Chawla is an Indian surname, that originated from the Punjabis and Hindu origins. The name Chawla comes from a Hindi word Chawal, which means rice, although this is not the right connection, since Chawla, or rice, is not the main staple food of North Indians. Chawlas are mostly found in Northern India, including Punjab, and the capital Delhi. Chawla originated from a ruling clan (Kshatriyas) during the 4th to 7th centuries. Chawlas are characterized under the caste system as Kshatriyas. Under the Kshatriyas, Chawlas are subcasted into the subcategory Jhangis. Chawlas are members of Arora community of Punjabis. Chawlas can be Sindhis or Punjabis. Many of them are also Sardars and all of them believe in Guru Nanak.

[edit] Known people with the surname Chawla

• Juhi Chawla (born 1967), Indian actress
• Bhumika Chawla (born 1978), Indian actress
• Bobby Chawla (born 1982), Danish cricketer
• Devika Chawla, Indian pop singer
• Harcharan Chawla (1926–2001), Indian Urdu writer
• Kalpana Chawla (1962–2003), Indian-American astronaut killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
• Navin Chawla, Indian election commissioner
• Piyush Chawla (born 1988), Indian cricketer
• Prabhu Chawla (born 1946), Indian journalist and editor of India Today
• Surveen Chawla, Indian actress
• Chawla (crater), a lunar crater (named after Kalpana Chawla)
• Preet Chawla, Insurance expert (Preetinder Chawla - Punjab Insurance)
• Dr. Krishan Lal Chawla, a known professor at the Mtech University, who teaches International Finance.

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