Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 1

Muslim Rangrez:

The Rangrez are a Muslim community found in North India. They are also known as Sabagh.[2]
Many members of Muslim Rangrez community have migrated to Pakistan after independence
and have settled in Karachi, Sindh.

The word rangrez (‫ )رنگریز‬means a dyer in the Persian language, and the community has been
connected with this occupation, while others were tailors and washermen of the people. Many
now claim Central Asian descent, and it is quite possible that some may be of Turkic ancestry.
They may be converts from the Hindu Rangrez caste, or it is more likely that they are a
community of diverse origin, who over time have evolved into a community which is now
bound by rules of endogamy[3] They are now associated with the dyeing of clothes.

They have the three subdivision, the Lalgarh, Nilgarh and Chhipi, and speak Urdu, as well as
local dialect's of Hindi. The basis of these social divisions is occupation. In this social hierarchy,
the Chhipi are placed in the lowest position, because they dyed and printed clothes, where as
the Lalgarh and Nilgarh generally prepare colour from indigo. In fact, the Chhipi form a distinct
endogamous sub-group within the larger Rangrez community. The word Rangrez has now been
replaced by the word Sabbagh, which is an Arabic word meaning garden. They are a Sunni
Muslim community. They also visit the shrines of various Sufi saints found in North India, such
as Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The Rangrez now have other backward caste status in most states
of North India.

The Rangrez are found in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and
Rajasthan. There are a number of Rangrez caste associations, with the Kul Hind Anjuman
Sabbagh being an all India organisation of Rangrez with its headqurter at Delhi. Another
Organisation is All India Rangrez Organisation with its office at Gaya in Bihar. Mr. Mustaqeem
Akhtar Rangrez, a social worker is its president.

Quite a few Rangrez have immigrated to Pakistan, where they form an important element in
the Muhajir community.

Source Of Above Content:

https://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/11780954

You might also like