 The Shaikh do not constitute a single homegenous community, but represent instead a congeries of a large number of separate sub-groups.For example, the Shaikhs are divided into a number of sub-groups, referred to as biradaris, based on descent and source of origin and their members not only identify themselves as members of separate groups, but are strictly endogamous.Examples of important Shaikh biradaris are the Qidwai, Siddiqui, Ansari, found in Barabanki, Farrukhabad, Azamgarh, Kannauj, Grand Shaikhs belonging to Allahabad and Behlim found mainly in Bulandshahr District.