Mazhabi

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Mazhabi (also spelled Majhabi), is a term that's used in Sikhi to refer to people who were of the Rangreta clan .The word "Mazhabi" is derived from the Urdu term "Mazhab" ("sect"), and can be translated as "the religious" or "the faithful .During british rule, they are registered as agriculturist caste. They gave an indespensible and vital contribution to make sikhism strong . Sikh Mazhabi are mostly found in the Districts and States immediately east and southeast of Lahore, which form the historic centre of Sikhism.

Mazhabis are best known for their history of bravery, strength and self sacrifice in the Sikh, Khalsa, British Indian army and Indian army. The Mazhabis were designated as a martial race by British officials.[13] "Martial Race" was a designation created by officials of British India to describe "races" (peoples) that were thought to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities of courage, loyalty, self sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, the ability to work hard for long periods of time, fighting tenacity and military strategy. . The Mazhabi Sikhs are originally inhabitants of the old Greater Punjab which today spans into Pakistani Punjab, Its frontier province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and into Indian Punjab, including its former punjab territories of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in Northern India including Delhi. Peshawer, Lahore and Amritsar are historical to the Mazhabis and also form the historical center of Sikhism. Accorded a low caste status in the Hindu faith; the Rangretas were employed as scavengers,[16][17][18][19] poor farmers,[20] and landless labourers.[21] The Sikh faith had a special appeal for the mazhabi sikha and they rapidly embraced it as it did not differentiate on the basis of caste or creed and held everybody equal. This emboldened the downtrodden to fight against injustice, tyranny and persecution.[22].

When Guru Tegh Bahadur was killed by the Mughals in Delhi,Bhai Jaita ji (Baba Jeevan Singh ji) brought his head back to Guru Gobind Singh. Guru Gobind Singh declared that the Rangrettas (Mazhabis) were his sons, and admitted them to the Sikh faith. Originally, the term Mazhabi referred only to the descendants of these people.

Reputation as soldiersOver the years, the Mazhabi Sikhs acquired a reputation as fine and formidable soldiers. The British recognised them as "once a redoubtable foe of the English, and now one of the finest soldiers in the British army".[23] The Mazhabis are highly regarded for their determined resolve to complete the assigned tasks against all opposition; and were deployed in various military campaigns in India and abroad. The British were greatly impressed by their superior physique and the martial and religious fervour imparted by Sikhism. [24] The corps of Mazhabi Sikhs became famous[25] for their fighting reputation and discipline. In addition to their soldiering reputation, the Mazhabis were also known for their loyalty and it was noted that during their service with the army, they never once betrayed the trust placed in them.[26] The British noted that during the First World War, the Mazhabi Sikh soldiers reached a "remarkably high standard"[27][28] and that their contribution to the war surpassed that of the Jatt Sikhs.[29] Whilst the Mazhabi Sikhs were an important part of the British Indian Army; British Army Regiments carried attached Mazhabi Sikh platoons. The Welch Regiment carried a Mazhabi Sikh Platoon from 1933.[30] Major-General A.E.Barstow described the Mazhabi Sikhs as "...extremely good soldiers."[31] and goes on to mention that the Sikh Pioneer Regiments, "...have a proud record of service in many campaigns."[32] Historically they have fought battles for Guru Gobind Singh and the Mazhabis formed the majority of Akali Nihang ranks, even throughout the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.[33] Maharaja Ranjit Singh also enlisted them in large numbers for the existing misls, and in the irregular corps.