Gurjar Kshatriya Kadia

Gurjar Kshatriya / Gurjar Kshatriya Kadia also known as Kadia Kshatriya are a minority Backward, Hindu community of Gujarat state, India.^[1] They are artisan community, occupation is masonry work and are related to larger ethnic community of Kadias.

Distribution

They are found in Saurashtra, region of Gujarat where are said to have founded thirty six villages in the Halar Region of Jamnagar district.

The names of these villages are Ambala, Badanpur, Balambha, Bangaur, Bhimkata, Bhensdad, Bodka, Chavda, Dhrangdhra, Dhudkot, Dudhai, Fatsar, Jaiva, Jamsar, Jamyanthali, Jashapar, Jiragadh, Jivapar, Jodia, Kesia, Kharachia, Kotharia, Madhapar, Manamora, Manekpar, Manpar - Hirapar, Mavnagam, Meghpar, Morana, Padana, Rampar, Ranjitpar, Rohisada, Shampar, Untebshampar and Tankara.^[2][3]

They also live in large numbers in towns like Ahmedabad, Savarkundla, Dhrangadhra, Amreli, Rajula, Mahuva, Koliyak, Hajipur, Konjli, Bapda, Bhallar, Bhavnagar, Mahuva, Talaja, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Visavadar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Gondal, Dwarka, Vapi, Valsad, Godhra, Bilimora, Chikhli, Gandevi, Navsari, Diu, Daman in Saurashtra, Gujarat.^[4][5]

Outside Saurashtra their main population is in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Dhanbad, Jharia.^[6]

Further, the migrant population is found in East Africa,^[7] who later migrated to United Kingdom^[8] and USA.^[9]

Work

Traditionally, the community is involved in masonry works i.e. Kadia works and are expert architects and builders. They are generally involved in construction works, brick making and stone shaping and masonry works.^[10] Many of them were involved in contractor business during British Raj, especially as Railway Contractors and as contractors in public works department and ports where they were involved in construction and masonry works related to building of bridges, construction of buildings, docks as well railroad and road laying works, etc.^[11] However, with increase of literacy, the young generations are now also involved in services and other jobs.

Religion and customs

The community follows Hindu rituals and Hindu gods and goddess. Further, they also worship Vishwakarma, the Hindu presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects^[12] and their Kuladevata and Shurapuras. The community members attend the Shivaratri festival held at Junagadh - Girnar in large numbers, where the community also owns a large dharamshala.^[13]

The Hindu rites of marriage are followed and they are an endogamous community who practice the principle of clan exogamy. Mass community marriages are also held by community during Vasant Panchami since more than last two decades beginning in year 1986.^[14]

The common surname among them are Aajugiya, Bavaria, Bajania, Bhatti, Chothani, Chawda, Chauhan, Chotalia, Garnara, Gediya, Gohil, Kacha, Kukadia, Jadhav, Jethwa, Lakhani, Lalani, Makwana, Maru, Mavadia, Mavatia, Mevad, Mistry, Parmar, Padhiar, Poria, Rathor, Ramani, Solanki, Taunk, Vaghela, Vala, Vandra, Vanara, Varu, Wasani, Yadav, Uka, etc.^[2][10]

They are backward community included in the list of other backward communities of Gujarat State issued by Bakshi Panch.^[15]

Recent news

The community was in news when in 2008, the two boys of their community studying in Ashram run by Asaram Bapu at Ahmedabad were found dead in mysterious circumstances alleged to be victim of some tantric practices, which created a huge uproar not only in Gujarat but whole of India and they demanded CBI probe in death of the boys of their community.^[4][16][17]

Recently in 2012, the community was among the group of other backward community like Modh Vania, Rabari, Ranas, Kolis and Suthar communities, who voiced their vocal protest against policy of increasing the quota of Muslims and reducing quotas of Other Backward Class by ruling Congress government of center.^[18][19]

See also

• Kadia Kumbhar Kshatriya
• Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya

References