Darji Community

"The darji word is believed to be taken from the Persian word Darjan which means to sew." As per the meaning of the word and the history of taking tailoring as the profession and following the path of peace and non-violence by their ideal Achlaji, the darji community is largely involved in the inherited traditional occupation of tailoring. The history of the darji community dates back in the late 15 th century as they claim to have a Rajput origin and that they are the successors of legendary warriors Peepaji and Namdeo.

They are spread in small communities all across the India and are majorly found in parts like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, etc.

They are Hindu as well as Muslims and are known by different names in various regions like Suji (taken from the Hindi word sui or needle) in Madhya Pradesh, in Uttar Pradesh the Muslim darji is called khayyat, etc. Darji community has two main divisions and those are Namedeovanshi and Peepavanshi which is further divided or grouped Tak and gole.

The darji community doesn't have affix language or prominent culture of their own they adapt the culture of the place they migrate to, like darji people in Rajasthan speak Marwari, in orisha they speak Oriya, etc. They have not only restricted themselves till tailoring they have modified it with new modern techniques of artistic work on the fabric, dying it and carving exotic embroidery on it. In darji community men as well as women take active participation in their profession and are have kept the art alive till now.

The darji community is adaptive as well known for its splendid contribution in the tailoring industry.