{{Short description|Muslim community in Pakistan and India}} '''Paracha''' (Punjabi: پَراچہ) or '''Piracha''' (Urdu: پِراچہ) is a Muslim trading community and surname in Pakistan and India, most common in the Punjab region.
==Etymology== The name "Piracha" is believed to have been derived from ''parcha'' ({{literally|cloth}}), one of the main items which they used to trade in.<ref name=yasmin>{{cite book |last=Yasmin |first=Robina |chapter=State Policies Towards Muslims: Reality or Façade |title=Muslims Under Sikh Rule in the Nineteenth Century |date=2022 |publisher=I.B. Tauris |isbn=978-0-7556-4035-5 |language=en|pages=78–79}}</ref> According to Ahmad Hasan Dani, however, the term is derived from ''prachyas'' ({{literally|eastern}}).<ref name=Dani>{{Cite book |last=Dani |first=Ahmad Hasan |author-link= Ahmad Hasan Dani|title=History of Pakistan: Pakistan Through Ages |date=2008 |publisher=Sang-e Meel Publications |isbn=978-969-35-2020-0 |location=Lahore |pages=105 |language=en |chapter=Emergence of Historical Kingdoms}}</ref>
== History == According to Christophe Jaffrelot Pirachas were the early Khatri converts to Islam.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot |url= |title=A History of Pakistan and Its Origins |date=2002 |publisher=Anthem Press |isbn=978-1-84331-030-3 |pages=207 |language=en |chapter=The Economy and Social Structures}}</ref> The historians Robina Yasmin and J. S. Grewal also consider them to have converted to Islam from the Khatri and Arora castes of Punjab.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grewal |first=Jagtar Singh |author-link=J. S. Grewal |url= |title=Business Communities of India: A Historical Perspective |date=1984 |publisher=Manohar |isbn=978-0-8364-1276-5 |editor-last=Tripathi |editor-first=Dwijendra |editor-link=Dwijendra Tripathi |pages=215 |language=en |chapter=Business Communities of Punjab}}</ref><ref name=yasmin/> According to B. N. Puri, the Parachas of Salt Range had their headquarters at Makhad. They are reported to have moved there during the times of Shah Jahan, although another account states them to be the Khatris of Lahore who were deported there by Zaman Shah.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Puri |first=Baij Nath |author-link=Baij Nath Puri |url= |title=The Khatris: A Socio-Cultural Study |date=1988 |publisher=M.N. Publishers and Distributors |location=New Delhi |pages=39 |language=en |chapter=The Distribution and Classification of Khatris in India |oclc=61616699}}</ref> Another reference suggests that "Paracha" as a tribal designation had been in common use in the ancient Gandhara region, with Dani stating them to have been engaged in trade between central Asia and Indus valley since the era of Kushan Empire.<ref name=Dani/><ref>{{cite book |title=Journal of Asian Civilisations, Volume 28 |date=2005 |publisher=Taxila Institute of Asian Civilisations |page=72 |language=English |quote=Reminiscent of the millennium before Christ, ''Paracha'', a Hindi word, has been in common use as a tribal designation in Gandhara and surrounding provinces, for centuries.}}</ref> According to Jaffrelot, the community takes pride in its ancient origins and some of them add the title of ''rajah'' to their names.<ref name=":0" />
==Notable people with surname == * Ehsan-ul-Haq Piracha, Pakistani politician * Farid Ahmad Paracha, Pakistani politician * Hamza Paracha, Pakistani cricketer * Javed Ibrahim Paracha, Pakistani politician * Nadeem Farooq Paracha, Pakistani cultural critic * Sarah Peracha, Pakistani Internet entrepreneur * Saifullah Khan Paracha, Pakistani politician * Saifullah Paracha, Pakistani Islamist * Uzair Paracha, Pakistani Islamist
=== Fictional characters === * Kaneez Paracha, a character from ''Ackley Bridge'' * Nasreen Paracha, a character from ''Ackley Bridge''
==See also== * Khatri Muslims * Punjabi Saudagaran-e-Delhi ==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://www.dawn.com/news/1310016 Dubious ancestors] *[https://www.dawn.com/news/1892155/women-encouraged-to-lead-pakistans-e-commerce-sector-as-contestants-showcase-tech-expertise Sarah Peracha CEO Peracha Ventures at 9th Women Tech Quest]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Piracha}} Category:Social groups of Punjab, Pakistan Category:Social groups of Punjab, India