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Mohyal Brahmins are an Indian sub-caste of Saraswat Brahmins from the Punjab region.[1] A sub-group of the Punjabi Hindu community, Mohyal caste comprises seven clans named Bali, Bhimwal, Chhibber, Datt, Lau, Mohan and Vaid.[2]

According to an oral tradition, some Mohyal Brahmins helped Imam Hussain in the Battle of Karbala; these Mohyal Brahmins are called Hussaini Brahmins.[3] Prior to the Partition of India, Mohyal Brahmins lived primarily in the western Punjab, including present-day Hazara division and the Pir Panjal regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Jammu and Kashmir respectively. After the partition, most migrated to, and settled in the new created Republic of India. As per data by the Government of Punjab, the priestly practice of Mohyal Brahmins has slowly reduced after the partition.[4]

The Mohyals do not perform priestly duties.[5][6]

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Contributions to Sikhism

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The majority of Mohyal Brahmins identify as Hindu, with some also identifying as Sikh. Guru Nanak, continuing in the tradition of Bhakti Saints, revitalised Sanatan ('Hindu') wisdom in order to make to accessible for the common people of late Medieval India.[7][page needed] As a part of this transformation, many Punjabi Hindus, including the Mohyals, revered and followed Guru Nanak. This devotion towards Nanak's mat (teachings/wisdom) led them to follow Nanak's successors and then assist in the creation of the Sikh ethos. Moreover, as the latter Gurus became martial, this community was a natural home for the warrior-class of the Punjabi Hindus.[1][page needed][8][page needed]

Some notable Mohyals include the brothers Bhai Mati Das and Bhai Sati Das, both died alongside the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, for protecting Hinduism from Islamic Jihad.[9][page needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b McLeod, W. H. (1989). Who is a Sikh? : the problem of Sikh identity. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-826548-4. OCLC 19125681.
  2. ^ Hanks, Patrick (8 May 2003). Dictionary of American Family Names: 3-Volume Set. USA: Oxford University Press. pp. 89, 414, 605. ISBN 978-0-19-508137-4.
  3. ^ Multiple sources:
  4. ^ "Country Advice: India" (PDF). Refugee Review Tribunal. 31 January 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  5. ^ Raj, Christopher S. (2009). Multiculturalism: Public Policy and Problem Areas in Canada and India. ISBN 9788178311845.
  6. ^ Fazl, Abul (5 November 2014). "The Brahmins Who Fought For Imam Hussain at Karbala". Kashmir Observer Online. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  7. ^ Bhakti religion in North India : community identity and political action. Lorenzen, David N. Albany: State University of New York Press. 1995. ISBN 0-585-04526-7. OCLC 42854916.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ Oberoi, Harjot. (1994). The Construction of religious boundaries : culture, identity, and diversity in the Sikh tradition. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-61592-8. OCLC 30157084.
  9. ^ Prithi Pal Singh, 1928- (2006). The history of Sikh gurus. New Delhi: Lotus Press. ISBN 81-8382-075-1. OCLC 297207913.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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