Post by kuldeepadhana on Jul 26, 2006 5:39:50 GMT -5
The Gujars belong to the north-western parts of India like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Uttranchal, Haryana, and Punjab. They are mostly Muslims, the rest being either Hindus or Sikhs. Gujarat is said to be named after them as they settled there in the 6th century AD. There are 15 lac Gurjar Muslims in Jammu & Kashmir. Gurjars saved Kashmir during first invasion of Pakistan when Pakistan annexed the area, called Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). Three Muslim Gurjars (nomads) including one women were awarded Padma Shree by the President of India for this act of patriotism.
The Muslim Gujars are divided into two sections, the Bhatariye and the Bhanariye who do not usually intermarry. The Hindu Gujars are usually divided into three groups: Gujar, Dodhi Gujar and Bakarwal. Originally Gujars are thought to be an Aryan tribe that entered India in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan from north west. Having been cattle breeders and milkmen, they were usually associated with herdsmen and shepherds. Traditionally they were a pastoral people with no fixed abode. A large number of Gujars have now settled down and taken to farming and combine agricultural work with animal husbandry.
Gujars in Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal are found both in Himalayan foothills and on the plains in the Rohilkhand area. Groups camp in the forests of Dehradun and Saharanpur districts in winter from November to March. They migrate with herds of buffalo and cattle to the Himalayan summer pastures in Shimla district (Himachal Pradesh) or Tehri Garwhal & Uttarkashi, (Uttranchal) for the months of April to October. In mid-April they gather to await permission to travel, which is given by the state government. They are able to graze their herds on the stubble of the villagers’ fields, but conflict often arises with villagers on the route as from whom they have to obtain wheat and other supplies by exchange of milk. They take ten to twenty days on each journey on fixed routes away from roads and villages. Each family has on average from 22 to 32 buffaloes. Summer pastures are at 2,500 m (8,000 ft) and higher. On the return many take the cattle of villagers to care for them on the plains and return them in the spring.
In Haryana they are settled in Faridabad and Panchkula districts and the Samalkha segment of Panipat district. They are simple, thrifty and industrious. The Gujars are cultivators only in the plains but in the hills they are more given to keeping cattle than following the plough
second view
The Richest Indian Samrat “Mihir Bhojpal”(835-890 AD)
The most beautiful female of India “Mrig-Nayani”
The Extreme example of sacrifice “Panna Dhaay”
The winner of first grade Victoria Cross “Kamal Ram”
The most hard-working freedom-fighter “Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel"
What is the common thing among all these world-famous examples
The common thing is They were all from the royal caste
THE GURJARS
Meaning of the word - GURJAR
This great caste has originally taken its name from the word ‘Gurutar’ as stated by Pt. Chhote Lal Sharma (The famous archaeologist & historian). ‘Maharaja Dashratha’ was called ‘Gurutar’ in Ramayana (2-79-2) by Valmiki. That meant “A Very High Class King”.
The masters of Sanskrit Dictionary ‘Kalpdrum’ say that Gur-Jar means “ - one who use to defend the country by continuously defeating the enemy” (Gur means enemy and Jar means defeating)
Most probably this meaning was assigned to “Gurjars” when they defeated the Arabic invaders continuously for 300 years. But that is just a meaning given to this name. Originally it was derived from the word ‘Gurutar’ only.
“Gurjar” was never a sub caste under Rajputs, as said by many history textbooks. Rajput was not a caste when it was formed; it was an association or ‘Sangh’ of various kings ‘Raja-Putra’ against the Mohammedan invaders. In fact 70% of the “Rajputs Sangh” was formed by the “Gurjars” in the end of 12th century that made the saying famous
“Asli Rajput woh Jisne ‘Gujari’ ka doodh piya ho”
The Sanskrit word Rajput or Raja Putra (prince) literally means son of Raja or the ruler. This is the name by which the clans of several tribes of India designate themselves, and who in ancient times became dominant in the N.W. of India, from which their branches extended southwards. This word for a caste, a family or a tribe does not occur anywhere in the early history of the area (Before 1300 AD). They were said to have taken the place of the ancient Kshatryas, who were annihilated by Lord Parasurama.
Gurjars are HINDUS. The Muslims who claim to be part of this great clan are the ones who opted-to convert to Islam - who couldn't endure the tyranny of Muslim rulers.
The name Gurjar, the caste system is a proud part of the Hindu Philosophy.
However, if some Muslim brethren feels so strongly of being a Gurjar,
then please feel free to learn and practice our customs and touch with humanity.
The people under the Gurjars Kindom were also called Gurjars as the Whole Kingdom and Area included therein was called Gurjardesh or Gurjaratra (presently we know that area as divided into Gujrat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, western UP, Sindh, Lahore, Baluchistan).
There were three powerful dynasties which were ruling different parts of Gujarat: the Gurjars had their sway over the north, the Chalukyas ruled the south and the Maitraks were saddled in Saurashtra. The vaccum created by the fall of the Maitrak dynasty was filled up by the Pratiharas from the north and Rashtrakutas from the south. As vassals of the Valabhis (from the town of Valabhis or Vala, where the Guhilot ruled and is related to Bhavnagar Palitana and Lathi), the Chavadas held their sway over parts of north Gujarat. They assumed independent control after the fall of Valabhi. Vanraj,. the most prominent of the eight Chavada kings, founded a new capital at Anhilpur Patan. he reconquered his father's lost territories and founded the Chavada dynasty which lasted a shade under a century. In the 14th century Mesaji ruler of this dynasty founded Mahasana in Gujrat. Samantsinh, the last Chavada ruler, did not have an issued and he adopted Mulraj who overthrew him in 942 AD and set up what came to be known as the Solanki dynasty. Ambitious as he was, he started expanding his frontiers and established his complete and total hold over Saurashtra and Kachch by defeating Grahripu of Junagadh (Saurashtra) and Lakho Fulani of Kachchh. Mulraj Solanki's reign marked the start of the most glorious period in the history of Gujarat during which Gujarati culture flowered as manifested in art, architecture, language and script. It is described as the golden period in Gujarat chequered history. Mulraj himself adopted the title of Gurharesh ( King of Gurjardesh). The territories under the sway of the Solanki dynasty same to be known by different variations of the word Gurjar like Gurjardesh, Gurjararastra, Gurjaratta and finally Gujarat. Two names stand out in the Solanki dynasty. The town of Arjya in Bhilwara District, 150 km. from Udaipur; was ruled by the Chavda clan. Maharana Jawan Singh's maternal uncle, Jagat Singh of Barsora in Mahikantha, Gujarat. Had two sons, Kuber Singh and Jalam Singh came to Udaipur with Maharana Jawan Singh and were granted, jointly, the jagirs of Aarjya and Kaladwas.
Dadda, the founder of Pratihara dynasty, established the Gurjar rule at Nandipur (Nandol). Dadda III wrested Broach from the Maitraks whose citadel had started shaking. After Him Dadda 1-2-3(650-750), Nag Bhatta-1(750?-780), Vatsraj(780-800),ParamBhattarak Parmeshwar Nag Bhatta-2(800-833), Rambhadra(833-835) Samrat Mihir Bhoj Mahan or The Great Bhoja(835-890 AD), Mahenderpal-1(890-910), Bhoj-2(910-913), Samrat Mahipal(913-944) Mahenderpal-2(944-948), Devpal(948-954), Vinaykpal(954-955), Mahipal-2(955-956), Vijaypal-2(956-960), Rajyapal(960-1018), Trilochan(1018-1027), Yashpal(1024-1036) & ‘Gurjeshwar’ BheemDev-2*(1036-1064) and so on were the famous Gurjar-Pratihaar kings of India.
* who attacked & almost destroyed Mahmood of Gazni when Gazni was on his way back after looting the holy “Somnath Temple” (made by “Gurjars”),
Geographically, during the period of Muslim conquest the Rajputs were the pratiharas, or doorkeepers of India Also known as Parrhiar. Like the Solankis and Chauhans the Parihar clan is held by some to have originated from the Gurjar invaders who came with the Huns in the 5th and 6th centuries, and if so they were the first of these Gujar Rajput clans to emerge into prominence. Mundawar or Mundodri was the capital of the Parihara, which owned the sway of this tribe before the invasion and settlement of the Rathor clan. They were dominant in Bundelkhand before the Chandels, their last chieftain having been overthrown by a Chandel prince in AD 831. A parihar-Gujar chieftain, whose capital was in Bhinmal in Rajputana, conquered the dominions of the great Harsha Vardhana, and established himself there about AD 816. Kannaj was then held by Gujar-Parihar kings till 1090, when it was seized by Chandradeva of the Gaharwar Rajput clan. The Parihar rulers were thus subverted by the Gaharwars and Chandels, both of whom are thought to be derived from the Bhars or other aboriginal tribes. After this period the Parihar are of little importance. They appear to have retired to Rajputana, as col. Tod states that Mundore, 5 miles north of Jodhpur, was their headquarter until it was taken by the Rathors. The walls of the ruined fortress of Mundore are built of enormous square masses of stone without cement
third view
The Origins of the Gujjars
It can be said that the furthest point in history that relates to Gujjars goes clear back to the days of Ishmail and Isaac, that is if you speak to a Gujjar of Himachal Pradesh, India. They will tell you of their legend that they are descendents of Isaac. This alone is interesting in that Muslims, and the vast majority of Gujjars are Muslims, trace their descendents to Ishmail. However, the story is related in this way.
Ishaque (Isaac) told his sons that the one who fed him kabobs from goat meat would succeed him as prophet. His son's, Ash and Yaqub, (Esau and Jacob) went their separate ways to find the goat meat for the kabobs.
While Ash went in to the forest in search for the goat Yaqub got some help from his mother who apparently had her own goats and helped her son prepare them. Having eaten the Kabobs prepared by Yaqub, Hazrat Ishaque blessed Yaqub and appointed him as his heir to the birth right. On his return, Ash found out that he had been cheated out of his birth right by Yaqub and his mother. Disappointed he returned to the forest. Where he rested and soon fell asleep. Allah spoke to him in a dream. He said to worship him with a pure heart and to spend his life in the forest. If he did so, he would attain an even higher status than Yaqub. Ash did just this and he later became a great saint. It is in the lineage of Ash that the Gujjars (of Himachal Pradesh) trace their lineage and this is the reason that even today you find the Gujjars in the forest where it is said they feel closer to God.
There is much confusion as to the origin of the Gujjar people. Most research goes around in circles. One author quotes another till no one know where the original source is anymore. W. Crooke, Castes and Tribes of North Western India, Vol. 2 seems to be a favorite as well. Vincient A. Smith, The Early History of India says that the Gujjars were early immigrants to the Indian Sub-continent. Possibly "allied in blood" to the Huns. The Huns were divided into two main groups, the Red Huns and the White Huns. The Red Huns invaded Europe while the White Huns went down in to the Oxus Valley and attacked the Kishan Kingdom of Kabul and then poured into India.
Another theory is that the Gujjars are related to the Rajputs and that Mughal Emperor Aurangzed made an agreement that if the Rajput lost in the wars with the Mughals that they would have a portion of them convert to Islam. The Rajupts did lose and the group that converted became known as Gujjars.
The first reference to a separate Gujjar Kingdom is around fifth century AD. There is mention of a Gujjar Kingdom in Rajasthan with Bhilmal as the Capital.
In his book "Geography of Jammu & Kashmir State" Majid Husain says that before their arrival in the sub-continent they were the inhabitants of Georgia (Gurjia) a territory situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in the Soviet Union. They left that area and migrated through central Asia, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, crossed the Khyber Pass and entered the Sub-continent of India. In the Sub-continent, making a southward march through Baluchistan,- they reached Gujrat, most probably in the 5th and 6th century A.D. While in Gujrat they were plagued by a series of serious droughts so they moved out of the plains area and entered the green pastures of the Siwaliks and the Himalayas. Having their place of origin as Georgia and moving towards the Sub-continent of India they named several settlements after their name, e.g. Gujar (Central Asia), Juzrs (Gurjara), Gujrabad, Gujru, Gujristan, Gujrabas, Gujdar-Kotta, Gujar-Garh, Gujarkhan, Gujranwala in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenia, Pakistan and India. Cunningham (1970) is, however, of the opinion that the Gujjars are the descendents of Kusham and Yachi Tribes which are considered to be the tribes of Eastern Tartars (U.S.S.R.).
fourth view
Gujjar
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Castes of India
Gujjars
Classification Caste/Brahmin / Kshatriya
Subdivisions -
Significant populations in Northern India, Western India, Central India and Pakistan
Languages Hindi and its dialects, Punjabi and its dialects, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Marathi, Gujarati, Farsi, Pashto and Gojri.
Religions Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam
A Gujjar (also Gujar, Gurjar, or Gurjara, is a member of an ethnic group mainly inhabiting Punjab (Pakistan), Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab (India) and Gujarat, with some groups in Rajasthan and Haryana. Gujjars belonged to the Kshatriya and Brahmin castes, while they formerly ruled the Gurjara-Pratihara Kingdom, which included much of Northern India during the 6th and 12th centuries and represent the main stock from which many royal Rajput clans claim descent, a view supported by Lieutenant James Tod. A royal Gujjar origin is claimed both by nomadic and pastoral tribes in North Pakistan, North India and Kashmir regions and by all higher caste Muslim Rajputs with name changing to reflect conversion to Islam.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Theory of Georgian origin
3 Maharashtrian /Maratha Gujjars
4 Gujjars today
4.1 Ethnicity
4.2 Language
4.3 Religion
4.4 Caste
4.5 Clans
4.6 Famous Gujjars in history
5 Further reading
6 Note
7 References
8 External links
[edit]
History
Gujjars are hypothesized to be the partial descendents of a number of aristocratic Eurasian peoples, including the Indo-Scythians, who took part in the Scythian invasions of South Asia from the 5th century BCE to the 1st century CE or some other Turko-Iranian tribes that merged with local Indo-Aryan groups, mainly settling in the Gujarat, Punjab and Kashmir regions. These sun-worshipping, tribes ruled kingdoms covering much of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northwestern India.
The presence of the Gujjars in India is first attested to after the 5th century invasion of India by the Hunas (Huns). 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, Gujjars were mainly assimilated either into the Kshatriya or Brahmin castes. While the majority of Gujjars are classified as Kshatriya, evidently from their clan/caste/family names such as Chauhan, there are others who have been classified as very high Brahmins. The Gujjars once ruled over a large area of Northern India under the name of the royal Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom. 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. But, they retained their clan names as a form of tribal recognition. Place names such as Gujranwala, Gujar Kot, Gujar Khan and Gujrat in Pakistan and the state of Gujarat in India are a testament to the Gujar influence in the past.
[edit]
Theory of Georgian origin
Dr Huthi of Georgia paid a visit to India in 1967 and studied the Gujjars living in Northern India.[citation needed] He has stated that there are Georgian tribes among the Indian Gujars, because their accent, their dress, and their bullock carts resemble those of aristocratic Georgians. Oral traditions of the group, and some archaeological evidence (particularly cultural and phonetic) suggest that the word Gujjar is a derivation of Gurjara and sounds like "Gurjiya/Georgia" (Gurjiya or Gurjistan being the Persian name for Georgia) - indicating that the origins of the Gujjar tribe can be partially traced to the Caucasus and Central Asia (Georgia, Chechnya, Armenia, Azerbaijan etc).[citation needed] Dr. Huthi is of the view that during the reign of Timur(who ruled from the Caucasus to Samarqand), the Gujjars arrived in South Asia in a series of migratory waves. Here they were referred to as the "Gurjis" (Persian for Georgians)- the present day Gujjar is presumably a corruption of "Gurji" or "Gurjar".[citation needed]
[edit]
Maharashtrian /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 livlihood in other more practical professions.
Among the ninety-six Maratha clans, there is a clan called "Gujar" alongwith Pratihara. Prataprao Gujar was a famous Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
[edit]
Gujjars today
[edit]
Ethnicity
The majority of Gujjars are found in what is today Pakistan, numbering thirty-three million, while India has the second largest Gujjar population, numbering thirty million. Gujjars are also found as minorities in Afghanistan and Iran.
The Gujjars of today are mainly a combination of local South Asian peoples who have absorbed Central Asian elements over time. Many Gujjars are well represented in agriculture, the urban professions, civil service and the higher officer class. They are now settled on large tracts of lands and some are avid farmers.
[edit]
Language
The mother tongue of the Gujjars is Gujari/Gojri, which is very similar to Marwari/ Rajasthani and Gujarati. 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 Muslims, while others are Hindus and Sikhs.
[edit]
Caste
It appears that the Gujjar population was quickly absorbed into Hindu society and they belonged to the "Varna" of their profession. Dr Dashrath Sharma (Rajsthan Through the Ages, pp 105), ascribes the origin of the Solankis, Parmars, the Guhil/Gohils and Chauhans (Rajput clans) to the Brahmins. However, we know from the works of other scholars that the Solanki and Parmar were actually descendants of the Gujjars who came to India from pre-Islamic Persia in large numbers. However, it is interesting to note that in Rajasthan there is a caste called "Gurjar Brahmana" which is considered a very high caste of Brahmins. They are also referred to as Zamindar "holders of real estate" owing, in part, to their acquisition of land under the British Zamindari system.
[edit]
Clans
There are currently about 1200 clans/subcastes/subtribes/gotras within the Gurjars. The better-known of them are:
Ajar/Bakarwal
Awan
Bajjar
Bainsla
Baisoya
Bergat or Berkat
Bhand (A tribe in Gujrat)
Bhadana
Bhatti,Bhati (Gujar/Rajput)
Bhumbla
Bokra
Bidhuri
Char Brahmin
Chaudhry
Chauhan
Chechi (see Chach, see Yuezhi)
Dogay
Gorsi (see Goris, Gori,Ghowr — Gor is a Middle-Persian word for mountain/mountainous region)
Jagal
Kalas (See Calisia, Kaliz-Khalis-Khalyzians of Khwarezmia)
Khari (See Caria/Carians)
Kapasi (See Kapisa/Bagram)
Kasana (See Kushan)
Khatana (Related to Khotan)
Khokhar (Gujar/Jat/Rajput)
Lodha (See Lydians)
Maisi (See Mysi/Mysians)
Mandhar/Dhuli
Meelu
Munan
Nâgar (lit. 'city', see Nagarahara/Jalalabad, Alexandria of the Caucasus)
Parmar
Poswal
Patav
Solanki
Theckari, etc. (See Takhar, Tukharistan, Tocharians)
Vania/Bania (now traders/merchents: see Vani. The name "Vani" is very ancient. In the proto-Slavic languages it means "people", more precisely "farmers".)
Vohra-Patel (mostly Muslim in present day Gujarat)
Visgorus
Many have the surname "[Rajput]", "Patel", "Chowdhury", "Malik", "Patil", "Thakur" and Khoja.
(Note: some subcastes maybe related to an ancient place of origin, a profession or both). Also see Indo-Greek Kingdom/Greco-Buddhism.
[edit]
Famous Gujjars in history
Gujjar Singh Bhangi, Misaldar of the Bhangi Misl
Prataprao Gujar, famous Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (Movie: Border)
Vijay Singh Pathik, Indian Revolutionary, Satyagrahi and Hindi Poet
Dhan Singh Kotwal, Indian freedom fighter and the first sepoy to revolt against the British in Meerut in 1857)
Choudhary Rahmat Ali, one of the major architects of Pakistan, who also coined the name of Pakistan
Tufail Muhammad Shaheed, awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award in Pakistan, in 1958
Mian Muhammad Baksh, famous Punjabi poet, author of very famous Punjabi Poem, Saif Ul-Maluk
Choudhary Ameer Hussain, current Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan
Choudhary Sardar Muhammad, Inspector General Punjab Police Pakistan
Choudhary Sultan Ali, Ex Misister of agriculture Govt of Punjab, Ex Adviser to Prime Minister of Pakistan
Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal, Minister Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan
Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, Ex. President of Pakistan
Chaudhry Anwar Aziz, Ex. Federal Minister Govt. of Pakistan
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, leading Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Independence Movement, first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
Rajesh Pilot,Indian political leader
Ram Chandra Vikal,first Gujjar leader of India; also an M.P./M.L.A./Deputy Chief Minister U.P.
Sajjad Haider Karim,first member of the European Parliament of Pakistani origin
Yogesh Arora
Avtaar Singh Bhadana, 3 Times MP, currently MP from Faridabad, A Big Entrepreneur.
[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
information by
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The Muslim Gujars are divided into two sections, the Bhatariye and the Bhanariye who do not usually intermarry. The Hindu Gujars are usually divided into three groups: Gujar, Dodhi Gujar and Bakarwal. Originally Gujars are thought to be an Aryan tribe that entered India in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan from north west. Having been cattle breeders and milkmen, they were usually associated with herdsmen and shepherds. Traditionally they were a pastoral people with no fixed abode. A large number of Gujars have now settled down and taken to farming and combine agricultural work with animal husbandry.
Gujars in Uttar Pradesh and Uttranchal are found both in Himalayan foothills and on the plains in the Rohilkhand area. Groups camp in the forests of Dehradun and Saharanpur districts in winter from November to March. They migrate with herds of buffalo and cattle to the Himalayan summer pastures in Shimla district (Himachal Pradesh) or Tehri Garwhal & Uttarkashi, (Uttranchal) for the months of April to October. In mid-April they gather to await permission to travel, which is given by the state government. They are able to graze their herds on the stubble of the villagers’ fields, but conflict often arises with villagers on the route as from whom they have to obtain wheat and other supplies by exchange of milk. They take ten to twenty days on each journey on fixed routes away from roads and villages. Each family has on average from 22 to 32 buffaloes. Summer pastures are at 2,500 m (8,000 ft) and higher. On the return many take the cattle of villagers to care for them on the plains and return them in the spring.
In Haryana they are settled in Faridabad and Panchkula districts and the Samalkha segment of Panipat district. They are simple, thrifty and industrious. The Gujars are cultivators only in the plains but in the hills they are more given to keeping cattle than following the plough
second view
The Richest Indian Samrat “Mihir Bhojpal”(835-890 AD)
The most beautiful female of India “Mrig-Nayani”
The Extreme example of sacrifice “Panna Dhaay”
The winner of first grade Victoria Cross “Kamal Ram”
The most hard-working freedom-fighter “Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel"
What is the common thing among all these world-famous examples
The common thing is They were all from the royal caste
THE GURJARS
Meaning of the word - GURJAR
This great caste has originally taken its name from the word ‘Gurutar’ as stated by Pt. Chhote Lal Sharma (The famous archaeologist & historian). ‘Maharaja Dashratha’ was called ‘Gurutar’ in Ramayana (2-79-2) by Valmiki. That meant “A Very High Class King”.
The masters of Sanskrit Dictionary ‘Kalpdrum’ say that Gur-Jar means “ - one who use to defend the country by continuously defeating the enemy” (Gur means enemy and Jar means defeating)
Most probably this meaning was assigned to “Gurjars” when they defeated the Arabic invaders continuously for 300 years. But that is just a meaning given to this name. Originally it was derived from the word ‘Gurutar’ only.
“Gurjar” was never a sub caste under Rajputs, as said by many history textbooks. Rajput was not a caste when it was formed; it was an association or ‘Sangh’ of various kings ‘Raja-Putra’ against the Mohammedan invaders. In fact 70% of the “Rajputs Sangh” was formed by the “Gurjars” in the end of 12th century that made the saying famous
“Asli Rajput woh Jisne ‘Gujari’ ka doodh piya ho”
The Sanskrit word Rajput or Raja Putra (prince) literally means son of Raja or the ruler. This is the name by which the clans of several tribes of India designate themselves, and who in ancient times became dominant in the N.W. of India, from which their branches extended southwards. This word for a caste, a family or a tribe does not occur anywhere in the early history of the area (Before 1300 AD). They were said to have taken the place of the ancient Kshatryas, who were annihilated by Lord Parasurama.
Gurjars are HINDUS. The Muslims who claim to be part of this great clan are the ones who opted-to convert to Islam - who couldn't endure the tyranny of Muslim rulers.
The name Gurjar, the caste system is a proud part of the Hindu Philosophy.
However, if some Muslim brethren feels so strongly of being a Gurjar,
then please feel free to learn and practice our customs and touch with humanity.
The people under the Gurjars Kindom were also called Gurjars as the Whole Kingdom and Area included therein was called Gurjardesh or Gurjaratra (presently we know that area as divided into Gujrat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, western UP, Sindh, Lahore, Baluchistan).
There were three powerful dynasties which were ruling different parts of Gujarat: the Gurjars had their sway over the north, the Chalukyas ruled the south and the Maitraks were saddled in Saurashtra. The vaccum created by the fall of the Maitrak dynasty was filled up by the Pratiharas from the north and Rashtrakutas from the south. As vassals of the Valabhis (from the town of Valabhis or Vala, where the Guhilot ruled and is related to Bhavnagar Palitana and Lathi), the Chavadas held their sway over parts of north Gujarat. They assumed independent control after the fall of Valabhi. Vanraj,. the most prominent of the eight Chavada kings, founded a new capital at Anhilpur Patan. he reconquered his father's lost territories and founded the Chavada dynasty which lasted a shade under a century. In the 14th century Mesaji ruler of this dynasty founded Mahasana in Gujrat. Samantsinh, the last Chavada ruler, did not have an issued and he adopted Mulraj who overthrew him in 942 AD and set up what came to be known as the Solanki dynasty. Ambitious as he was, he started expanding his frontiers and established his complete and total hold over Saurashtra and Kachch by defeating Grahripu of Junagadh (Saurashtra) and Lakho Fulani of Kachchh. Mulraj Solanki's reign marked the start of the most glorious period in the history of Gujarat during which Gujarati culture flowered as manifested in art, architecture, language and script. It is described as the golden period in Gujarat chequered history. Mulraj himself adopted the title of Gurharesh ( King of Gurjardesh). The territories under the sway of the Solanki dynasty same to be known by different variations of the word Gurjar like Gurjardesh, Gurjararastra, Gurjaratta and finally Gujarat. Two names stand out in the Solanki dynasty. The town of Arjya in Bhilwara District, 150 km. from Udaipur; was ruled by the Chavda clan. Maharana Jawan Singh's maternal uncle, Jagat Singh of Barsora in Mahikantha, Gujarat. Had two sons, Kuber Singh and Jalam Singh came to Udaipur with Maharana Jawan Singh and were granted, jointly, the jagirs of Aarjya and Kaladwas.
Dadda, the founder of Pratihara dynasty, established the Gurjar rule at Nandipur (Nandol). Dadda III wrested Broach from the Maitraks whose citadel had started shaking. After Him Dadda 1-2-3(650-750), Nag Bhatta-1(750?-780), Vatsraj(780-800),ParamBhattarak Parmeshwar Nag Bhatta-2(800-833), Rambhadra(833-835) Samrat Mihir Bhoj Mahan or The Great Bhoja(835-890 AD), Mahenderpal-1(890-910), Bhoj-2(910-913), Samrat Mahipal(913-944) Mahenderpal-2(944-948), Devpal(948-954), Vinaykpal(954-955), Mahipal-2(955-956), Vijaypal-2(956-960), Rajyapal(960-1018), Trilochan(1018-1027), Yashpal(1024-1036) & ‘Gurjeshwar’ BheemDev-2*(1036-1064) and so on were the famous Gurjar-Pratihaar kings of India.
* who attacked & almost destroyed Mahmood of Gazni when Gazni was on his way back after looting the holy “Somnath Temple” (made by “Gurjars”),
Geographically, during the period of Muslim conquest the Rajputs were the pratiharas, or doorkeepers of India Also known as Parrhiar. Like the Solankis and Chauhans the Parihar clan is held by some to have originated from the Gurjar invaders who came with the Huns in the 5th and 6th centuries, and if so they were the first of these Gujar Rajput clans to emerge into prominence. Mundawar or Mundodri was the capital of the Parihara, which owned the sway of this tribe before the invasion and settlement of the Rathor clan. They were dominant in Bundelkhand before the Chandels, their last chieftain having been overthrown by a Chandel prince in AD 831. A parihar-Gujar chieftain, whose capital was in Bhinmal in Rajputana, conquered the dominions of the great Harsha Vardhana, and established himself there about AD 816. Kannaj was then held by Gujar-Parihar kings till 1090, when it was seized by Chandradeva of the Gaharwar Rajput clan. The Parihar rulers were thus subverted by the Gaharwars and Chandels, both of whom are thought to be derived from the Bhars or other aboriginal tribes. After this period the Parihar are of little importance. They appear to have retired to Rajputana, as col. Tod states that Mundore, 5 miles north of Jodhpur, was their headquarter until it was taken by the Rathors. The walls of the ruined fortress of Mundore are built of enormous square masses of stone without cement
third view
The Origins of the Gujjars
It can be said that the furthest point in history that relates to Gujjars goes clear back to the days of Ishmail and Isaac, that is if you speak to a Gujjar of Himachal Pradesh, India. They will tell you of their legend that they are descendents of Isaac. This alone is interesting in that Muslims, and the vast majority of Gujjars are Muslims, trace their descendents to Ishmail. However, the story is related in this way.
Ishaque (Isaac) told his sons that the one who fed him kabobs from goat meat would succeed him as prophet. His son's, Ash and Yaqub, (Esau and Jacob) went their separate ways to find the goat meat for the kabobs.
While Ash went in to the forest in search for the goat Yaqub got some help from his mother who apparently had her own goats and helped her son prepare them. Having eaten the Kabobs prepared by Yaqub, Hazrat Ishaque blessed Yaqub and appointed him as his heir to the birth right. On his return, Ash found out that he had been cheated out of his birth right by Yaqub and his mother. Disappointed he returned to the forest. Where he rested and soon fell asleep. Allah spoke to him in a dream. He said to worship him with a pure heart and to spend his life in the forest. If he did so, he would attain an even higher status than Yaqub. Ash did just this and he later became a great saint. It is in the lineage of Ash that the Gujjars (of Himachal Pradesh) trace their lineage and this is the reason that even today you find the Gujjars in the forest where it is said they feel closer to God.
There is much confusion as to the origin of the Gujjar people. Most research goes around in circles. One author quotes another till no one know where the original source is anymore. W. Crooke, Castes and Tribes of North Western India, Vol. 2 seems to be a favorite as well. Vincient A. Smith, The Early History of India says that the Gujjars were early immigrants to the Indian Sub-continent. Possibly "allied in blood" to the Huns. The Huns were divided into two main groups, the Red Huns and the White Huns. The Red Huns invaded Europe while the White Huns went down in to the Oxus Valley and attacked the Kishan Kingdom of Kabul and then poured into India.
Another theory is that the Gujjars are related to the Rajputs and that Mughal Emperor Aurangzed made an agreement that if the Rajput lost in the wars with the Mughals that they would have a portion of them convert to Islam. The Rajupts did lose and the group that converted became known as Gujjars.
The first reference to a separate Gujjar Kingdom is around fifth century AD. There is mention of a Gujjar Kingdom in Rajasthan with Bhilmal as the Capital.
In his book "Geography of Jammu & Kashmir State" Majid Husain says that before their arrival in the sub-continent they were the inhabitants of Georgia (Gurjia) a territory situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea in the Soviet Union. They left that area and migrated through central Asia, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, crossed the Khyber Pass and entered the Sub-continent of India. In the Sub-continent, making a southward march through Baluchistan,- they reached Gujrat, most probably in the 5th and 6th century A.D. While in Gujrat they were plagued by a series of serious droughts so they moved out of the plains area and entered the green pastures of the Siwaliks and the Himalayas. Having their place of origin as Georgia and moving towards the Sub-continent of India they named several settlements after their name, e.g. Gujar (Central Asia), Juzrs (Gurjara), Gujrabad, Gujru, Gujristan, Gujrabas, Gujdar-Kotta, Gujar-Garh, Gujarkhan, Gujranwala in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenia, Pakistan and India. Cunningham (1970) is, however, of the opinion that the Gujjars are the descendents of Kusham and Yachi Tribes which are considered to be the tribes of Eastern Tartars (U.S.S.R.).
fourth view
Gujjar
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Castes of India
Gujjars
Classification Caste/Brahmin / Kshatriya
Subdivisions -
Significant populations in Northern India, Western India, Central India and Pakistan
Languages Hindi and its dialects, Punjabi and its dialects, Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Marathi, Gujarati, Farsi, Pashto and Gojri.
Religions Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam
A Gujjar (also Gujar, Gurjar, or Gurjara, is a member of an ethnic group mainly inhabiting Punjab (Pakistan), Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab (India) and Gujarat, with some groups in Rajasthan and Haryana. Gujjars belonged to the Kshatriya and Brahmin castes, while they formerly ruled the Gurjara-Pratihara Kingdom, which included much of Northern India during the 6th and 12th centuries and represent the main stock from which many royal Rajput clans claim descent, a view supported by Lieutenant James Tod. A royal Gujjar origin is claimed both by nomadic and pastoral tribes in North Pakistan, North India and Kashmir regions and by all higher caste Muslim Rajputs with name changing to reflect conversion to Islam.
Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Theory of Georgian origin
3 Maharashtrian /Maratha Gujjars
4 Gujjars today
4.1 Ethnicity
4.2 Language
4.3 Religion
4.4 Caste
4.5 Clans
4.6 Famous Gujjars in history
5 Further reading
6 Note
7 References
8 External links
[edit]
History
Gujjars are hypothesized to be the partial descendents of a number of aristocratic Eurasian peoples, including the Indo-Scythians, who took part in the Scythian invasions of South Asia from the 5th century BCE to the 1st century CE or some other Turko-Iranian tribes that merged with local Indo-Aryan groups, mainly settling in the Gujarat, Punjab and Kashmir regions. These sun-worshipping, tribes ruled kingdoms covering much of present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northwestern India.
The presence of the Gujjars in India is first attested to after the 5th century invasion of India by the Hunas (Huns). 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, Gujjars were mainly assimilated either into the Kshatriya or Brahmin castes. While the majority of Gujjars are classified as Kshatriya, evidently from their clan/caste/family names such as Chauhan, there are others who have been classified as very high Brahmins. The Gujjars once ruled over a large area of Northern India under the name of the royal Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom. 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. But, they retained their clan names as a form of tribal recognition. Place names such as Gujranwala, Gujar Kot, Gujar Khan and Gujrat in Pakistan and the state of Gujarat in India are a testament to the Gujar influence in the past.
[edit]
Theory of Georgian origin
Dr Huthi of Georgia paid a visit to India in 1967 and studied the Gujjars living in Northern India.[citation needed] He has stated that there are Georgian tribes among the Indian Gujars, because their accent, their dress, and their bullock carts resemble those of aristocratic Georgians. Oral traditions of the group, and some archaeological evidence (particularly cultural and phonetic) suggest that the word Gujjar is a derivation of Gurjara and sounds like "Gurjiya/Georgia" (Gurjiya or Gurjistan being the Persian name for Georgia) - indicating that the origins of the Gujjar tribe can be partially traced to the Caucasus and Central Asia (Georgia, Chechnya, Armenia, Azerbaijan etc).[citation needed] Dr. Huthi is of the view that during the reign of Timur(who ruled from the Caucasus to Samarqand), the Gujjars arrived in South Asia in a series of migratory waves. Here they were referred to as the "Gurjis" (Persian for Georgians)- the present day Gujjar is presumably a corruption of "Gurji" or "Gurjar".[citation needed]
[edit]
Maharashtrian /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 livlihood in other more practical professions.
Among the ninety-six Maratha clans, there is a clan called "Gujar" alongwith Pratihara. Prataprao Gujar was a famous Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
[edit]
Gujjars today
[edit]
Ethnicity
The majority of Gujjars are found in what is today Pakistan, numbering thirty-three million, while India has the second largest Gujjar population, numbering thirty million. Gujjars are also found as minorities in Afghanistan and Iran.
The Gujjars of today are mainly a combination of local South Asian peoples who have absorbed Central Asian elements over time. Many Gujjars are well represented in agriculture, the urban professions, civil service and the higher officer class. They are now settled on large tracts of lands and some are avid farmers.
[edit]
Language
The mother tongue of the Gujjars is Gujari/Gojri, which is very similar to Marwari/ Rajasthani and Gujarati. 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 Muslims, while others are Hindus and Sikhs.
[edit]
Caste
It appears that the Gujjar population was quickly absorbed into Hindu society and they belonged to the "Varna" of their profession. Dr Dashrath Sharma (Rajsthan Through the Ages, pp 105), ascribes the origin of the Solankis, Parmars, the Guhil/Gohils and Chauhans (Rajput clans) to the Brahmins. However, we know from the works of other scholars that the Solanki and Parmar were actually descendants of the Gujjars who came to India from pre-Islamic Persia in large numbers. However, it is interesting to note that in Rajasthan there is a caste called "Gurjar Brahmana" which is considered a very high caste of Brahmins. They are also referred to as Zamindar "holders of real estate" owing, in part, to their acquisition of land under the British Zamindari system.
[edit]
Clans
There are currently about 1200 clans/subcastes/subtribes/gotras within the Gurjars. The better-known of them are:
Ajar/Bakarwal
Awan
Bajjar
Bainsla
Baisoya
Bergat or Berkat
Bhand (A tribe in Gujrat)
Bhadana
Bhatti,Bhati (Gujar/Rajput)
Bhumbla
Bokra
Bidhuri
Char Brahmin
Chaudhry
Chauhan
Chechi (see Chach, see Yuezhi)
Dogay
Gorsi (see Goris, Gori,Ghowr — Gor is a Middle-Persian word for mountain/mountainous region)
Jagal
Kalas (See Calisia, Kaliz-Khalis-Khalyzians of Khwarezmia)
Khari (See Caria/Carians)
Kapasi (See Kapisa/Bagram)
Kasana (See Kushan)
Khatana (Related to Khotan)
Khokhar (Gujar/Jat/Rajput)
Lodha (See Lydians)
Maisi (See Mysi/Mysians)
Mandhar/Dhuli
Meelu
Munan
Nâgar (lit. 'city', see Nagarahara/Jalalabad, Alexandria of the Caucasus)
Parmar
Poswal
Patav
Solanki
Theckari, etc. (See Takhar, Tukharistan, Tocharians)
Vania/Bania (now traders/merchents: see Vani. The name "Vani" is very ancient. In the proto-Slavic languages it means "people", more precisely "farmers".)
Vohra-Patel (mostly Muslim in present day Gujarat)
Visgorus
Many have the surname "[Rajput]", "Patel", "Chowdhury", "Malik", "Patil", "Thakur" and Khoja.
(Note: some subcastes maybe related to an ancient place of origin, a profession or both). Also see Indo-Greek Kingdom/Greco-Buddhism.
[edit]
Famous Gujjars in history
Gujjar Singh Bhangi, Misaldar of the Bhangi Misl
Prataprao Gujar, famous Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (Movie: Border)
Vijay Singh Pathik, Indian Revolutionary, Satyagrahi and Hindi Poet
Dhan Singh Kotwal, Indian freedom fighter and the first sepoy to revolt against the British in Meerut in 1857)
Choudhary Rahmat Ali, one of the major architects of Pakistan, who also coined the name of Pakistan
Tufail Muhammad Shaheed, awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military award in Pakistan, in 1958
Mian Muhammad Baksh, famous Punjabi poet, author of very famous Punjabi Poem, Saif Ul-Maluk
Choudhary Ameer Hussain, current Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan
Choudhary Sardar Muhammad, Inspector General Punjab Police Pakistan
Choudhary Sultan Ali, Ex Misister of agriculture Govt of Punjab, Ex Adviser to Prime Minister of Pakistan
Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal, Minister Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan
Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry, Ex. President of Pakistan
Chaudhry Anwar Aziz, Ex. Federal Minister Govt. of Pakistan
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, leading Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Independence Movement, first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
Rajesh Pilot,Indian political leader
Ram Chandra Vikal,first Gujjar leader of India; also an M.P./M.L.A./Deputy Chief Minister U.P.
Sajjad Haider Karim,first member of the European Parliament of Pakistani origin
Yogesh Arora
Avtaar Singh Bhadana, 3 Times MP, currently MP from Faridabad, A Big Entrepreneur.
[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
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