****Shaikh, also rendered as ****Sheikh, Sheik, Shaik, Shaykh, ****Shaikh, Shekh, Cheikh, Šeih, Šejh, Şeyh and other variants (Arabic: شيخ, shaykh; pl. شيوخ shuyūkh), is a title given to many South Asian Muslim castes. It originally was a word or honorific term in the Arabic language that commonly designated a chief of a tribe, royal family member, Muslim religious scholar, or "Elder". However in Northern India, Shaikh was used as an ethnic title, by those claiming Arab descent & Upper caste coverts to Islam like Khatris, Brahmins & Rajputs etc, particularly from prominent Muslim figures such as the Rashidun Caliphs, majority of these.

Origin

In North India, it is not just an ethnic title but an occupational title attributed to Muslim trading families. Many Shaikhs claimed to be descendants of Arabs, however some Shaikhs did not actually descend from Arabs. In Frontier Regions, Punjab of Pakistan, or Kashmir, the title shaikh was not given to those of Arab descent, but those who had descended from upper caste natives such as the Brahmins, Kayasthas and Rajputs.

Sub-divisions

The subdivisions of the Shaikh include: