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Gurjar or gujjar of

Origin: The origins of the are uncertain. The Gurjara appeared in northern India about the time of the Huna invasions of northern India. Some scholars, such as V. A. Smith, believed that the Gujjars were foreign immigrants, possibly a branch of (“White Huns”). D. B. Bhandarkar (1875- 1950) believed that Gujars came into India with the Hunas, and the name of the was sanskritized to “Gurjara”. He also believed that several places in , such as “Gurjistan”, are named after the Gujars and that the reminiscences of Gujar migration is preserved in these names. General Cunningham identified the Gujjars with Yuezhi or Tocharians.

In the past, Gujjars have also been hypothesized to be descended from the nomadic Khazar , although the history of shows an entirely different politico-culture ethosThis argument is chiefly based on the assumption that the word “Gujjar” is derived from the word “Khazar”; the Indo-Aryan languages lacked the sounds “kh” and “z”, converting them respectively into “g” and “j”. In Gazetteer of Bombay Presidency, the British civil servant James M. Campbell identified Gujars with Khazars.

Some Gujjars also claim that the Gujjar is related to the Chechens and the Georgians, and argue that Georgia was traditionally called “Gujaristan” (actually Gorjestan).[7][8] Some of them also claim that Germans are Gujjars. However, there is no evidence for such claims. The word “Georgia” derived from the Arabic and Persian word Gurj, and not Gujjar or .

Demography: Gujjars are mainly concentrated in the Indo-Gangetic plains, the Himalayan region, and eastern parts of , although the Gujjar diaspora is found in other places as well. A majority of Gujjars follow and , though small Gujjar communities following other religions exist.

Gujari (or Gojri), classified under Rajasthani[32], has traditionally been the primary language of the Gujjars. But, Gujjars living in different areas speak several other languages including , , Punjabi, Pothohari , Pahari languages (such as Dogri and Kangri), language, Dardic languages (such as Kashmiri and Khowar), and Balti.

Culture:

Gujjars are culturally very much depictable by dancing, religious rites and customs etc. The tribes have got inclination towards religion. Some of them have converted themselves to Hinduism and also Islam. They are the tribes who strictly follow old traditions and customs. They still follow custom of early marriages, where girls are married at an age of 14 - 15 years and boys at 17-18 years.

Occupation:

For most of the Gujjar Tribes is in the northern Indian Territory the occupation is semi nomadic tribal community. The tribals herd animals like sheeps, goats and buffalo. Semi-nomadic people of Gujjar community are in the habit of migrating to upper parts of Himalayas along with their cattle during thesummer season and back to the plains with the onset of chilly winters. There is dearth of trained Gujjar artisans in various handicrafts. Therefore, they are constantly dependent on the items needed by them from the market and the Barbers, Blacksmiths, cobblers and other artisans also move with them to various locations. These people have adopted their own way of life and Gujjars have accepted them as part of their social group.

People:

The Gujjar tribal communities have an exquisite tribal way of dressing style for both men and women which are of distinctive pattern. They have colourful with unique style of wrapping which has been a mark of the Gujjar tribal Community. Topi which is also called as Afgani hat is worn by the aged Gujjar men. Gujjar females have greatly enhanced beautiful clothes called Duppatta which looks like a shawl.

Food:

Mostly they depend on milk products as their staple food besides cereals, wheat and maize. They may be vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well. The favorite dishes of Gujjar are "Maki ki Roti" Ganhar / Sarssoon ko Sag, Lassi, Kalari, Karan, etc.It is surprising that Gujjar are mostly vegetarians. The Banhara Gujjars mainly live in "Kullas" made from Special type of grass, while Bakerwals live in temporary Doharas and in Tamboos. Settled Gujjars mainly live in "Kothas". Language:

The Gujjar tribal community has the beautiful language of Gujari also called as Gojri. The language belongs to the group. The communities have also developed fluency in other languages such as Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Pastho, Pahari languages like Kangriand Dogri.

Festivals:

Festivals are of part and parcel for Gujjar Tribal Community. They celebrate all the festivals of national significance apart from these Gujjars too have incorporated their religious beliefs and customs. Id is one the main festivals for their society which they celebrate with great festivity and enthusiasm. The has set up various commissions from time to time for identification of various weaker communities so that data and other necessary information could be collected in respect of their educational, social, economic and political status and on the basis of such data’s and resultant recommendations, such downtrodden communities could be provided avenues for development and progress.

Economy:

Gujjar Tribe has always been an exploited component with Gujjar politics which is related to the poor economic condition of this downtrodden community. The basic characteristics of Gujjar Economy are:

Labour Class, Agriculture Class, Service Class, Business Class, Dealing with Milk and Milk Products, Dealing with Mutton and Woollen products, other business related Activities. Artisans Class: The people associated with professional handicrafts, handloom and all semi-skilled activities.