Thathera

The Thathera are a Hindu community, found mainly in Northern India, who are involved in the production of metal household utensils.^[1]

History

According to their traditions, they are Chandravanshi, Suryavanshi, Agnivanshi, Rajputs and Chandravanshi. They trace their origin from Sahastrabhu, who was killed by Parsuram. They also claim descent from the Haihay kings, a medieval Hindu dynasty.^[2]

Present circumstances

The Thathera community are divided into 47 clans. The main ones are Chauhan, Parmar, Gohil, Mahecha Rathod, Vadher, Solanki, Bhatti, khasi, Kagda, Puvar all of which Rajput clans. They are known as Rajput. In Uttar Pradesh, they are found mainly in Lalitpur, Jalaun, Banda, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mirzapur and Allahabad districts. In Bihar, they are found in the districts of Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, Nawada, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Munger, and Begusarai. The Bihar Thathera are divided into a number of exogamous clans such as the Chandrahar, Chaswar, Mirdang, Amarpallo, and Peswa.^[3]

The Thathera are basically a community of artisans. Metal work, business and repair of utensils are their traditional occupations. Many of them even cultivate land, and in Bihar, many are also jewellers. In Odisha, they are called 'kansari' and the main ones of this community are the "MAHARANA"s and the "MAHAPATRA"s. Basically, they are involved with metal artisan works like 'brass', 'bronze', 'aluminium' and 'copper' etc.

The community has a caste council to resolve disputes connected with divorce, partition of property and dishonesty. They are a Hindu community.^[2]

In Rajasthan

The Thathera in Rajasthan are found in the districts Jodhpur, Alwar, Jaipur, Madhopur, Jaiselmer, Ajmer, Bikaner, Ujjain and Udaipur. They speak Khari Boli among themselves, and Rajasthani with outsiders. Their main clans in Rajasthan are Kansara:

In Haryana

In Haryana, the Thathera claim to have been Rajput, who abandoned their traditional occupation and started to manufacture silver and gold coins. They immigrated from Rajasthan in the 19th Century and settled initially in Rewari. The community then took to manufacturing utensils. A small number of Thathera who are found in the town of Jagadhari, are said to have immigrated from Pakistan. The Haryana Thathera have fifty two clans. Their main clans are the Barawashli, Anant, Godomot and Ramgarhia. The community is strictly endogamous.^[5]

The Thathera are a landless community, and their traditional occupation remains the manufacture of utensils. Many Thathera are now petty traders, involved mainly in the selling of utensils and other household items. The Haryana Thathera are Hindu, but have no particular deities.

Name of this community in Indian languages

Hindi-Thathera/Kasera/Tamrakar/ Tamera/Vadhera/hayaran,Nepali- tamo/tamot/tamrakar,

Oriya- kansari

notable people of this community

Robert vadra/vadhera(sonia gandhi's son-in-law), Esha kansara(model,actress)

References