Gurjar

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Castes of India
Gujjar
Classification	Kshatriya.
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	Mainly Hinduism & Islam

Gurjar or Gujar, Gujjar tribe occupies the vast land in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Gujarat (India), Gujraghar (Near Gwalior), Gujranwala (Pakistan), Gujarat (Pakistan), Gujani (Gajni), Gujarkhasi (Kashmir), Gujistan (Afghanistan), Gurzia (Georgia) etc. like these, many of places and cities are named belonging to this caste and gives a glimpse to its ancient kingdoms.

Gujars were designated as a Martial Race. Martial Race was a designation created by officials of British India. The British officials described these races as naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and to possess qualities like courage, loyalty, self sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, orderliness, hard working, fighting tenacity and Military tactics.

1 Gurjar History
2 See also
3 Further reading
4 Note
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Gurjar 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 Hinduism, 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.

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] Gurjars from Maharashtra

A community of Gurjars also resides in the coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, inhabiting Pangre, Hasol, and other villages in Ratnagiri District. Originally bearing the name GurjarPadhye, some prefer to call themselves Gurjar, others Padhye. 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, more specifically, the Karhade Brahmins and speak Marathi language. This community may have been a part of the bigger Gujjar community. However it is difficult to explain why and how they settled 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 Gujjars 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.

[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, Gujari, Gujarati and Marathi.

[edit] Religion

A majority of Gujjars are Hindu, Muslim and other small communities exist.

A majority of Gurjar Hindu population lives in Gujrat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh as well as Delhi^{[citation needed]}.

Majority of Muslim Gurjars live in Pakistan: Gujranwala, Gujrat, ShakarGarh,Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Lahore etc^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Subclans

There are currently about 1200 Gotra within the Gurjars.^{[citation needed]} 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(dev), Awan, Aptali, Aswar, Almicha, Annadma, Aaga, Airri, Anjana, Aamek, Andwad, Andow, Achal, Amelia, Anolehrra

2)Basista, Bashista, Baanar, Bagadi, Babeli, Badi, Baben,Bajad, Baloch, Bania, Bagada, Bagela, Bajad, 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, bosatte, 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, Gurjar, Gugare, Gujal, Gujjar, 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, 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, Peelwar, 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, Sholay

19)Taak, Taamar, Tanwar(Yogesh),Tonger, 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

The Pratiharas
Raja Dahir: Ruler of Dibal.
Prataprao Gujar: famous Maratha general during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Chaudhry Abdul Rahim EX ( M.L.A Punjab , M.P.A West Pakistan , M.N.A Pakistan, Member District Council Sialkot). Given the title of Khan Sahib by British Government(Maingri ShakarGarh Punjab Pakistan )
Malik Fazal Din(Late)son of Malik Muhammad Suleman, famous businessman and zaminadar of Taxila, Pakistan. He has done extended work for gujjars especially the gujjars of Swat.
Chaudhry Iftikhar Taj Ex. Vice Chairman District Council Narowal Punjab Pakistan
Chaudhry Idrees Taj Member-Majlas-Shura From Maingri ShakarGarh Punjab Pakistan
Chaudhry Ishfaq Taj Ex (MNA) From Maingri ShakarGarh Punjab Pakistan
Arjun Rampal: Bollywood actor.
Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry: Former President of Pakistan.
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed: Former President of India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel: the Iron Man of the India Indian Independence Movement.
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: Gorsi Gujjar. Architect; coined the name of Pakistan.
Ghulam Muhammed: The Great 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.
Inder Kumar Gujral: Former Prime Minister of India
Mian Muhammad Baksh: Punjabi poet. Author of Saif Ul-Maluk
Chaudhry Amir Hussain: current Speaker of National Assembly of Pakistan.
Rajesh Pilot: The late leader of Indian Congress
Colonel Ram Singh Bajad: EX-PTO & Sports Officer in Indian army,Ex-Chif Coach-Cum-Services Team Manager(Wrestling),SSCB Delhi.
Sardar Muhammad Chaudhry: Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Pakistan
Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal: Minister Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan.
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.
Aftab Ahmad Sherpao: Interior Minister of Pakistan
Chaudhry Qurban Ali Chauhan Ex MNA from Sahiwal Punjab Pakistan
Major Muhammad Tufail (Nishan e Haider).Recipient of highest military award of Pakistan.
Justice (R)Ihsan ul Haq Chaudhry.Ex.judge of Lahore High Court,Lahore.
Mr.Ahmad Naseem Inspector General of Police,Punjab,Pakistan.
Justice Muhammad Sayeed Akhtar,Judge of Lahore High Court,Lahore.
Chaudry Ghulam Rasool(Retd)Joint Secretary Ministry of Law,Pakistan.
Chaudhary Devpal Awana the real warrior of Noida
Arun Kumar Gurjar, IRS, Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi
Archana Gurjar, IAS, Deputy Accountant General, Rajasthan, India
Bhairon Singh Gurjar D C P (delhi state)

[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]