Gaderia

Gaderia is cattle-owning caste found in North India. Gaderia, Charvaha, and Gwala ^[1] are synonyms of a herdsman. Some scholars 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).^[2]

In fact Gaderia was no particular community but an occupation which the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and other castes have taken to.^[3] 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 honorable community came to be looked upon as nomads.

History and origin

The Gaderia of each region have different accounts to explain the origin of their community.

In Haryana, they says that during the reign of King Rama (7th incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver in the Hindu Trinity) they were sent into the jungles, where they gradually took to rearing goats and sheep. They have four sub-groups, the Pal,Dhangar, Nabbhar, Kanchane and Saila. The community speak Haryanvi.^[4]

In Uttar Pradesh & Uttarkhand where a majority (4.5 million) lives and in Madhya Pradesh where they number around 7,40,000, the Baghela sect of the Gaderia derive their name from a river and trace their origin from a Baghela King. According to their traditional stories, during the Middle Ages a Baghela King ruled and they are descendant of the King.^[5]

In Maharashtra they are also known as Kurumwar and Dhangar, The Gaderia of Maharastra claim that their first ancestor was created by Mahadeo (synonym of Shiva, the Destroyer in the Hindu trinity) to tend his rams.

In Rajasthan (290,000) the Gaderia are commonly known as Gairi (from gaira, meaning sheep in the local dialect), and claim to be co-wanderers of Krishna, one of the most popularly worshiped gods who was a cowherd. Their oral tradition recalls their migration from Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, where Krishna lived.

The Gaderia people consider themselves as middle social ranking. They claim Kshatriya status, though this is disputed by the Baghela.^{[citation needed]}

Present circumstances

The Gaderia are divided into Eighty Four sub castes (GOTRAS) i.e. Kokande , Bamhaniya, Chandel, Dhingar, Haranwal, Kachhwaha, Sisodia, Nikhar, Phul Singhiya, Rathore, Sagar, Saraswar and Thambar, Foolsange, tejwal, Bania ,Mohaniya, Kumiya, Hans, Rautela, etc.

They are Hindu and worshippers of the Shakti cult. In addition, they also worship a number of village deities.

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 Gaderia are now small and medium sized farmers.

They have a caste council, which deals with issues of disputes within 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, Kokande,Chandal, Tikia-Chandan and Pipalhere. The Gadarias practice endogamy and maintain village and clan exogamy.^[4]

See also

• Gaddi
• Gujjar
• Ahir
• Fullsange
• Pal

References