Shaikhs in South Asia


Shaikh, also rendered as Sheikh, Sheik, Shaik, Shaykh, Shaikh, Shekh, Cheikh, Šeih, Šejh, Şeyh and other variants, is a word or honorific term in the Arabic language that literally means "elder." It is commonly used to designate an elder of a tribe, a revered wise man, or an Islamic scholar. Although the title generally refers to a male, a small number of female sheikhs have also existed in history.

Origin

In South Asia it is not an ethnic title but an occupational title generally attributed to Muslim trading families. After the advent of Islam in South Asia, tribes also converted to Islam and adopted the title. In Punjab, Pakistan the Hindu Brahmins, Kshatriya, Rathores, Bhattis, Chauhans, manihar and other Rajput converted by different Ismaili Pirs to Islam. Ismaili Pirs gave the new converts the hereditary title of Shaikh as well as the Muslims who immigrated from Central Asia and settled in Punjab adopted this title.

Sub-divisions

The subdivisions of the Shaikh include: