Darzi

The Darzi (Urdu: درزی, Hindi: दर्ज़ी), sometimes pronounced Darji, are a Muslim community, found in North India and Pakistan. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. Darzi means tailor in Hindustani. They are also known as Idrisi or Idrisi Shaikh.[1]

Darzi or Idrisi
Regions with significant populations
• Pakistan • India
Languages
• Hindustani • Punjabi
Religion
• Islam
Related ethnic groups
• Chhimba Darzi • Chhimba • Shaikh

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,[2] 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.[3]

Present circumstances

Gujarati Darjis are branched out into Vanza and Sai Suthar majogothia.

In India

The Shaikh Idrisi, or Darzi, as they prefer to be known, are still essentially involved with their traditional occupation of tailoring and garment-related work. Many urban Idrisi have now opened big shops and showrooms, or are employed in the textile industry, while the new generation of Idrishi caste are largely educated and many are employed doing government jobs or settled in Gulf countries. They have a traditional community council which still exercises some control over matters of social behavior.[4]

In western Uttar Pradesh, Osmania Turks or Osmania Turk sheikhs are also engaged in this profession. They are of Central Asian Turkmen (Uighur) origin and are actually descendants of the Turkish sultanate in India. They are mainly settled in the western Uttar Pradesh districts of Bijnor, Moradabad, Shajahanpur, Amroha, Etah, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Meerut and Muzzafarnagar. Most Darzi who migrated to Karachi are Turki sheikhs who had taken up the profession out of poverty and lack of better professions. They are still called Turki in local areas. Turki or Turki Darzi are very fair and have Uighur genetic makeup. Their women and men still look like Central Asians, with little beards, sharp features, and deep low eyes. There are also mixes of Moghuls and Turks in India. Most Turki have now left this profession in order to become highly-paid professionals like doctors, engineers, and professors. They also run large garments businesses in Noida, India. Normally, they use "Osmani" or "Uddin" as their surname, but recently, due to the benefits in India quota system, they have also started using "Idrisi".

In Bihar, the Darzi are known as Idrisi, and claim descent from the prophet Idris (Enoch). They are found mainly in the districts of Bhagalpur, Chhapra, Sitamarhi, Purvi Champaran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Munger, and Patna. 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.[5]

In Pakistan

In Pakistan, the Darzi are, in fact, 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.

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.[6]

See also

References
  1. People of India: Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, ISBN 9788173041143, pages 412–415
  2. People of India: Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, ISBN 9788173041143, page 413
  3. H.A. Rose, A Glossary of the Tribes & Castes of Punjab, Low Price Publications, page 228
  4. People of India: Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One, edited by Amir Hasan & J.C. Das, ISBN 9788173041143, page 415
  5. People of India: Bihar Volume XVI Part One, edited by S. Gopal & Hetukar Jha, Seagull Books, pages 392–394
  6. Pnina Werbner, The Migration Process: Capital, Gifts and Offerings among British Pakistanis, Berg publications
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