Gadaria people: Difference between revisions
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==History and origin== |
==History and origin== |
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The Gaderia are a caste of shepherds, goat, cow herders and blanket makers. Some scholars{{Who|date=September 2011}} believe that, the name is derived from the [[Hindi]] word '''Gádar''' (''Sheep''), though it is debatable because the word '''Gádar''' which means sheep, is not a Hindi word it is from [[Bundeli]] (language spoken in [[Bundelkhand]] region). |
The Gaderia are a caste of shepherds, goat, cow herders and blanket makers. Some scholars{{Who|date=September 2011}} believe that, the name is derived from the [[Hindi]] word '''Gádar''' (''Sheep''), though it is debatable because the word '''Gádar''' which means sheep, is not a Hindi word it is from [[Bundeli]] (language spoken in [[Bundelkhand]] region).<ref>http://www.ignca.nic.in/coilnet/bund0042.htm#gadar</ref> |
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The Baghela sect of the Gaderia derive their name from the Baghela river, which flows in [[Madhya Pradesh]]. According to their traditions a Gaderia king named Baghela ruled them and they claim descent from him. Their emigration is said to have occurred in the middle ages<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part two by K S Singh page 481 Manohar Publications</ref> |
The Baghela sect of the Gaderia derive their name from the Baghela river, which flows in [[Madhya Pradesh]]. According to their traditions a Gaderia king named Baghela ruled them and they claim descent from him. Their emigration is said to have occurred in the middle ages<ref>People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part two by K S Singh page 481 Manohar Publications</ref> |
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Revision as of 09:55, 8 September 2011
Gaderia is exclusively used for the cattle grazing community of North India. Gaderia, Charvaha, Gwala and Gujar are synonyms of herdsman.
They are also known as Dhangar, Baghel or Pal.[1][2] In fact Gaderia was no particular community but an occupation which the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and other castes have taken to. Those who fled to jungles and hills to escape conversion during the Mughal period, made cattle grazing their profession.
Initially, they were economically sound but their condition deteriorated in jungle surroundings. Thus an honourable community came to be looked upon as nomads and were reduced to the plight of Sudras.
History and origin
The Gaderia are a caste of shepherds, goat, cow herders and blanket makers. Some scholars[who?] believe that, the name is derived from the Hindi word Gádar (Sheep), though it is debatable because the word Gádar which means sheep, is not a Hindi word it is from Bundeli (language spoken in Bundelkhand region).[3]
The Baghela sect of the Gaderia derive their name from the Baghela river, which flows in Madhya Pradesh. According to their traditions a Gaderia king named Baghela ruled them and they claim descent from him. Their emigration is said to have occurred in the middle ages[4]
In Haryana, the Gaderia claim that took the rearing of goats, when they were pushed into the jungle by rivals. They have four sub-groups, the Dhangar, Nabbhar, Kanchane and Saila. The community speak Haryanvi.[5]
The Gaderia claim Kshatriya status, though this (as well as relationships with the Thakur) is disputed by the Baghela.[citation needed]
Present circumstances
The Gaderia are divided into two main endogamous groups, namely the Dhangar and Baghel or Pal. They are divided into twelve sub castes, the Baghel, Bamhaniya, Chandel, Dhingar, Haranwal, Kachhwaha, Sisodia, Nikhar, Phul Singhiya, Rathore, Sagar and Saraswar.[citation needed]
The community is endogamous, and maintains gotra exogamy. They are Hindu and worshippers of the Shakti cult. In addition, they also worship a number of village deities.[citation needed]
Their main occupation has remained the rearing of cows and buffaloes, as well as sheep and goats. Generally, landholdings are small, and many members of the community are involved in private and government service. A significant number of Gadariya are now small and medium sized farmers.[citation needed]
They have a caste council, which deals with issues of disputes with in the community, elopements, divorce and petty theft.[6]
The four divisions of the Haryana do not intermarry. Each of the four sub-divisions are further divided into clans, the main ones being the Hirenwal, Bania, Saraswat, Katharia, Kastur, Jhindwaar, Panwar, Chandol, Kalandhar, Phulsange, Pakhia, Chandal, Tikia-Chandan and Pipalhere. The Gadarias practice endogamy and maintain village and clan exogamy.[7]
See also
References
- ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part two by K S Singh page 480 Manohar Publications
- ^ People of India Haryana Volume XXIII edited by M.K Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 162 to 165 Manohar
- ^ http://www.ignca.nic.in/coilnet/bund0042.htm#gadar
- ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part two by K S Singh page 481 Manohar Publications
- ^ People of India Haryana Volume XXIII edited by M.K Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 162 to 165 Manohar
- ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part two by K S Singh page 480-485 Manohar Publications
- ^ People of India Haryana Volume XXIII edited by M.K Sharma and A.K Bhatia pages 162 to 165 Manohar