Katju Genealogy and Katju Family History Information

'Katju' OR 'Kathju' whichever way the surname may be spelled the hindi pronounciation is KAA-TTH-JOO. Now, to put it in the right perspective, there is only one family amongst the Kashmiri Pandit Community having this surname. But, Kathju surname exists amongst Kashmiri Muslims as well.

'Kath' surname does exist amongst Kashmiri Pandits.

Here, we have to understand that Kathjus were originally Langars (both being nicknames that became surnames). As per the article on Pandit Bisheshwar Nath Kathju wriiten by Dr. Baikunth Nath Sharga, following is the story behind this surname: Pt. Radha Ram Langer had a son Bhasker Langer and a grandson Fateh Chand Langer; who is turn had three sons Gulab Ram Langer, Gopal Ram Langer and Hari Ram Langer. Both Gopal Ram Langer and Gulab Ram Langer after attaining their education discontinued their family trade and left their ancestral home to seek government employment. They then came to Srinagar city from Sopore and started living in Kathleshwar Mohalla* there. Both these brothers then dropped Langer as their surname and in its place adopted Kathju as their new surname perhaps to signify their new place of residence and occupation to make a new beginning in their life.

• Kathleshwar Mandir is an important temple of Srinagar.