Anderkoti
Regions with significant populations
• India • Pakistan
Languages
• Hindi • Rajasthani • Urdu
Religion
Islam
Anjuman Khadim-ul-Qoum Anderkotian circa 1922
Looting of Deg

The Anderkoti, Koti or Kotiyan (Urdu; اندر کوٹی) are a Muslim community found in Ajmer in India, and in Pakistan.[1]

History and origin

Businessmen, moneylenders and wealthy people hire them as bodyguards for their fearlessness.[2] In the past When the langar is cooked it first sets apart for the foreign pilgrims, and then it is the hereditary privilege of the people of Anderkot, and of the menials of Dargah to empty the cauldron. The custom of "looting of deg" is very ancient but no accounts of its origin can be given.[3][4] however now this practice has been discontinued.[5]

Haidos or Haiydos

In the Muharram month of Islamic calendar the Anderkotis do a ritual with their sharp swords known as "Haidos or Haydos ". People form a circle and move their sword in wild confusion on the 9th Muharram after Isha and on 10th after Zuhar Prayers[6] .After the Partition Anderkoti people who migrated to Pakistan started this tradition in the Hyderabad, Sindh and still continued.[7][8] Hundred men perform this and 100 Swords are given by Ajmer Administration.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "The Sword of Play : पाकिस्तान ने अपनाई अजमेर की यह परम्परा". Patrika News (in Hindi). 9 September 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  2. ↑ Gupta, Dr Mohan Lal. The Great History of Ajmer: अजमेर का वृहत् इतिहास (in Hindi). Shubhda Prakashan.
  3. ↑ "Tradition Of Looting Deg Is Quite Interesting - लूटने का मंजर आया पसंद तो बना दिया इसे परम्परा, यहां खौलती देग में कूदते हैं अकीदतमंद | Patrika News". 21 November 2021. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "CAULDRON, a photo from Rajasthan, West | TrekEarth". 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Faleiro, Sonia (23 July 2001). "Laxmi Dhaul talks about her photographic travel guide 'The Sufi Saint of Ajmer'". India Today. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "Moinul Arwah". Rekhta. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  7. ↑ "Hyderabad: 10 Muharram to be observed amid strict security". Pakistan Today. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  8. ↑ "Pakistan Adopted This Tradition Of Ajmer - The Sword of Play : पाकिस्तान ने अपनाई अजमेर की यह परम्परा | Patrika News". 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
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