Attar (caste)

The Attar are a Muslim community and caste found in the state of Maharashtra and state of Andhra pradesh in India. This community has no connection with the Attarwala of Gujarat, other than both communities at one time having been involved in the manufacture of ittars (perfumes).[1]

Origin

The community's name comes from ittar, the Arabic word for perfume. Attar originally came from Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan in about 1450. They are now found in western Maharashtra, particularly in the districts of Nasik, Pune, Satara, Ahmadnagar, Sholapur, Kolhapur, Dhulia and the city of Mumbai. And in Andhra Pradesh in Anantapur district in Hindupur, Penukonda, Kadiri and Gauribidanur in state of Karnataka in south India .[1]

Traces of the Attar community are also found in modern Pakistani Punjab, Indian Punjab and Haryana. Historically, Attar caste has its roots with «KHING»खिँग community, whose small center can be found in Hindupur town in Anantapur district in state of Andhra Pradesh in Indian. Maharaj Chanan Shah, a follower of Sufism was the head founder of the «KHING»खिँग community. Present Attar Athiq Ahmed popularly known as Attar Athiq Bhai is Crown Prince and Head to House of Attar in Hindupur

Attars are rulers of West parts of Afghanistan and east part of Turkey. After migrating to India Attar community started dealing with manufacturing of perfumes and smell sticks etc. Currently only few families are dealing with their family business. Some families have moved abroad and settled in USA, Canada and Europe and some in other states of India.

In 1658 AD Attar Community migrated to south India in Kolar district in state of Karnataka those Attar share blood relation with Hyder Ali father of Tippu Sultan Tiger of Mysore ruler of Mysore Kingdom. Along with business . Attars had small kingdom under Mysore Kingdom. After martyrdom of Tippu Sultan in August 24 1799, Head of Attar Family then Attar Dewan Sab along with four younger brothers migrated to a small village near to Hindupur town.

Attar Dewan Sab started to continue with family traditional business. Continued to live imperial and aristocratic as their ancestors lived . After Attar Dewan sab his elder son Attar Karim sab became the head of House of Attar. Attar Musa Miyan Sab Elder son of Attar Karim Sab became his Successor. Attar Musa Miyan Sab during his regime made his elder son Attar Miyan Sab as Head of House of Attar.In 1956 Attar Allahbakash Sab moved to Hindupur ,elder son of Attar Miyan Sab,then Attar Miyan Sab announced his elder son as the next hier for House of attar.

Present circumstances

After becoming head to House of Attar Attar Allahbakash started and registered Kola brand Agarbatti in 1962 on Feb12 that is first brand House of Attar has registered officially. Attar Allahbakash has five sons and 6 daughters. After death of Attar Allahbakash in 1990 on April 14th his 11th son Attar Idrees Ahmed became head to House of Attar. In 2022 on Feb 12th Attar Athiq Ahmed elder son of Attar Idrees Ahmed has been made as Crown Prince and head to House of Attar.

The Attar have set up their own caste association, the Attar Council, which acts as a community welfare organization and pressure group. They are Tablighi or Sunni Muslims, and now fairly orthodox.Mostly now Attar have involved all businesses, active politics,etc. There is no concept of clan exogamy, and the community practices both parallel cousin and cross-cousin marriages.

See also

References
  1. People of India Maharshtra Volume XXX Part One edited by B.V Bhanu, B.R Bhatnagar, D.K Bose, V.S Kulkarni and J Sreenath pp. 88–98 Popular Prakashan
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