Saini

Caste of North India

This article is about the Saini community of Punjab. For the Mali community who were not recorded as Saini prior to 1937, see Mali caste. For the communities in North India using the surname, see Saini (surname).

Not to be confused with Siani or Sinai.

Saini

Country| Primarily India
Populated states| Punjab, India, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh and Delhi

Saini (pronunciationⓘ) is a farming and landowning caste[1] of northern India. The community is given representation in government jobs and educational institutes as an Other Backward Class (OBC)[2] in the states of Uttar Pradesh,[3] Punjab,[4] Haryana,[5] Rajasthan[6] and Madhya Pradesh.[7] Sainis, like other farming castes of Punjab, play a dominant role in shaping the social and cultural life of rural villages. Their size, farming and political visibility, strengthens their position in local society.[1]

As both a statutory agricultural tribe and a designated martial race during the British Raj era that followed the Indian Rebellion of 1857, Sainis had been chiefly engaged in both agriculture and military service. Since the independence of India, they have diversified into white-collar professions.[8]

## History

[edit]

### Mythology

[edit]

The Sainis of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts claim to be the descendants of kings of the Yaduvanshi or Surasena lineage who ruled these kingdoms, who came to these areas to avoid forced conversion to Islam.[9]

### Academic

[edit]

Gahlot and Banshidhar indicate some commonality in origin with Rajput Malis of Rajputana, who also claim to be of Rajput descent.[10]

### British era

[edit]

During the British period Sainis were classified as both a statutory agricultural tribe and, later, a martial race.[11] The latter was an administrative device based on the now-discredited theories of scientific racism: ethnic communities were categorised as being either martial or non-martial, with the latter being those who were thought to be unfit to serve in armies due to their sedentary lifestyles.[12][13] The community was also one of several peasant peoples who benefitted from the development of the Punjab Canal Colonies, through which they obtained land grants from the British authorities, especially in the Chenab Colony following the introduction of the Punjab Land Alienation Act, 1900.[14]

Some Saini landlords were also appointed as zaildars, or revenue-collectors, in various districts.[15]

### Post Independence India

[edit]

Castes similar to Sainis in north India are Koeri, Kushwaha, Maurya and Shakya. Over the time, these communities have come together and started inter-marrying among themselves for caste consolidation.[16]

## Marriage

[edit]

According to the Anthropological Survey of India, "The Saini are endogamous community and observe exogamy at village and gotra level." Remarriage after the death of a spouse is permitted nowadays, as is divorce.[17]

## Notable people

[edit]

Notable people who bear the name and may or may not be associated with the caste are:

### Armed forces

[edit]

* Joginder Singh (Param Vir Chakra)[18]

### Indian freedom movement

[edit]

* Gurdan Saini (Rajput General- died in Ranthambore also known as Rana Gurdan Saini)[19][need quotation to verify]
* Harnam Singh Saini (Ghadar movement, died - hanged on 16 March 1917 after Lahore Conspiracy Case trial)[20][need quotation to verify]

### Religious and political leaders

[edit]

* Labh Singh Saini (Akali dal president)[21][need quotation to verify]
* Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhaura (Akal Takht Jathedar)[22][page needed][need quotation to verify]

### Sports

[edit]

* Sandeep Singh Saini a field hockey player from Shahabad town of Haryana[23]

### Civilians with titles

[edit]

* Chaudhari Nand Ram Saini (Zaildar from Hissar Division)[24][need quotation to verify]
* Sardar Nanu Singh Saini(Sikh army General and well Known Jagirdar in Phulkian Rayast)[25][need quotation to verify]

### Others

[edit]

* Sumedh Singh Saini (former Director general of police of Punjab, India[26][need quotation to verify]
* Gurbux Saini, Canadian MP

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Judge, Paramjit S. (2015). "Caste Hierarchy, Dominance, and Change in Punjab". Sociological Bulletin. 64 (1). SAGE Publications: 60–62\. doi:10.1177/0038022920150104. ISSN 0038-0229.
2. ^ "CENTRAL LIST OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES" (PDF). CHANDIGARH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
3. ^ "17 Most Backward Castes May Play Kingmaker as Purvanchal Gears Up to Vote in Final Phase". News18. 15 May 2019. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
4. ^ "Saini, Swarnkar/Sunar communities to be backward classes in Punjab". The Indian Express. 10 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
5. ^ "Haryana government adds Kushwaha, Keori, Maurya castes to BC list". The Economic Times. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
6. ^ "Rajasthan assembly polls 2018: RSS stronghold, Anta, has been electing influential leaders". Hindustan Times. 11 September 2018. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
7. ^ N, TN (11 September 2014). "Shubha Mudgal: Commission starts hearing on inclusion of OBCs from Madhya Pradesh". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
8. ^ "The members of Saini community are employed in business and white-collar jobs and as teachers, administrators, lawyers, doctors and defence personnel." People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3091, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
9. ^ "Surasena refers to an ancient region named after a Jadu raja who is believed to have lived before Krishna. Bayana (near Mathura) from where the Jadus ruled ..." Against History, Against State: Counterperspectives from the Margins, p 54, Shail Mayaram, published by Permanent Black, 2004
10. ^ Gahlot, Sukhvir Singh; Dhar, Banshi (1989). Castes and Tribes of Rajasthan. Jain Brothers. p. 108\. ISBN 9788185287003. "In the Punjab in the sub-mountainous region the community came to be known as 'Saini'. It maintained its Rajput character despite migration. In other parts, it came to be called by the name of "Kshatriya-Mali" (Rajput Mali)"
11. ^ Mazumder, Rajit K. (2003). The Indian army and the making of Punjab. Orient Blackswan. pp. 99, 105, 205. ISBN 978-81-7824-059-6.
12. ^ Rand, Gavin (March 2006). "Martial Races and Imperial Subjects: Violence and Governance in Colonial India 1857–1914". European Review of History. 13 (1). Routledge: 1–20\. doi:10.1080/13507480600586726. ISSN 1350-7486. S2CID 144987021.
13. ^ Streets, Heather (2004). Martial Races: The military, race and masculinity in British Imperial Culture, 1857-1914. Manchester University Press. p. 241\. ISBN 978-0-7190-6962-8.
14. ^ Ali, Imran (2014) [1988]. The Punjab Under Imperialism, 1885-1947. Princeton University Press. pp. 51, 56, 64, 73. ISBN 978-1-40085-958-0. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
15. ^ History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, p 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
16. ^ Patel, Mahendra Lal (1997). Awareness in Weaker Section: Perspective Development and Prospects. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 37\. ISBN 8175330295. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
17. ^ People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3090, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
18. ^ Mehta, Raj (15 April 2018). "When the will became a weapon". The Tribune. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
19. ^ A Comprehensive History of India : The Delhi Sultanat, A.D. 1206–1526, pp 318, Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri, Indian History Congress, 1957
20. ^ Agrarian Scene in British Punjab, pp 71, By Hari Singh, Published by People's Pub. House, 1983, Item notes: v.2, Original from the University of Michigan
21. ^ Pratap Singh, Giani, Gurdwara Sudhar arthat Akali. Lahir. Amritsar, 1975
22. ^ Surjit Singh Nanua, Saini Jagat (Utpati Ate Vikas), Patiala, 2008
23. ^ "Taapsee Pannu to play ODI captain Mithali Raj in biopic". Sportstar. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
24. ^ History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, pp 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
25. ^ Saini jagata utapati ate wikasa / Surajita Singha Nanua, pp 108, 109, pp 111, Patiala : Manajota Prakashana, ਪਟਿਆਲਾ : ਮਨਜੋਤ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਨ, 2008, DK Agencies DKPAN-5413 ( HBD )
26. ^ Vasudeva, Vikas (12 September 2020). "Sumedh Singh Saini | A former top cop on the run". The Hindu.

## External links

[edit]

* SainiOnline.com
* SainiInfo.com

* v
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* e

Ethnic groups, social groups and tribes of the Punjabis

Agrawal|

* Bansal

Arains|

* Rayeen
* Mian
* Mehr
* Kardar
* Ramay
* Bhutto

Ahirs|

* Yaduvanshi Ahirs
* Ahirs
* Ghosi
* Hindu Ghosi
* Aharwar
* Ranghar

Chauhans|

* Khandowya

Scheduled Castes|

* Ad-Dharmi
* Balmiki
* Bazigar
* Chamar
* Khatik
* Mazhabi Sikh
* Mochi
* Mirasi
* Nat
* Ramdasia Sikh
* Ravidasi

Gakhars|

* Kayani

Gurjars|

* Gurjara-Pratihara
* Bhati
* Baisla
* Khatana

Jats|

* Aulakh
* Bajwa
* Bhutta
* Buttar
* Chaudhary
* Cheema
* Chohan
* Dhankhar
* Deol
* Gill
* Grewal
* Jaswal
* Kahlon
* Kharal
* Khokhar
* Maan
* Malhi
* Noon
* Ranjha
* Randhawa
* Sandhu
* Sekhon
* Sidhu
* Sial tribe
* Sipra
* Sodhi
* Sohal
* Tiwana
* Uppal
* Virk
* Warraich
* Wyne

Labana|

* Labana

Khatris|

* Anand
* Bhamba
* Bhambri
* Bhandari
* Bhasin
* Bindra
* Chadha
* Chopra
* Dhawan
* Duggal
* Gambhir
* Ghai
* Gujral
* Kakkar
* Kandhari
* Kapoor
* Khanna
* Khattar
* Khetarpal
* Khosla
* Khukhrain
* Khullar
* Madan
* Madhok
* Mahendru
* Makan
* Malhotra
* Mehra
* Mehrotra
* Nagpal
* Nanda
* Narula
* Nayyar
* Nijhawan
* Oberoi
* Puri
* Roshan
* Sabharwal
* Sahni
* Sehgal
* Seth
* Sethi
* Sodhi
* Sohi
* Talwar
* Tandon
* Thapar
* Trehan
* Vadera
* Vadra
* Vohra

Mohyal Brahmin|

* Bali
* Bhimwal
* Chhibber
* Datt
* Lau
* Mohan
* Vaid

Rajputs|

* Jarral
* Mair Rajput
* Bhatti
* Janjua
* Rathore
* Chauhan
* Minhas
* Jaswal
* Jamwal
* Rana
* Raja
* Wattoo

Tarkhans|

* Panesar
* Sohal

Others|

* Arora
* Bagga
* Bakarwal
* Bania
* Dogar
* Kamboj
* Kumhar
* Saini
* Sansi
* Sayyid
* Shaikh

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Clans of the Rajput people

Suryavanshi|

* Bais
* Gautam
* Rathore
* Bersal
* Bargujar
* Kachwaha
* Gaur
* Sisodia
* Guhila
* Pundir
* Gohil
* Kakan

Chandravanshi|

* Banaphar
* Bhati
* Chudasama
* Chandel
* Jadaun
* Jadeja
* Katoch
* Sengar
* Tomar

Agnivanshi|

* Chauhan
* Parmar
* Solanki
* Parihar

Subclans|

* Gandhavariya
* Hada Chauhan
* Naruka
* Shekhawat
* Taoni
* Shaktawat
* Chundawat
* Sodha
* Dogra

Subdivision Clans|

* Bundela
* Harihobans
* Jaitawat
* Jasrotia
* Karadiya Rajput
* Kinwar
* Lohtamia
* Mian
* Minhas
* Nanwag
* Langah
* Langrial
* Jhala
* Janjua
* Domaal
* Samma
* Bhadauria
* Khokhar

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