Rajasthani people

Maharana Pratap, a ruler and great warrior of his time.

The first mention of the word Rajasthan comes from the works of George Thomas (Military Memories) and James Tod (Annals). Rajasthan literally means the Land of Kingdoms. However, western Rajasthan and eastern Gujarat were part of "Gurjaratra" or Gurjarabhumi, land of Gurjars.[2] The local dialects of the time use the expression Rājwār, the place or land of kings, later Rajputana.[3][4]

Although the history of Rajasthan goes back as far as the Indus Valley Civilization, the foundation of the Rajasthani community took shape with the rise of Western Middle Kingdoms such as Western Kshatrapas. Western Kshatrapas (35-405 BC) were rulers of the western part of India (Saurashtra and Malwa: modern Gujarat, Southern Sindh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan). They were the successors to the Indo-Scythians who invaded the area of Ujjain and established the Saka era (with Saka calendar), marking the beginning of the long-lived Saka Western Satraps kingdom.[5] Saka calendar (also been adopted as Indian national calendar) is used by the Rajasthani community and adjoining areas such as Punjab and Haryana. With time, their social structures received stronger reorganizations, thus giving birth to several martial sub ethnic groups (previously called as Martial race but the term is now obsolete ). Rajasthanis emerged as major merchants during medieval India. Rajasthan was among the important centres of trade with Rome, eastern Mediterranean and southeast Asia.[6]

Romani people

Some claim that Romani people originated in parts of the Rajasthan. Indian origin was suggested based on linguistic grounds as early as 200 years ago.[7] The roma ultimately derives from a form ḍōmba ("man living by singing and music"), attested in Classical Sanskrit.[8] Linguistic and genetic evidence indicates the Romanies originated from the Indian subcontinent, emigrating from India towards the northwest no earlier than the 11th century. Contemporary populations sometimes suggested as sharing a close relationship to the Romani are the Dom people of Central Asia and the Banjara of India.[9]

Like other Indo-Aryan peoples, modern day Rajasthanis and their ancestors have inhabited Rajasthan since ancient times. The erstwhile state of Alwar, in north-eastern Rajasthan, is possibly the oldest kingdom in Rajasthan. Around 1500 BC, it formed a part of the Matsya territories of Viratnagar (present-day Bairat) encompassing Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Karauli.[10]

Rajasthani people

Rajasthani society is a blend of predominantly Hindus with sizable minorities of Muslims, Sikhs and Jains.

Noblemen from Jaipur 1875

Rajasthanis form an ethno-linguistic group that is distinct in its language, history, cultural and religious practices, social structure, literature, and art. However, there are many different castes and communities, with diversified traditions of their own. Major sub ethnic groups are Sirvi, Ahirs, Jats, Khatiks, Rajputs, Rabari, Gurjars, Bhils, Meenas, Brahmins, Mali Rajputs, Meghval, Chamar, Kholis, Agrawal, Kumhar, Chippa etc.[23][24][25][26]

The Khatik (खटिक/ķhâťïk) have widely distributed community in Indian Subcontinent , and each Khatik group has its own origin myth. What they have in common is that they were historically kshtriyas who were assigned to kill animals in yagas performed by kings. Also today, only khatiks has the right to kill animals during bali offerings at Hindu temples. According to their traditions, the god Brahma assigned to them a goats skin, the bark of trees and lac- so they could graze cattle, dye skins of goat, and deer; and tan hides with bark and lac. Another tradition, claims that the origin of the word Khatik has been derived from the Hindi word khat, which, means an immediate killing. They relate this to early days when they used to supply mutton to the kings of Rajasthan. While other sources claim that the word khatik is said to have originated from the Sanskrit word kathika, which means to butcher or hunter.

Rajputs (राजपूत, Rājpūts) are well-known warrior people of Rajasthan. Rajputs of Rajasthan (historically called Rājpūtāna) hold distinctive identity as opposed to Rajputs of other regions of the country. This identity is usually described as "proud Rajput tribes of Rājputāna".[27] They traced their lineage from a mythical fire atop Mt. Abu–a mountain in Rajasthan (Agni Kula or the Fire Family), the sun (Suryavanshi or the Sun Family), and the moon (Chandravanshi or the Moon Family). The Sun Family includes Sisodias of Mewar (Chittaur and Udaipur), Rathores of Jodhpur and Bikaner, and Kachwahas of Amber and Jaipur while The Moon family includes Bhattis of Jaisalmer whereas The Fire family includes Chauhans of Bundi and Kota and Solankis of Baran and Desuri . There is a tradition that in year 747 all Rajput clans were purified by sage . It is believed that Rajput tribes of Rajasthan were not Indo-Aryans until the purification.[28][29] Vaishya or Baniya (वैश्य/बनिया) are the trading communities which includes Agarwal, Khandelwal and Maheshwari. Agarwals trace their origin to Agroha, a historic town near Hisar in Haryana while Khandelwal and Maheshwari communities are said to be originated from Khandela, near Jaipur. The Vaishya/Vaish/Baniya community is known for their excellent trading techniques and business acumen. They are among the influential and prosperous communities of Rajasthan. Vaishs are also known for their society serving. A number of Schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Dharmshalas, etc are built by the Vaish Community which provide their facilities at very minimum rates to serve the society. Vaish people are strict vegetarians and many even avoid eating onion and garlic. Drinking alcohol is also strictly prohibited in Vaish Society.

Gurjars (गुर्जर, Gurjars) are well known people from Rajasthan. Historically, they were protectors of Gurjaratra.[30][31] Some scholars believe, Gurjars guarded some part of Northern India against foreign invasion until the end of tenth century and thus came to known as pratiharas (protectors).[32] Praiseful references can be found in Arab chronicles about administration and might of these Gurjars.[33]

Sain Nai mostly lives in Alwar, Dausa, Bharatpur, Jaipur & some other district of Rajasthan. They worship their kuldevi sati Narayani Mata (Temple in Alwar)

l.[34]

RABARI in Rajasthan is also known as RAIKA or DEWASI. They are Chandravanshi yadav .

Seervi are mainly in agriculture business in Jodhpur and Pali District of Rajasthan. Major population of Seervi's are followers of Aai Mata which has main temple at Bilara. These days Seervi have migrated from Rajasthan to Southern part of India and became good business community.

There are few other tribal communities in Rajasthan, such as Meena and Bhils. The Ghoomar dance is one well-known aspect of Bhil tribe. Meena and Bhils were employed as soldiers by Rajputs for their bravery and martial capabilities. Meenas, in ancient times, were ruler of Matsya, i.e., Rajasthan or Matsya Union. However, during colonial rule, the British government declared 250 groups[35] which included Meenas, Gujars, etc.[36][37] as "criminal tribes". Any group or community that took arms and opposed British rule were branded as criminal by the British government in 1871.[38] This Act was repealed in 1952 by Government of India.[35] Sahariyas, the jungle dwellers, who are believed to be of Bhil origin, inhabit the areas of Kota, Dungarpur and Sawai Madhopur in the southeast of Rajasthan. Their main occupations include working as shifting cultivators, hunters and fishermen.[39][40] Garasias is a small Rajput tribe inhabiting Abu Road area of southern Rajasthan.[39][40]

Rajasthani Brahmins are mostly dadheechs, Pareeks, Saraswats, Gujar Gaur, Khandelwal Brahmins or Khandal, Shrimalis, Garg Brahmins, Sharma Brahmins, Bhutia Brahmins, Paliwals, Pushkarna Brahmins, and Gaur. Pushkarna brahmins in particular are the group of people who fled muslim persecution in Sindh during the conquest of the Umayyad dynasty in the 8th century and later settled in the Marwar region, mainly in cities of Marwar (west Rajasthan) like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Falaudi etc. Pushkarna brahmins still maintain a blend of old sindhi culture and marwadi culture to this day. There are a few other colourful folks, groups like those of Gadia Luhar, Banjara, Nat, Kalbelia, and Saansi, who criss-cross the countryside with their animals. The Gadia Luhars are said to be once associated with Maharana Pratap.[41]

Scholars agree on the fact that during 10th-12th century, a common language was spoken in Western Rajasthan and Northern Gujarat. This language was known as Old Gujarati (1100 AD — 1500 AD) (also called Old Western Rajasthani, Gujjar Bhakha, Maru-Gurjar). The language derived its name from the Gurjars (or Gujjars), who were residing and ruling in Punjab, Rajputana, central India, and various parts of Gujarat at that time.[42] It is said that Marwari and Gujarati has evolved from this Gurjar Bhakha later.[43] The language was used as a literary language as early as the 12th century. Poet Bhoja has referred to Gaurjar Apabhramsha in 1014 AD.[42] Formal grammar of Rajasthani was written by Jain monk and eminent scholar Hemachandra Suri in the reign of Chaulukya king Jayasimha Siddharaja. Rajasthani was recognized by the State Assembly as an official Indian language in 2004. Recognition is still pending from the government of India.[44]

First mention of Rajasthani literature comes from a well known work Kuvalayamala, inscribed c. 778 in the town of Jalor in south-eastern Marwar by Jain acharya Udyotan Suri. Udyotan Suri referred it as Maru Bhasha or Maru Vani. Modern Rajasthani literature began with the works of Suryamal Misrama.[45] His most important works are the Vamsa Bhaskara and the Vira satsaī. The Vira satsaī is a collection of couplets dealing with historical heroes. Two other important poets in this traditional style are Bakhtavara Ji and Kaviraja Muraridana. Apart from academic literature, there exists folk literature as well. Folk literature consists of ballads, songs, proverbs, folk tales, and panegyrics. The heroic and ethical poetry were the two major components of Rajasthani literature throughout its history. The development of Rajasthani literature, as well as virkavya (heroic poetry), from the Dingal language took form during the early formation of medieval social and political establishments in Rajasthan. Maharaja Chatur Singh (1879–1929) was a devotional poet from Mewar. His contributions were poetry style that was essentially a bardic tradition in nature. Another important poet was Hinglajdan Kaviya (1861–1948). His contributions are largely of the heroic poetry style.[46]

Developmental progression and growth of Rajasthani literature cand be divided into 3 stages[47]

Agriculture is the main occupation of Rajasthani people in Rajasthan. Major crops of Rajasthan are jowar, bajri, maize, ragi, rice, wheat, barley, gram, tur, pulses, ground nut, sesamum, etc. Agriculture was the most important element in the economic life of the people of medieval Rajasthan.[56] In early medieval times, the land that could be irrigated by one well was called Kashavah, which is a land that could be irrigated by one Knsha or leather bucket.[57] Historically, there were a whole range of communities in Rajasthan at different stages of economy, from hunting to settled agriculture. The Van Baoria, Tirgar, Kanjar, vagri, etc. were traditionally hunters and gatherers. Now, only the Van Baoria are hunters, while others have shifted to agriculture related occupations.[58] There are a number of artisans, such as Lohar and Sikligar. Lohar are blacksmiths while Sikligar do specific work of making and polishing of arms used in war. Now, they create tools used for agriculture.

The Marwari group of Rajasthanis have a substantial diaspora throughout India, where they have been established as traders.[62] Marwari migration to the rest of India is essentially a movement in search of opportunities for trade and commerce. In most cases, Rajasthanis migrate to other places as traders.[63]

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  Carved elephants on the walls of Jagdish Temple that was built by Maharana Jagat Singh Ist in 1651 A.D.
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  The region surrounding Aravalli hills near Ranthambore, Rajasthan, India.
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  Detailed stone work, Karni Mata Temple, Bikaner Rajasthan.
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  Marble stone work, Jaisalmer Jain Temple, Rajasthan.
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  Seated Ganesha, sandstone sculpture from Rajasthan, India, 9th century, Honolulu Academy of Arts.
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  Yellow sandstone sculpture of a standing deity, 11th century CE, Rajasthan.
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  Armor coat, 18th century, Rajasthan.
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  Marble sculpture of a female, ca 1450, Rajasthan.
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  Bani Thani painting, Rajasthan.
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  Camel ride in sand dunes, Thar desert, Jaisalmer.

• List of people from Rajasthan
• Art of Rajasthan
• Culture of Rajasthan
• Marwadi
• Mandore
• Mewar
• Baniya
• Meenas
• Suthar
• Kathputli (Puppet)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rajasthani people.

• People of Rajasthan Government of Rajasthan
• "Jaisalmer Ayo! Gateway of the Gypsies" sheds light on the lifestyle, culture and politics of nomadic life in Rajasthan as it followsa group of snake charmers, storytellers, musicians, dancers and blacksmiths as they make their way across the Thar Desert to Jaisalmer.