Are all ahluwalia Kalal's

Answer 1

The real identity of Ahluwalia caste is that of 'Kalal'. Kalal is a caste of professional distillers and wine-sellers. In the Hindu ritual framework, Kalal was regarded as a low caste owing to their engagement in manufacturing of a product proscribed in religion. During 18th century , one of the member of Kalal caste by the name of Jassa Kalal converted to Sikhism and rose to prominence . His descendants started calling themselves 'Ahluwalia' because Jassa Kalal was from the village 'Ahlo'. In later period, not just descendants of Jassa Kalal , but all Hindu as well as Sikh Kalals of Punjab started writing their caste name as 'Ahluwalia' instead of 'Kalal'. This is generally done to hide the humble origin of the caste.

Since Jassa Kalal's descendants managed to hold on to a fledgling Sikh state of Kapurthala, they sought to improve their social status by trying to form matrimonial alliances with the ruling Rajput houses. The latter however knew well of the humble Kalal origin of the custodians of Kapurthala state and rejected their proposals with condescension (see Maharaja: The lives, loves and intrigues of the Maharajas of India, Diwan Jarmani Dass).

Sometimes Ahluwalias try to claim to be Jatts but this is not true. Ahluwalia is sometimes shortened to Walia.

The writer copied this answer from Sikhcastes.com.