KHOJA

Persian Khvajeh, caste of Indian Muslims converted from Hinduism to Islam in the 14th century by the Persian pir (religious leader, or teacher) Sadr-ud-Din and adopted as members of the Nizari Isma'ili sect of the Shi'ites (see Isma'ilite). Forced to feign either Hinduism, Sunnite Islam, or Ithna 'Ashariyah in order to preserve themselves from persecution, some Khojas, in time, became followers of those faiths. The term Khoja is not a religious designation but a purely caste distinction that was carried over from the Hindu background of the group. Thus, there are Sunnite Khojas and Shi'ite Khojas. Other Nizari Isma'ilis share the same beliefs, practices, and even language with the Khojas; however, one cannot enter the caste except by birth. Khojas live primarily in India and East Africa. Every province with large numbers of them has an Isma'ili council, the decisions of which are recognized as legal by the state. As Nizari Isma'ilis, Khojas are followers of the Aga Khan. See also Assassins.