Kingharia
Encyclopedia
The Kingharia are a Muslim
community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
in India
. They are also known as Panwariya.
Shaikh
, and claim descent from Abbas
, the uncle of the Prophet Mohammad. The community is found mainly in Awadh
, with concentrations in Lucknow
, Bahraich
, Barabanki
and Gorakhpur
. According to some traditions, they are a branch of the Mirasi
community. They are further divided into seven clans, referred to as biradaris, which claim descent from a common ancestor. The seven clan include the Kingharia proper, the Bankhata, the Sewak, the Jogi, the Kapariya, the Atit and the Baanchhariya. Each of these clans is of equal status, and intermarry.
and Muslim
s on special occasions such as a birth of a child. Many of the community have abandoned their traditional occupation, and are now taking to cultivation. A larger number are agricultural labourers. The Kingharia are Sunni, although a few especially in Lucknow
are Shia. They are strictly endogamous, and marry close kin. Their customs are similar to other Muslim
s in the Awadh
region.
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...
. They are also known as Panwariya.
Origin
The Kingharia are a community of singers and beggers. Their name is derived from the word kingri, which is a type of a violin. The word Kingharia literally means someone who plays the kingri. They claim to be AbbasiAbbasi
Abbasi is a prominent Islamic family name. - Origin :The Abbasid caliphate was founded by the descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad's youngest uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, in Harran in 750 CE and shifted its capital in 762 to Baghdad...
Shaikh
Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh
The Shaikh are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are part of the larger Shaikh community of South Asia. Quite a few Shaikh have immigrated to Pakistan, where they form an important element in the Muhajir community...
, and claim descent from Abbas
Abbas
Abbas, medieval Latin for "abbot", is an element in a number of place names in England and may refer to:- Places :* Abbas Combe, Somerset* Bradford Abbas, Dorset* Cerne Abbas, Dorset* Compton Abbas, Dorset* Itchen Abbas, Hampshire* Melbury Abbas, Dorset...
, the uncle of the Prophet Mohammad. The community is found mainly in 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...
, with concentrations in Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
, Bahraich
Bahraich District
Bahraich District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Bahraich town is the district headquarters. Bahraich District is a part of Devipatan Division.-History:...
, Barabanki
Barabanki District
The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate...
and Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur District
Gorakhpur district is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in India. Gorakhpur is the administrative headquarters of the district.-History:The district was ceded by the Nawab of Awadh to the British East India Company in 1801. With this cession, Gorakhpur was raised to the status of a district. The...
. According to some traditions, they are a branch of the Mirasi
Mirasi
The Mirasi are a Muslim or Sikh caste, found in Northern India and Pakistan. They are also known as Pakhwaji, Kalawart and Qawwal.The Mirasi community are the genealogists of a number of communities in Northern India and Pakistan. Most Mirasis are Muslim, but Rababi and Dhadi sub-groups are...
community. They are further divided into seven clans, referred to as biradaris, which claim descent from a common ancestor. The seven clan include the Kingharia proper, the Bankhata, the Sewak, the Jogi, the Kapariya, the Atit and the Baanchhariya. Each of these clans is of equal status, and intermarry.
Present Circumstances
The Kingharia are a landless community. Their traditional occupation was singing of traditional folks songs. They would visit the home of wealthy HinduHindu
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...
and 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 on special occasions such as a birth of a child. Many of the community have abandoned their traditional occupation, and are now taking to cultivation. A larger number are agricultural labourers. The Kingharia are Sunni, although a few especially in Lucknow
Lucknow
Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division....
are Shia. They are strictly endogamous, and marry close kin. Their customs are similar to other 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 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.