Ramgarhia

[4][7] The lessons learned in Punjab, where they had established a few gurdwaras to aid community cohesion and had been loyal to the British and generally unwilling to support the Jat-led Akali movement, assisted their improved status in Assam.

In that, according to Peter Childs, the Ramgarhias today rank second only to the Jat Sikhs, thanks to significant economic and social power that elevated this middle class group from its lower caste confines.

[9] However, Joginder Singh says that they still lack influence in the Punjab, which is a region heavily dependent on agriculture and dominated by some influential peasant farmers, mostly Jat but also some from communities such as the Labanas and Sainis.

Associations representing the less influential but numerically superior people have formed in reaction to this, including Ramgarhia groups that are running their own educational and socio-religious institutions as well as mobilising their diaspora and any prominent individuals who might assist in enhancing their identity.

[1] The Ramgarhia caste, which encompasses members of Tarkhan and Lohar, are included in the list of Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Punjab to improve their economic conditions.

A Tarkhan at work, by Kehar Singh, circa mid-19th century
Watchtower of the Ramgarhia Bunga
Painting of Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on his deathbed surrounded by family members, circa 20th century
Main entrance of the Ramgarhia Gurdwara in Masons Hill, Woolwich, South East London, U.K, 2016