Khati is a Hindu sub-caste of Vishwakarma community which mainly resides in the northern Indian states of Rajasthan,[1] Haryana,[2] Punjab[3] and the National Capital Region-Delhi.[4] Apart from Khati, they are also addressed as Jangid, Jangra-Brahmin[5][6] and are classified as an Other Backward Class caste in the central list of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).[1][4]
In Marwar, a carpenter is called a "Khati". It seems that the word Khati has been derived from the word Kath (काठ). Kath means wood and Khati's are engaged in the business of making wooden articles as carpenter.[2] A Khati is the same person who is called a Badai (बढ़ई) in the North West and Tarkhan in Punjab. In Gorwar district, he is called Sutar and in Jalore district, his name is Vinayak.[7]
The people of Khati caste believe that they originated from Vishwakarma and respect their oaths very much.[7]