Regions with significant populations | |
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Gujarat, Sindh, Maharashtra | |
Languages | |
Gujarati, Kutchi, Sindhi, Hindi/Urdu | |
Religion | |
Nizari-Ismaili Shia (majority), Twelver Shia, Sunni (minority) |
Part of a series on Islam Isma'ilism |
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Islam portal |
The Khoja are a caste of Muslims mainly members of the Nizari Ismaʿiliyyah sect of Islam with a minority of followers of Sunni Islam originating the western Indian subcontinent, and converted to Islam from Hinduism by the 14th century by the Persian pīr (religious leader or teacher) Saḍr-al-Dīn.[1]
In India, most Khojas live in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and the city of Hyderabad. In Pakistan, most Khoja live in Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta in Sindh province, and in Gwadar in Balochistan province.[2] There is a diaspora of Khojas and they are known by many names such as the Lawatia in the Gulf and Karana in Madagascar.
The Khoja originally observed Hinduism and then became adherents of Nizari Isma'ilism.[1][3] In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the aftermath of the Aga Khan Case a significant minority separated and adopted Sunni Islam and Twelver Shi'ia Islam, while the majority remained Nizari Isma'ili.[4]
Some, like the Khojah caste, are Bania groups converted to Islam by Muslim pirs (saints).