Passion for Nicknames Is in The Blood of Kashmiris - Peer, Wali Or Khan Are Common Hindu Surnames
By Prof Upendra Kaul
September 4, 2020
William Shakespeare’s popular quotation “what is in a name?
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” ……may or may
not hold good beyond his tragic play of Romeo and Juliet. Kashmiris, the people
who have their roots in the enchanting valley, have proven the great English dramatist
wrong when it comes to the origin of the name which is very important and
revealing of their past.
It is hard to believe that surnames – Peer, Wali or Khan,
are common Hindu surnames. At the same time a Muslim carrying his last name as
Rishi or Pandit…… sounds incredible, but it is a common feature in Kashmir.
Unlike in other parts of the country, Muslims and Hindus have been sharing the
same surnames since ages. Wali is a name based on Arabic short form of Wali
Allah ‘friend of God’, ‘protector’. However, this surname is more common in
Kashmiri Pundits than in Muslims.
Let me start with my surname “Kaul”. It is not my actual
surname but adopted by my father. Our family name is “Khan”. Papa, while
studying before matriculation, changed his surname from Khan to Kaul to avoid
getting embarrassed, as it was a Muslim surname. Actually, Kaul and Koul in
many instances are adopted names and do not tell you about the ancestry. My
forefathers were working for Afghans during their rule of Kashmir in years 1752
to 1819 and that is how, we became Khans.
In Kashmir the surnames have a lot of relevance to know the
identity, past history and the profession of their forefathers.
The former Chairman of J&K Public Service Commission, a
devout Muslim M. Shafi Pandit, similarly one of the important former Director
Generals of J & K police was Ghulam Jeelani Pandit, of course a Muslim but
with Pandit as the surname. Likewise, Dr Mahraj Kishan Peer, an eminent
physician and Bansi Lal Wali, a well-known
lawyer of National fame are both Hindus.
An elderly Pandit who had attained highest stage of
spiritual perfection or was well-versed in the religious scriptures was out of
reverence called as Sahib. There is an important example of a pundit boy by the
name of Keshav born in 1637 to Gobind Kaul resident of Batayar Mohallah, Ali
Kadal, Srinagar. He, from his childhood was only interested in spirituality and
not formal schooling and went on very long years of meditation, eating very
frugally. As the story goes, he performed a number of miracles for needy
people. Both Hindus and Muslims used to throng his ashram. He began to be
called as Reshi Peer (Rishi for Hindus and Peer for Muslims). He was
affectionately called “Peer Pandit Padshah Hardu Jahan Mushkil Asan” i.e.,
emperor of two worlds who solves difficulties of various kinds. In 1675 when
Iftikhar Khan was the governor of Kashmir a big fire broke out and engulfed the
entire Ali Kadal area of Srinagar. When
the flames could not be controlled by all possible means then people in utter
panic approached Rishi Peer for his help. He threw his one wooden sandal into
the fire and the fire was extinguished within no time.
At the time of his passing away because of ageing and
frailty, there was a dispute over his body, whether it should be cremated or
buried. When finally the covering cloth was lifted it is said there were 27
flowers instead of the corpse. Muslims then allowed Hindus to take them to the
river bank of Jhelum and consign them to flames, at the place of his birth in
Batyar Mohalla. That is the perfect example of the composite culture of
Kashmir.
Similarly, Mirza, Dhar or Dar, Bhat, Akhoon, Chakoo,
Durrani, Kachroo, Draboo, Kaloo, Kanna, Kaw, Khar, Khuda, Kitchloo, Munshi,
Machama, Mirza, Padar, Parimoo and Raina are a few typical surnames that are
used by both Hindus, and Muslims of Kashmir .
Many of the present-day Kashmiri surnames are linked to the
occupations of their ancestors. A few examples: Aram (vegetable grower), Kral
(potter), Gooru (milk vendor), Hakim (physician),Waza (chef), Bazaz (cloth
merchant) etc., are some of the surnames that tell you, about the past
profession of the present generation of Kashmiris.
There is a set of surnames belonging to birds and animals,
probably because of some resemblance of any of their ancestors with the body
language, voice, or character in some remote way:
Examples, like Hangloo (Stag), Khar (donkey), Braroo (cat),
Kantroo (male sparrow), Kakroo (cock), Kaw (crow), Bambroo(black bee), Kotru
(pigeon), Dand (bull), Hoon(dog), Yechh (yeti), Kukiloo (koel). Great
personalities like former Senior bureaucrat M K Kaw or former Resident Editor
of the Statesman and at present a free-lance writer Mr M L Kotru.
It is not only the animal kingdom but Kashmiri surnames are
linked with the vegetables and fruits as well. We have quite a number of Mujoos
(Radish), Bamchoots (Quince apple) Hakh(Green leafy vegetable), Wangnoo
(Eggplant), Nadroos (Lotus stem). Some surnames based on the personalities and
moods in families like Hakhoo (A person who is dry), and Trakroo (person who is
unyielding or hard in attitude). These surnames are continuing till date.
The passion for nicknames is in the blood of Kashmiris. They
have nurtured this art for generations. This often-repeated story is known to
many, but worth a repeat: Pandit Anand Koul, a great Kashmiri historian has
quoted an example of resistance shown against a nickname by a gentleman whose
name was ‘Vasadev’. He had a mulberry tree in his courtyard, and was,
therefore, called Vasadev Tul. `Tul’ in Kashmiri means mulberry. In order to
get rid of this nickname he cut down the tree. But a `Maund’ (trunk) remained
and he was called, ‘Vasadev Maund’. Irritated Mr Vasadev, immediately removed
the trunk; and a `Khud’ (depression/ crater) was caused and henceforth he was
known as ‘Vasadev Khud’. Continuing his battle against nickname givers, he got
the depression filled up and the ground became a `Teng’ (mound/a little
elevated). Thus, he was re-nicknamed as ‘Vasadev Teng’. He finally gracefully
accepted this name and thus came the progeny of Tengs.
I wish this bonhomie and commonality continues as a
permanent bondage and sets an example to other communities, for centuries to
come and let the unhappy days be a part of the remote past.
----
Prof Upendra Kaul is a Cardiologist, Awarded Padmashiri
and Dr B C Roy Award
Original Headline: My name is Khan, and I'm Kaul
Source: The
Greater Kashmir
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/passion-nicknames-blood-kashmiris-peer,/d/122789