Shah (caste)

The Shah are a Hindu caste found in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Shahu or Sau Bani.

The Shah are a small but important community of the Kumaon region. Each section of the Shah community has its own origin myth. For example, the Gangola Shah are said to have immigrated from Badaun in western Uttar Pradesh, while Thulgharia Shah are said to have originated in Jhansi. Their largest sub-division, the Chaudhary Shah are said to have immigrated from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. According to their traditions, the Shah are by origin Rajputs from North India, some claiming to be Chauhans, while other to be Parmars. While other traditions of their origin, make the Shah Agrawal by caste, who came to Kumaon some five hundreds years ago. The Shah are an urban community, and those found in Almora, Nainital, Ranikhet, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh]] are primarily engaged in trade. Others who live semi-urban or rural localities are involved in agriculture and animal husbandry.

The community is divided into a number of clans such as the Thulgharia, Gangola, Kumaoiya, Jagati, Tamkia, Chaudhary, Chukurait, Jakhwal, Kholibhiteria and Salimgarhia. Each of these groups derives its name from either the name of an ancestral village, office they held or title they received in the past. For example, the Gangola get their name from the territory of Patti Gangoli, while the Kumaoiya from Kumaon, while the word Thulgharia literally means owner of a large house. In terms of their varna status, some claim to Vaishya, while others claim to be Kshatriya. There occasionally intermarriages with the Khas Rajput community.

See also

• Kuthaliya Bora