Rayeen (Hindu)
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| • India | |
| Languages | |
| • Hindi • Haryanvi | |
| Religion | |
| • Hinduism 100% • | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Arain • Arain of Delhi • Kamboh |
The Rayeen, or sometimes pronounced as Arain are a Hindu caste found in the state of Haryana in India. They are also known as Chaudhary.[1]
Origin
Their connection with the Arain, Muslim farming caste from Punjab region is uncertain. According to their own traditions, the community were Hindus of Afghanistan, who were expelled by Turkic Muslim kings. They also claim a connection with Raja Sahasi Rain of Sindh. The community is now found mainly in the villages of Mundakhera, Jotisar and Haryapur in Kurukshetra District. A small number of Hindu Rayeen are also found in Ambala and Karnal districts.[2]
Present circumstances
The Rayeen are divided into exogamous clans known as gotras. According to their traditions, the community has about 206 clans, of which the main ones are the Saroha, Badrao, Gellan, Bhatia, Rajre, Dhillon, Malana, Kakkar, Sandhu, Kasan, Andrao and Khaturya. The community is Hindu, which distinguishes it from other Arain groups, who are all Muslim. Their regional deities are Dada Roopa ki Samad and Sati Mata. Like other Hindu castes, they have set up a caste association known as the Akhil Kshatriya Raayeen Sabha (the United Kshatriya Rayeen Association in English). This act both as a community welfare association as well as an instrument of social control.[3]
The Rayeen were and still are farmers. A few were substantial landowners, with a small minority being landless. They practice animal husbandry as a secondary occupation, and they provide much of the dairy products for the towns in Haryana.