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Chamar (from the Sanskrit Charmakara) is a prominent occupational Dalit caste in [[India]]. Also associated with the Madiga in South [[India]].
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Chamar (from the Sanskrit Charmakara,Tanners ) is a prominent occupational middle to high caste in India.
==Background==


Chamars were mainly labourers and peasants, however, some of them were traditionally engaged in professions such as Leather-working. However, many Chamars living in rural areas have branched out into other occupations such as Weaving. Because of their Dalit status, which was considered to be the lowest in the {{wiki|Indian Caste System}}, over the centuries, the Chamars have been subjected to discrimination, as a result of which many of them remain poor and backward to this day. Many Chamar families share the same names as families from other castes, this is because they had belonged to those other castes in the past but had fallen down the hierarchy due to poverty or exclusion from the family.
==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).


One example of discrimination against Chamars is cited in an Amar Chitra Katha book concerning Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. According to this source, Vidyasagar and several assistants of his, offered food and provisions to victims of a famine in Bengal. Vidyasagar asked his assistants to distribute oil to Chamar victims with parched skin. However, he noticed that one assistant did his bidding only from a distance. When asked why he could not move closer to the Chamars, the assistant replied, "How can I touch a Chamar?" (Vidyasagar then touched one Chamar and said, "What makes you think you can't?")
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.


Today in India, Chamars are politically organised for their status in the society and these changes really helped them to improve their status. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states of India are examples where this caste is very much more conscious.
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.


==Chamars in the Punjab==
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


Chamars are among the biggest castes in [[India]]. The most politically and socially influential Chamars are from the state of [[Punjab]] with Dalits comprising 27% of the population. In the Punjab they are divided into various groups such as Ad-dharmis, Ramdasias and Ravidasis. They are highly concentrated in the Doaba region of Punjab (India).
* Mangu Ram Mugowalia, founding member of Ghadar Party and founder of Ad dharm movement


The Chamars of Doaba are rich and educated. Due the influence of Sikhism and the preference of the British for Sikh soldiers, many Chamar Sikhs, were able to serve in the military and thus improve their social and economic status.
* Master Gurbanta Singh, tallest Dalit leader of Punjab, educator and key person of Ad Dharm movement.


A lot of Chamars from Doaba have been migrating to the USA, the UK, Canada, the Middle East and other countries and send a lot of money back.
* Santokh Singh Chaudhary, M.P of Jalandhar and Minister in state


One of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army is the Sikh Light Infantry, which is composed mostly of Chamar and Mazhabi Sikhs.
* Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, former MLA of Kartarpur and minister


The Dalit/Shudra political party, the BSP is a powerful force in the Indian political environment.
* Chaudhary Sadhu Ram, former M.P of Phillaur and minister


==Famous Chamars==
* Amar Singh Chamkila, legendary singer and performer from Punjab


    * Jagjivan Ram - Deputy Prime Minister of India
* Miss Pooja, Bhangra and pop singer
    * Meira Kumar - Minister of Parliament (India)
    * Kanshi Ram - Founder of the BSP
    * Mayawati - Leader of BSP
    * Samsher Singh Doolan - President of the Congress Party
    * Chaudhary Jagjit Singh - A prominent Politician in the Doaba district of [[Punjab]]
    * Palwankar Baloo - Cricketer and Social Activist
    * Chamkila - [[Punjabi]] Singer and Musician
    * Amar Arshi - Punjabi Singer
    * Lal Chand Yamla Jatt - Punjabi Singer
    * Lehmber Hussainpuri - Punjabi Singer
    * Kaler Kanth - Punjabi Singer
    * Sant Ram Udassi - Punjabi Poet
    * Bhulla Ram Chann - Punjabi Poet
    * Charan Singh Safri - Punjabi Poet
    * Dev Jassal - Punjabi Poet
    * Balbeer-O - Sarpanchni
    * Tejinder Sandhu - Veterinary Clinic Manager
    * Gurkamal Singh Kandhola - Fought legal battle against caste discrimination


==See also==
* Manjit Rupowalia, Punjabi singer


* Karmabhoomi by Premchand
* Ginni Mahi, Punjabi folk simger and rapper


Mangoo Ram: The famous Ad Dharam movement initiated by Mangoo Ram during the 1920s has been among the most successful of dalit mobilizations in the history of modern India. The Ad Dharam movement not only successfully mobilized a large majority of the chamars from the Doaba region, it also played an important role in transforming the social identity of dalits in the region.
* Gurdas Ram Alam, pioneer of Punjabi Dalit literature


Though the son of a rich chamar, his family had to bear the stigma of untouchability. He spent much of his early life in the United States where he got involved with the Gadar movement. On his return to Punjab in 1925, he set up a school for lower caste children with the help of the Arya Samaj, but soon distanced himself from the Samaj and took over the Ad Dharm movement.
* Sarwan Ram Darapuri, former Inspector General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, politician and Dalit activist
<big>Chamar surnames</big>


{{Castes, Tribes & Other Social Groups}}
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
[[Category: Social Groups Of India]]

Latest revision as of 10:23, 1 July 2024

For Information only
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

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