Darzi

The Darzi caste, sometimes pronounced Darji, are Hindus and Muslim community both, found in India and Pakistan. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. Darzi means tailor. They are also known as Kshatriya Darji in Hindus ^[1] and Idrisi^[2] in Muslim Community. The Darzi or Darji are a community of tailors, numbering around more than 3,240,00 people in India. Darzi are largely a landless or less land community whose main occupation is tailoring. The profession of tailoring is being done by Both Hindu and Muslim Community. In Hindu Community, Darzi are known as Hindu Darzi who have mainly Gotras of kshatriya Varna. In muslim community, Darzi caste is known as Idrishi (Hazrat Idrish). These both castes are enlisted in central and state caste lists for Other Backward Class(OBC) in India.

History and origin[]

The Darzi claim descent from Idris (Enoch), one of the biblical and Islamic prophets. According to their traditions, Idris was the first person to learn the art of sewing. The word Darzi literally means business of tailor in Hindustani. It is said to be derived from the Persian word darzan, which means to sew. This is also the commonly accepted derivation of the name of the non-related religion Druze. The Darzi are said to have settled in South Asia during the early period of the Sultanate of Delhi. They are also divided on a linguistic basis, with those of North India speaking various dialects of Urdu,^[3] while those of Punjab speaking Punjabi. The Punjabi Darzi are said to be converts from the Hindu Chhimba caste, and have several territorial divisions. These include the Sirhindi, Deswal and Multani. The Punjabi Darzi (Chhimba Darzi) are almost entirely Sunni.^[4]

In India[]

Hindu Darzi[]

Darzi have various synonyms as well as legends about their community origins, the legends vary according to the states in which they reside.

Rajasthan state: Peepa Kshatriya Darji: In the desert state of Rajasthan, the Darji claim their origin from the Rajput (Second Highest caste of warriors) tracing their descent from their legendary Hero Shri Peepa Ji Maharaj laterly become Saint during Bhakti Movement in India and also from Sant Namdev. Both Sant were the Great Spiritual Scholar of Swami Ramanada. Swami Ramananda was a 14th century Vaishnava devotional Poet saint who lived in the Gangetic basin of Northern India.

Gujarat: Damodar Vanshi, Tank, Rohilla

Punjab and Haryana: Bharatvanshi,

Delhi NCT: Darji Rajput, Bharatvanshi

Uttar Pradesh: Peepa Kshatriya Darji,^[5] Darji Rajput, and Kakusth Darji.

Madhya Pradesh: Namdev Darji,^[6] Chhipi, Chhipa^[7]

Chhattisgarh: Mavi Namdev,

Maharashtra: Shimpi Darji.

Karnataka: In this state, Darji are also referred to as Bhavsar Kshatriya, Chhipi, Namdev Simpi and Shimpi, and their surnames are Pisse, Wade, Kakade, and Sanyasi.

Odisha: Maharana, Mahapatra and Darzi, the former two of which are also used as surnames

Muslim Darzi[]

In Uttar Pradesh state of india, Muslim Darji are also called as Khayyat and have recently begun affixing the title Idrishi, thereby tracing their origin to Hazrat Idrish. They believed that he was the real teacher from whom their forefathers learned the art of tailoring. The Idrishi Darzi claim descent from Idris (Enoch), one of the biblical and Islamic prophets.^{[citation needed]}

According to their traditions, Idris had learned the art of sewing. The word Darzi literally means business of tailor in Hindustani. It is said to be derived from the Persian word darzan, which means to sew. This is also the commonly accepted derivation of the name of the non-related religion Druze.^{[citation needed]}

The Idrishi Darzi is said to have settled in South Asia during the early period of the Sultanate of Delhi. They are also divided on a linguistic basis, with those of North India speaking various dialects of Urdu,^[8] while those of Punjab speaking Punjabi.^{[citation needed]}

The Punjabi Darzi is said to be converted from the Hindu Chhimba caste, and have several territorial divisions. These include the Sirhindi, Deswal and Multani. The Punjabi Darzi (Chhimba Darzi) are almost entirely Sunni.^[9]

The Idrisi of Jharkhand have a common origin with those of Bihar, and intermarry. The community speak the Angika dialect of Hindi. Most Idrisis are still engaged in tailoring, but many Idrisis, particularly in Jharkhand are now farmers. Their customs are similar to other Bihari Muslims.^[10]

In Pakistan[]

In Pakistan, the Darzi are two distinct communities, the Delhiwal Idrissis, who are found among the Muhajir ethnic group, and the Chhimba Darzi, who are ethnically Punjabi. The former are immigrants from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are concentrated in the port city of Karachi. Like their North Indian kinsmen, many have now opened small shops and businesses, although many other members of the community work for other Idrissis. They remain divided by sectarian divisions, the Sunni Idrisi not marrying into Shia Idrisi families. The community claims itself to be of Shaikh status.^{[citation needed]}

In Punjab, the Chhimba Darzi are immigrants from East Punjab. Many in rural areas of Punjab have taken to cultivation, while those in urban areas have opened up small businesses. The Chhimba Darzi claim to belong to the Muslim Rajput community. They are entirely Sunni, and many belong to the orthodox Deobandi sect.^[11]

See also[]

• Druze heterodox Muslim community of Syria, also derived their name from the word Darzi

References[]