30 July 2011 09:59:57 PM
Email: shoorsaini@yahoo.com
Mr. Dhamrait and others,
There is already a small body of work available on internet on Saini history.
If you are academically inclined, you may refer to the following article on Saini Online, titled “Origin of Sainis”
http://www.sainionline.com/origin-from-surasenas
It is fully backed by citations from peer-reviewed Indian and western scholars of international standing. History of Saini community of Punjab was earler attempted in an academic framework by Chaudhary Shiv Lal in earlier 20th century. He published in Urdu language two volumes dedicated to the subject, titled “Tarikh-i-Quam Shoorsaini”. In this work he proved that Sainis are descendants of Rajput rulers of Mathura, Delhi , Bayana and Bharatpur. These Rajputs had originated from Yaduvanshi tribe of Shoorsaini (commonly just called Saini) which was identified by Megestheses as “Sourasenoi” in Greek when he had visited Mathura and Shoorpura around 300 BC.
The forefathers of present day Sainis came to Punjab from Mathura as part of the Rajput army around 11 AD when Muhammad Ghazni and his generals began raids on Punjab. They occupied large tracts in Jalandhar and Bari Doabs and had built a fort near Pathankot at a place called “Dhameri” which was later renamed to Nurpur. Dhamrait clan of Sainis have ancestral links with the founders and defenders of this fort. This fort fell to Ghanavides after a fierce battle. This battle is recorded in “Tarikh-i-Alfi”.
If you are interested in exploring a bit more read the above article on SainiOnline.com.
Did you know Dhamrait Sainis originate from a Yaduvanshi Rajput king named Raja Dharampal or “Dhampal”? This king ruled Mathura around 7-8 AD and was responsible for reviving the Saini dynasty after few centuries of Kushan rule. Descendants of this king are also found among Pathania Rajputs and Ranghars (Rajput converts to Islam) as “Dhamrials” or “Dhamials”. Among 96 Kuli Marathas, the same clan is found as Dhampal (again uncannily as a Jadhava sept).
Many of Rajput clans on the neighboring hills of HP and JK have also originated from the Saini rulers of Delhi and Mathura. This is not only suggested by identical accounts of origins in both the communities as well as a multitude of identical clan names but is also based on irrefutable scientific data collected by noted anthropologists. Refer to the following research article published in American Journal of Physical Anthropology in 1961:
-The study of ABO blood groups of Sainis of Punjab, American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 1961 Sep;19:223-5., SINGH IP,
SINGH D.,PMID: 13913332
This article, published in an internationally reputed journal, proved beyond all doubt that ABO blood strains and genetic frequencies of Sainis are identical as those of Hill or Dogra Rajputs who also claim descent from same lineages as Sainis of submontane Punjab. In this way the authenticity and accuracy of Chaudhary Shiv Lal’s thesis, which was based on oral accounts of Punjabi Sainis of 19th century coupled with his own textual research, stated in “Tarikh-i-Quam Shoorsaini”, was automatically verified in a way even the most skeptical academic would not be able to question it.
It is also to be noted that Dr. Sukhvir Singh Gahlot, a peer-reviewed and internationally cited historian and social-anthropologist, and himself a Sisodia Rajput, had reached a similar conclusion through completely independent research (see Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan, p 107, Sukhvir Singh Gahlot, Banshi Dhar, Jain Brothers, 1989). In British era same conclusion was reached by English scholar H.A. Trevaskis.
Sainis adopted farming only gradually because being staunch and proud Hindus they refused to convert, or to serve in, or ally with the Muslim armies, or marry their girls to Muslims , all reprobate practices which were adopted by many Rajput clans to retain their infuence after the battles were lost. Since Saini dominated areas had all come under Muslim rule, our forefathers struggled a great deal to retain their faith and family honour by remaining unidentified and taking up farming to hide their Rajput identity. We owe them a great respect and gratitude for this. They lost their kingdoms but always retained their pride and dignity in midst of greatest threat and adversity.
History of Sainis is purposefully distorted by some writers from Mali community and also from some rival communities which compete for influence in Punjab. Malis changed their identity to Saini in 1930 when it was beneficial for them to do so.
Being called Saini in that era meant they could be considered for army jobs as Sainis were a designated Martial Class. In today’s era of Mandal commission, they want OBC benefits too and have hence fallen back to their real identity of Mali. In this process, they give contradictory and spurious accounts of the origin of the word “Saini”. In this they are also aided by politicians who lump both separate communities together to create a larger vote bank for themselves. If we care about our identity and history, we need to be very careful against these shenanigans and not let these elements spread disinformation to further their own vested interests.
Punjabi Sainis, the authentic Rajput descent Sainis or Shoorsainis, gain nothing from this association with Malis except loss of their social standing and dilution of their identity. Some misguided politicians, who were counting on getting cheap votes, and who thought that association with Malis would help Saini community get reservations under OBC quota were shocked in 2009 to find the entire Saini community of Punjab and world over rising in unison to pour contempt and indignation on their efforts. So this mistaken and at times willfully propagated association of Saini with Mali needs to be continuously exposed as average member of Saini community of Punjab-who has no interest in availing benefits of affirmative action plans, who is extremely proud of his ancestry, and who depends on nothing else but his industry and upright character for progress- is a net loser in this scheme of things.
Thanks
-Chaudhary