Panchkalshi

Panchkalshi is a Hindu community. They are one of the original native communities of Bombay (Mumbai) metropolitan area in the Konkan division of India. Since the 19th century the community has called itself Somvanshi Kshatriya Pathare (SKP).

History
They are a people who migrated to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 13th century AD, along with the Seuna (Yadava) king, Raja Bhima of Mahikavati (or Bhimdev). According to tradition, the Panchkalshis derive their name from the fact that their former headman used to sit on a canopied throne surmounted by five kalashas. A 1780 census showed the SKP community to eight per cent of the Mahim population and four per cent of Bombay Fort's. During the Portuguese colonisation of Bombay, Bassein and Taana, many Hindus including some Panchkalshi, adopted Christianity. A number of them were converted back to Hinduism in Maharashtra after the Peshva Brahmins led the Mahratta invasion of Taana, Bassein and Colaaba.

In the British Bombay era, the community took to carpentry, contract work and architecture. Panchkalshis consider themselves one notch above the Chaukalshis. This community was one of first communities to advocate widow remarriage.

Culture
Pachkalshi have founded at least three Hindu temples in Mumbai. The Malkeshwar temple in Parel and the Shiva (Mahadev) temple named after the Parli Vaijnath temple is said to have been built by them. Another temple built by Pachkalshi is the Vajreshwari Temple, for their Kuldevi (clan deity). The community celebrates a unique festival. On Pithori Amavasya (the last date in Lunar Shaka month of Shravan), the women in the family pray to sixty-four yoginis for the wellbeing of the children. The women make offerings to figurines of the 64 deities made of flour. The eldest woman in the family holds the figurines on her head and the children surround her. It signifies that the deities will keep a watch on the children.

The community is often confused with the Pathare Prabhus because during the British era both communities were recorded as the same in the census. Although the culture of both communities may be similar, the two are in fact separate communities.

Surnames
Being natives of Mumbai, many families in the community use surnames derived by adding the suffix -kar to names of the old Mumbai villages (now suburbs) such as: Bhayandar · Bordi · Borivali · Chembur · Chinchani · Dadar · Dahisar · Dativare · Goregaon · Juhu · Kelave · Kurgaon · Mahim · Malad · Palghar · Parel · Tarapur · Thane · Vasai · Virar · Worli

Other community surnames are Chaudhari, Churi, Darne, Darvalikar, Gharat, Mantri, Mhatre, Naik, Pathare, Patil, Purav, Rai, Raut, Save, Sawtale, Thakur, Vartak.

Notable community members

 * Gangaji Naik was a prominent Maratha warrior and sardar of the 18th century. He was the prime ally of Chimaji Appasaheb Peshwa during the battle of Vasai during 1737–1738.
 * Late. Padma Shri Bhausaheb Vartak from Vasai, former Minister Maharashtra State Government.
 * Dr Sakharam Arjun (1839–1885), physician and a founding member of the Bombay Natural History Society. Stepfather of the pioneering woman physician Rukhmabai
 * Dr Rukhmabai (1864–1955), One of the first female Indian doctors.
 * Sanjay Raut, member of the Indian parliament and Shivsena leader.
 * Prakash Harischandra, author of Chimaji Appasaheb Peshwa: The Slayer of Portuguese Regime
 * Pandhari Juker, veteran Bollywood make-up artist.
 * Hitendra Thakur, politician from Vasai. Family members include Jayendra "Bhai" Thakur, Kshitij Thakur and Uttung Thakur.