Hijra (South Asia)

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In South Asia, hijra are transgender, intersex, or eunuch people who live in communities that follow a kinship system known as the guru–chela system. They are also known as aravani and aruvani, and, in Pakistan, khawaja sira. Hijra is officially recognised as a third gender throughout countries in the Indian subcontinent, being considered neither completely male nor female. The word hijra is a Hindustani word. It has traditionally been translated into English as "eunuch" or "hermaphrodite", where "the irregularity of the male genitalia is central to the definition". However, in general, hijras have been assigned male at birth, with few being intersex. Hijras' identity originates in ancient Hinduism and evolved during the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) and under the Mughal Empire (1526–1707). In the 21st century, many hijras live in well-defined and organised all-hijra communities, led by a guru. Over generations, these communities have consisted of those who are in abject poverty or who have...

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