Gurjars in Uttarakhand
Ethnic group in Uttarakhand, India
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Gurjars in Uttarakhand, Uttarakhandi Gujjars, or Uttaranchali Gujjars[a] are an ethnic community native to the Indian state of Uttarakhand. They descended from Gurjars who moved into this region during medieval times. They are mainly found in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions[2]: 56-70 [3][4] and scattered across almost all districts of Uttarakhand; they are densely populated in Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal, and Almora districts, while Pithoragarh district has the smallest Gujjar population. In the 1931 Census of India, 63.21% of Gurjars in present-day Uttarakhand state were Muslims, while the remaining 36.79% were Hindus.[5]
Uttarakhandi Gujjars | |
|---|---|
Gurjar tribal girl from Uttarakhand | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Uttarakhand | |
| Languages | |
| Gujari, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Urdu, Hindi | |
| Religion | |
• Majority:  Sunni Islam[1]
• Minority:  Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Gurjar, Muslim Gurjars, Van Gurjars | |
 |
Hindu Gujjars in the state have traditionally been settled, with some being nomads, while Muslim Gujjars are mainly nomads with some settled communities. Amongst the nomadic Muslim Gurjar communities Van Gujjar is a major subgroup.[6]
Etymology and origin
Etymology
The word Gurjar is derived from the Sanskrit word Gurjara, which means "enemy destroyer".[6][7][4]: 23
Origin
Some historians believe Gurjars were nomad from Central Asia who moved to India between 5th and 6th centuries.[6][8][4]: 23 Another theory is that they were originally from India, specifically in western Rajasthan, Malwa, and Gujarat, and later moved Punjab and Uttarakhand around the 16th century.[6][4]: 23
History
According to Vishwambhar Prasad Sati, ancient religious writings related to the "Uttaranchal region" mention the names of different tribes that lived in the region, including the Sakas, Kol-Munds, Nagas, Khasas, Hunas, Kiratas, Gurjars and Aryans.[9]
The Gazetteer of Dehradun notes that Gurjars and Rajputs lived in Dehradun district around the 18th century. This probably refers to when Gurjars first moved to Uttarakhand, around the same time as the Rajputs.[2]: 62 [10] Many scholars believe Gurjars came to the region of Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand) about 150 or 200 years ago from Jammu.[11][4]: 23
During the 1700s, Gurjar and Sikh raiders repeatedly attacked the Doon Valley. In 1775, Sikhs raided the area, looting settlements, killing residents, and setting places on fire. But raiders from the Saharanpur district, both Gurjars and Rajputs, caused worse damage in the valley than the Sikhs did.[12][13]
It is generally believe that Gurjars initially moved to the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttar Pradesh between the mid 19th and 19th century, which are now part of Uttarakhand.[14][6][15]
Gujjars are believed to have migrated to the Garhwal division of Uttarakhand from Jammu and Kashmir, via Himachal Pradesh, looking for grasslands for their livestock.[6][16]
In the late 1800s, the Jaunsar-Bawar forest division in Dehradun district was a key spot for nomadic Gurjars. It connected nearby regions, and when summer came, Gurjars would gather there to head to highland pastures with their cattle. Some stayed there for summer, while others moved on to other areas.[17]: 92
Dynasties/states
Landaura state
The Panwar Gurjars ruled in the Landhaura state in the Landaura town of Haridwar district over more than 600 villages for about 375 years. In 1759–60, the Mughal governor gave Nahar Singh, a Gurjar leader of Panwar clan rights to collect revenue in the area of Landaura.[18][19] Many Gurjars joined him, and he became a powerful local leader. Under Mughal rule, Gurjars traded cattle, paying taxes to the Mughals. Nahar Singh switched sides between Mughals and Sikhs, was imprisoned, and eventually lost part of his land. He later worked with the Mughals to drive out Sikhs. After his death, his son Ram Dayal Sin took over.[18][2]: 67
In 1804, Ram Dayal Singh supported the East India Company during a local rebellion. After his death in 1813, a dispute over leadership was settled when Dhan Kunwar paid off her husband's relative, Badan Singh, to keep control of Landaura state for her infant son, Kushal Singh. In 1824, a relative of Ram Dayal Singh, Vijay Singh Gurjar tried to take over but failed and was killed.[20] Kushal Singh died in 1829, followed by his mother Dhan Kunwar in 1849. His son Harbans Singh died young in 1850, leaving behind a baby son, Ragubir Singh.[18]
Timli state
In the 15th century, Phoda Singh and Lal Karan Singh from the Chokar clan of Gujjars established Timli state in Dehradun.[21] The state was ruled by their dynasty until it was annexed by Mughals.[22][23] Their family ruled until the Mughals took over. Later, in 1548, they again took control, founded Timli town and ruled it. Bhagwan Singh, a notable king from the same family, even controlled prices in north India. When took over some areas in Dehradun, Timli state remained independent. After Bhagwan Singh's death, his daughter Satyaditi ruled the state.[24][23][25]
Kunja estate
In the 19th century Kunja principality was ruled Raja Vijay Singh Gurjar in Dehradun district. In 1857 he started a rebellion against the British. He killed many British with the help of Gurjars but a large army of the British killed him and his commander Kalyan Singh Gurjar and set fire to Kunja village.[26][27]
Demographics
Gurjars and Van Gujjars communities mainly found in the Shivalik, Kalsi, Jim Corbett National Park and Rajaji National Park forest areas of Uttarakhand.[28][11][4]: 23 The Tons Valley in the Jaunsar-Bawar region of the Garhwal division and districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Roorkee, Nainital, Almora and Bageshwar and also have large settlements of Gurjars.[28][29][4]: 36
The Shivalik region east of Garhwal division has a pastoral area stretching from Kalsi forest to Kotdwar. Gujjars live in many places here, including Gangabhogpur, Gauhari range, Gaendikhata,Dumet, Dhaula Tapad, Pauri Garhwal, Rishikesh, Batoli, Dharmawala, Majri, Kulhal, Simlash, Dudhli, Bhaniyawala, Timli, Kadwapani (Dehradun), Sajanpur, Aamsaut, Katebad, Sherpur, Chidiyapur Rang, South Nlowala, North Nlowala (Haridwar), Shikroda, Khanpur, Laldang, Jakhan, Nastarwari, Dasoywala, Shyampur, Peeli beet, Sidha beet, Mithi beri, Kanswali (Haridwar), Hampta valley, Chandra Valley (in Lahaul),[30] Yamuna valley,[31] and the Rajaji National Park area.[11][32]
Religion
Gurjars in Uttarakhand are divided into two distinct ethno religious groups: Hindu Gurjars and Muslim Gurjars. Muslim Gurjars of Uttarakhand predominantly belong to the Sunni sect of Islam.[1] In the 1931 Census of India, 63.21% of Gurjars in present-day Uttarakhand state were Muslims, while the remaining 36.79% were Hindus.[5]
The Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand state adopted Islam in the 13th to 14th centuries,[33] but other Gurjars of the state mostly adopted Islam in the 17th century.[2]: 62
Population
In the 1931 census, the total population of Gurjars in the Indian state of Uttarakhand was 2,210, of which 1,397 were Muslims, making up 63.21% of the total Gurjar population.[5] An unknown number of Hindu Gurjars live in Uttarakhand, and the Muslim Van Gurjars population in the state approximately reached to 70,000.[34][35]
Population of Gurjars recorded in different census reports of British India for the present-day Indian state of Uttarakhand (formerly a region as Uttaranchal in Uttar Pradesh).
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1891 | 997 | — |
| 1901 | 1,250 | +2.29% |
| 1911 | 2,148 | +5.56% |
| 1921 | 2,609 | +1.96% |
| 1931 | 2,210 | −1.65% |
| source: 1891 census - 1901 census[36] - 1911 census[37] - 1921 census[38] - 1931 census[5] | ||
Gotras
Culture
Attire and appearance
"Gurjars in Uttarakhand" are typically tall, dark and sharp in appearance. Gurjar men wore checked lungis, loose kurtas, waistcoats, and unique colorful embroidered caps in shades of pink and blue. Many went shoeless with sturdy feet like the Dhobi people. Some modern Gurjars wore shirts, cheap rubber shoes, and even wristwatches.[8] Nowadays, Gurjar men typically wear a turban, a loose sarong, and often have a long beard, with some adding embroidered waistcoats to their outfit especially in winter.
In appearance Gurjar women are generally smaller than the men. They wear a hill-styled salwar-kameez, similar to the one worn in the plains, with a shalwar featuring many pleats and small floral prints on a green or blue background. Their attire is very similar to salwar-kameez of Gujjar women of Kashmir. They wear minimal silver jewellery.[8]
Gurjar women usually wear a long kurta type shirt, tight pants (pajamas), and a jacket. Women of Hindu and Muslim Gurjars in Uttarakhand typically do not cover their faces or practice Purdah system.[3]
Festivals
Gurjars in Uttarakhand celebrate various regional and religious festivals. Muslim Gurjars celebrate Islamic festivals like Ramazan, Muharram, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha, while Hindu Gurjars celebrate Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, Baisakhi, and Lohri.[3]
Gurjars in the Siwalik Hills are mostly Muslims, specifically Sunni. They practice all Islamic festivals and like to pray in mosques on Fridays but can't often afford to go on Hajj. Some Gurjars, especially from the Bania clan, celebrate Diwali a Hindu festival. They used to celebrate seasonal festivals like Lohdi and Baishakhi, but these aren't common anymore.[4]: 29
Dwelling
Tribal Gujjars in the forest areas of Rajaji National Park live in deras (traditional dwelling), simple homes made from forest materials. They move in big family groups to find good grazing land and set up temporary homes for the stay.[41][42]
In the Siwalik Hills, Gurjars' winter homes are semi-permanent. They used to take them apart when moving to higher pastures, but the spots stayed the same. The Forest Department would take or auction off the wood, or locals would steal it. Gurjars would rebuild when they returned, often getting materials from the Forest Department. Their homes are usually near water sources like streams, and are named after them (e.g., Munal Sot, Amla Sot).[4]: 32
Marriages
Gujjars practice various marriage customs in Uttarakhand. Hindu Gurjars mostly practice polyandry marriages.[43][44] Muslim Gujars practice cousins marriages and exchange marriages (where families swap a boy and a girl).[43]
Monogamy
Most Gurjars are monogamous, having one wife at a time. But Islam allowed maximum four marriages for Muslim Gurjars, but they still prefer one marriage. More common is remarrying after a wife dies or divorces. If a Gurjar guy has multiple wives, they often live separately with their kids, and he splits time with them.[45]
Exchange marriages
Muslim Gurjars in Uttarakhand often choose exchange marriages, where two families swap kids (a son and daughter from one family marry a daughter and son from another). This way, they avoid paying bride-price or dowry, keeping their animals and wealth within the families.[45]
Widow-remarriage
Gurjars allow window remarriage, but the new husband might have to pay the dead man's family. Hindu Gurjars often practice junior levirate (marrying the window to her husband's brother). Buffaloes are exchanged as bride-price or dowry, but money's becoming more common now. If a couple sets up their own home after a service marriage, the girl's dad usually gives them some buffaloes.[45]
Service marriage
Gurjars also practice "service marriage". A guy works for a family with a daughter, and if they like him, he gets to marry her. Poor guys without sisters often choose this option, avoiding bride-price or dowry system.[45]
Ghar Jawan
Gurjars sometimes do "Ghar jawain" or 'Ghar Jamayi' marriages". A rich Gurjar with a daughter brings a guy to live with them and marries him to her. The couple lives with the girl's family.[45]
Language
In Uttarakhand, they speak various regional languages, including Garhwali, Kumaoni, Hindi, Urdu, and Gujari. The Garhwali and Kumaoni language mainly spoken by Hindu Gurjars in the state. Muslim Gurjars in the state mostly speak Gujari as their mother tongue. In the 2011 census, there were 3,822 Gujari speakers among the Muslim Gurjars in Uttarakhand.[46]
Social status
In Uttarakhand Hindu Gurjars are socially classified as Other Backwards classes (OBC) in the state.[47] However, Muslim Gurjars in state are not included in the OBC list.[48]
In 2012, the Government of Uttarakhand promised to give Schedule Tribe (ST) status to Gurjars of Uttarakhand and Muslim Van Gujjars, but this promise hasn't been kept yet. The Van Gujjars, a semi-nomadic pastoral community, have been fighting for this recognition, which would grant them rights to forest land and other benefits.[49]
Economy and income
Economy
Many people in Uttarakhand were herders, farmers, or both. They mainly raised cattle, which was a big part of their economy. Some groups in Uttarakhand like the Gurjars and Bhotiyas, relied entirely on livestock.[17][10]: 84
Income
In Uttarakhand Tribal Gurjars earn around Rs. 4,500 monthly per family (Rs. 450 per person), but they're stuck in debt. This debt is a big obstacle to improving their lives. They can't move forward or change how they live until they pay off what they owe.[4]: 28
Traditional Veterinary Practices
In 2023, a study was conducted in the Terai region of southern Uttarakhand. The areas located at Terai-Bhabar of Udham Singh Nagar district and foothills of Dehradun, Haridwar, and Pauri districts were part of the study. This study found 90 plants from 47 families that the Gurjars in Uttarakhand uses for women's health issues.[50] Leguminosae was the most common plant family. Asparagus racemosus was the top plant used, mainly for menstrual problems and leucorrhoea. The Gurjar tribe mostly used roots (22%) and made medicines by boiling the plants (52%). The plants treated issues like menstrual disorders (37), leucorrhoea (26), post -delivery, fever (10), and breastfeeding problems (10). Other commonly used plants included A. precatorius, B. Ceiba, M. Oleifera, C. Orchioides, and C. Hirsutism.[50]
Gurjars have good knowledge about the animals-related diseases. They've kept their traditional remedies alive. In the past, vets were scarce, but now there are more options in towns like Dehradun and Haridwar. Still, Gurjars usually try their own treatments first, turning to vets only if that doesn't work.[4]: 44 - 45
Relocation
The Government of India relocated around 1,902 Gujjars families from forests areas of Haridwar, Chila, Motichur, Chilawali, Ramghar and Gohri in Rajaji National Park, to Gaindhikhata and Pathri in Uttarakhand between 1985 and 1998.[41]
Another 400 Gujjar families families were relocated from Jim Corbett National Park to Gaindhikhata in March 2000.[51][52]
Notable
- Pranav Singh, MLA and current ruler of Landaura state from Haridwar district[53][54]
- Kiran Chaudhary, Zila Panchayat Adhyaksh from Haridwar district[55][56]
- Kartar Singh Bhadana, Indian politicians[57][58]
- Pramod Khari, Politician from Haridwar district[59]