A name derived from a plant. Kair. It’s a village in Delhi with a story rooted deeply in its soil. The name “Kair” comes from the Capparis decidua plant. Locals say this plant was once abundant here.
Kair is located in the Najafgarh area of South West Delhi. Kair isn’t as populated as other villages nearby. In 2011, the census recorded a population of just over 4,000. The primary language spoken here is Hindi.
Kair’s history stretches back to the Mughal era. It’s a village founded by Dada Jakhde. He is revered as the Gram Devta, the village deity. The main Gotra, or clan, in Kair is Sehrawat. These Sehrawats trace their lineage back to Sehra. He was a descendant of Raja Anangpal Tomar.
The Kair plant is more than just a namesake. Its spicy fruits are used in local cuisine. They add flavor to vegetables and pickles. The plant also plays a role in folk medicine. It helps prevent soil erosion. Though once plentiful, the Kair tree is now scarce.
Kair has a literacy rate of over 78%. This is higher than the literacy rate in rural Delhi. The village played a significant role in both World Wars. Kair provided a large number of recruits. Fourteen men from Kair died in World War I. This was the highest number from any village in the Delhi province. As a reward, the road from Mitraon to Kair was built. The village’s primary school was upgraded to a middle school.
Subedar Kure Ram was a notable figure from Kair. He was the first Viceroy Commissioned Officer from the village. Kure Ram died in Mesopotamia during World War I. His sons achieved great success. Chaudhary Bhim Singh became Director General of Land Records in Punjab. Chaudhary Sher Singh worked for the Government of India.
Bhagini Nivedita College is located in Kair. It is affiliated with Delhi University. The college is named after Sister Nivedita. She was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda. Mange Ram Pehlwan Vyamshala is a local sports hub. Gian Singh Sehrawat from Kair participated in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
Kair is well-connected by roads. The nearest railway station is Bahadurgarh. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is also not far. Kair also has a Cluster Bus Depot and even witnessed an Air ambulance crash in May 2016. The village has a private bank. It also has a post office. So, remember Kair. It is more than just a name. It’s a place with a history. It is a story rooted in its very name.