Talk:Khund

Plural

What is the plural of Khund? I've seen both "Khunds" and simply "Khund" used. The former seems more common in older legion stories, the latter seemed more since INVASION! seemed to go with it.

The word 'khund' is used to refer a particular group of families in communities of Himalayan region particularly in villages situated in the upper reaches valleys of Beas,Satluj,Tons and Jamuna rivers, where this institution is still alive. In this region, communities are divided on the basis of the allegiance to a diety who act,for all purposes, as king or queen through intermediaries for a group of villages forming that community. Among these villages some families or at some places entire village is hereditarily called khund. Khunds have special obligations and status in this social set up.

      In fact the khund is a militia group of  that community. In time of war with the other hostile communities,khunds take the lead and involve in relentless fierce battle until they accomplish their goals - slaying the enemies head,abducting enemy women, stealing their live stock etc. Enemies head was their prized trophy (now this practice is rare), they used to bring enemies head to their temple. Khunds have responsibility to protect their own community and the deity. Khunds are given special privileges during fairs and religious ceremonies. Special ceremonies are organised for Khund's expertise for exhibit such as archery contest (thoda ka khel)in Yamuna valley.(1) 
        The institution of khund is a typical feature of ancient trans-himalayan tribe ' Khas' which  was mentioned in the sanskrit epic 'Mahabharata'. Various groups of khas khund participated in that war what they still refer the wars among themselves as war of 'Sathi'(the Kauravas) and 'Panshia'(the Pandavas}.The polyandry is also a typical feature of this tribe.(2 )

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