Bhatia Community

Bhatia community is basically the enterprising mercantile community of India. Originally a warrior race, Bhatia community is now mostly involved in trade and commerce. In the past, Bhatias were called Bhattis. They claim to be the descendents of Kshatriyas or Rajputs. It is believed that they have originated from the Sindh province. Today, this community is mostly found in the north western province of the country. They are concentrated in the states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.

Origin of Bhatia Community
In the 6th century, Raja Bhoopat reigned in Lahore. He acquired fame for his valour, courage and administrative shrewdness. His dynasty came to be known as Bhatti or Bhati Dynasty from which the name Bhatia has been derived. They successively established Tannot, Deraval and Jaisalmer in around 1156 AD. During the reign of Raja Mulraj, 1316 AD was a crucial year for the Bhatias as they were threatened with extinction. It was at this time that Ala-ud-din Khilji invaded Jaisalmer and besieged it for a year.

Society of Bhatia Community
Among the Bhatias, prominent ones are Jakhar, Jats, Halai, Pavrai, Navgam, Pachisgaam, Thattai, Kutchi, Veha, and Punjabi. Further, Bhatias from Kutch region are known as Kutchi Bhatias and those from Jamnagar district are Halai Bhatia, those from Sindh (presently in Pakistan) are called as Sindhi Bhatias, and those from Punjab are popularly known as Punjabi Bhatias. In their community, the boys and girls whose blood relationship was beyond seven generations could marry. In their society, widow remarriage is not allowed. This decision marked the beginning of the formation of groups or clans. In different regions the Bhatias acquired different styles of dressing.

Religion of Bhatia Community
As far as religion of Bhatia community is concerned, a majority of the people follow Hinduism. Further, they accepted the Pushtimarg (a sect of Hindu religion). In Bhatia community, Upanayana is performed. Upanayana is the initiation ceremony of a young boy who is invested with a sacred thread, symbolising a promise made to fulfil his debt to the creditor, his preceptor and his father. The guru initiates the boy, giving him the Gayatri Mantra.

Occupation of Bhatia Community
The Bhatia community successfully made their mark in the field of trade and commerce. The Bhatias were and still are inherently enterprising people and successfully entered many spheres of commerce and industry such as the textiles, cotton, iron and steel, mining and shipping industries.

Punjabi Bhatias are considered as most prominent in India. They are mostly settled in Punjab and Delhi regions. A large number of them have also settled down abroad.