Khatri (Punjabi: ਖੱਤਰੀ, khatrī) is the Punjabi adaptation of Sanskrit word Kshatriya (Hindi:). The Kshatriya are the traditionally members of the Hindu military order. As administrators and rulers, Kshatriya were assigned with protecting Dharma, and serving humanity and the world. In course of time, however, as a result of economic and political exigencies, the Khatri also expanded into other occupations.
When Pakistan and India gained independence, most of the Khatris in what became Pakistan migrated to India. Today Khatris live in all regions of India, but are concentrated in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. While most Khatris are Hindu, some are also Sikh and a smaller minority are Jain and Muslim.
