A History of Agriculture in India v2.c87.s2: Role of Khatris and Jats in Sikhism
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c87.s2
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Role of Khatris and Jats in Sikhism
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In the growth of Sikhism, two castes have played an important role, viz. the Khatris and Jats. The Khatris were a mercantile community and trade and shop-keeping was their occupation. Some of them were also employed as clerks and accountants by the Mughal Government. They were the intellectual elite of the period in the Punjab. All the Sikh Gurus were Khatris belonging to Bedi, Bhalla, Trehan and Sodhi subcastes (gotras). On the other hand, the followers were mostly Jats, the cultivators. The Jats, who are known for their democratic and egalitarian traditions, were drawn in large numbers by the new faith which denounced the caste system and gave equality to all its followers. Majha, the central Punjab, the cradle of Sikhism, had a high proportion of Jat population. Farming is their traditional occupation and fighting their popular pastime. When they have a common enemy they are united and fight him with unparalleled courage. Thus it was not merely the martyrdom of Guru Arjan, which spurred Guru Hargobind towards militancy. McLeod believes, ‘The growth of militancy within the Panth must be traced primarily to the impact of Jat cultural patterns and to economic problems which prompted a militant response.’¹
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¹ McLeod, W.H. *The Evolution of the Sikh Community*, p. 12