Social Condition in Punjab before Guru Nanak Dev Ji

The society before Guru Nanak Dev Ji was divided mainly into two parts - the Muslim society and the Hindu society.

Social Condition of the Muslims :

Before Guru Nanak Dev Ji, there was a government of the Muslim rulers. So, the Muslims could acquire higher posts In the administration. They were treated with respect. The government justice was also done in their favour. At that time the Muslim society was divided into four classes, Amirs and Sardars, Ulema and Sayyids, middle class and slaves.

1. Amirs and Sardars : They belonged to high class and were given high jobs. The Sardars were given lands. They collected the land revenue. This money was spent on their needs.The duty of the Sardars was to participate in the campaigns. They remained busy in fighting with each other. Their interest was to become independent from the Delhi Government. Therefore they took no interest in the local administration. They lived in huge havelis(big houses) and were polygamous. They kept men and women as servants who were called ‘slaves’. Being rich they were pleasure loving and corrupt.

2.Ulemas and Sayyids : The religious class of the Muslims was also divided Into classes. The Ulemas were the leaders of the religious class. They were the scholars of Persian and religious literature.
Besides the Ulemas, there was another class of Sayyids. They considered themselves the descendents of Bibi Fatima, the daughter of Hazrat Mohammed. They also commanded great respect In the society. Both the above classes were regarded scholars and religious leaders of the Muslim law. Sheikhs, Mullahs and the Qazis also belonged to this class. These people were also scholars of the religious law. They were also regarded regarded leaders of Islam and took full advantage of the Ignorance of the people. The Qazis were given the task of dispensing justice. Many of them were greedy.

3.Middle Class : The Government employees, scholars, traders and farmers belonged to this class. Their economic condition was good. Among them people on high posts with the government were regarded as belonging to high social status.

4.Slaves : The workers (weavers, potters, labourers, slaves and eunuchs (Khusras) had the lowest position in the Muslim society. The defeated men in the battle ground, were enslaved. They were brought from foreign countries also. The eunuch staves were kept in the royal women’s harems to serve the queens (Begams). Many slave womens were a source of entertainment for the Amirs and the Sardars. They were given enough food to eat. Their social condition depended on the nature of their masters. The slaves could get rid of slavery or acquire high place by showing their bravery and cleverness.

Food : In the Muslim society, butter and spices were used in plenty. Halwa and sharbat were popular sweets. Biryani (Pulao) and korma was the favourite food of Amirs, Sardars, Sayyids, Sheikhs, Mullahs and Qazis.In the Muslim society , narcotics were used commonly. The Muslims were mostly non-vegetarian. Wheat loaf and roasted meat was their daily food which was available in the market. The Muslim workers generally took lassi (butter milk) with their food.

Dress of the Muslims : The Muslims belonging to high class wore gaudy and expensive dresses. They wore clothes made of silk and fine cotton. Rich people used to wear turbans with turlas (End of turban which sticks up the middle). The turban was called Cheera. The royal slaves wore waist bands. They kept handkerchiefs in their pockets. They wore red shoes, and on their heads an ordinary Kulla.People of religious class wore linen.They tied turbans of seven yards and left one end of the turban on their back. They wore simple shirts and trousers, socks and shoes also. The Sufis wore loose gowns.The Muslim women wore blouse, ghagra, (long Skirt) and tight pyjamas with it. For purdah burqa was used. The women of high class moved about in closed cabins with a group of men and women slaves.

Ornaments : The officers used to wear rings of gold and silver. They wore pearls, beads and stones also. The ornaments made of gold and silver were used.

Entertainment : Chess, Chaucer (dice), horse riding, horse race etc. were the favourite games of sardars and chiefs. Watching dances and listening to songs was also favourite hobby of the rich people. The game of dice was prevalent among both the rich and the poor. Common people enjoyed seasonal festivals and religious pilgrimages.

Superstitions and Ignorance : With the increase of goods and wealth, there was also an increase in superstitions among the Muslims. People believed in miracle, magic, charms and amulets. At every step, good and bad omens were considered. Ignorance reigned supreme.

Condition of Women : Women did not have an honorable position in the Muslim society. Women were kept in harems in the havelis of Sardars and Amirs. To serve their wives women slaves and concubines were kept. The custom of purdah was common. In common Muslim houses, there were separate apartments for women called 'Zenan Khana'. The women of these houses used burqa while going out. The purdah was not compulsory for rural Muslim women.

Social Condition of the Hindus :

Before Guru Nanak Dev Ji the Hindus were in a poor condition. They were considered zimi or slaves. They had to pay the zazia and the pilgrimage tax. At times Hindus adopted Islam to escape from the harsh treatment meted out to them. The Hindu fakirs (saints) were not allowed to preach spiritual education. The defiants were either killed or detained in the jails. The Hindus did not have religious freedom. They were not given protection.As a result the social condition of the Hindus was deplorable.

1. Caste System : The Hindu society was divided into Brahmins, Khatris, Vaish and Shudras. Sub-castes had emerged from these castes. The Brahmins forgot their duties towards society and become selfish. They protected their class by keeping the Muslim rulers happy. The Brahmins involved the Hindu people in superstitions, useless rituals and ceremonies. The Brahmins were minting money in the name of religion. They also practiced untouchability.The interaction between the castes and sub-castes of the Hindus was not enough. Their customs were different.The condition of the Vaish and Khatris was good to some extent. The condition of the shudras was pitiable. Their dwellings were outside the villages. For them the doors of temples and pilgrimages were closed. If a Shudra touched a Brahmin or a person of high caste, it was considered a sin. The condition of Shudras In the Hindu society of that time was despicable.

2. Food : The Hindus took simple and vegetarian food. Mostly the food of the common Hindus was cereals, vegetables, wheat, rice, milk, curd and ghee. They were also fond of Khichri (rice mixed with cereals) besides loaf. They also used butter milk. Special care for the purity of the kitchen was taken.The Hindu people regarded eating meat as a violation of the religious rules. The people of low castes used to eat meat but it was not a part of their daily diet. They also used alcohol, opium, bhang, charas etc.

3.Dress : The Hindus dressed poorly as compared to Muslims. They wore dhoti and kurta. They tied turbans on their heads. Villagers and poor people wore lain cloth only. The people of high class families used to wear silken and colourful clothes. Mostly people used to wear Khadi.The Hindu women wore salwar, shirt and dupatta. They wore sarees too. Rural women wore only langri dhoti. The common people walked barefoot. A Brahmin put a frontal mark (tilak) on his forehead. He used to wear dhoti with golden bolder. Saints and Jogis used the skin of deer to sit upon. They used to wear tight loin cloth (langot). They wanderd about with shaved heads and rings in their ears. They kept a Kasa (a bowl made of bronze) In their hands.

4.Entertainment : The Hindus had meagre economic resources at that time.Being workers, they had little leisure. Therefore they had a very few sources of entertainment. They entertained themselves by gambling. They also enjoyed celebrations of seasonal festivaIs.

5.Superstitions and Ignorance : The Hindus at that time were illiterate and ignorant. They were engrossed in false rituals and superstitions. To please gods and goddesses they made valuable sacrifices. They believed in tricks, charms, magic and amulets.

6. Position of Women : Before Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the position of women was deplorable. The birth of a girl child was not regarded auspicious. Many people killed the girls after birth. The girl was married at a very young age. The husband had more than one wife. The evil custom of sati was also prevalent. The wife had to burn herself alive on the pyre of her dead husband. For women, the proper place was their in-laws house. It was considered proper for women to live within the four walls of the house. While going out they had to be in Purdah. The Woman education was not given due importance at that time.
 

By: Harman Sandhu