High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! In South Asia, after the advent of Islam, many high caste Hindus ( Brahmins, Kayasthas, Vaishyas and Khatris) converted to Islam. They also adopted the title of Shaikh and became part of the Muslim elite of Islamic Sultanate. In the Punjab region, Brahmins, Khatris and Aroras were prominent in adopting this title. They are known as Punjabi Shaikh the Punjabi Shaikh families were converted from the Khatri and Arora castes by Sufi missionaries. The prominent Buddhists clans of the Punjab also adopted this title after converting to Islam. Kashmiri Shaikhs residing in the Punjab are descendants of Kashmiri Pandits, who converted to Islam. Punjabi Shaikhs are mostly urban and non agriculturist. Their main professions are business and public service. In Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other parts of South Asia, the title Shaikh signifies Arab descent. Muslim technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologiansand Sufis flocked from the rest of the Muslim world to the Islamic Sultanate in South Asia.