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Sheikh (. From the beginning of Muslim rule in South Asia in 713 AD, the Arab technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to Islamic Sultanate in South Asia and settled permanently. In Shaikh s families were converted from Khatri tribe. But most Sikhs were formed from the peasantry. Punjabi Shaikhs are mostly urban and non agriculturist. Their main professions are business and public service. In Punjab, they stereotypically have a reputation for business acumen. Before the independence of Pakistan in 1947 , Khatri s were living in all the districts of Punjab . Most of them were concentrated in the western districts. In the western districts conversion was almost universal. People from all classes; Rajput s, Jat s, Gujjar s, Arain s, Gakhars , etc; embraced Islam . In districts east of Sutlej River (now in Punjab ) conversion was limited. Large numbers of Khatris remained Hindu. In 1947 almost all Punjabi Shaikhs moved to Pakistan . Khawaja Shaikh Khatris after being forced to accept Islam adopted Khawaja Shaikh ( Arabic : خواجہ شيخ ) as title and it is generally assumed to belong to Muslim trading families. Although large number of them were employed in government services. When Khatri traders from the western districts of the Punjab; Sargodha , Jhang , Jehlum , Chakwal , Faisalabad ; accepted Islam called themselves ''Khawaja'' and adopted Shaikh as title. They are also called ''Khawaja Shaikh''. Some of them adopted Mian as title. In recent years traders from a small town of Chiniot of district Jhang became prominent due to their contribution in the industries of Pakistan. These traders are known as Chiniotis or ''Chinioti Shaikhs''. Famous trading family Sahgal s, Sahgal Khatris of Chakwal , are known as ''Punjabi Shaikh'' instead of ''Khawaja Shaikh''. They use Mian as title. Qanungoh Shaikh . They are descendant of Khatri families who were holding hereditary office of ‘’Qanungoh’’ (‘’Law givers’’) during the Muslim Period. This designation was used in the Punjab and other provinces of India and Pakistan for hereditary registrar of landed property in a subdivision of a district. In Mughal times most of these offices were held by Khatris. When these families converted to Islam, they called themselves Qanungo Shaikh. Sikandrabadi Sheikh Sikandrabad and Delhi are descendant of Muslim Khatri traders who settled in the old city of Delhi. The date of settlement in Delhi is not certain. They use Shaikh as title. After independence of Pakistan in 1947 , a large number of these traders migrated to Lahore and Karachi. Some still live in Delhi Death no leveller in Capital cemetery . Other Shaikhs Kashmiri Shaikh s is another community living in different districts of the Punjab. They emigrated from Kashmir during 19th & 20th century. Allama Shaikh Muhammad Iqbal belonged to this group. His grandfather Shaikh Rafiq migrated to Sialkot in early 19th century. Kashmiri Shaikhs are descendants of kashmiri Brahmans and have nothing in common with punjabi or any other shaikhs of the rest of the world. Kakkezai traders, who claim descent from Afghan of Sistan are residing in almost all the districts of the Punjab. They also use Shaikh as title. Ghulam Muhammad , the 3rd Governor General Of Pakistan belonged to this community. Punjabi Shaikh joined government services during 19th century, provided high education to their children. They are now most successful community of the Punjab and represented heavily in the public service, in professions like doctors, lawyers, and engineers. DISTINGUISHED PUNJABI SHAIKHS
REFERENCES # D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, " ''A Glossary of The Tribes & Casts of The Punjab & North West Frontier Province''", 1911, pp 502 Vol II # Wendy Doniger, tr. "''The Law of Manu''", (Penguin Books, 1991 ) Verses 43-44, Chapter 10. # A.L. Basham " ''The Wonder That Was India''", ( Sidgwick & Jackson, 1967) # D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, pp 58, Vol I # Abu Fazal, "'' Ain-i-Akbari ''", translated by H.Blocmann & H.S. Jarrett, (Calcutta, 1873-94) 3 Vols., a gazetteer of the Mughal Empire compiled in 1590 AD. # D. Ibbetson, E.MacLagan, H.A. Rose, pp 513-514 Vol II EXTERNAL LINK SEE ALSO
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