Saini () is a farming and landowning caste of northern India. The community is given representation in government jobs and educational institutes as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
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."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
History Gahlot and Banshidhar indicate some commonality in origin with Rajput Malis of Rajputana, who also claim to be of Rajput descent.
British era During the British period Sainis were classified as both a statutory agricultural tribe and, later, a martial race. 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. 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.
Some Saini landlords were also appointed as zaildars, or revenue-collectors, in various districts.History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, p 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989
Post Independence India 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.
Marriage 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.People of India, National Series Volume VI, India's Communities N-Z, p 3090, KS Singh, Anthropological Survey of India, Oxford University Press, 1998
Notable people
Notable people who bear the name and may or may not be associated with the caste are:
Armed forces Joginder Singh (Param Vir Chakra)
Indian freedom movement Gurdan Saini (Rajput General- died in Ranthambore also known as Rana Gurdan Saini)A Comprehensive History of India : The Delhi Sultanat, A.D. 1206–1526, pp 318, Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastri, Indian History Congress, 1957 Harnam Singh Saini (Ghadar movement, died - hanged on 16 March 1917 after Lahore Conspiracy Case trial)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 Religious and political leaders Labh Singh Saini (Akali dal president)Pratap Singh, Giani, Gurdwara Sudhar arthat Akali. Lahir. Amritsar, 1975 Jathedar Sadhu Singh Bhaura (Akal Takht Jathedar)Surjit Singh Nanua, Saini Jagat (Utpati Ate Vikas), Patiala, 2008
Sports Sandeep Singh Saini a field hockey player from Shahabad town of Haryana
Civilians with titles Chaudhari Nand Ram Saini (Zaildar from Hissar Division)History of Hisar: From Inception to Independence, 1935–1947, pp 312, M. M. Juneja, Published by Modern Book Co., 1989 Sardar Nanu Singh Saini(Sikh army General and well Known Jagirdar in Phulkian Rayast)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 )
Others Sumedh Singh Saini (former Director general of police of Punjab, India Gurbux Saini, Canadian MP
References
External links SainiOnline.com SainiInfo.com