Gujjars: Historical Origins & Profiles
The origin of Gujjars is still shrouded in mystery. There are various views regarding their origin:
General Cunningham’s View
Identifies Gujjars with Kushan or Yachi or Tochari, a tribe of Eastern Tartars.
- Arrival: Around a century before Christ, the Gujjars’ chief conquered Kabul and Peshawar.
- Hema Kadbhises: The chief’s son extended their influence over:
- Upper Punjab
- Banks of the Yamuna as far down as Mathura and the Vindhyas.
- King Kanishka (Successor):
- 1st Buddhist Indo-Scythian Prince.
- Annexed Kashmir to the Kingdom of Tochari.
Evidence: Besides the Jats, Gujjars are the only numerous race of foreign origin in North-Western India with significant power.
Perspectives from Other Scholars
- Migration: Gujjars migrated to India from Central Asia during the 6th Century; communication was regular via trade routes.
- Western India:
- Gujjars inhabited Western India.
- The ‘Gujarat’ province is named after Gujjars.
- ‘Gujarat’ was founded by Gujjar rulers during Akbar’s reign.
- Rajput Connection: As per most historians, Gujjars were a Rajput community.
Gujjar’s Own View & Social Evolution
- Descendants of ‘Huns’ of Gurjaras.
- 1st Mention: Found in records from 5th century onwards alongside Huns.
- Social Intermixing: Due to invasions, victories, suppression, and loss of political power, they underwent social intermixing with Indian plains people and were absorbed into Hindu society.
Gujjars of Himachal Pradesh
| Feature | Hindu Gujjars | Muslim Gujjars |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Trace origin to Yashoda (Lord Krishna’s mother) | Nomadic race (Exact date of conversion to Islam not fixed) |
| Location | Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur, Solan, Bilaspur | Chamba, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan, Sirmaur |
| Language | Local Dialect | Gujjari Dialect (Mixture of Gujarati, Urdu & Dogri); Broken Hindi with others |
| Script | Devnagri | Perso-Arabic |
Food Habits
Hindu Gujjars
- Diet: Usually Vegetarian; Non-vegetarian occasionally.
- Veg Diet: Wheat or Maize chappati, Dal of Urad and gram, Milk products & curd.
- Non-Veg: Meat of Goat & Chicken.
- Habits: Alcohol is occasional; Smoking is common for both men & women.
Muslim Gujjars
- Diet: Mostly Non-vegetarians; Mutton is occasional due to non-availability.
- Veg Diet: Maize, Chapati, Leafy vegetables, Pulses (Urad, Mah & Gram), Roots and Tubers.
- Daily Staples: Milk products like Lassi & Dahi.
- Special Occasions/Marriages: Mutton, Sweetened Rice, Dal of Mah or Chana.
- Taboos: Eating Pork and Alcoholic drinks are strictly avoided.
- Habits: Smoking is a common habit.
Social Customs & Gotras
Social Standing: Hindu Gujjars place themselves along with Kshatriyas; others may place them a grade lower.
Exogamous Gotras of Hindu Gujjars
• Khatana
• Gursi
• Motte
• Kalas
• Kalarya
• Koli
• Chhore
• Bargat
• Malehria
• Ladi
• Chauhan
• Bhunch
• Baddhena
• Chai
• Parswal
• Bag’ar
• Kautiya
• Chaichi
• Bhumpal
• Didhar
Exogamous Gotras of Muslim Gujjars
Note: These Gotras indicate their Rajput Clans.
• Bhatti
• Banja
• Khatana
• Chandel
• Chichi
• Lodha
• Padha
• Chauhan
• Bhensi
• Kasana
• Chopra
Main Muslim Gujjar Groups: (1) Bhatariye and (2) Bhanariye (with subdivisions of the above mentioned gotras).
Marriage System:
Muslim Gujjar Marriage Customs:
- Group Restrictions: No intermarriage between Bhatariye and Bhanariye groups of Muslim Gujjars.
- Changing Trends: Prohibition against clan endogamy is declining due to greater Islamization, which allows cousin marriages.
- Consanguineous Marriages: Prevalent with paternal or maternal cousins, provided they did not suckle from the same mother during infancy.
- Nikah: The formal marriage ceremony.
- Mehar: An agreed amount to be paid if the marriage is dissolved.
- Permissible Practices: Junior Levirate and Sororate are both permissible.
Hindu Gujjar Marriage Customs:
- Settling Marriage: Socioeconomic conditions are considered.
- Age of Marriage: Adulthood.
- Symbols for Women: Koka, Choori, Tikka, Bala.
- Residence & Rites: Patrilocal residence; Vedic Rites are prevalent.
Divorce:
- Permissible in both communities.
- Widow and widower marriages are both allowed within the community.