Sansi people

Sansi is a nomadic tribe, originally located in the Rajasthan area of northwestern India, but expelled in the 13th century by Muslim invaders and now spreadd to states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab as well as scattered throughout India. They are often confused with other ethnic groups called Sansi, as Sansi is a widespread name in South Asia.^[1][2]

Their language is Sansiboli, Sansi or Bhilki that is a highly endangered Indo-Aryan language of the Central group, total speakers ca. 60,000 (2002).^[3][4] Their traditional occupations vary, from trading to farming.

History

They are often confused with other ethnic groups called Sansi, as Sansi is a widespread name in South Asia.^[5][6] During British rule in India they were placed under the Criminal Tribes Act 1871, hence stigmatized for a long time,^[7] after independence however they were denotified in 1952.^[8]

By religion they are mostly Hindu and Sansi saints are Malang Shah and others. Some of them are Muslims now and residing in Pakistan. These minority Muslims hid their identity as Sansi but recently have accepted their traditional roots, but they are freedom fighter.

References