Bannu Israil
Encyclopedia
The Banu Israil Shaikh are a Muslim
community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
in India
. Their name means "Children of Israel", and the community traces its descent from the Jewish community of Madinah. They should not be confused with the Bene Israel
, a Jewish community found in western India
.
is unclear, but their traditions make clear that they were Muslim
s at the time of their settlement. They are largely an urban community, occupying distinct quarters in a number of towns and cities in western Uttar Pradesh
, such as Banu Israilyan in Aligarh. Quite a few of them occupied important administrative positions under both the Sultanate of Delhi and its successor, the Mughal Empire
. This was especially true of the Banu Israil of Aligarh city, where the community were the heredity kotwals, a post which entailed being both the head of police and garrison commander.
Although largely an urban community, there were several settlements of rural Banu Israil in Etah District
. These Banu Israil are unique in that they are largely a community of farmers. In additions, the community were found in the town of Dhampur
in Bijnor District
, in Bilari
in Moradabad District
, in Sahaswan
and Badaun in Badaun District
, and in the city of Bareilly
in Bareilly District
.
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Their name means "Children of Israel", and the community traces its descent from the Jewish community of Madinah. They should not be confused with the Bene Israel
Bene Israel
The Bene Israel are a group of Jews who migrated in the 19th century from villages in the Konkan area to the nearby Indian cities, primarily Mumbai, but also to Pune, and Ahmedabad. Prior to these waves of emigrations and to this day, the Bene Israel formed the largest sector of the subcontinent's...
, a Jewish community found in western India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Origin
The exact circumstances of their settlement in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is unclear, but their traditions make clear that they were Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s at the time of their settlement. They are largely an urban community, occupying distinct quarters in a number of towns and cities in western Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, such as Banu Israilyan in Aligarh. Quite a few of them occupied important administrative positions under both the Sultanate of Delhi and its successor, the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
. This was especially true of the Banu Israil of Aligarh city, where the community were the heredity kotwals, a post which entailed being both the head of police and garrison commander.
Although largely an urban community, there were several settlements of rural Banu Israil in Etah District
Etah District
Etah district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Etah town is the district headquarters. Etah district is a part of Aligarh Division. It is dominated by Yadavs and Rajputs.-Economy:...
. These Banu Israil are unique in that they are largely a community of farmers. In additions, the community were found in the town of Dhampur
Dhampur
Dhampur is a city and a municipal board in Bijnor district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.- Geography :The neighboring villages are Mirzapur PallaDittanpur Jaitra, Bari Mandi, Nindru, Naurangabad, Purana Dhampur, Sherkot, Suhagpur, Bholarampur, Alavalpur, Mohammadpur Sultan,Puraini,Morna...
in Bijnor District
Bijnor District
Bijnor is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of India. Bijnor city is the district headquarters.-Geography :...
, in Bilari
Bilari
Bilari is a city and a municipal board in Moradabad district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.-Demographics: India census, Bilari has a population of 30,246, of whom 15,992 are males and 14,254 are females. Children aged less than or equal to six years total 5,229, of which 2,697 are males and...
in Moradabad District
Moradabad District
Moradabad district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Moradabad town is the district headquarters. Moradabad district is a part of Moradabad division...
, in Sahaswan
Sahaswan
Sahaswan is a city and a municipal board in Badaun district in the Indian state of western Uttar Pradesh. Till 1853 Sahaswan was the headquarters of Budaun District-Neighbourhoods:Sahaswan has 20 localities including:Qazi Mohlla...
and Badaun in Badaun District
Badaun District
Budaun district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Budaun town is the district headquarters. Budaun district is a part of Bareilly division. The district covers an area of 5168 km²...
, and in the city of Bareilly
Bareilly
Bareilly is a prominent city in Bareilly district in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Standing on the Ramganga river, it is the capital of the Bareilly division and the geographical region Rohilkhand...
in Bareilly District
Bareilly District
Bareilly district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. City of Bareilly is the district headquarters. The district consists of six tehsils. These are: Aonla, Baheri, City of Bareilly, Faridpur, Meerganj and Nawabganj. Bareilly district is a part of Bareilly Division....
.