Mujavir

The Mujavir are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Shaikh Hashemi.[1]

Origin

The word mujavir literally means caretakers, and the Mujavir are the caretakers of the shrine of the famous Sufi, Saiyid Salar Masood in Bahraich. They claim that their ancestors came from Iraq, and were appointed custodians of the shrine. The Mujavir speak Urdu among themselves and Hindi with outsiders.[2]

Present circumstances

Their traditional occupation as the custodians of the shrine is now limited to few members of the community. Most Mujavir are now employed as carpenters, rickshaw pullers and daily wage labourers. They reside in their own quarters in the city of Bahraich. The Mujavir are endogamous, and only marry within the community. There are, however, some cases of intermarriage with other Shaikh groups.[3]

See also

References
  1. People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 991 to 994 Manohar Publications
  2. People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 991 to 994 Manohar Publications
  3. People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 991 to 994 Manohar Publications
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