Khap

For other uses, see Khap (disambiguation).

A Khap is a traditional community organization representing a clan or group of villages. They are mainly associated with Indian communities such as the Jats, Modern khaps are mainly found in the states of Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, and are especially common in these specific caste-dominated villages. Khaps also exists in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

A Khap Panchayat is an assembly of Khap elders, while a Sarv Khap is an assembly of many Khap Panchayats. These bodies are not part of the formal government system and hold no official authority. However, they often exert significant social influence and handle affairs within the community they represent.

Notable khaps include the Baliyan Khap, led by the famous farmer's rights activist Mahendra Singh Tikait until 2011, the Dahiya Khap in Haryana, and the Gathwala Khap who were zamindars since Mughal era and took title of Malik.

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