Chamar: Difference between revisions

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==Chamars in the Punjab==
==Chamars in the Punjab==


Chamars are among the biggest castes in [[India]] and historically associated with cobbling, skinning, tanning and agriculture. The most politically, economically and socially influential Chamars are from the state of [[Punjab]] who comprises 13% of the total population. In the Punjab they are divided into various groups such as Ad-Dharmi and Ravidassia and in Ramdasia Sikhs also there are sections of Chamars who left tanning and chose weaving as their profession. They are highly concentrated in the Doaba region of Punjab (India).
Chamars are among the biggest castes in [[India]] and historically associated with cobbling, skinning, tanning and agriculture. The most politically, economically and socially influential Chamars are from the state of [[Punjab]] who comprises 13% of the total population. In the Punjab they are divided into various groups such as Ad-Dharmi and Ravidassia and in Ravidasia Sikhs also there are sections of Chamars . They are highly concentrated in the Doaba region of Punjab (India).


The Chamars of Doaba are rich and educated. Due the influence of Sikhism and the preference of the British for Sikh soldiers, many Chamar Sikhs, were able to serve in the military in Chamar Regiment (disbanded in 1942) and Sikh Light Infantry and thus improve their social and economic status.
The Chamars of Doaba are rich and educated.Nowadays people of this community are mostly government officials.


Some of the famous Chamars -
Some of the famous Chamars -
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* Mangu Ram Mugowalia, founding member of Ghadar Party and founder of Ad dharm movement
* Mangu Ram Mugowalia, founding member of Ghadar Party and founder of Ad dharm movement
* Shaheed Udham Singh, Indian revolutionary


* Master Gurbanta Singh, tallest Dalit leader of Punjab, educator and key person of Ad Dharm movement.
* Master Gurbanta Singh, tallest Dalit leader of Punjab, educator and key person of Ad Dharm movement.

Latest revision as of 10:05, 17 June 2021

For Information only
ਜਾਣਹੁ ਜੋਤਿ ਨ ਪੂਛਹੁ ਜਾਤੀ ਆਗੈ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਹੇ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ (ਪੰਨਾ 349, ਸਤਰ 13, Nanak)

Sikhism does not endorse caste based distinctions in society that lead to unequal opportunities for some people. In fact, Sikhism completely rejects class or race based distinctions between humans, that leads us to make an inequitable society. Such distinctions have surfaced only due to ill interests of certain section of people, who, on the pretext of making a society more manageable through these classifications, eventually paved the way to an unequal grouping within the human race. This article is just for information purpose and to share how people from different castes came into the Sikh fold. So, please treat this article as a source of general information about this issue and kindly do not amend this article to highlight this important underlying Sikh principle. If you have any comments, please discuss them appropriately here

Chamar (from the Sanskrit Charmakara,Tanners ) is a prominent occupational Dalit caste in India. Also associated with the Madiga in South India.

Chamars in the Punjab

Chamars are among the biggest castes in India and historically associated with cobbling, skinning, tanning and agriculture. The most politically, economically and socially influential Chamars are from the state of Punjab who comprises 13% of the total population. In the Punjab they are divided into various groups such as Ad-Dharmi and Ravidassia and in Ravidasia Sikhs also there are sections of Chamars . They are highly concentrated in the Doaba region of Punjab (India).

The Chamars of Doaba are rich and educated.Nowadays people of this community are mostly government officials.

Some of the famous Chamars -

  • Kanshi Ram, founder of Bahujan Samaj Party, DS4 and BAMCEF
  • Prithvi Singh Azad, founding member of Ghadar Party, Indian independence activist and politician
  • Mangu Ram Mugowalia, founding member of Ghadar Party and founder of Ad dharm movement
  • Master Gurbanta Singh, tallest Dalit leader of Punjab, educator and key person of Ad Dharm movement.
  • Santokh Singh Chaudhary, M.P of Jalandhar and Minister in state
  • Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, former MLA of Kartarpur and minister
  • Chaudhary Sadhu Ram, former M.P of Phillaur and minister
  • Amar Singh Chamkila, legendary singer and performer from Punjab
  • Miss Pooja, Bhangra and pop singer
  • Manjit Rupowalia, Punjabi singer
  • Ginni Mahi, Punjabi folk simger and rapper
  • Gurdas Ram Alam, pioneer of Punjabi Dalit literature
  • Sarwan Ram Darapuri, former Inspector General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, politician and Dalit activist