Madhavas (Bhat Brahmin & Bhat Sikhs) in the Punjab:- According to historian H.A.Rose, The Madhwas did not first settle in Punjab, originally they were found chiefly in the Dadra, Deo, along the banks of the Ganges in the Bijnor district of the United Provinces. They then migrated to Hoshiarpur and Sialkot, and later were to be found in the great town and places all over India. Communities had also spread to Rawalpindi and Lahore, as well as East Punjab. In 1911 AD, India’s Colonial historian, H.A.Rose found 13 Gotras in Sialkot out of the 22 Gotras (surnames), lists, namely Bhains, Bhatti, Bhotiwal, Digwa or Digpal, Gami, Gojra, Kag, Kasba, Lande, Lar, Lohi, Rathor, Rodh. Since Madhwas (Bhat Brahmins) did not take to settled life. As the small band of bard singers travelled northwards to the Punjab, their numbers increased substantially from the host villages they sheltered and preached to. However their religious duties were kept up. And Bhatras (Bhat Sikhs) were itinerant missionaries; they also did not take to settled life. In the 16th and 17th century the mobility of the Nanakpanthi Bhats saw the scattering of the community in several parts of India. The Punjab was where they gained their greatest numbers from and where many settled. Most of the Punjabis from all walks of life that embraced Guru Nanak’s teachings from hearing the Bards of these travelers joined the Bhat Sikhs and became Sikhs. Hence Bhats surnames include those from Jats, Khatris and Rajputs among others. By the late 19th century and early 20th century, while kingdoms were getting merged into the British Government, Bhat was the name of a caste or Jati within the Indian tradition of social classes, each with its own occupation. For food Madhwas (Bhat Brahmins) even began astrology and fortune telling whilst paddling to customers. Many of them are Banjaras and peddlers by trade, some hawking cheap ornaments for women, and other so called Vedic medicine. Thence the migrated to Hoshiarpur and Sialkot, by they are now to be found in the great towns places of pilgrimages all over India and here they pose as magician, for telling the future by gazing in to cup of oil thence they mainly frequent to Kangra district. They prey on the gradually of the people by astrology, the other moiety are Jatadhari, but smoke, and generally assume the characteristic garb of the Udassis, Pretending to be emissaries of certain temples and collecting subscriptions for them. The Madhwas (Bhat Brahmins) claims to Brahminical origins borne out the fact they wear the Janeu and Tilak, and even at eclipses receive certain offerings, while standing in water, from each and every caste. They also practice Palmistry (Rekha). After the Diwali they set out their tours, returning at the commencement of the rainy season. They travel in gangs generally of half a dozen or so.They were a small group: so small that even in the Punjab many people did not know of them. Though some lived in Lahore, many Madhwas (Bhat Brahmins) can trace their roots to villages around Sialkot and Gurdaspur Districts. Bhatras (Bhat Sikhs) are occasionally accompanied by their wives and daughters, for whose marriages they collect subscription. Various forms of swindling are practiced by them and they earn large sums which they promptly squander on drinks and gambling. Besides hawking small hardware for sale they pierce children’s noses and ears rings. The Bhat Sikhs whilst on their missionary work, travelling from village to village and town to town became familiar to pedling. Selling goods and merchandise on their travels throughout India. Their success lay in their spirit of enterprise, price manipulation and extension of price. Indians that embraced Guru Nanak’s teachings from hearing the Bards of these travelers (Bhats), joined the Bhat Sikhs and became Sikhs. Ending up in Punjab. Bhatra Sikhs having mixed ancestry In that Bhats originated in Punjab But many also originated from Sri Lanka. Bhatras were known for their missionary work to spread the message of Sikhism. Hence many Sri Lankans converted to Sikhism and assimilated into the Bhatra community. During the partition of the Punjab in 1947, many Bhatts (भट्ट) were affected, and were uprooted as a large majority resided in West Punjab, including in Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Lyallpur. Many settled in East Punjab in India after 1947, whilst others scattered to other states such as Haryana (Ambala), Rajasthan, Delhi and even in Calcutta.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 13:39:13 +0000
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