Hussaini Brahmin

Hussaini Brahmin is a Mohyal community with links to both Hinduism and Islam. The Mohyal community comprises seven sub-clans named Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Datt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid, however, as consistent with the Hindu tradition, they have adopted non-Indic traditions. This has led to a small sub-set of the Moyhal community paying reverence to Islam, most notably to the third Shia Imam al-Husayn ibn 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.^[1] Citing source from history of the Mohyals, published in 1911 CE., it is disclosed that about 1,400 Brahmins had been living in Baghdad capital of Iraq when the Battle of Karbala took place in 680 AD.^[2] Few families can still be found in parts of Iraq but most families of Hussaini Brahmins are now settled in Pune,^[3] Delhi,^[4] Chandigarh and Jammu in India, Sindh and Lahore in Pakistan and Kabul and South Afghanistan in Afghanistan. Some of them also observe Muharram every year. A sect of Bhumihar Brahmins in Muzzafarpur district of Bihar also claim ancestry from Hussaini Brahmins and take part in Muharram each year.^[5]

Muhiyals have been rulers of territories in the present day Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. They are essentially a military race.^{[citation needed]}

Story of Mohyal^[6][7][]

As per Mohyal oral history, a Mohyal of the Dutt clan had fought on behalf of Imam al-Husayn in the Battle of Karbala (680 C.E.), more specifically in the storming of Kufa—sacrificing his seven sons in the process.^[8] According to legend, Rahab Sidh Dutt (also mentioned as Rahib Sidh or Sidh Viyog Datt in some versions) was the leader of a small band of career-soldiers living near Baghdad around the time of the battle of Karbala.^[9] The legend mentions the place where he stayed as Dair-al-Hindiya, meaning "The Indian Quarter", which matches an Al-Hindiya in existence today.^[9]

Other[]

In Ajmer, Rajasthan, a place of Sufi pilgrimage, where Moinuddin Chishti lived and passed his last days, there is even today a class of people who call themselves Hussaini Brahmins, who are neither 'orthodox Hindus' nor orthodox Muslims. Hussaini Brahmins practiced a mixed blend of orthodox Vedic and Islamic traditions. A saying in Hindi/Urdu language refers to the Hussaini Brahmans thus: "Wah Datt Sultan, Hindu ka dharm, Musalman ka Iman, Adha Hindu adha Musalman (Well Datt Sultan, declaring Hindu Dharma and following Muslim practice, Half Hindu and Half Muslim.^[10][11] Hussaini Brahmins used to live in Lahore until India's partition 1947, when they were forced to leave.^[12]

Famous[]

Famous Hussaini Brahmin include Sunil Dutt and Sanjay Dutt, and Urdu writer Kashmiri Lal Zakir.^[13]

See also[]

• Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb
• Hindu–Islamic relations
• Hindu–Muslim unity
• Religious syncretism

References[]

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