Origin and History of VANKADHARI

Description:

Vankadharis are a sub-caste of the Khatri community of North India. The word Vankadharis is derived from the Sanskrit word Vankadhar, which means ‘one who is skilled in the art of weaving’. The Vankadharis were traditionally weavers and were mainly found in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The origin of the Vankadharis is not certain, but it is believed that they are descended from the ancient Kshatriyas of Northern India. They are believed to have migrated to the region during the Mughal period, when the Mughal Empire was in control of the region. The Vankadharis have a rich culture and customs. They have their own language, called Vankadhar, which is a variant of Punjabi. They also have their own unique style of dress and food, which is distinct from other Khatri communities. The Vankadharis have a number of variations in their surnames. Some of the more common surnames include Vankadhar, Bajaj, Bhatia, Chawla, Chhikara, Jain, Khatri, Kukreja, Malhotra, Mehta, and Sahni.