Chura
Encyclopedia
Chura is a caste
in Punjab
whose traditional occupation is sweeping. Churas are largely followers of Sikhism
and secondly Christianity
. A small minority practice Valmikism an off shoot or cult
form of mainstream Hinduism
which still incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices. They are treated as untouchables or Dalit
s as they occupy the lowest category in Hinduism's religious hierarchy.
brought a new message and spoke out against the Hindu religion and the inequality of its caste system. He stressed that all people were equal and the new religion forbade the caste system. The Churas flocked to the new religion.
Amongst Sikhs, the Churas are known as a warrior landowning caste called Mazhabi Sikhs
, they have a fine and feared reputation as soldiers; a reputaion made famous by their service in the Sikh 10th Light Infantry
.
a sweeper born of sweeper parents is considered to be born "Inherently polluted". The Churas occupy the lowest rank in the Hindu religious hierarchy. Maintenance of purity is especially important for upper castes in the Hindu religion and if an upper caste were to accept food or drink prepared by members of lower castes, they would become polluted. For a Hindu to accept food from a Christian
or Muslim
it would be considered "Highly polluting" for the upper caste. If a Brahmin
where to accept food and drink from a sweeper, he would immediately become polluted and would expect social rejection from his caste fellows. from that moment, Brahmins following traditional "pollution rules" would refuse food touched by him and would abstain from traditional social interaction from him. He will not be welcome in other Brahmin homes and would be barred especially from ritually pure kitchens. He and his relatives would also not be considered eligible marriage partners by other Brahmins.
"
. Churas adopted the externals of islam by keeping Muslim names, Namaz, Viz, observing Ramadan and burial of the dead. However they never underwent circumcision
. Only a few cases of circumcision have ever been recorded for Churas or Bhangis and these were Churas who lived very near Jama Masjid
. The Churas did not accept Mohammed as their prophet and also continued observing traditional Hindu
festivals, such as Diwali
, Raki and Holi
.. The Muslim caste system was simply a continuation from the Hindu Caste System; and islam did not raise the social status of Churas. Just like their Hindu brethren they continued with their traditional caste work. Untouchability was fully accepted and justified by the Muslim Orthodoxy in India and the caste system was fully observed by Muslim society.
Just like Hindu Churas who were barred from entrance to temples; Churas were barred from entrance to mosque
s and churas were never allowed to go past the outside steps to Muslim religious places. Muslim untouchablily even extended after death, Churas were to bury their dead in separate graveyards away from other Muslims.
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...
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...
whose traditional occupation is sweeping. Churas are largely followers of Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
and secondly Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. A small minority practice Valmikism an off shoot or cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
form of mainstream Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
which still incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices. They are treated as untouchables or Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
s as they occupy the lowest category in Hinduism's religious hierarchy.
In Sikhism
By the 15th century Guru Nanak the founder of SikhismSikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
brought a new message and spoke out against the Hindu religion and the inequality of its caste system. He stressed that all people were equal and the new religion forbade the caste system. The Churas flocked to the new religion.
Amongst Sikhs, the Churas are known as a warrior landowning caste called Mazhabi Sikhs
Mazhabi
A Mazhabi Sikh is a member of the Rangretta clans Churas who have embraced the sikh faith who are mainly found in the Punjab region, Kashmir and Rajastan...
, they have a fine and feared reputation as soldiers; a reputaion made famous by their service in the Sikh 10th Light Infantry
Sikh Light Infantry
The Sikh Light Infantry previously known as The Mazabhi and Ramdasia Sikh Regiment is an elite Regiment of the Indian Army. Its name was changed to the Sikh Light Infantry in 1944. The Sikh Light Infantry is the successor unit to the Mazhabi Sikh Pioneers 23rd, 32nd and 34th Sikh Pioneers...
.
In Hinduism
The caste system with all its inequalities is closely identified with, and supported by the Hindu religion. In sharp contrast to a BrahminBrahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
a sweeper born of sweeper parents is considered to be born "Inherently polluted". The Churas occupy the lowest rank in the Hindu religious hierarchy. Maintenance of purity is especially important for upper castes in the Hindu religion and if an upper caste were to accept food or drink prepared by members of lower castes, they would become polluted. For a Hindu to accept food from a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
or 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...
it would be considered "Highly polluting" for the upper caste. If a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
where to accept food and drink from a sweeper, he would immediately become polluted and would expect social rejection from his caste fellows. from that moment, Brahmins following traditional "pollution rules" would refuse food touched by him and would abstain from traditional social interaction from him. He will not be welcome in other Brahmin homes and would be barred especially from ritually pure kitchens. He and his relatives would also not be considered eligible marriage partners by other Brahmins.
Valmikis
A minority of Punjabi Churas based around the Jallandhar area have undergone "Hinduisation" in the form of the "Valmiki cultCult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
"
In Islam
Islam despite placing great emphasis on social equality and brotherhood among all muslims did not address the problem of untouchability for the Churas or Bhangis, even if they did convert. As a result, only a very few members from this community ever embraced IslamIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Churas adopted the externals of islam by keeping Muslim names, Namaz, Viz, observing Ramadan and burial of the dead. However they never underwent circumcision
Circumcision
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
. Only a few cases of circumcision have ever been recorded for Churas or Bhangis and these were Churas who lived very near Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid also Jami Masjid, refers to the Friday Mosque, where Jummah or weekly Friday noon congregation prayers of Muslims take place...
. The Churas did not accept Mohammed as their prophet and also continued observing traditional 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...
festivals, such as Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
, Raki and Holi
Holi
Holi , is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and countries with large Indic diaspora populations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United...
.. The Muslim caste system was simply a continuation from the Hindu Caste System; and islam did not raise the social status of Churas. Just like their Hindu brethren they continued with their traditional caste work. Untouchability was fully accepted and justified by the Muslim Orthodoxy in India and the caste system was fully observed by Muslim society.
Just like Hindu Churas who were barred from entrance to temples; Churas were barred from entrance to mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s and churas were never allowed to go past the outside steps to Muslim religious places. Muslim untouchablily even extended after death, Churas were to bury their dead in separate graveyards away from other Muslims.