Shershahabadia

The Shershahabadi (Urdu: شیر شاہ آبادی‎) are a Bengali Muslim community found in the state of Bihar and West Bengal in India. They are part of the larger Shaikh community of Bihar and Shershabadia Community of Bengal. Common surnames used by the community include Mandal and Sekh.[1] These peoples mostly live in chars and dubas (lower land) along Gangetic river lines from Katihar district of Bihar on the north bank and Rajmahal District of Jharkhand on the south bank to Murshidabad districts of West Bengal on the South bank and Malda district of West Bengal on the north bank. Most of them are Sunni Muslims known as Ahl-e-Hadiths or followers of the authentic traditions of the Prophet.

In various districts of the Kosi Belt, they are also known as Maldahiya .[2]

Terminology

The term Shershabadia is derived from the name of the Pargana called Shershabad which had grown up during the rule of the Pathan king Shershah of Gour. The Pargana Shershabad was located in the area of southern Malda and northern Murshidabad.[3]

History and origin

The word Shershahabadia (from Persian: شیرشاه‌آباد) literally means the land known as Sheshahabad or Shershabad pargana founded by Sher Shah. They acquired this name on account of the fact that this community originated from this paragana located in Malda and Murshidabad disrtricts. Shershahabadia still speak Bengali, but most now have knowledge of Hindi, which is the official language of Bihar. They live mainly in the surrounding districts of Bihar and West Bengal named Purnia, Katihar, Burdwan, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Nadia and Malda. Presently, after the divide of Bihar into Jharkhand, the districts of Jharkhand namely Pakur and Sahibganj are where they are found.[1]

During the British period, the Shershahbadi were considered by the British authorities, to have criminal tendency for the involvement of some members in the anti-British movement known as Wahabi Movement, but later on deleted from the list of Criminal tribe.[2]

Present circumstances

The Shershahabadia practice community endogamy. They are a community of settled agriculturist, but as their population has grown, the land ownership has been sub-divided. This has led to many becoming landless, and a growth of those in the community who are agricultural labour, day labour, teaching, business etc. The community entirely belongs to Sunni Muslim. The majority do not belong to any of the four recognized theological schools of Islam viz. Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali. Rather they follow all the correct call from all the four Imams and they are known as Ahl al-Hadith (strict followers of the Quran and Hadith). Preaching of any Pir/ Darbesh (Muslim Saint) is not accepted of them normally. Except the prayer in funeral ground they do not perform Jiyarat (a type of prayer kindling light). They do not take part in any sort of Milad/ Jalsa. In their social organization role of a Sardar/ Mandal (Chief of the Community) is very important. Their females follow the system of Parda (Veil) as far as practiced. Shershahabadia women are experts in stitching clothes and singing Shershabadia Geed (songs). As a whole they are not involved in popular Muharram but some of them are remain on fasting throughout the day. Marriage is solemnised only at daytime. During marriages they perform the rituals like Haldi etc. Charham and Chalisha (observance on fourth and fortieth day after death) are not performed in Shershahabadia Community. Shershabadias speak in Shershabadia dialect at home.[1]

See also

• Shaikh of Bihar
• Bedia (tribe)

References

1. People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 876 to 877 Seagull Books
2. Mohammad Sajjad (13 August 2014). Muslim Politics in Bihar: Changing Contours. Taylor & Francis. p. 288. ISBN 978-1-317-55981-8.
3. "West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Report on Khotta Muslim" (PDF). www.wbcdc.gov.in. Retrieved 30 May 2020.