Ashfaq Qayamkhani/Jaipur

The Agnipath scheme of recruitment in the Indian Military which, at times, faces criticism for selecting Agniveers only for a four-year term as against a longer career earlier, remains popular as a career to the youth from martial communities.

Despite the change, joining the Indian Military remains the top career choice for youth from the Kayamkhani Muslims, who are concentrated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. A good number of them have made it to the Indian Army through the Agnipath scheme recently.

The community has a tradition of soldering - including Police services. Its members take pride in their martial traditions though the community has also continued to education, social service, and government jobs.

Some of the Kayamkhani youth who made it as Agniveer to the Indian Army

However, the community’s main identity is that of valour, patriotism, and bravery as embodied in a man in the Indian Military. One can hear a lot of stories of bravery and courage of the generation of soldiers from the community in their villages and towns.

Many members of the community are posted in high positions in the Indian Army and are recipients of many gallantry and wartime awards.

Most of them are from the well-known families of Jhunjhunu, Churu, and other areas of the Shekhawati region.

Some of the youth who have been selected into the Indian Army as Agniveer are:

Sameer Khan Bharu (Jhunjhunu), Sehbaz Khan Bharu (Jhunjhunu), Inzamam Khan Bharu (Jhunjhunu); Irfan Khan Jharia (Churu), Sehbaz Khan Naya Bas (Churu), Sajid Khan son of Arif Khan (Sahjusar, Churu) ;Rizwan/Tayyab Khan Tai (Jhunjhunu), Ayyan Khan Hamirkha Ka Bas (Jhunjhunu), Irfan Khan Hamirkha Ka Bas (Jhunjhunu), Mahfooz Khan son of Ahmed Ali Khan (Sahjusar, Churu), Monu Khan (Churu);

Some of the Kayamkhani youth who made it as Agniveer to the Indian Army

And...

Zaheer Khan, Avesh Khan, Soyal Khan (Gangiyasar, Jhunjhunu) ; Imran Khan, Sajid Khan, Nizam Khan (Bajrangsar, Didwana) Sohil Khan, Arbaaz Khan son of Ishak Khan Havildar (Daudsar, Didwana)  Sameer Khan (Chhoti Beri, Didwana), Irfan Khan (Pitisar, Churu) Shaheed Khan (Chainpura), Adil Khan (Nuwa, Jhunjhunu) Ashif Khan, Lucky Khan, Shakeel Khan, Naseer Khan (Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Churu) Fardeen Khan, Sameer Khan, Sahil Khan (Bhadra), Moin Khan (Churu) etc.

The history of the Kayamkhani community is old and glorious. This community is known for its bravery in the country's freedom struggle and wars. In various wars before and after independence, the soldiers of this community have defeated the enemy forces.

These soldiers have not only protected the country's borders, but they have also played an important role in the freedom struggle. Heroic tales are narrated in every home and this tradition is still alive today.

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Community leaders say, each family raises their children while narrating stories of their forefathers’ stories of nationalism and courage while serving the Military..