The Seal of Chieftain of Rajpar community
| |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Sindh, Pakistan | |
| Languages | |
| Sindhi | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Shia, Sunni, erstwhile Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Sindhi people |
Rajper, or Rajpar, (Sindhi: راڄپر) is a Sindhi Rajput tribe and subclan "nukh" of Samma RajputsinSindh, Pakistan.[1] They are descendants of Jam Hothi son of Unar,[1] Whereas in another tradition they are mentioned as descendants of Thebo son of Unar.[1] Rajper literally means "Son of Raja (King)".
Rajpar community has over 70 sub castes in Sindh. Majority of Rajpar lives in Naushehro Feroz, Khairpur, Nawabshah, Sanghar, Sukkur and Larkana Districts of Sindh. Rajpar are mainly landlords, before the creation of Pakistan they collected taxes on the Sindhu Darya. Rajpar were among the supporters for Soomras to establish rule in Sindh.[2] Current chief of Rajper tribe is Sardar Khalid Mian Khan Rajper, who is son of Ahmed Khan Rajper former headman of Rajper community.[3]
According to some sources, Rajpar is a subclan of Samma Rajputs in Sindh, Pakistan. They claim descent from Jam Hothi son of Unar or Thebo son of Unar. Rajper literally means "son of Raja", which is another name for Rajput. However, other sources suggest that Rajput is a broad term that encompasses various landowning groups that emerged from different historical and social processes in India. Rajput status was often claimed by groups that attained secular power or integrated with the existing society.[4] Therefore, it is not clear if Rajpar are originally Rajputs or if they adopted the Rajput identity later.
In another source, "Rajpar" is mentioned as being the son of Jam Hothi while "Rajper" is mentioned as a son of Jam Thebo and their descendants formed a collective identity.[5]
The Rajpars have many Parhaas (separate subcastes). These are not included in most names and many simply have Rajpar in their name. The Rajpars have a Sardar who is in charge of the Parhas although his authority is minimal, he has a lot of influence for the Rajpar community. Rajpers prefer to live in the village and look after their forefathers' businesses. Unlike most villages, Rajpers have electricity, gas, wide roads, transport facilities, a proper drainage system, schools, dispensaries/hospitals, and mini floor [sic?] mills in their village. Women in this tribe are held high in respect.[6]
The Rajper group has over 70 subcastes although the ones mentioned here are the 50 major subcastes:
Ahusāmand, Baagh, Baghar, Bhaabhan/Baanbhan, Bandhān, Bhaudinja, Chooharja, Dangeja, Daharja, Deenarja, Dodayja, Gāgan, Gagangja, Husinja, Haji, Jamerja, Jaheja, Jaara, Jeendayja, Jeeyapota, Jogi, Jubairja, Khairayja, Kubar, Kahro, Khatuja, Lakheja, Lakhuja, Meharja, Makai, Mākia, Mojāi, Maandar, Moheyja, Mulla, Mudafarja, Masanja, Nair, Neyar, Nangor, Paata, Pasaaya, Patuja, Puryari, Phul, Rattar, Saheja, Sahaypota, Sādarja, Sameja, Sādar/Sādhar, Samdani, Samaa, Samaari, Sanjarja, Sadri, Salaarja, Shahbaigja, Shiekuja, Sadardinja, Subhani, Sunani, Tugruja, Tatuja, Tagarja, Uddheja, Veesar, Valeja, Wedhar, Wadhria, Wādharja and Wadhaari.[6][7]
Bagwahi is well known family in Rajper's they migrated from Goth Muhammad Yusuf Rajper to Dangeja village after Partition of India in 1947 . Muhammad Saleh Rajper is one of well known personalities in Bagwahi Rajpers as station master he saved Padidan railway station during riots after murder of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Another baagwahi Rajper is Adnan Rajper a cricketer who played for Karachi under 19 regional and also is a Marxist revolutionary in Progressive youth alliance a (Marxist group).[citation needed]
