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The Banu Israil or Bani Israili are a Muslim community of Jewish origin.[1] Their name means 'Children of Israel', and the community claims descent from the Jewish community of Madinah, in Arabia.[2][3] They belong to the Shaikh casteTemplate:Clarify and typically carry the surname Israily. They should not be confused with the Bene Israel, a Jewish community in western India.[4]
Origin
The exact circumstances of their settlement in India is unclear, but their traditions make clear that they were Jews at the time of their settlement. They are largely an urban community, occupying distinct quarters in a number of towns and cities in western Uttar Pradesh, such as Banu Israilyan in Aligarh. Quite a few of them occupied important administrative positions under both the Sultanate of Delhi and its successor, the Mughal Empire. This was especially true of the Banu Israil of Aligarh, where the community were the heredity kotwals, a post which entailed being both the head of police and garrison commander.[5]Template:Pn
See also
- Shaikh of Uttar Pradesh
- Allahdad
- Donmeh
- Chala
- Converso
- Marrano
- Neofiti
- Makhamra family
- Jewish tribes of Arabia
- Groups claiming affiliation with Israelites
References
- ↑ Aligarh's Muslims of 'Jewish descent' wary of tag. The Times of India(2016-07-05). Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ↑ Madrasa with Jewish roots lights up a new path in western UP, Anas, Mohammed. Indianarrative(2022-03-14). Retrieved 2025-06-17.
- ↑ The Mystery of Israel's Ten Lost Tribes and the Legend of Jesus in India{{#if:Benjamin|, Benjamin}. Mosaic Books(2001). ISBN 978-81-85399-57-7
- ↑ The Lost Tribes of Israel: The History of a Myth by Tudor Parfit Template:ISBN page 131
- ↑ Boundaries and identities : Muslims, work and status in Aligarh by E. A. Mann Template:ISBN
External links
Template:Indian Muslim Template:Jews and Judaism in Pakistan