Thakurai
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(January 2018) |
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TheThakuraiare aMuslim Rajputcommunity found in the state ofBiharin India. They are mostly concentrated around East and West Champaran District and the surrounding region.[1]A small number are also found in theTerairegion ofNepal.[citation needed]
Origin
[edit]The Thakurai are said to have originated inRajasthan,and were converted to Islam during the rule of theMughalEmperorAurangzeb.They were soldiers in the Mughal army that was sent to pacifyBihar.Their ancestor was a Mahabat Khan, (Ashfaque Ahmad (mukhiya) from his family) who was aSisodiaRajputofMewar,who converted to Islam. They are now found in fifty three villages in Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, East and WestChamparan District,and also have a presence in neighbouringTerairegion ofNepal.The word Thakurai literally means lord, and originates from theHinditermThakur.Informed members of the community claim they use Thakurai to differentiate themselves from local Hindu Rajputs.[1]
Present circumstances
[edit]Unlike, other Muslim communities, they maintain good relations with Hindu Rajputs who live in the same villages, likely due to a common heritage.[1]
References
[edit]- ^abcM. K. A. Siddiqui; Institute of Objective Studies (New Delhi, India) (2004).Marginal Muslim communities in India.Institute of Objective Studies. pp. 151–168.ISBN978-81-85220-58-1.