TheSadh, also referred to asSatnami, are aHindu community, found mainly inNorth India, traditionally associated with textile dyeing and calico printing. They are found mainly inUttar Pradesh, concentrated inFarrukhabad District, with small numbers also found inSaharanpur,Mirzapur.Meerut andBareilly districts.[1]
The term Sadh is derived fromsadhu, which means a mediator.[1] The Sadh use the nameSatnami to call upon the God. Hence, they call themselves asSatnamis.[2] There are two sub-divisions in the community, the Shamme, and Vidhi. The Shamme are those who strictly follow their religion, while members of the Vidhi division do not adhere religious sanction.[1]
The origin of the Sadh may be traced to an early Satnami sect founded in 1543 CE or 1657 CE by Birbhan of Bijesar, a village nearNarnaul, Haryana.[2][3] Birbhan claimed to be inspired by a student ofRavidas.[2] In the late 1600s, this sect was mostly composed of the lower strata of Hindu society, particularly farmers, carpenters, goldsmiths, etc. They were ruled by theMughal emperorAurangzeb, and in 1672 they revolted, only to be annihilated by his army. The surviving members of the sect, or their descendants, may have played a part in the eventual formation of the Sadh in the eighteenth or early nineteenth century.[3][4]
The Sadh specializes in printing on colour and silk cloth. The community is now involved in the retail side of this industry. They have traditionalcaste councils, and in rural areas these councils resolve any disputes within the community. They are anendogamous Hindu community who practicevegetarianism.[1]