Chamar: Difference between revisions

ਜਾਣਹੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਨ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਗੈ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (ਪੰਨਾ 349, ਸਤਰ 13, Nanak) Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race. This article is just for information purpose and to share how people from different castes came into the Sikh fold. So, please treat this article as a source of general information about this issue and kindly do not amend this article to highlight this important underlying Sikh principle. If you have any comments, please discuss them appropriately here

Chamar (from the Sanskrit Charmakara,Tanners ) is a prominent occupational middle to high caste in India.

Chamars in the Punjab

Chamars are among the biggest castes in India and historically associated with skinning, tanning and agriculture and are classed as middle to high caste. The most politically, economically and socially influential Chamars are from the state of Punjab who comprises 13% of the total population. In the Punjab they are divided into various groups such as Ravidassia Sikh and Ramdasia Sikh. Ravidassia is used in Doaba and Ramdasia is used in Malwa. Also there are sections of Chamars .They are highly concentrated in the Doaba region of Punjab (India).

Chamars are middle to high caste in India’s caste system, similar to Tarkhans or Jats. In today’s society they have a lot of wealth and are amongst one of the most successful castes within India. Some Chamars used to own land and were very high in the caste system, however had fallen down the hierarchy due to exclusion from the family, which means chamars historically are high caste.

The Chamars of Doaba are rich and educated.Nowadays people of this community are mostly government officials. Some Chamars worship Guru Ravidass and go to the Guru Ravidass Sikh Gurudwara, and some see him as a Bhagat and worship at the normal Sikh temple. Chamars also stand with Khalistan like other Sikhs.

Some of the famous Chamars -

• Kanshi Ram, founder of Bahujan Samaj Party, DS4 and BAMCEF

• Prithvi Singh Azad, founding member of Ghadar Party, Indian independence activist and politician

• Mangu Ram Mugowalia, founding member of Ghadar Party and founder of Ad dharm movement

• Master Gurbanta Singh, tallest Dalit leader of Punjab, educator and key person of Ad Dharm movement.

• Santokh Singh Chaudhary, M.P of Jalandhar and Minister in state

• Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, former MLA of Kartarpur and minister

• Chaudhary Sadhu Ram, former M.P of Phillaur and minister

• Amar Singh Chamkila, legendary singer and performer from Punjab

• Miss Pooja, Bhangra and pop singer

• Manjit Rupowalia, Punjabi singer

• Ginni Mahi, Punjabi folk simger and rapper

• Gurdas Ram Alam, pioneer of Punjabi Dalit literature

• Sarwan Ram Darapuri, former Inspector General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, politician and Dalit activist

Chamar surnames

Bangar • Basra • Bhutta • Bassi• Chumber • Dugh • Jassal • Kainth • Leer • Mahay • Mahey • Mahi • Mall • Ranu • Simk • Singhmar • Jassy • Chumer • Sheemar • Heer • Banga • Bhardwaj • Kajla • Ram • Sandhu • Kumar • Kumari • Singh • Jassal • Mehmi • Janagal • Badhan • Raju • Jhim • Lal • Dhanda • Azad • Karra • Bassan • Loach • Choor • Karloopia • Shivgotra • Bangotra • Kalsi • Angural • Thapa • Dabi • Dalia • Attri • Dhupad • Langeh • Gumarwal • Chopra • Meharda • Mahandia • Gothwal • Sahota • Sidhu • Kalsi • Bhinjhi • Jassi • Gotherwal • Bhatoa • Bhatti • Budhal • Kameria • Loht • Rall • Jhamat • Jakhu • Ladhar • Chawla • Puar • Dhania • Ranga • Johal • Dahiya • Gahlot • Mahandirata • Mehndi • Muwaal • Nimbhoria • Rao • Soann • Chouhan • Sanpat • Basanpal • Saroya • Bal • Bhola • Rattu • Klair • Virdi • Toora • Salhan • Ravi • Summan • Sehgal • Saroa • Chopra • Simar • Bhatti • Ratti • Mehra • Plethu • Dhirana • Kataria • Duggal • Virk • Walia • Sohpal • Soni • Dhillon • Brar • Kandhola • Bains • Dhaliwal • Maan • Dosanjh • Aujla • Uppal • Gill • Lidder • Boparai • Cheema • Sohal • Chander • Grewal • Jandu • Kang • Lalli • Channi • Pahal • Mangat • Natt • Tutt • Waraich