Kasgar
Encyclopedia
The Kasgar are a Muslim
community, found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
in India
. After independence of Pakistan
in 1947, many Kasgar migrated and resettled in Pakistan
. They are now found mainly in Sindh
province and have became part of Muhajir community.
کاسگر meaning goblet-makers) are an occupational group who are makers of the kas kuza (Persian: کاسه کوزه) goblets and other earthen pots. They are concentrated in the Awadh
region of Uttar Pradesh
. Information regarding the origin of the community is obscure. However, it is likely to be a sub-group within the Kumhar
community. Their major occupation remains the manufacture of earthen pots.
The Kasgar are an endogamous community, and they practice both parallel and cross cousin marriages. Like other artisan communities of North India
, they have a traditional caste council.
Among the Kasgar, the caste council known as a panchayat, plays an important role in resolving disputes among the community. They perceive themselves to be of Shaikh
status. The community is split by sectarian affiliation, with some members belonging to the Shia sects, while others are Sunni.
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...
. After independence of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in 1947, many Kasgar migrated and resettled in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. They are now found mainly in Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
province and have became part of Muhajir community.
History and Present Circumstances
The Kasgar (from PersianPersian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
کاسگر meaning goblet-makers) are an occupational group who are makers of the kas kuza (Persian: کاسه کوزه) goblets and other earthen pots. They are concentrated in the Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
region 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...
. Information regarding the origin of the community is obscure. However, it is likely to be a sub-group within the Kumhar
Kumhar
Kumhar or Kumbhar ; also known as Prajapati, is a caste or community of India, mainly belonging to the Hindu religion. The word "Kumhar" literally means "potter" in Indian languages, pottery being the traditional occupation of the Kumhars....
community. Their major occupation remains the manufacture of earthen pots.
The Kasgar are an endogamous community, and they practice both parallel and cross cousin marriages. Like other artisan communities of North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, they have a traditional caste council.
Among the Kasgar, the caste council known as a panchayat, plays an important role in resolving disputes among the community. They perceive themselves to be of Shaikh
Shaikhs in South Asia
Sheikh, also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh, Shaikh, Cheikh, Šeih, Šejh, Şeyh and other variants , is a word or honorific term in the Arabic language that literally means "elder." It is commonly used to designate an elder of a tribe, a revered wise man, or an Islamic scholar...
status. The community is split by sectarian affiliation, with some members belonging to the Shia sects, while others are Sunni.