-linguistic group from Jammu and Kashmir state in northern India. The precise origins of the Kashmiri population are unknown. It has been suggested that they are descendants of one of the “lost tribes” of Israel who were exiled in 722 BCE [1].

Which is the highest caste in Kashmir?

The largest community within the Kashmiri Hindus are the Kashmiri Pandits (Kashmiri Brahmins), who are divided into several gotras, such as the priests (gor or bhasha Bhatta), astrologers (Zutshi), and workers (Karkun). The majority of Kashmiris who belong to the Kshatriya varna use the surname Gourtra.

Is Kashmiris a Brahmin?

The Kashmiri Pandits (also known as Kashmiri Brahmins) are a group of Kashmiri Hindus and a part of the larger Saraswat Brahmin community of India. They belong to the Pancha Gauda Brahmin group from the Kashmir Valley, a mountainous region located within the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

What is the race of Kashmiris?

Baikunth Nath Sharga argues that, despite the etymological similarities between Kashmiri and Jewish surnames, the Kashmiri Pandits are of Indo-Aryan descent while the Jews are of Semitic descent.

Why did Kashmiris convert to Islam?

Rinchan converted to Islam after coming into contact with Sayyid Sharfudin, a Sufi preacher commonly known as Bulbul Shah, who had come to Kashmir during the reign of Suhadeva. The royal patronage for Islam won it new converts and according to one source, many Kashmiris embraced the creed of Bulbul Shah.

What caste is Dar?

Dar is a Kashmiri surname of Brahmin origin, found among individuals native to the Kashmir Valley of India as well as Kashmiri emigres who have migrated to the Punjab, a region divided between India and Pakistan. The caste name is shared among both Hindus and Muslims.

What caste is the Kashmiri Muslims?

While there is caste equivalent of all four Hindu “Varnas” (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas & Shudras) among Kashmiri Muslims, it further has the existence of “Ati-Shudras” or Dalits as well making Kashmiri Muslims as the most Hinduized Muslim community in the entire South Asia.

Is Kashmiri a dying language?

According to the 1998 Census there were 132,450 Kashmiri speakers in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. According to Professor Khawaja Abdul Rehman the Kashmiri language is on the verge of dying out in the Neelum Valley. Kashmiri is believed to be the only one among the Dardic languages that has a written literature.

Are Butt Brahmins?

Bhat (also spelled as Bhatt or Butt) is a surname in the Indian subcontinent. Bhat and Bhatt are shortened rendition of Bhatta. Jeffrey G. Snodgrass notes that the Bhatts are Brahmins. A large number of Muslims retained the surname after their conversion to Islam from Hinduism.

Why are Kashmiri Pandits non vegetarians?

The Kashmiri Pandits are one of the few Brahmin communities in India who are non-vegetarians, besides Bengali and Goan Brahmins. Mutton takes the lead on the table and it appears in some form at every meal. The older generations of Kashmiri Pandits never used onion, garlic, tomatoes, chicken or eggs.

Is Kashmiris a Sufi?

Kashmiri Sufism has a certain disposition, an amalgamation of reasoning of Islamic lessons and tantric methods of Hindu Shaivism. At the end of the 9th century, Sufism was introduced as a ‘softer’ version of Islam which promoted the idea of ‘religious humanism’.

What is the difference between Jainism and Baniya (Vaish)?

Firstly, let’s distinguish two different things. Jainism is a religion and Baniya (Vaish) is a caste/Varna. Since Jainism preaches Ahimsa (Non-violence), mostly people belonging to Baniya (Vaish) varna were attracted to it.

How many castes are there in the Baniya community in India?

In baniya community there are many castes, total 100-150 are there, some castes follow vaishnavism sect of Hinduism and some follow Jainism. the largest bania caste are as follows Financial loophole lets you save extra for retirement.

What is the meaning of a baniya?

A Baniya is a particular caste in the Indian (Hindu) society. It is derived from Vanijya meaning trade/commerce or trader/merchant. Among the varnas (or castes) in society they form part of the caste looking after trade and commerce.