Chhipi
Encyclopedia
The Chhipi, pronounced as Chhimpi as well, are a Hindu
caste
found in the states of Haryana
, Rajasthan
and Uttar Pradesh
in India
. They are also known as Rohilla. The Chhipi are one of a number communities in India
that were traditionally connected with dyeing and printing clothes, other groups include the Bhavsar
in Maharashtra
, the Chhimba in Punjab
and the Chhipa
in Gujarat.
s who were imprisoned by Taimur at the fort of Lohargarh in Rajasthan
. They escaped from the fort and fled to Rohilkhand
. The Rajputs then hid, and were known as the chhipna Rajputs after the Hindi
word for hidden which is chhipana. Over time chhipna was corrupted to chhipi/chhimpa. Other traditions state that they get their name from the Hinda word chhapna, which means to print. In Uttar Pradesh
, the community has two four sub-divisions, the Rohilla, who are traditionally tailors, the Tonkia, are mainly dyers, while the Hansari and Pacchade are mainly calico printers. There is also a fifth group of Muslim Chhipi
s, who are converts to Islam
from the Chhipi caste. They are found mainly in the districts of Saharanpur District
, Muzaffarnagar
, Meerut
, Bulandshahr
, Agra
, Mathura
and Hamirpur
. A small number are also found in the Haridwar District
of Uttarakhand
.
In Haryana
, the community’s traditional occupation was dyeing and printing of clothes. They are found throughout Haryana
and speak Haryanvi. The community is uncertain as to when they migrated from Rohilkhand
. There connection with the Chhimba community of Punjab is uncertain.
, the four sub-divisions are strictly endogamous, as well as there being no intermarriage with the Muslim Chhipi
. Each sub-group is further divided into clans known as gotra
s, amd marriages are forbidden within the gotra
. Important clans include the Gidharwal, Gotre, Jagarwal, Singhmar, and Jalotare. The Rohella sub-group remains mainly engaged in tailoring, but the other groups have now abandoned their traditional occuapation. Most are now petty traders, a few are cultivators and wage labourers. They are Hindu
s, except the Muslim Chhipi
sub-group, and are followers of Namdev
. They are closely associated with the Namdev temples. The Chhipi/Chhimpa/Chhimpi speak the Khari boli dialect of Hindi
.
In neighbouring Haryana
Hindu
s, the Chhipi community's main clans include the Chooriyapar, Moosla, Gadaiyya, Gadhe,Khatti, Contwal and Lakhmara. Each of these clans are of equal status and intermarry.
The Chhipi/chhimpa/chhimpi are still involved with the printing and dyeing of clothes. A small number have now entered other professions. In addition, the Chhipi are also involved in thre sewing and selling of quilts. Like other artisan caste
s, they have also seen a decline in their traditional occupation. A good many are now wage labourers, with a smaller number who have taken to agriculture.
These days Rohillas are well educated race and have joined military, education, govt jobs and legal professions.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
found in the states of Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
and 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...
. They are also known as Rohilla. The Chhipi are one of a number communities 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...
that were traditionally connected with dyeing and printing clothes, other groups include the Bhavsar
Bhavsar
The Bhavasar are an ethnic group in India. They are from the traditional Kshatriya varna in Hinduism.-Origin and legends:The Bhavasar's legendary origin dates back to the Saurashtra. Tradition holds the community was formed by Bhavsingh and Sarsingh, two young princes from north-western India...
in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, the Chhimba in Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
and the Chhipa
Chhipa
The Chhipa are a Muslim community found in the state of Gujarat in India. A few Chhipa are also found in the city of Karachi in Pakistan.-History and origin:Chhipa is also hindu community which belives in Sant Namdev...
in Gujarat.
Origin
According to their traditions, the Chhipi/Chhimpa/Chhipa/chhimba were originally RajputRajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s who were imprisoned by Taimur at the fort of Lohargarh in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
. They escaped from the fort and fled to Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand is a region of northwestern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Rohilkhand lies on the upper Ganges alluvial plain and has an area of about 25,000 km²/10,000 square miles...
. The Rajputs then hid, and were known as the chhipna Rajputs after the Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
word for hidden which is chhipana. Over time chhipna was corrupted to chhipi/chhimpa. Other traditions state that they get their name from the Hinda word chhapna, which means to print. In 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...
, the community has two four sub-divisions, the Rohilla, who are traditionally tailors, the Tonkia, are mainly dyers, while the Hansari and Pacchade are mainly calico printers. There is also a fifth group of Muslim Chhipi
Muslim Chhipi
The Muslim Chhipi are Muslim community found mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Chhipi caste.-Origin:...
s, who are converts to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
from the Chhipi caste. They are found mainly in the districts of Saharanpur District
Saharanpur District
Saharanpur district is the northernmost of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state, India. Bordering the states of Haryana and Uttarakhand, and close to the foothills of Shivalik range, it lies in the northern part of the Doab region...
, Muzaffarnagar
Muzaffarnagar District
Muzaffarnagar district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. It is part of Saharanpur division. The town of Muzaffarnagar is the district headquarters.-Communication:...
, Meerut
Meerut District
Meerut district , is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Meerut is the district headquarters. Meerut district is a part of Meerut division.-Demographics:...
, Bulandshahr
Bulandshahr District
Bulandshahar District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. Bulandshahr city is the district headquarters.-Geography:...
, Agra
Agra District
Agra District is one of the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and the historical city of Agra is the district headquarters. Agra district is a part of Agra division.-Geography:...
, Mathura
Mathura District
Mathura District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of northern India. The historic town of Mathura is the district headquarters.The district is bounded on the northeast by Aligarh District, on the southeast by Hathras District, on the south by Agra District, and on the west by Rajasthan and...
and Hamirpur
Hamirpur District, Uttar Pradesh
Hamirpur district is one of the 70 districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India and Hamirpur town is the district headquarters. Hamirpur district is a part of Chitrakoot Division. The district occupies an area of 4,121.9 km². The district has a population of 1,042,374...
. A small number are also found in the Haridwar District
Haridwar District
Haridwar district is a district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is headquartered at Haridwar which is also its largest city. The district is ringed by the districts Dehradun in the north and east, Pauri Garhwal in the east and the Uttar Pradesh districts of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor in the...
of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
.
In Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, the community’s traditional occupation was dyeing and printing of clothes. They are found throughout Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
and speak Haryanvi. The community is uncertain as to when they migrated from Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand is a region of northwestern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Rohilkhand lies on the upper Ganges alluvial plain and has an area of about 25,000 km²/10,000 square miles...
. There connection with the Chhimba community of Punjab is uncertain.
Present circumstances
In Uttar PradeshUttar 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...
, the four sub-divisions are strictly endogamous, as well as there being no intermarriage with the Muslim Chhipi
Muslim Chhipi
The Muslim Chhipi are Muslim community found mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Chhipi caste.-Origin:...
. Each sub-group is further divided into clans known as gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
s, amd marriages are forbidden within the gotra
Gotra
In the Hindu society, the term Gotra broadly refers to people who are descendants in an unbroken male line from a common male ancestor. Panini defines gotra for grammatical purposes as apatyam pautraprabhrti gotram , which means "the word gotra denotes the progeny beginning with the son's son"...
. Important clans include the Gidharwal, Gotre, Jagarwal, Singhmar, and Jalotare. The Rohella sub-group remains mainly engaged in tailoring, but the other groups have now abandoned their traditional occuapation. Most are now petty traders, a few are cultivators and wage labourers. They are Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, except the Muslim Chhipi
Muslim Chhipi
The Muslim Chhipi are Muslim community found mainly in the states of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Chhipi caste.-Origin:...
sub-group, and are followers of Namdev
Namdev
Sant Namdeo or Bhagat Namdeo was born on October 29, 1270 in the state of Maharashtra village of Narasi-Bamani, in Hingoli district . His father, a calico printer/tailor, was named Damshet and his mother's name was Gonabai...
. They are closely associated with the Namdev temples. The Chhipi/Chhimpa/Chhimpi speak the Khari boli dialect of Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
.
In neighbouring Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s, the Chhipi community's main clans include the Chooriyapar, Moosla, Gadaiyya, Gadhe,Khatti, Contwal and Lakhmara. Each of these clans are of equal status and intermarry.
The Chhipi/chhimpa/chhimpi are still involved with the printing and dyeing of clothes. A small number have now entered other professions. In addition, the Chhipi are also involved in thre sewing and selling of quilts. Like other artisan caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
s, they have also seen a decline in their traditional occupation. A good many are now wage labourers, with a smaller number who have taken to agriculture.
See also
- Chhimba
These days Rohillas are well educated race and have joined military, education, govt jobs and legal professions.