Saini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Castes of India | |
| Sainis | |
| Classification | Kshatriya |
| Subdivisions | |
| Significant populations in | Punjab (India), Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka |
| Languages | Hindi and its dialects, Punjabi and its dialects |
| Religions | Sikhism and Hinduism |
Saini is a prominent caste of India.
Contents |
[edit] Etymology
The term Saini is derived from Sini, a character in the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. Sini was a kinsman of Vasudeva, the father of Sri Krishna. When Devaki, the mother of Krishna, was a maiden, many princes competed for her hand. In the end, there was a great battle between two princes of different families over it: Somadatta and Sini. Sini won, and on behalf of Vasudeva he placed Devaki in his chariot and took her away.
Since that incident there was a feud between the two clans, the Sini family and that of Somadatta.
The rivalry came to the fore one last time on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Sini's grandson, Satyaki, who was a peer and friend of Arjuna and a famed archer, clashed with Bhurisravas, Somadatta's son, who was on the Kaurava side, resulting in the slaying of Bhurisravas by Satyaki.
Sainis claim descent from Sini or Rajan Saini and Satyaki (who founded the Saini Vansha of the Sura-Sena, which is one of the eleven Vanshas of Krishna).
[edit] History
Historically, the term Shoorsaini is as old as the history of India. Etymologically, the Hindi word “Shoor ” means displayer of gallantry and Saini is a generic name for the ruling dynasty that ruled Northern India from Mathura to Patiala. Their rule and governance was so benevolent that the area they ruled directly came to be known as “Shoorsaini Pradesh” and the language they spoke was known as “Shoorsaini”.
Colonel James Todd, who is reputed for writing the authentic history of Rajasthan, has given a very authentic and vivid account of this illustrious race of ancient India. Mahapandit Rahul Sanakrityayan in his famous book Singh Senapati,informs about Draupadi being a daughter of the Shoorsaini dynasty, and that even Krishna belonged to this race. In the Mahabharata, Satyaki is the leader of the Shoorsainis and is famous for his bravery.
[edit] Kansa
In this dynasty, was born the first major king of Northern India, Kansa. By virtue of his might, he declared himself as the first king of Mathura. Acknowledging his superiority, the famous king Jarasandha of Magadha, who had established his lordship in the eastern region of India by subduing many independent kingdoms, offered his two daughters in marriage to Kansa. Thus, the first empire of pre-historic or Proto-history India was established by Kansa, the scion of Shoorsaini dynasty. Kansa performed the famous Ashwamedha Yagna and set his horse moving and his armies followed the horse under his personal command and was away for twelve years from the capital “Shoorpur” in the city of Mathura. The site of capital city of king Kansa had been discovered by Colonel James Todd, the author of the Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan.
In the Mahabharata's 18th Parva ("Chapter"), the sons of king Kansa are mentioned to be alive. Moreover even after the killing of Kansa the kingdom was given back to his father, Ugrasena who ruled Mathura. Mathura still abounds in the remains and relics of king Kansa. In the city of Jhajjar (Haryana), there live about 150-200 families who trace their descent from Kansa.
[edit] Porus
Porus or Puru, the son of king Chandra Sen, was the last Shoorsaini king. He was the overlord of the fertile area of the Punjab between the rivers Jhelum and Beas. Porus is also termed in history as the 'Lord of the Mountains.' His bravery and gallantry has become an embodiment of Indian heroism . Prof. P.D.Oak rather argues and advocates and has tried to prove in his book – “Blunders of Indian History” – (Bhartiya Itihas ki Bhari Bhulein), that in the war with Alexander the Great, Porus had in fact won and Alexander had been defeated. That is why Porus did not allow Alexander to return by the route he arrived. Alexander had to carve out a new path for his return. Prof. Oak has tried his best and has dished out very powerful and convincing arguments.
The most shrewd politician of ancient India – Chanakya (Kautilya), the architect of the Mauryan Empire heavily depended on the military help of Porus to groom and raise Chandragupta as the future ruler of Patliputra. Chanakya's plan was based on the military might of Porus and they agreed to partition the Empire into equal halves. Porus sent his son as the commander of his army to pursue the task of ousting the Nanda ruler of Patliputra. It was the fearful might of Porus' forces that scared Nanda’s army and Chanakya was successful in besieging the city and securing a victory. But as was the temprament of Chanakya, he betrayed the son of Porus and got him treacherously assassinated. The brave Shoorsaini, true to his royal lineage fell victim to Brahamanical intrigues and evil design.
An interesting aspect to note here is that in addition to the Sainis, three other groups of the Punjab claim king Porus to be one of their own. These include Janjua Rajputs clan.
[edit] The Kushans
After the fall of Porus and his sons, this dynasty was lost to oblivion for about two thousand years. A new barbaric tribe of Central Asia, the Kushans crossed the Indus and established their rule in India. The Kushans killed every son and daughter of the ruling family. As a result, the dynasty faded into oblivion.
[edit] Medieval India
In Medieval India, the word "Shoorsaini" got shortened to "Saini". Banveer, the son of Queen Sheetla Saini ruled as the Rana of Mewar, from Chittor for eight years till the consecration of Udai Singh as Rana.
[edit] The British Period
During the revolt of 1857, the Sainis of Kurukshetra and the Rors of Karnal heroically, fought the British.
The principalites of Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh as well as Jagadhri, Kirada and Hansi in Haryana are Saini strongholds.The Sakyas of Nepal (amongst whom the Buddha was born and the Reddys of Andhra Pradesh trace their origin to the ruling Shoorsaini elite of Northern India.
[edit] Geographic distribution
Sainis are a farming community spread across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. Other than states, members of this group are also found in Maharashtra, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Like members of other farming castes, Sainis generally used to avoid priestly duties, shopkeeping, or anything else except farming. However, with rapid modernization and urbanization, this is no longer the norm.
[edit] Religion
Though majority of Sainis are Hindu. But with the rise of Sikhism in the fifteenth century, many Sainis converted to the faith so that there is a substantial Sikh Saini population today especially in Punjab and its neighbouring states.
[edit] The List of the Saini members
(contributed: Tarun Kumar Saini)
[edit] Distinction
The word "Saini" is distinct from the similar-sounding Sahni/Sawhney. Like Saini, Sahni/Sawhney is also a Punjabi clan. However, Sahnis/Sawhneys are a Kukhran Khatri community originating from the town of Bhera in Rawalpindi in Punjab (Pakistan).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The Mahabharata by C.R. Rajagopalachari
- Hindi literature text-books of standards XI and XII of the NCERT
