Abuse filter log

'The '''Bhatra''' or '''Bhattra''' community, also known as the '''Sangat Bhatra''' or the '''Bhat Sikh''' community, are a group of [[Sikh]]s whose origins lie in the [[Punjab region|Punjab]]. Today in the [[United Kingdom]] there are significant numbers of Sikhs with Bhatra ancestry, as there are in [[India]]. In the Punjab most Bhatra Sikhs are now in [[Patiala]], [[Amritsar District|Amritsar]], [[Hoshiarpur District|Hoshiarpur]], [[Gurdaspur District|Gurdaspur]] or [[Bathinda District|Bhathinda]] districts, or in [[Jullunder]] or [[Chandigarh]]; elsewhere in [[India]] they tend to live in cities, particularly [[Delhi]] and Calcutta.<ref>Sikh Encyclopedia</ref> ==Heritage of Bhatra Sikhs in the UK== {{tocright}} Bhatra Sikhs started to arrive in the United Kingdom in the 1920s, but most immigrated in the late 1940s or 1950s. Bhatra tradition and traditional Sikh literature say their ancestors came from Sri Lanka and were the original 16th century followers of [[Guru Nanak]], the founder of Sikhism. In the 17th century some religious Bhatra went to fight as "warrior-saints" against [[Mughal]] persecution in the [[Khalsa]] campaign inspired by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji. Since many Bhatra lived as travelling missionaries, their mobility led them to depend on occupations which did not require a settled life.<ref>[http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?article=199&title=BHATRAS&tgt=B&brief= Sikh Encyclopaedia]</ref> By the 19th century Bhatra was the name of a caste or ''jati'' within the Indian tradition of social classes, each with its own occupation. Even though Sikhism itself does not support separation by caste, the social system meant that the Bhatra followed a hereditary profession of itinerant salesman, while some also foretold the future,<ref>HA Rose, ''Glossary of Tribes and Castes of the Punjab'' (Lahore 1883), quoted by Pradesh</ref> if they were considered to have clairvoyant ability. They have been praised for business acumen, described as people with “a spirit of enterprise”.<ref>[http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?article=199&title=BHATRAS&tgt=B&brief= Sikh Encyclopaedia]</ref> They were a small group: so small that even in the Punjab many people did not know of them.<ref>Pradesh</ref> Though some lived in Lahore, many Bhatra can trace their roots to villages around Sialkot and Gurdaspur Districts.<ref>Pradesh</ref> In the 1920s some men travelled to Britain to work as door-to-door salesmen, most leaving their families in the Punjab to begin with. By the time of the Second World War there were a few hundred Sikhs clustered in British seaports like Cardiff, Bristol, and Southampton. Some returned to India when war broke out, but others stayed on and used contacts with Punjabi merchant seamen to import scarce goods. ====Partition==== The Partition of India in 1947 led many Sikhs to emigrate, and the Bhatra population in the UK was greatly enlarged. Later arrivals tended to join relatives, friends and neighbours from the Punjab, so that some British Bhatra communities have links to one or two particular villages.<ref>Nye</ref> Difficult journeys following Partition are not forgotten. The Edinburgh Sikh women's group (Sikh Sanjog) has exhibited artwork telling the story of leaving the Punjab and arriving in a strange land. A 2001 obituary of a senior figure in the Cardiff Bhatra community described the trials of leaving northern [[India]] in turbulent times.<ref>''Western Mail'', December 13 2001</ref> ====Jobs==== The traditional Bhatra profession of itinerant salesman was useful to those arriving in the UK, and was "a skill with considerable potential".<ref>Pradesh</ref> At first most Bhatra, like some other Sikhs, worked either as doorstep or market traders (working with the [[Khatri]] community), but some settled in big cities like Leeds or Birmingham, gave up self-employment and took waged jobs in industry. (At this time many educated immigrants to Britain had difficulty finding employment suited to their qualifications and experience, because of racial and/or cultural prejudice.) Bhatra traders gradually moved into other roles as self-employed businessmen, often specialising in retailing. By the end of the 1950s selling door-to-door was less common and many British Bhatra Sikhs moved towards commercial enterprises like market stalls, shops, supermarkets and wholesale warehouses.<ref> Pradesh</ref> Nowadays the younger Bhatra genaration are represented in many varied professions from doctors to accountants, from engineers to musicians. ====Gurdwaras==== When possible the Bhatra community has established its own [[Gurdwara]]s (temples), the first of which was opened in Manchester in 1953.<ref>[http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?article=199&title=BHATRAS&tgt=B&brief= Sikh Encyclopaedia]</ref> As of 2006 there are more than 30 Bhatra or Bhat Sikh temples in the UK, the newest being the one opened in Peterborough in 2004. In some British towns Bhatras are a small proportion of the overall Sikh population (in Glasgow 5%); elsewhere, as in Edinburgh, they are in the majority. .<ref>''Glasgow Herald'', April 17 1999</ref> ====The London Bhatra Comunity==== The [[Bhatra]] [[Gurdwara]]s in the UK are someimes linked with ongoing community projects. The site of the first Sangat Bhatra Gurdwara in London, in Mile End Bow in Campbell Road, is still in service and of interest to social historians. The Community also moved to a retired Synagogue in a Grade Two listed building in Harley Grove, East London, recognised as a fine example of Jewish Architecture. This fits with Sikh beliefs in tolerance and respect for other cultures. The Harley Grove Gurdwara has large [[Vasakhi]] celebrations at the Sikh New Year, and is a focal point for Bhatra Sikhs in London. This Community is led by Trustee Gurupashad Bance, a respected community figure currently sitting on the UK National Governing Sikh Council, who has pioneered active Sikh and civic engagement. ====The Scotland Bhatra Communiy==== In 1964 The first Gurdwara in Endinburgh was established at 7 Hope Terrace,Leith,Edinburgh. The House belonged to two brothers Gholu singh Roudh and Mangal Singh Roudh, who kindly donated the property to be used as a Gurdwara by the Sikh Community. Furthermore the above were the first sikh settlers in Edinburgh. Also check the link at [[Bhatra.co.uk]] on Edinburgh Sikhs. [[Roudh ]] ==Origins== [[Image:Guru Nanak Udasis.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Map of [[Guru Nanak Dev|Guru Nanak]]'s journeys with Sri Lanka (island south of India) coloured yellow]] Many Bhatras consider themselves a ''[[sangat]]'' (fellowship) which originated with [[Guru Nanak]]'s visit to Sri Lanka. The ''Sikh Encyclopedia'' says that "more than one story is current about their origin". One tradition says Bhatra people are descended from Changa Rai or Changa Bhatra, a disciple of Guru Nanak's mentioned in the [[Janamsakhis]]. A congregation led by a teacher called Baba Changa Rai is described in an old document called the ''Haqiqat Rah Muqam''.<ref> ''Haqiqat Rah Muqam'' "included in Bhai Banno's "bir", according to the [http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?brief=&tgt=C&article=29&lastArt=111 Sikh Encyclopedia] and others.</ref> ====Sri Lanka==== M.S. Ahluwalia, a Senior Fellow at the Indian Council of Historical Research, [[New Delhi]], offers historical evidence for Guru Nanak's presence in Sri Lanka, probably in the year 1510.<ref>[http://www.sikhspectrum.com/082004/ceylon_guru_nanak.htm M.S. Ahluwalia, ''Guru Nanak in Ceylon'' (Sikh Spectrum Quarterly 2004)]</ref> Many scholars, though not all, agree that the Guru visited Sri Lanka on his travels. ====Baba Changa Rai==== According to the ''Sikh Encyclopedia'', Bhatra is related to the [[Sanskrit]] word ''bhatta'', or ''bhat'', a bard or poet. Although the encyclopedia points out that there is more than one explanation of Bhatra origins, they discuss a link between Bhatra Sikhs and Changa Bhatra, also known as Baba Changa Rai, or Changa Bhai, of Sri Lanka, who became a disciple of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He added Bhatra to his name and spread the word of [[Guru Nanak]] to his followers, who also became known as Bhatra.<ref> [http://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/main.php?article=199&title=BHATRAS&tgt=B&brief= Sikh Encyclopaedia]</ref> The meeting of Guru Nanak and Changa Bhatra is said to have taken place about 12 miles south of his meeting with the Raja.<ref>[http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Kirpal Singh, ''Janamsakhi Tradition'' (Amritsar 2004)]</ref> ====Challenge to tradition==== A place called Singaldeep or Sangladeep is often mentioned in traditional histories of Bhatra origins and is usually understood to be in Sri Lanka. Bhatra history may also mention connections with the [[Raja]] Shiv Nabh {{Fact|date=February 2007}}, ruler of Batticaloa and an early disciple of Guru Nanak.<ref>For more on Guru Nanak's journey to Batticaloa/Batticola see: [http://www.globalsikhstudies.net/pdf/janamsakhi.pdf Kirpal Singh, ''Janamsakhi Tradition'' (Amritsar 2004)]</ref> However, it became clear after extensive study in the early 20th century that Bhatras did not originate from Sri Lanka, and the Bhatra Sangat was created in the Punjab originating from one of Guru Nanak Dev Ji 's disciples who was came from that area.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ==Bhatra Sangat name groups== First of all there are two main groups: Darewal and the Landervaser. The Landervaser are from a village farming background. There is a story that the ''Names of the Jart'' came from certain tribal groups with names representing animals like dragons, lions, tigers and elephants. The names are as follows: {| | *Laanda/Landa/Lakhanpal *Potiwal *Digpal/Digwa *Chohan *Roudh (Origins Greek Aryan Warriors from Rhode Island) [[Roudh]] *Rathore *Khalsa *Khalsi *Gill *Bance *Bhaker/Bhakar/Prabhakar/Sharma *Bhatti *Derewal | *Ladh/Lad *Bhai *Sathi (a nickame which can come with any bhat surname) *Swali *Suwali *Thariwal *Chanana *Taak *Gaurrh *Kasbia *Taak *Wahiwala (small group of descendants from Digwa/Digpal) and many more........ |} These help to stop the families getting married to their own relatives. It is not acceptable to marry someone who has the same father's family name. ==Culture== Commentators have found Bhatra Sikhs pride themselves on an orthodox approach to their religion, and many have more conservative attitudes than other Sikhs.<ref>Pradesh, also Ghuman</ref>Though Sikhism supports equality for women, a generation ago researchers found some Bhatra girls were withdrawn from English schools before the official leaving age of 16, and their fathers said they wanted to "prepare them for marriage, e.g. train them in cooking, housekeeping, embroidery and sewing".<ref>Study by Thomas and Ghuman (1980) quoted by [http://users.aber.ac.uk/asg/girls-99.htm Paul A Singh Ghuman in '' South Asian Girls in Secondary schools: A British Perspective'']</ref> While this may no longer be the case, some still feel that girls should be preparing for marriage and motherhood.<ref>[http://www.sikhsanjog.com/contents/religion/thefamily.htm Sikh Sanjog: the Family]</ref> ====Food==== Sharing food or [[Langar]] is important in Sikhism, and each Gurdwara has a community centre with its own kitchen. ====Drink==== When boys are born in Bhatra communities it is customary to open a bottle of whisky or other fine drink, to celebrate the birth of the baby boy. ====Marriage==== Marriages arranged by the couple's parents are common. Sikh Bhatra believe that by arranging their son's or daughter's marriage they will be able to ensure that their son/daughter will be matched up with the right partner, the right family and hopefully have a stable and happy future. Another reason for doing this, for Bhatra and many other communities, is to keep tradition, culture and religion alive. In most cases parents will accompany the son/daughter when finding their partner as the parents usually help in finding a suitable match.<ref>[http://www.mala.bc.ca/~lanes/english/engl290/kelly4.htm Sikh marriage traditions]</ref> In 1999 arranged marriages were found to be almost the rule in some UK Bhatra communities (for instance, Edinburgh) while elsewhere about half of Bhatra Sikh marriages are arranged by the parents (for instance, Birmingham).<ref>''Glasgow Herald'', April 17 1999</ref> This is similar to the frequency of arranged marriage in other UK Asian communities.<ref>[http://www.cas.lancs.ac.uk/notes/Soc%20244/arranged%20marriages%20in%20western%20europe.pdf Roger Penn and Peter Lambert, ''Arranged Marriages in Western Europe'' 2002]</ref> The typical age of marriage in the Bhatra community is younger than in the UK as a whole, although there are signs of change as more go into higher education or focus on careers.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Most Sikh marriages in the UK involve members of the same caste.<ref>Gillespie</ref><ref>''Blackwell Dictionary of Modern Social Thought'' (2003)</ref> Wedding ceremonies in their various stages may last up to two weeks or more. The BBC filmed a Bhatra wedding in 1997 which was a "blind marriage" involving a bride and groom who had not seen each other before the ceremony.<ref>''Daily Record'', February 17 1997</ref>These are becoming rare and involve only a small minority of Sikhs. Some wedding ceremonies take 3 days and involve close relatives staying at the groom's family home. ====Names for relationships within the family==== *''Bupu - Papa'': Father, Grandfather *''Bebe - Bube'': Mother, Grandmother *''Chacha - Chuche'': Younger than Father *''Thi-ya - Theuy'': Older than Father *''Pupore'': Uncle To Sister *''Prajai'': Brother's Wife ====Early experiences of the UK==== A poem written by the late Sardar Singh Sathi (Suwali), who was a well known member of the Bhatra Sikh sangat, describes their early days in the UK. This is an extract from the beginning of the poem.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} <blockquote> jamday nu gurti pairo dee <br> bebay te lala ladin deh <br> tak hoya satta sala da <br> lala hee karo parah-din deh <br> phir lakay course lafti da <br> te begah haath pira-din deh <br> kenday ne puttar katu hai <br> jadh pounda do kama-din deh <br> ki lenay evay par-likh kay <br> jadh parnay beghay akar nay <br> lala te mala donay hee <br> phir peenday johnny walker nay. </blockquote> ==Further information== ''See also: [[List of Sikhism-related topics]]'' Prince Charles has a long-term interest in [[Sikhism]] and has met Bhatra Sikhs in various parts of the UK, praising their community work in Manchester. ====Other Sikhs in the UK==== Although Sikhism does not support the old Indian caste system, in the UK there are some tensions between [[Jat]] Sikhs and Bhatra Sikhs which probably have an element of leftover caste prejudice.<ref> Nye, also ''Glasgow Herald'', April 17 1999, and others</ref> Jat Sikhs are the biggest group of the approximately 600,000 Sikhs in the UK, though in the first half of the 20th century they and the Bhatra Sikhs had equal numbers of people in the country. The Jats worked as "door-knock" salesmen then too, though it was not their traditional occupation (farming).<ref> [http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521830613&ss=fro William Gould, ''Hindu Nationalism and the Language of Politics in Late Colonial India: Glossary'']</ref> [[Ramgharia]] Sikhs (traditionally wood workers and craftsmen)<ref> Gillespie</ref> are another sizeable group. ====Films and music==== ''See also: [[Music of Punjab]]'' Actors, films, music and musicians which may be of special interest to Sikhs in the UK include: * Baleah Baleh - a traditional Punjabi folk-singer * [[Gandhi (film)|Gandhi]] - the film directed by [[Richard Attenborough]] which portrays the [[Amritsar massacre]] * Films with [[Gurdas Maan]] * Dholki drumming - a traditional art * Jasbir Singh Bhogal, [[tabla]] player * Rhythm Dohl Bass (RDB), a [[Bhangra]] group * Mehsopuria, a Bhangra singer * Sukhi Roudh UK Bhangra singer with DJ Kendal * Gurdas Singh Roudh Bhangra Singer aka G-ROTH ====Historical figures==== ''See also: [[List of prominent Sikhs]]'' People of historical importance for Sikhs in the UK include: *[[Mata Sahib Kaur]] ==Bibliography== *Desh Pradesh, [http://books.google.com/ ''Differentiation and Disjunction among the Sikhs''] in ''South Asian Experience in Britain'' (1994) ed. Roger Ballard *Roger Ballard, ''The Growth and Changing Character of the Sikh Presence in Britain'' in ''The South Asian Religious Diaspora in Britain, Canada, and the United States'' (2000), ed. Harold Coward, Raymond Brady Williams, John R Hinnells *[http://www.art.man.ac.uk/CASAS/pdfpapers/remittances.pdf Roger Ballard, ''Migration,Remittances, Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction: Reflections on the basis of South Asian Experience''] *R and C Ballard, ''The Sikhs: the development of South Asian settlements in Britain'' in ''Between Two Cultures'' ed. JL Watson (1977) *P Ghuman, ''Bhattra Sikhs in Cardiff: Family and Kinship Organization.'' New Community (1980) 8, 3. *[http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN041509674X&id=MN0AoM9ahQ0C&printsec=toc Marie Gillespie, ''Television, Ethnicity and Cultural Change'' (Routledge 1995)] * Malory Nye, ''A Place for Our Gods: The Construction of an Edinburgh Hindu Temple Community'' (1995) * Eleanor Nesbitt, ''Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction'' (OUP 2005) ISBN 0-19-280601-7 * [http://www.sikhsanjog.com/contents/differences.htm Difference within Sikh Communities] * [http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/issr/paper/issr55.pdf Sikh settlers in Britain (includes material on caste and on "Bhattra")] * [http://thesikhencyclopedia.com/ The Sikh Encyclopedia] ==References== <references/> ==External links== *[http://www.movinghere.org.uk/galleries/histories/asian/settling/community_4.htm Bhatra in the UK before Partition] * [http://www.sikhsanjog.com Sikh Sanjog] * [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1818/sikhdir.htm Sikh Directory UK - includes Bhatra Gurdwaras] * [http://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/re/m_parry_carmarthenshire/addoldai/gurdwaratwo.html Cardiff Bhatra Gurdwara] *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cambridgeshire/3884487.stm Bhat Sikh Community in Peterborough] {{Sects & Cults}} [[category:Sikh Sects]]'