Duggal

Duggal is a prominent Khatri (Kshatriya) clan from the Punjab region of Northern India and Pakistan.

The Khatris (Punjabi) or Kshatriyas (Sanskrit, (K) silent) are a north Indian community that originated in the Potwar Plateau of Punjab. This region is historically connected with the composition of the Vedas and classics like the Mahabharata and Ashtadhyayi. In the old varna (caste) system, the Kshatriya were members of the Hindu military order who, as administrators and rulers, were tasked with protecting Hindu dharma, and serving humanity. In the course of time, however, as a result of economic and political exigencies, Khatris also expanded into mercantile occupations.

When India was divided to placate the demands of its Muslims for a country of their own, most of the Khatris in the Punjab which was divided to create Pakistan migrated to India. In one of the worst human tragedies of modern history, which resulted in the deaths of untold thousands, millions of Hindu and Sikh families, many of them of the Khatri caste, were forced to abandon their hereditary family lands and move to the Indian side of the British-imposed dividing line. Today, Khatris live in all regions of India, but are concentrated in East Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. While most Khatris are Hindu, some are also Sikh, some Muslim and even a small minority are Jain. Khatris of all these faiths collectively form one community. In modern times, the Khatri play a significant role in the Indian economy, serving as businessmen, civil and government administrators, landlords and military officials.

Some Khatris are Sikh. The Sikh panth is not caste based, still the Khatris played a major role in development of Sikhism as a gentle and inclusive faith. All the ten Sikh gurus were Khatri. During the lifetime of the gurus, most of their major supporters and Sikhs were Khatris. After formation of the Khalsa (1699), and especially during the reign of Ranjit Singh, Hindu Khatri families raised at least one son (usually the oldest) as an Amritdhari Sikh. The Sikh institutions till the early 20th century were led by Mahants (Masands) who were generally Khatri.

Mata Bakht Kaur, born in a Duggal Khatri family, also called Lakhmi or Lakkho, was the mother of Guru Amar Das (1479–1574), the third of ten Sikh gurus. Mata Lakkho is the name mentioned by Kesar Singh Chibbar in Bansavalinama Dasan Patshahian Ka, she was married to Baba Tej Bhan of Basarke Gillan, a village 12 km southwest of Amritsar. Four sons were born to her, Guru Amar Das being the eldest. The other three were Ishar Das, Khem Rai and Manak Chand.

People with the name

• Pavan Duggal, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
• Kartar Duggal, prominent Indian journalist, writer, intellectual and authority on Sikhism
• Diamond Duggal, Music Producer
• V K Duggal, Indian Politician
• Vinod Duggal, Civil servant