Punjab - People
Punjab is inhabited by people of diverse socio-cultural dominations. The inhabitants of the state are called the Punjabis. They are basically of Indo-Aryan ethnic origin and belong to South Asia. Numerous settlers like the Indo-Aryans, Persians, Synthians, Greeks, Arabs, Afghans and the British have invaded and ruled the region, giving it a unique culture. Punjabis constitute about 3% of the total population of the country. As per 2001 census, population of the state was 2.44 crores.
The population of Punjab is a homogeneous mixture of a variety of tribes and classes. The Greeks, Scythians, Parthians, Huns, Pathans and Mughals came here, settled down and got woven into its cultural fabric. Among the various tribes, the most dominant ones are the Jats, Khatris, Aroras, Brahmans, Vaishas, Lohars, Gujjars, Tarkhans and Sansins. Some minority tribes residing in the area are Awans, Arians, Kalals, Ahluwalias, Labanas, Pathans, Nais, Sainis, Kambohs and Soods. Most of them can be further sub-divided into clans and family groups. Some other tribes include Banias, Bhatias, Brahmins and Chhimbas. Some of these tribes have Arabian, Persian and Turkish heritage.
Punjab can be divided into:
- Malwa is a region of Punjab south to river Sutlej. The Malwa area makes up majority of the Punjab region consisting 11 districts. Cities such as Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Firozpur,Fazilka, Rajpura, Moga and Ajitgarh are located in the Malwa region. Malwa is also famous for cotton farming.
- Majha is a historical region of the Indian Punjab comprising the modern districts of Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran. It lies between rivers Ravi, Beas and the Sutlej. This region is called the heartland of Punjab and is celebrated as being the 'Cradle of Sikhism'.
- Doaba is the region of Indian Punjab between the rivers Beas and Sutlej. The name "Doaba" literally translates to "land between two rivers" ("Do" two, "Ab" river; Punjabi). It is one of the most fertile regions of the world and was the centre of the Green Revolution in India. To this day, it remains one of the largest per capita producers of wheat in the world. The cities in Doaba are Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar,Nawanshahr and Kapurthala.
The communities of the present Punjab see themselves as belonging to one of the three regions. For instance, the Sikhs inhabiting the areas south of the Satluj river are called Malwa Sikhs (Ludhiana disfrict is in Malwa area); between the Satluj and Beas rivers there are Doaba Sikhs and those inhabiting, north and north-west of the Beas, Majha Sikhs. Of the three, the Majha Sikhs consider themselves superior since they feel that they observe the religious tenets more closely than the other two communities. The Majha Sikhs also believe that they possess greater physical vigour than the Sikhs of the Doaba and Mal-vva areas. However, there does not appear to be great cultural difference among the Sikhs of these areas.
Sikh Jat is the biggest community settled in Punjab. They are expert in agriculture and contribute significantly towards the regional agricultural output. The Khatris and Aroras are next in number. The Khatris are sub-divided into many groups; the most significant of them being the Dhaighares, Charzatis, Punjzatis, Chhezatis, Sarins, Bahris and the Khakhrains. Khatris claim to be in the direct line of the Kshatriyas of the Aryan race. The Aroras also claim to be of Khatri origin. The minority tribes in the state are occupied in agricultural operations as well as local trading operations.
Among the minor agricultural tribes in Punjab, Sainis and Kambohs are the most prominent ones. The Sainis claim their origin from the Rajputs, while Kambohs are from "Kamboj Desh” in Afghanistan. They, along with other minorities like Bawris, Bazigars and the Pakhiwaras, have retained their aboriginal customs and beliefs. Every village in Punjab has its own customs and rituals. Every community has its own social customs, which are unique to it. Even when a Jat and Khatri are next-door neighbors, some of their cultural traits vary a lot. Despite such a wide diversity, a common thread of homogeneity binds the Punjabis as a whole. The people with ethnic diversity blend together to represent a veritable aura of multi-dimensional bondage and brotherhood.
Punjab has one of the oldest and richest cultures of the world. Its diversity and uniqueness is evident in the Punjabi poetry, philosophy, spirituality, education, artistry, music, cuisine, science, technology, military warfare, architecture, traditions, values and history. The compassion and high spiritedness exhibited in the lifestyle of people of Punjab (Punjabis) is hard to miss. While the Punjabis are known for their strong determination, their culture presents a multi-hued heritage of ancient civilizations. A guest in Punjab is considered as a representative sent by God and is well looked after.
Punjabis celebrate numerous religious and seasonal festivals, such as Dussehra, Diwali, Baisakhi, and many more. There are numerous anniversary celebrations as well in honour of the Gurus (the 10 religious leaders of Sikhism) and various saints. Expressing happiness and gaiety through dance is a typical feature of such festivities, with bhangra, jhumar, and sammi being among the most popular genres. Giddha, a native Punjabi tradition, is a humorous song-and-dance genre performed by women. In addition to Sikh religious music, semi-classical Mughal forms, such as the khyal dance and the thumri, ghazal, and qawwali vocal performance genres, continue to be popular.
Poetry offers one of the clearest views into the Punjabi mindset. Punjabi Poetry is renowned for its deep meaning, beautiful, exciting and hopeful use of words. Many compilations of Punjabi poetry and literature are being translated throughout the world into many languages. One of the most important Punjabi literatures is that of the revered 'Guru Granth Sahib'.
The traditional dress for Punjabi men is 'Punjabi Kurta' and 'Tehmat', especially the popular Muktsari style, which is being replaced by the kurta and pajama in the modern day Punjab. The traditional dress for women is the Punjabi Salwar Suit which replaced the traditional Punjabi Ghagra. The Patiala salwar is also very popular.
Kabbadi (Circle Style), a team contact sport originated in rural Punjab is recognised as the state game. Field hockey is also most popular sport in the state. Kila Raipur Sports Festival, popularly known as the Rural Olympics, is held annually in Kila Raipur (near Ludhiana). Competition is held for major Punjabi rural sports, include cart-race, rope pulling. Punjab government organises World Kabaddi League, Punjab Games and annual Kabaddi World Cup for Circle Style Kabbadi in which teams from countries like Argentina, Canada, Denmark, England, India, Iran, Kenya, Pakistan, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Spain and United States participated.
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