Gujjar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Castes of India | |
| Gujjar | |
| Classification | Caste/Kshatriya/Brahmin |
| Subdivisions | |
| Significant populations in | Northern India, Western India, Central India and Pakistan |
| Languages | Hindi, Urdu and its dialects, Punjabi and its dialects, Kashmiri, Dogri, Marathi, Gujarati, Persian, Pashto English, and Gojri. |
| Religions | Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam |
Gujars (also Gujjar, Gurjar, or Gurjara), are members of one of the many semi-tribal groups, or castes, of the subcontinent, mainly inhabiting Punjab (Pakistan), Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab (India) and Gujarat, with some groups in Rajasthan and Haryana. Gujjars belong to the Kshatriya and Brahmin castes.
The Gurjars were designated by the British as a Martial Race. Martial Race was a designation created by the British Raj to describe "races" that were thought to be naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities like courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, discipline and tenacity.
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[edit] History
Gujjars are hypothesized to be descended from the nomadic Khazar one of the Scythian-Aryan tribes that invaded the subcontinent in the 4th century. Their conquests largely amounted to the Gujarat, Punjab and Kashmir regions, where they settled and merged with the local Indo-Aryan population. Much of the population of present day Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northwestern India can claim its ancestry from these sun-worshipping tribes, which they share with the Rajputs and Jats among others.
The presence of the Gujjars in India is first attested to after the 5th century invasion of India by the Hunas (Huns), with their bearing the brunt of the migration as sovereigns of much of the northwestern subcontinent at the time. Dadda, the founder of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, established a kingdom at Nandipur (Nandol) in the 7th century.
With the decline of Buddhism in the 8th-10th centuries in parts of northwest India, and the rise of Brahmanism, the established Gujjars were mainly assimilated into the Kshatriya or Brahmin castes. The majority of Gujjars are classified as Kshatriya, attested to by their clan/caste/family names such as Chauhan. There are others, however, who are classified as very high Brahmins. With Arab Muslim conquests in the 8th century and the rise of Sufism in the 11th century, many Gujjars came under the influence of Islam. However, as with the majority of Indian muslims, they retained their clan name as a form of tribal identity.
While the collective fortune of Gujjars declined during these centuries, the Zamindar system of the Mughals and British Raj allowed them to attain once again a certain prominence in society. Indeed, the plethora of the landholding titles Chaudhri and Patel among Gujjars today illustrates their position as part of the historic gentry of India. City names such as Gujranwala, Gujar Kot, Gujar Khan, Gojra and Gujrat in Pakistan and the state of Gujarat in India are a testament to enduring Gujjar influence in their heartland.
[edit] Maratha Gujjars
A community using Gurjar as their surname resides in the coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, inhabiting Pangre, Hasol, and other villages in Ratnagiri District. Originally bearing the name GurjarPadhye, many now prefer to call themselves Gurjar. The community may have been living in the Konkan region for at least three centuries, although this estimate may be inaccurate. This community belongs to the Brahmin caste and these people call themselves Karhade Brahmins. They speak the Marathi language. This community might be a part of the bigger Gujjar community. However it is difficult to explain why and how they settled down in the Konkan region of Maharashtra and are Brahmins rather than Kshatriyas. Local pandits claim that the Gurjars are essentially a priestly community and that it is only the subcastes that assumed Kshatriya status in order to earn a livelihood in other more practical professions.
[edit] Demography
The majority of Gurjars are found in India, numbering around 30 million, with Pakistan holding 13 million. As much as any of the castes and tribes of the subcontinent, they form part of the global diaspora.
Gujjars are traditionally associated with landholding and are still well represented in agriculture. With the evolving economies of the subcontinent, they are largely found today to be in the urban professions or military and administrative positions.
[edit] Language
The mother tongue of the Gujjars is Gujari/Gojri, which is very similar to Marwari/ Rajasthani and Gujarathi. The Gujjars of South Asia, regardless of their religion or region speak this language. However, they also speak the languages of the various regions they inhabit including Hindi and its dialects, Punjabi and its dialects, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Gujarati and Marathi.
[edit] Religion
A majority of Gujjars are Hindu, many are Sikh and Muslim.
A majority of Gurjar Hindu population lives in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh as well as Delhi.
Majority of Muslim Gurjars live in Pakistan: Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore etc.
[edit] Subclans
Gurjar Gotra [citation needed]
There are currently about 1200 Gotra within the Gurjars. The more well-known of them are:
1)Aambia, Adhana, Aasya, Abhar, Aawana, Andwana, Antowa, Adaan, Ahar, Amni, Anhya, Ambak, Ahmana, Amrana, Aastha, Aanta, Amitt, Andana, Ahiwal, Amerwal, Ahawana, Ambawata, Aohana, Aawet, Amarwal, Alkari, Agnikul, Awer, Ayeseriya, Atkiya, Awwal, Attrie, Atlana, Atala, Asool, Awana, Awan, Aptali, Aswar, Almicha, Annadma, Aaga, Airri, Anjana, Aamek, Andwad, Andow, Achal, Amelia, Anolehrra
2)Baanar, Bagadi, Babeli, Badi, Baben, Baloch, Bania, Bagada, Bagela, Bakar, Baloot, Baila, Bagwar, Bakhhan, Babar, Babaniyan, Bajaad, Bakwal, Baghran, Baisoya, Baghdab, Bainsla, Banja, Badgurjar, BahhojaBahardoj, Bagadwal, Barbara, Bargu, Barsoya, Baro, Barad, Barbark, Barasiwala, Barah, Banth, Bankar, Barbar, Barban, Banjarra, Bansrota, Barkat, Baharwal, Balsiya, Baadsoya, Bahambar, Balsi, Baarat, Balana, Bala, Bag, Bairpur, Bandra, Barwal, Bashia, Baswal, Bataar, Bathaya, Bathoia, Bawla, Bayli, Baylood, Belar, Bentar, Bhaatiya, Bhadana, Bhadarvia, Bhadoria, Bhagela, Bhagroot, Bhahaloot, Bhahela, Bhaleesar, Bhalot, Bhamer, Bhanbla, Bhand, Bhansasir, Bharavi, Bhardia, Bhargad, Bharia, Bharo, Bhati, Bhatnia, Bhatwar, Bhedia, Bhedwal, Bhent, Bhoja, Bhosan, Bhovia, Bhradi, Bhratia, Bhtia, Bhubla, Bhumla, Bidhuri, Bijayran, Bira, Birla, Birputra, Bobda, Bogar, Bokan, Bora, Borasi, Boredia, Bosan, Budana, Bundel, But
3)Chabara, Chad, Chadak, Chahada, Chahadry, Chahar, Chakoor, Chala, Chalachal, Chalrawa, Chalukya, Chanana, Chandela, Chando, Chandra, Chandrawat, Chaneer, Chanet, Chaneji, Chanpay, Chap, Chaprana, Char, Charan, Chauhan, Chawada, Chawara, Chechi, Chhabadi, Chhachhiyaar, Chhalay, Chhali, Chhalotte, Chhamber, Chhaparwal, Chhawala, Chhodi, Chhohar, Chhokar, Chhonkar, Chhotkala, Chhotkaana, Chitnara, Chodana, Chohar, Cholee, Chondrah, Chopada, Choras, Chorra, Choudhry, Chowinda
4)Daabhi, Dagur, Dahad, Dahal, Daima, Daindi, Dami, Dangi, Daraoti, Darna, Daryaan, Dasa, Dayora, Ded, Dedhar, Dedha, Dedva, Deeva, Denda, Dere, Deria, Deshmuk, Devade, Devda, Deyele, Dhadadiya, Dhadak, Dhakar, Dhandia, Dhangad, Dhanyak, Dhedar, Dhhao, Dhharwal, Dhhinda, Dhonana, Dhonchak, Dhond, Dhoyak, Dhoye, Dingay, Dipa, Doda, Doday, Doga, Dohiya, Doi, Donik, Doray, Dorelia, Dosod, Dugas, Dund
5)Fagana, Falda, Famada, Fatali, Fatyan, Fawal, Folad
6)Gaad, Gaalgal, Gachaliya, Gaddri, Gadi, Gahalot, Gahinder, Gaigi, Galeeria, Galoot, Gamti, Gangahala, Gangal, Gangwa, Gararr, Garatia, Garolia, Garwal, Gaseetay, Gathela, Geed, Ghagal, Ghaghala, Ghail, Ghalwat, Ghanada, Ghanda, Ghangas, Gharad, Ghararr, Ghariya, Gharwal, Ghila, Ghola, Ghoraroop, Ghorhaal, Ghosh, Ghotra, Godwana, Gogala, Gogi, Gohal, Gola, Gonjal, Goop, Gopiliya, Goras, Gorasia, Gori, Goria, Goriagorr, Goriya, Gorsi, Gosi, Gotalwal, Gotelia, Gugare, Gujal, Gujar, Gujaral, Gujgahiya, Gujral, Gujrik, Gulhat, Gurgur, Gurjar, Guroryaar, Gurrla, Gurrsi, Gurtal, Guruchana, Gurus, Guruwal, Gutar
7)Hun, Harshana, Haral, Hadava, Harsi
8)Itwar
9)Jagadnia, Jagal, Jahial, Jalay, Jangal, Jarija, Jatala, Javkhed, Jawara, Jhabam, Jhala, Jhale, Jhar, Jhavana, Jhavari, Jhir, Jhonia, Jihad, Jindhad, Johia, Jori, Jovar, Joya, Junjuhia, Jusat
10)Kaad, Kaadgiya, Kaanbees, Kaanhia, Kaanp, Kaanwar, Kaarele, Kaba, Kachar, Kachwaha, Kadwa, Kahari, Kahoor, Kajar, Kalach, Kalas, Kalisiyan, Kaliyana, Kallamor, Kalmoa, Kalumba, Kamard, Kanaaraa, Kandjoliya, Kangas, Kanhaaya, Kanhaiya, Kanhav, Kapasia, Karaadi, Karaha, Karak, Karas, Karhana, Karida, Karnana, Karolia, Kasana, Kashay, Kashiyaab, Kasira, Katari, Kataria, Kataro, Kathele, Katheria, Katra, Kawakalmohaya, Kayosar, Kazar, Kechhabro, Kechi, Keejar, Keethhar, Kele, Kera, Kerahna, Kesaria, Kethar, Khadan, Khadwa, Khadwar, Khaingar, Khajar, Khana, Khapad, Khar, Kharal, Kharay, Kharhud, Khari, Khariyo, Kharol, Kharsana, Kharwa, Kharwara, Khatana, Khedva, Khepad, Khera, Kherodiya, Khichi, Khinchi, Khiroriya, Khjad, Khokhhar, Kholwad, Khubad, Kodar, Kode, Kohal, Koli, Kondkher, Kool, Kori, Koshak, Koshani, Koshiliya, Kotari, Kotowal, Kugsawar, Kukad, Kunbi, Kurach, Kurad, Kusal, Kushan, Kuvadia
11)Laday, Lahsar, Lakhad, Lakhanrai, Lali, Lamboor, Lanbarray, Lanborr, Langha, Lantay, Laria, Latala, Lauka, Lawada, Leaua, Leel, Letria, Likhwahan, Liarri, Liasia, Loda, Loddishria, Lodhi, Lohar, Lohmoda, Lomod, Londari, Lore, Loriya, Losar, Lukhhar, Lushar, Luwa
12Maal, Madaad, Madar, Madhhar, Madi, Madricha, Mahangal, Mahar, Mahaysi, Mahlo, Makaat, Makad, Makara, Makaria, Makati, Makha, Makhwane, Malani, Mali, Maliawat, Mamdot, Mamian, Mangria, Manihar, Mankas-Mandhari, Maradi, Mareeda, Mari, Marro, Mattrik, Maval, Mavi, Media, Meelu, Meer, Meerway, Mianna, Monan, Moola, Mori, Morsi, Motale, Motan, Motay, Mott, Muhar sang, Mukhia, Munan, Mundal, Mundan, Mundhhar, Muniya, Munreera, Muthsaray
13)Nagar, Naagar, Nadva, Naharkhur, Nakaya, Nakdia, Nakhadar, Nalia, Nalwa, Nandot, Nandwasia, Nangde, Napsak, Narara, Narolia, Navadia, Neemar, Neesiak, Nekadi, Nihad, Nikumbh, Nimad, Nimbol, Nogiye, Noon, Nooray
14)Ogar, Ohar, Omar, Onata, Ood, Oswal, Othha
15)Paaincha, Pabiya, Padatu, Padhekar, Padiaar, Pagna, Pahhocha, Pahmala, Palampuria, Palash, Palwan, Pamar, Panchali, Pandar, Pandh, Panwar, Parihar, Parmaar, Partele, Partihar, Paryag, Patao, Patel, Pathalia, Patil, Patta, Pattidar, Pavsia, Pawar, Peelwan, Pesar, Phadiana, Phaleesar, Phalharr, Phaloot, Phambarra, Pholarra, Pipalnaria, Piswal, Podat, Pojay, Pokhar, Polot, Poni, Poorr, Poras, Porvia, Poshwal, Poswal, Poswalya, Pouni, Pundir, Puswal
16)Qachar, Qazar
17)Radak, Ragal, Rajoria, Rajput, Ralitay, Rana, Ranghad, Rankiya, Raonaso, Rathor, Rathi, Ratia, Rawal, Rawat, Rewa, Rianrane, Rind, Romat, Rosa, Rovisay, Roviseiya, Runaso
18)Saak, Sagar, Sahanpaal, Sailaher, Sak, Sakehale, Sakhura, Salimania, Sama, Samosrya, Sampaal, Sanado, Sangam, Sango, Sangrana, Sangricha, Sania, Sanowla, Sapra, Saramdana, Sarara, Sarawiya, Sarimal, Seagal, Serada, Setar Suryavansh, Sharimal, ShukalSi, Simal, Sindgav, Singal, Sinora, Sirwaria, Sisood, Soie, Solanki, Sonigar, Sood, Sooja, Sorath, Sorathh, Sradhana, Sua, Sudan, Suhoos, Sundhal, Surki, Surwale, Suti
19)Taak, Taamar, Taanwar, Taas, Tagaar, Tak, Takshak, Takyak, Taldara, Tampali, Tanak, Tanbali, Tangad, Tanija, Tanik, Tanoor, Tantiya, Tarak, Tatarra, Tatwadia, Tawar, Teda, Tedga, Tekhan, Tekia, Tephali, Terrowa, Tetrawal, Tewad, Thaakaria, Thag, Thakar, Thakaria, Thakia, Thala, Theekla, Thenda, Thoda, Thole, Thor, Tihala, Tikiya, Tintary, Tobad, Todia, Todiwal, Togaru, Tokar, Tomar, Tongar, Tonkan, Toor, Toori, Topa, Tour, Tunga
20)Vaghela, Vahgri, Vasoya, Vasth, Veergurjar, Vetan, Vishnu
21)Yadav
Many also possess titles such as Raja, Patel, Chaudhary, Thakur, Malik.
[edit] Famous Gujjars
- Raja Dahir: Ruler of Dibal.
- Prataprao Gujar: famous Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
- Raja Rawal: founder of Rawalpindi
- Arjun Rampal: Bollywood actor.
- Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry: Ex-President of Pakistan.
- Mata Gujri: wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur and mother of Guru Gobind Singh.
- Sajjad Haider Karim: first Member of the European Parliament of Pakistani origin.
- Choudhary Rahmat Ali: a Gorsi Gujjar. Architect; coined the name of Pakistan.
- Rustam-e-Hind Gama: World famous Punjabi wrestler
- Vishwajeet Pradhan: Bollywood actor
- Vijay Singh Pathik: Indian Revolutionary, Satyagrahi and Hindi Poet
- Dhan Singh Kotwal: Indian freedom fighter. The first sepoy to revolt against the British in Meerut in 1857.
- Mian Muhammad Baksh: Punjabi poet. Author of Saif Ul-Maluk
- Chaudhry Amir Hussain: current Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan.
- Sardar Muhammad Chaudhry: Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Pakistan
- Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal: Minister Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan.
- Awais Sarwar : Famous business man in the UK.
- Chaudhry Anwar Aziz: Ex-Federal Minister Govt. of Pakistan.
- General Muhammad Sawar Khan: Ex-Vice Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Army.
- Air Marshall Rahim Khan: Commander-in-Chief Pakistan Air Force during Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
For an explanation of ancient names of Central Asia (pre-Turko-Mongolian era.) see the 'Buddhist Records of the Western Countries,' written by Hsien-tsang (Xuanzang), circa 650 AD, taken from translations by Thomas Watters (1904) and Samuel Beal (1884), [1]
[edit] Note
Note the following ancient town names:
- Kasanna (Kasan, now part of modern Uzbekistan)
- Che-Shih/Cheshi/Chach (Tashkent)
- Ku-chih (Kutchi), see Kuchean, Kucha
[edit] References
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