the encyclopedic entry of Arora

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Arora

Aroras (Hindi: अरोड़ा, Punjabi: ਅਰੋੜਾ) (or Aror-vanshis, Aror Bans) are an urban mercantile community of the Punjab and Sindh of Kshatriya origin. They are originally Kshatriyas who later on also resorted to agriculture, industry, services, education and trade. They are usually fair complexioned and endowed with a good sturdy disposition. They are usually well educated and the community has produced Nobel Lauretes like Dr. Hargobind Khorana and an astronaut like Kalpana Chawla. Before independence and partition, they were mainly concentrated in West Punjab and Sindh (now Pakistan) and Malwa region in Indian Punjab. In post-independence India, they reside in Punjab (India), Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat and other parts of the country. In Pakistan, they were mainly found in Punjab (Pakistan) and Sindh. They have also spread to all parts of the world.

The Arora people are of similar origin to Khatri. They are a group of Indo-Aryans who remained in the Indus Valley throughout most of their history. The Arora people were originally Hindu, but over their history some of them have accepted Sikhism or Islam. The Arora community has suffered many divides in its past.

Name

The name Arora itself derives from Sanskrit Aroda, which in turn may be derived from Proto-Indo-Aryan Aratta. The Greeks used the word "Eoritae" to describe Arattas living in Arachosia (modern Kandahar).The city of Aror (Arorkot, Alor) was named after the Aroras, who founded and controlled the city since ancient times. They can also be called 'Aryans', the common racial name, understood by one and all. 'Arya' is also one of the subcastes of 'Aroras'.

History

Origins

There are many traditions regarding the origin of this community. These different versions are reported below. All traditions support the origin of the Aroras from Aror, modern Rohri and Sukkur in Sindh. A look at the Map showing the concentration of Aroras before partitions though shows that they were concentrated all along the River 'Sindhu' giving rise to the thought that this is the community which populated the banks of River 'Sindhu' before the arrival of firstly of 'Aryans' from Central Asia and subsequently other attackers/settlers from western Asia. Thus it can also be presumed that they can be the missing link in understanding the now extinct 'Indus valley Civilization. The fact that Aroras appear to have diverged from Aror according to family traditions, also support their origin from Aror. However, the Aroras seem to have settled in Amritsar during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or even earlier. There is a street in Amritsar named as ‘Arorianwali Gali’.

The Aroras are of Aryan descent, in fact, the surname Arya belongs to the Arora caste. It is believed that while other Indo-Aryan people migrated to the east and south after the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, some groups remained in the Punjab region, the Aroras are one of these groups, making them one of the most untouched descendants of the Proto-Indo-Europeans (as per the Out of India theory). Some historians believe that Aroras are descendants of an Indo-Aryan group known in the ancient times as Arattas (Arachosians) mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as western neighbours of Bahilkas (present Punjab in Pakistan); from Arachosia (southern Afghanistan and Helmand River basin ) they migrated to Sindh and populated the Indus valley. Aror and Arora may be a derivative of Aratta.

Another evidence of Aroras and Khatris being of same ethnic stock can also be traced to many Khatris having identical physical and cultural traits as Aroras. Also many surnames are common to both Arora and Khatri sub-groups. E.g. Sethis are found among Khukhrain Khatris and Aroras both. Malhotra surname is found both among both Arora and Khatri sub-castes. Maliks and Mukhijas also belong to both the communities. There are plenty of other examples as well. Later, Aroras got unsettled from Aror by either a muslim invader or a curse of a angered saint (as per folklores). But from there, they did get dispersed (for whatever reasons) to various parts of Punjab (especially southern and western parts), Rajasthan (mainly Nagaur and Jodhpur) Sindh and Gujarat. Many Sindhis, Gujaratis (of Lohana community) and Rajasthani Khatris (Nagauri and Jodhpuri Khatris) have surnames of Punjabi Aroras. .

According to another account, the name of the community was derived from a place named Aror which was situated near the modern towns of Rohri and Sukkur in Sindh, Pakistan. It is also claimed that the legendary Parasurama drove them towards Multan, near which they founded Arorkot (or Aror). Cursed by a faqir, the town became desolate and Aroras fled by its three gates to the north, south and west, whence the three main groups (Uttradhi, Dakhna and Gujarati or Dahra) in which they are divided arose .

Aror (or Alor) is located 8 km east of Rohri. It was the ancient capital of Sindh, predating Sukkur, and was once located on the banks of the Indus. Due to its location, where the Indus takes a sharp turn towards the west, it was a center of commerce and was a prosperous city. It was the capital of Sindh when it was ruled by King Dahir. In [[711 this city was conquered by the Arab general, Muhammad bin Qasim, who moved the capital some 300 km south to Mansura near Hala. In the 10th century it received another blow when the river Indus changed its course, which was probably caused by a massive earthquake in 962 . The present course of Indus is west of Aror. The modern towns of Sukkur and Rohri are situated on both sides of the river. Aror is now a small dusty village.

The above three traditions are reported here as claimed by different sections of Aroras and recorded by Ibbetson et al. in the late 19th century. Supporting this historical perspective, Aroras are divided into three main groups: Uttradhi, Gujarati (Dahra) and Dakhna. Prior to India-Pakistan partition of 1947, they intermarried within each of three groups only; however after partition they started intermarriages among other groups of Aroras, Khatris, Bhatias and Soods.

A few excerpts from various District Gazetteers of Department of Revenue, Govt of Punjab about Aroras-

Amritsar Gazetteer- "Aroras trace their orogin from the Khatris. It is said that Khatris are Khatris of Lahore and Multan, whereas Aroras are Khatris of Aror, modern Rori and Sukkar (Sind) in Pakistan. There is a street in Amritsar named as ‘Arorianwali Gali’. The Aroras seem to have settled in Amritsar during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or even earlier. It is presumed that they migrated to Amritsar from Lahore to which place they might have originally migrated from Sind or Multan. This is inferred from the fact that, after a very long stay in the central Punjab, they ceased to speak their Lehndra dialect. After the partitition also, the Aroras migrated from Pakistan and mostly settled in the towns. They differ in physique and disposition from the local counterparts. Aroras are very energetic and intelligent. They are mostly engaged in trade and industry. They are superior in business acumen to their counterparts settled in the district.A good number of them have also joined public and private services."

"....The Arora Sikhs are mostly found in big towns, especially in Amritsar. They were living there even before the partition. Their Hindu counterparts, who have migrated from Pakistan, are also very intelligent and hard-working. They believe in the dignity of labour. After the partition, they took up petty jobs and gradually have established themselves well. The local Arora residents are also doing well in business. They have also started joining public services. They are sturdy and of good disposition..."

Faridkot Gazzetteer – "Aroras are said to be Khatris of Aror modern Rori and Sukkar (Sindh) in Pakistan However, the fact is that they resemble Khatris in certain traits. Aroras in the district are generally Uttaradhis, Dakhwas and Dahras. They are mainly confined to Kot Kapura city. They Uttaradhis have the clans namely, Sukhija, Kochhar, Monga, Sethi, the clans namely, Sukhija, Kochhar, Monga, Sethi, Gandhi, Chawala, Narula, Katariya, Kalra, Bajaj, Sajode, Kuma, Nagpal, Narang, Bigra, Takkar, Dhingra, Sikri, Gakhar, Minglani, and Pasricha. They are also divided into many groups and castes. They inter-marry within those groups. They also inter-marry among Khatris. By religion, the majority of the Aroras are Hindus, but some are sikhs also.After the partition of the country in 1947 many Aroras who had migrated from Pakistan settled in the towns of the district. The Aroras are very active and enterprising, industrious and thrifty, they are engaged mainly in trade and industry. A number of them have also joined public and private services."

Patiala Gazetteer- "Aroras are said to be khatris of Aror modern Rori and Sukkar (sindh) in Pakistan. However , the fact is that they divided into many groups and castes. They inter-marry with in those groups .They also inter-marry among Khatris. By religion, the majority of the Aroras are Hindus, but a number of them are sikhs also. After the partition of the country in 1947 , many Aroras who had migrated from Pakistan generally settled in paliala and Rajpura towns of the district. The aroras are very active and enterprising , industrious and thrifty . They are engaged mainly in trade and industry . A number of them have also joined public and private services."

Rupnagar Gazetteer- "Aroras are said to be Khatris of Aror modern Rori and Sukkar (Sindh) in Pakistan. However, the fact is that they resemble Khatris in certain traits. They are also divided into many groups and castes. They intermarry within those groups. They also intermarry among Khatris. By religion, the majority of the Aroras are Hindus, but a number are Sikhs also. After the partition of the country in 1947, many Aroras who had migrated from Pakistan settled in the towns of the district. The Aroras are very active and enterprising, industrious and thrifty. They are engaged mainly in trade and industry. A number of them have also joined public and private services."

Hoshiarpur Gazetteer-"Before independence, the Aroras did not constitute a sizeable population in the district. With the migration of the non-Muslim population from Pakistan to India in 1947, they settled here, though in small numbers. The Aroras were generally settled in West Punjab (Pakistan) and in the Firozepur District. Their representation in the eastern districts of the Punjab was not notable. According to Ibbetson, the Aroras are the Khatris of Ror (Rori Sukkur, Sindh, in Pakistan). Whatever be their origin, the fact is that they resemble Khatirs in certain traits. In certain respects, they are even superior to them. They are also divided into many groups and castes, Uchanda, Nichanda, etc., but in social life, these groups are of no importance. They intermarry in their groups like others. They also intermarry among Khatirs. In the All-India meeting in 1936, held by the Khatris at Lahore (Pakistan), it was decided that the Aroras, Soods and Bhatias were Khatri for all intents and purposes. And, as such, they should be admitted to the Khatri stock. This interpretation did not find much favour then, but with the lapse of time, it has almost been accepted."

Ludhiana Gazzetteer-After partition very large numbers of Aroras have migrated from different districts of west Pakistan and have settled in the district. They are very active, hardworking and intelligent tradesmen. They are far shrewder than their local counter- parts, Khatri shopkeepers. They are mostly engaged in commerce and industry. They are fully alive to the dignity of labour and do not hesitate to take up any petty job. Poorer amongst them have been running mobile shops in the villages on bicycle and make available the goods from towns on nominal profit. Gradually their economic position has become better and they have almost become settled and have given up the vendor’s jobs. By sheer dint of merit and superior skill they have made their mark in business and industry. They are of good disposition and lead hardy life. They have mostly settled in towns and few of them who own land have settled in villages.

(Reference- http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/fdigs.htm)

Above excerpts from various gazetteers clearly depict how Aroras after getting uprooted from their native places, mostly in Western Punjab (now Pakistan Punjab), re-established themselves into their new places of settlement, by the dint of courage, determination and intelligence. Today majority of Aroras who faced the man made tragedy of partition are propserous, established and successful in their respective trades. They have excelled in their respective streams of work and have leftan indelliable mark in the modern history and economy of India and world.

Independence

Aroras joined hands with the rest of India to fight for Indian independence. Many were imprisoned for satyagraha. Some were involved in the Hindu Mahasabha in fighting for independence, including Madanlal Pahwa. As the Aroras are mainly from the Western Punjab region, most Aroras had to migrate to India during the Partition of India in 1947.

Demographics

Before the partition

Prior to India-Pakistan partition in 1947, Aroras generally lived in the southwestern parts of the Punjab including Dera Ghazi Khan District (and recently created districts of Rajanpur), Multan, Bahawalpur, northern Sindh and Dera Ismail Khan Division of the North-West Frontier Province. The main language of this area is Lahnda, now known as Seraiki in Pakistan. Beside the Derajat, Aroras dwelled in varying numbers further north in the districts of Jhang, Mianwali, Lahore, Amritsar and Lyallpur (now known as Faisalabad), and south of Derajat in Sukkur, Shikarpur and as far as Karachi. In Kohat, the Aroras were split into autochthonous and immigrant Aroras, in which most of the immigrants were Sikh while the autochthonous were Hindu.

Half of the Aroras of the Punjab were living in southwest in the areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Multan and Bahawalpur . According to Imperial Gazetteer of India (1901), the three major mercantile communities (of the Punjab province), Aroras, Banias and Khatris were dominant in southwest (Multan division), southeast (Delhi division including present Haryana), and northeast (Jalandhar division) parts respectively; in central (Lahore division) and northwest (Rawalpindi division) parts, Aroras and Khatris were almost equal in numbers.

The numerical strength of three communities in the 1901 census of the province (which included Delhi) was as follows: Aroras 653,000; Banias 452,000; Khatris 436,000. In the former princely state of Bahawalpur practically the entire commerce was in the hands of Aroras, while Khatris dominated in the state of Patiala. A majority of the government employees were also Aroras. In the same census of 1901, the numbers of Aroras and Khatris in [[North Western Frontier Province were 69,000 and 34,000 respectively]]; in the province of Sind and the princely state of Khairpur, both Aroras and Khatris were probably counted as Lohanas, the mercantile community of Sind. Many Aroras distinguished themselves in all departments of the Indian government as Extra Assistant commissioners, accountants, professors, doctors, civil surgeons, engineers, military officers and court officers etc. [14] After the partition of India in 1947, the majority of Sikh and Hindu Aroras from all over the newly created nation of Pakistan migrated to India.

Previously, Aroras only used to intermarry between their subgroups (Uttradhi, Gujarati and Dakhan), but after continued migrations, Aroras have become more lenient towards marriage choices.

After the partition

As mentioned earlier, the Aroras settled in Amritsar during the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or even earlier. It is presumed that they migrated to Amritsar from Lahore to which place they might have originally migrated from Sind or Multan. This is inferred from the fact that, after a very long stay in the central Punjab, they ceased to speak their Lahnda dialect. The Arora Sikhs are mostly found in big towns, especially in Amritsar. They were living there even before the partition. Their Hindu counterparts, majority of who migrated from Pakistan, arrived in India in 1947 after a terrifying journey, lasting up to a month or more to cross only 100 to 400 miles, starved, dehydrated, ill and often with only the clothes they were wearing. The government of newly independent India was inexperienced and dysfunctional, and the local established groups in India including Hindu, Sikhs-Jats, Banias and others were being opportunistic and exploitive of their helpless, homeless and penniless status. However, Aroras not only have survived their third holocaust (Parasurama, Arab invasion of Aror/Alor, and Indo-Pakistan partition of 1947) but, have also prospered because of strong work ethic, education, enterprise, and survivor instincts sharpened by the centuries of a minority status among violent, monotheistic and colonial groups of various Mediterranean and Central Asian invaders, Muslims and the British. The Amritsar Gazetteer claims that the hard work of the Aroras made them prominent among all of the migrants from Pakistan, as they quickly began to rival local communities in influence. Ludhiana Gazette of Revenue department of Govt. of Punjab describes Aroras to be of tougher disposition and more shrewd and intelligent than Khatris; and having superior business acumen than their local Khatri shopkeepers counterparts. Similarly, Hoshiarpur gazetteer says "Before independence, the Aroras did not constitute a sizeable population in the district. With the migration of the non-Muslim population from Pakistan to India in 1947, they settled here, though in small numbers. The Aroras were generally settled in West Punjab (Pakistan) and in the Firozepur District. Their representation in the eastern districts of the Punjab was not notable. According to Ibbetson, the Aroras are the Khatris of Ror (Rori Sukkur, Sindh, in Pakistan). Whatever be their origin, the fact is that they resemble Khatirs in certain traits. In certain respects, they are even superior to them. They are also divided into many groups and castes, Uchanda, Nichanda, etc., but in social life, these groups are of no importance. They intermarry in their groups like others. They also intermarry among Khatirs. In the All-India meeting in 1936, held by the Khatris at Lahore (Pakistan), it was decided that the Aroras, Soods and Bhatias were Khatri for all intents and purposes. And, as such, they should be admitted to the Khatri stock. This interpretation did not find much favour then, but with the lapse of time, it has almost been accepted." (Reference- http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/fdigs.htm)

Before partition Aroras used to marry only among their sub-group i.e. Uttradhi, Dakkhna or Dahra and members of the same geographic region. But after partition, spheres of permissible arranged matrimonial alliances were widened to others of Punjabi origin especially Khatris, Bhatias, Soods and Ahluwalias. These sub-castes were mixed so overwhelmingly that all of these castes together are now referred to as the Punjabi Khatri or simply 'Punjabi' community. Aroras have been increasingly shunning the caste system, the Aroras (and all Punjabis in general) have become liberal especially the populace in bigger towns and cities. Inter-caste marrriages with other communities of Punjab (with Brahmins and Baniyas especially) and other parts of India and world have also become quite common and are becoming more common with each passing day. Among Punjabis, socioeconomic status has replaced caste as the primary concern in matrimonial alliances of the present era.

Role in Indian society

The Amritsar Gazzeteer described Aroras as generally energetic, intelligent and well built. Aroras are a well-established mercantile community of India and Pakistan. At the turn of the 20th century, Aroras and Khatris lived and controlled trade and finance to varying extents across a wide geographic area from Chittagong to Baku in present-day Bangladesh and Azerbaijan respectively; however, their main concentration was in Derajat. A significant number of Arora merchants and moneylenders were based at Astrakhan, Russia on the northern shore of Caspian Sea. According to economic historian L.C.Jain, the Aroras were known to 'control the finance of much of the commerce of India with central Asia, Afghanistan and Tibet'. Aroras will usually be in the same proximity of the subcastes of Khatris (referred to as warrior class), who are also in the mercantile profession. Guru Sanwal Shah Singh, an Arora, provided funds for the building of the Golden Temple.

Arora families in India place great emphasis and attention to the education of their children including their daughters; because of this, they have become prosperous and are successful in many diverse professions such as trade, education, medicine, finance, technology, engineering, manufacturing, entertainment, arts, armed forces and bureaucracy. They have achieved remarkable success despite being a very small minority, lack of a political power-base, vigorous attempts to disparage and/or to suppress them by Muslims in pre-partition Punjab and Sind, and loss of their homes, businesses, properties and bank deposits (at Punjab & Sind Bank owned and controlled by three Sikh Khatri families) at the time of partition in 1947.Another prominent bank of the masses at that time in Punjab (Punjab National Bank) is reported to have played a very positive role by encashing bank deposits of migrants based on pass book entries even though the bank had lost its records in Pakistan (Ref: Banking Century by Parkash Tandon Panguin.

Aroras, have taken roles in the Indian Armed Forces. Late Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora and Gen. J.J. Singh are two prominent contributions of Arora community to Indian Armed Forces. Aroras were particularly prominent in the recent Kargil War also. Vikram Batra was declared a war hero in India, as was Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, both of whom died during the conflicts.

Religion

Most of the Aroras are Hindus or Sikhs. Hindu Aroras are very tolerant in their religious faith. Most are followers of Sanatana Dharma; however, they respect the sanctity of and frequently visit Arya Samaj temples, Jain temples, Sikh Gurdwaras, and Dargahs (tombs) of Muslim Sufi saints. For several centuries in the past, the eldest son of a Arora Hindu family voluntarily changed his religion to Sikhism as a family devotion to the Sikh Gurus. Most Punjabi Hindu Aroras belong to Kashyap gotra.

During the Islamic Invasion of India, large masses of Aroras accepted Islam during this time while many others who resisted, embraced Sikhism. Aroras of Derajat kept the spirit and traditions of Sanatana Dharma alive despite centuries of rule being ruled by Zoroastrian, Buddhist, and Afghan, Mughal and Baloch Muslim rulers. The Muslim Aroras now live in Lahore and other large cities of Pakistan's Punjab; the Muslim Arora traders are known as Khoja Sheikhs. Sikh Aroras usually use Arora as family names. Since Sikhism does not believe in a caste system most Sikh Aroras prefer not to use the last name.

Divisions

Many of the Sindhi Hindus in India are also Aroras (although they are classified as Lohanas) and live in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Many Gujaratis(Lohanas) and Sindhis(Sindhi Khatris) have family names similar to Aroras like Ahuja, Chawala, Thakkar etc. In Rajasthan, there is a distinct Khatri community. They sub classify themselves into Jodhpuri and Nagauri Khatris. They also have Arora family names like Juneja, Gaba etc. They have about 84 clans of Aroras among themselves. Like their Punjabi Arora brethren, they have also prospered and migrated further to various parts of India and various other countries. There are still some Sindhi Hindu Aroras living in Northern Sindh and are mostly involved in trade.

There are three main divisions among the Aroras: Uttradhi, Dakhna and Gujarati. The Uttradhi Aroras used to live in the northern regions. The Dakhna Aroras used to live in southern regions nearer to the coast and the Gujarati Aroras used to live in the west, nearer to Gujarat..

Famous Aroras

See List of Aroras for a detailed list of famous people from the Arora caste. Aroras have had an impact in almost all the streams of human endeavour after Indian Independence and have had an indelliable role nation's development.

Science- Nobel Laurete for science Dr. Hargobind Khorana and NASA astronaut Late Kalpana Chawla Late ISRO scientist S.N. Dhawan are among eminent Aroras who have earned great fame in the realm of Science & Technology.

Defense-Contribution of Aroras to Indian Armed forces is also unforgettable. Lt.Gen. H S Arora played a pivotal role in 1965 war against Pakistan in Khemkaran sector near Amritsar. Under the brave leadership of 6'2" tall Gen.Arora, Indian Army defeated a much better endowed Pakistani Army(equipped with American Penton tanks) and made Khemkaran sector a "Graveyard of Penton tanks" by destroying or confiscating nearly 400 Penton tanks thus delivering a deadly blow to the strength and morale of Pakistani defense establishment. This was then when he had been given an option to retreat behind river Sutlej by Indian High Command leaving half of Punjab under Pakistani occupation. But he not only stood up against Pakistani Army and as well defeated them. Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora displayed his leadership in 1971 war. In his apt leadership Indian Army made 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrender and thus put an end to the war in eastern sector. In Kargil war, Capt Vikram Batra laid his life in the mountains of kargil region. Wing Commander Ajay Ahuja also laid his life in the service of motherland.

Industry- Brij Mohan Munjal & family of Hero Honda Group, Nirula's chain of fast food joints, VLCC (Vandana Luthra Slimming Centre), the famous Batra Hospital in New Delhi and Dr. Batra's chain of Homeopathy clinics, Chhabra555 are just a few examples of entreprenurial skills of Aroras. Bajaj family of Bajaj group are Aroras who got dispersed to Rajasthan from ancient city of Aror.

Entertainment-A large number of Aroras are also involved in business or showbusiness, including the likes of Karan Johar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Juhi Chawla, singer Jaspinder Narula and many more.

Fashion-Manish Arora, Ritu Kumar, Neeta Lulla are famous fashion designers.

Politics-Madan Lal Khurana, former CM of Delhi is also an Arora, among many others.

Gautam Gambhir is an eminent cricketer.

Lord Swaraj Paul is also an Arora (Paul is used by certain Aroras with suffix -pal in their surnames, like Nagpal, Kathpal etc.). And there are numerous people from Arora community who are successful doctors, engineers, politicians, entreprenuers, painters and sportspersons.

Some of the family names of the Aroras include - Ahuja, Alreja, Aneja, Bajaj, Balana, Bakhru, Batra, Baweja, Bhathheja, Baseeja, Bagga, Bhutani, Buddhiraja, Chawla, Chhabra, Chhabaria, Chugh, Chuggha, Dhamija, Dhawan, Dhwara, Dhingra, Gambhir, Gaba, Gandhi, Gagneja, Gera,Girdhar, Gogia, Gulati, Gu liani, Grover, Hangal, Jhandai, Johar, Juneja, Kalra, Kataria, Kathpal, Kharbanda, Khurana, Khorana, Kumar, Khera, Kukreja, Lal, Lekhi, Loona, Lulla, Madaan, Makkar, Makhija, Malhotra, Mehndiratta, Middha, Monga, Munjal, Nagpal, Narula, Nijhawan, Pahwa, Pahuja, Rajpal, Rekhi, Sidana, Sachdev, Sachdeva, Saluja, Sethi, Setia, Sikri, Suneja, Taneja, Thakkar, Thukral, Wadhwa,, Vasan etc. A total of 1500 plus gotras exist among Aroras. The detailed list of Arora Surnames is available at http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Arora_surnames