Hinduism and Jainism in Marwari Culture
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Hinduism and Jainism in Marwari Culture Practices of dual religion Nina Agrawal Supervisor Associate Professor, Solvor M. Lauritzen MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society AVH5035: Thesis for Master's in Religion, Society and Global Issues (60 ECTS), 2020 Word count: 30021 i Acknowledgment This thesis entitled "Hinduism and Jainism in Marwari Culture": Practices of dual religion has prepared for the fulfillment of the master's degree in Religion, Society, and Global Issues under the supervision of Associate Professor Solvor M. Lauritzen (MF Norwegian School of Theology/ Ethics and Diaconal Studies). It is my privilege to get help and co-operation from different people. It is not possible to enumerate the names of all of them. However, it will be a matter of injustice if I forget the names of those personalities whose valuable suggestions and co-operation escorted me to complete this thesis. Foremost, I want to thank the Professor in Religious Studies, Iselin Frydenlund, for her assignment guidance. Similarly, I have to offer special thanks to Solvor for her supervision, suggestions, and continuous support in my assignment. She provided me both theoretical and practical knowledge to carry out this study and be persistent in accomplishing my goal. I could not remain without thanking Mr. Prabin Agrawal, President of Marwadi Yuva Manch, and Mr. Pradip Chainwala, President of Jhapa Marwadi Samaj Kathmandu, for their immense co-operation during the research work of this thesis. I would also like to thank Mrs. Rupy Singhi and Mr. Keshab Puri, who provided relevant information, data, books, and articles that helped me prepare this thesis. I am also greatly indebted to my husband, parents, family members, and friends who gave me a new vision to carry out this project and help me financially and emotionally. Doing this thesis work helped me gain in-depth knowledge of the subject; however, accomplishing the objective was not easy. The first and the most critical difficulty was the scarcity of data and information, which I experienced as the most challenging work during the study. Nevertheless, it is a pleasant feeling to accomplish the thesis finally. ii Abstract The culture shapes the religious values, faith, and belief system. Among them, Marwari culture is the one that reflects its identity and values with the duo of Hinduism and Jainism. The practices, rituals, language, food, and music reflect its ideologies as per Hinduism traditional values and give Jainism practices space to include within it. The effect of the mixture of these two religions on the Marwari community assessed with this study in the Nepalese Marwari context. The study investigates the impact of religious collision, especially (Hinduism and Jainism) on Marwaris culture. The study examines the determinants for their cultural decisions, rituals, and practices. The qualitative research shows the similarities and differences that these religions have formed in the Marwari culture. This research focuses on the Nepalese Marwaris residing in Kathmandu, Nepal, who perceive their culture from a religious perspective. It includes the analysis of the Hindu-Jain religion's impact on these Marwaris. It also clarifies the Jain minorities Marwaris for coping with Hindu majority Marwaris. Further, this research will provide a base for conducting future research in this area on a large scale. iii Table of Contents 1 CHAPTER-I............................................................................................................................1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Background of the Study...........................................................................................1 1.1.2 Objectives of the Study and research questions........................................................1 1.1.3 Methodological Approach.........................................................................................3 1.1.4 Theoretical Approach................................................................................................3 1.1.5 Limitations of the Study............................................................................................4 1.1.6 Organization of the Study..........................................................................................4 2 CHAPTER-II...........................................................................................................................6 Literature Review........................................................................................................................6 2.1.1 Theoretical approach.................................................................................................6 2.1.2 Theory of Hinduism and Jainism...............................................................................6 2.1.2.1 Hinduism in Marwaris........................................................................................8 2.1.2.2 Jainism in Marwaris...........................................................................................9 2.1.3 Knowing a Hindu-Jain Marwari..............................................................................10 2.1.4 Marwari Gotras and Their Origin:...........................................................................12 2.1.5 Knowing the Agrawals............................................................................................13 2.1.6 Marwari Culture and Traditions..............................................................................14 2.1.7 Rites of Passage in Marwaris...................................................................................15 2.1.7.1 Birth..................................................................................................................15 2.1.7.2 Puberty..............................................................................................................16 2.1.7.3 Marriage...........................................................................................................17 2.1.7.4 Death................................................................................................................18 2.1.8 Cultural Identity Theory..........................................................................................18 iv 2.1.8.1 Language..........................................................................................................20 2.1.8.2 Music and Dance..............................................................................................20 2.1.8.3 Art and craft......................................................................................................21 2.1.8.4 Dress.................................................................................................................22 2.1.8.5 Festivals............................................................................................................23 2.1.8.6 Food..................................................................................................................25 2.1.8.7 Business as their identity..................................................................................25 2.1.9 Migration Theory.....................................................................................................26 2.1.9.1 Migration of Marwaris.....................................................................................26 2.1.9.2 Factors Leading to Marwaris Migration in Nepal............................................27 2.1.9.3 Challenges of Marwaris Migration...................................................................28 2.1.10 Gender theory..........................................................................................................28 2.1.10.1 Hinduism and Gender.......................................................................................29 2.1.10.2 Jainism and Gender..........................................................................................31 2.1.10.3 Comparing Religion and Gender in Marwari culture.......................................33 3 CHAPTER-3..........................................................................................................................35 Research Methodology..............................................................................................................35 3.1.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................35 3.1.2 Significance of Research.........................................................................................36 3.1.3 Research Design......................................................................................................36 3.1.3.1 Qualitative Research Method...........................................................................37 3.1.4 Data Collection Method...........................................................................................38 3.1.4.1 Data Source......................................................................................................38 3.1.4.2 Site selection and description...........................................................................39 3.1.5 Qualitative Interviews..............................................................................................40 v 3.1.5.1 Semi-structured Interviews...............................................................................40 3.1.5.2 Interview