Bhapa is a word used in Punjab to designate Sikhs who are Khatri or Arora. This usage has been generally limited to the members of the Jat Sikh community, and is generally used in a dismissive sense. Originally Bhapa was a term indicating respect, and is still sometimes used with the original meaning. In the Pothohar region, the center of the Khatris before the partition of India, Bhapa was a common term for the older brother or father, and is still often used in that sense. It is somewhat equivalent of sir. Derived from Sanskrit Bappa or Vapra, it is cognate to Bawa. The term has occasionally been used as a royal title in some regions of India. The best-known king with the title was Bappa Rawal, the founder of the Guhilot dynasty. Bhappe is a slang word with several meanings, some commonly derogatory, some not. Khatri Sikhs and sometimes Arora sikhs are sometimes referred to as bhappe or bhappeya by other Punjabis and Sikhs especially the Jatt Sikh and Ramgarhia Sikhs. The Khatri Sikhs The ten Sikh Gurus were all Khatri. Today in India, Khatris, including Khatri Sikhs, are found in all the states, although a major concentration is still in Punjab and nearby regions. They include industrialists, military leaders, businessmen, authors, scholars, political leaders etc. Bhappe is sometimes simply a colloquial term to describe people who live in urban areas of Punjab. It is often considered to be a derogative term coming from the land owning Jatt Sikh community the Punjab state of India. Bhappeya are usually involved in business all over India usually selling clothes or toys and can be seen on every high street corner. Unskilled bhappe usually travel to Gulf states to do menial work. The Arora Sikhs The Arora are originally from Aror in Sindh, although many have been in Punjab for several centuries. Some of the Aroras are sometimes termed Nanakpanthi. The Jat-Khatri relationship in Sikh society There has been rivalry and confrontation between the Khatris and Jats within the Sikh society. Many Jatts claim that bhappe are financially orientated or very close to money and usually marry their daughters to close family members, there is much controversy about this and this has caused a lot of tension in UK Gurdwaras where the treasurer is an unelected bhappe. The Sikh-Hindu interaction among Khatris Generally Khatri belonging to different faiths interact harmoniously. Khatris belonging to Sikh, Sanatani, Arya Samaji traditions, Jain etc. associate with each other and often intermarry, although there have been occasional conflicts. Many Khatris pray both at Gurdwaras as well as temples, they can be hard to classify.
The above article regarding the origin of khatris is rather unrealistic.In Punjab,those, preferebly from urban areas, who were not having agricul. as their main business like Jatts, and using many other ways for livlihood be it business of any kind or job in any org. came under the umbrella of Khatris and those who originated from Arroor, once capital of Sind,called Aroras remained sub-clan of Khatris.Castes were based either by place of origin (largely Jatts) or the busi/prof they had(largely Khatris/Aroras).O'fun,if Khatries r supposed 2be inferior, then what for 10 Sikh Gurus, who Bedi,Bhalla,Trehan &7 Sodis, sacrificed themselves for Hindus & nurtured Sikhism, which is largely followed by Jatts as well.It is true that by the time of Aurangjeb & at partition, many Jatts embraced Islam either due to fear of Sword or their lust of Land,as told by those now living in Pak.Being urbanite, Hindu/Sikh intermarry without any hitch. But in Jatts,caste is preferred over Sikhism,& they prefer, following the age old measures of Kabilas,used in those days for safety/slavery, inter Jatt marriages.We,as per Wiki r frm Sindhi Rajputs Jatts(largely in Pak nowadays), here write Juneja(calld Khatri),converted to Sikhism from Brahmins since Great-Grnd-Father,don't know why? Is not it a great confusion ? But I as a human,enjoy my identity as Saranjit, is not it great..............
Guest
2. 08-11-2011 08:45
It is immaterial,nowadays,to which trade,profession one belongs to.We are proud to be Arora Sikhs.And,we have no shame or hesitation in getting together with the khatris and aroras of both the religions of the Hindus and Sikhs.Equally there is no inhibition into marrying the cousins or near relatives,since it enables the newly-wedded couples to adjust without much difficulties.Who can forget General J.S.Arora of 1971,Indo-Pak war,if the bravery of the so-called Bhapeys is concerned.So,please stop blabbering about us. With regards, Surender Pruthi, Sonipat(India).
