The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi The GUJJARS A Book Series on History and Culture of Gujjar Tribe Vol. 1 Issue 1 2012 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi Chief Editor J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi © J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (The Contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the Academy) Mailing Address: Dr. Javaid Rahi Chief Editor, Gojri J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Lalmandi, Srinagar E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Subscription Rate: Rs. Assistance: Dr. Shahnawaz Assistant Editor Publication Officer G.N. Mir (K) Published By: J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi Srinagar/Jammu Preface Gujjars are one of the important tribes of the north-western India. In the Indian subcontinent they are spread over twelve states of India and are found in all the four provinces of Pakistan. Besides, their habitats are found in Afghanistan and Iran also. Gujjars have a strong cultural identity. They have their own culture, custom, traditions folk-lore, ethnicity and five thousand year history at their back. The greater Gujrat which was called “Gujjar Ratha” (the kingdom of Gujjars) in history was ruled by Gujjars from fifth century to 11the century AD. At that point of time the boundaries of Gujrat were spread over today’s northwestern states of India. This was the golden period of Gujjar identity. The great Gurjar-Pratihara rulers in north-western states of India during 6th to 11th centaury AD had built a number of buildings, forts, sculptures, temples, and other monuments of art. But hundreds of prestigious J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi monuments of Gujjar period are dying a slow death, and facing a grave threat of extinction. They need proper restoration programme. The royal memorabilia of Gujjar era are located in Rajasthan, Gujrat, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and in adjoining states and are portraying a vibrant and lively picture of the tribe. Notable sculptures of Pratihara period include temples standing at Osian, Abhaneri, Kotah, and the most charming sculpture, Sursundari of Gwalior of the Gurjara- Pratihara Art. Unfortunately all are in shamble. The Viswaroopa form of Vishnu and Marriage of Shiva and Parvati from Kannau are deteriorating and need immediate preservation. The first issue of ‘The Gujjars’ a book series on this important tribe is in your hands. It contains some important articles including the articles about Gujjar Prithara period. This is our first attempt to document the life and culture of this nomadic tribe. The main parts of this book contain articles highlighting different shades of history of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi Gujjars including a series by Rana Ali Hussan Chouhan, a renowned Gujjar Historian. Dr. Javaid Rahi Chief Editor CONTENTS Preface Dr. Javaid Rahi Articles Gujjars: A Tribal Identity 8 Prof. J C Sharma Gojri Poet Mehjur Rajourvi 17 M Y Taing The Gujjars of Jammu & Kashmir 21 Sati Sahni Sangu 31 J L Mam The Himalayan Gujjars 34 M A Brandon The History of Gurjars: My Viewpoint 37 Zafar-Ul-Islam Azeem Gujars Face Physical and Eco Threat 41 Luv Puri Gujjars: History and Culture 45 Dr. Javaid Rahi J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi Gurjars as Patron of Sciences 58 A. H Chauhan Gurjara-Pratihara 61 Dr.Brajesh Krishna Gujjar Women’s: Identity In Trouble 67 Dr.Imtiyaz Hussain Glorious Past of Gujjars 72 Er. Parwaiz Rana Socio-Economic Development of Minorities 77 M.S Pandit Origin of the Saka Races 86 Khshatrapa Gandasa Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes in Rajouri 109 K.D Maini Gojri -Through Ages 115 Dr. Rafique Anjum Rule of the Pratihara Gurjars over India 134 Javed Rana Hakla Gujjars – An Ancient Tribe 141 Bansi Lal Introspection: G&B Hostels 153 Zafar lqbal The Gallant Gujjar 157 B K Haq J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi A Gujjar: Sound Mind in a Healthy Body 159 Syed Maqsood Andrabi Civilizational Journey of Gujjars 160 N A Indrabi Dhars and Adhvars of Doda 163 DR. P.K. Koul Tribal of Pir Panjal 168 Prayeen Swami Proud Cultural Heritage of Gujjars 174 O.P. Sharma Gujjars - and 21st Century 251 O.P. Sharma Social Problems of Aged Gujjars 187 Simi Kandara Gujjars and the Conservation OF Forests 191 Junaid Jazib Socio-Economic & Educational Status of Nomadic 195 Gujjars of Tehsil R.S. Pura, Jammu Aadil Rashid et al. The Gujjars and their Society 202 A. R. Qazalbash Gurjar History - A view Point 214 Atif Ali Bashir Mastana: A Gojri Folk Artist 218 Gojri Research Institute J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi Erstwhile Rajauri State 221 Moti Lal Saqi A leaf from Encyclopaedia Gujrat 231 History of Gujjars: A Series of Articles 234 Rana Ali Hussan Chouhan J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi 8 GUJJARS: A Tribal Identity Prof. J C Sharma Gujjars are the semi-nomads found in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. They are more concentrated in the State of Jammu and Kashmir; there they are found in all the districts except Ladakh but their number is comparatively more in the rural areas of Punch and Rajouri districts. Punch has their largest concentration followed by Rajouri, Baramula, Anantnag, Doda, Udhampur and Srinagar districts. Gujjars mainly keep buffaloes and cows and also goats and sheep. Besides they also have horses for carrying load when they migrate from one place to another. Nomadism of Gujjars is directly connected with the needs of their herds which are their wealth. Their main profession is to breed the livestock, deal in milk and milk-products such as ghee, cheese, etc. Besides they also supply raw wool and mutton. In Jammu and Kashmir these pastoral nomads can be broadly classified into three subgroups: 1. Gujjars 2. Dodhi Gujjars and 3. Bakarwals. The main differentiation among them is based on what animal one group usually keeps and whether the group has some agricultural lands or not. For example Bakarwals keep more goats and sheep. The Gujjars mostly own some land whereas the Dodhi Gujjars and Bakarwals hardly possess any agricultural lands and most of the times they move from place to place (on their traditional routes) in search of grazing fields. However, all of these groups go to the high altitudes along with their cattle in summer. They move J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi 9 twice a year along with their families, each group of families takes a particular route and they may make an orbit of more than 200 to 300 kilometers in each trip. They come to plain areas or foot hills during the winter season. The Gujjars who have lands cultivate them. They usually grow maize and rice. In the summer they are back to their pastures which they call as tok along with their cattle and belongings. In their tok they spend five to six months between April and October and in winter they return to their respective homes. During the time they are away from their homes, usually they leave an old member of the family back at home to guard their crops and grass. They preserve the grass for winter season which they store in their fields. Dodhi Gujjars and Bakarwals move along with their whole family. Primarily all the Gujjars are engaged in pastoral economy but recently they have started entering into the agricultural economy also. Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir are invariably Muslims and practice endogamy like other Muslims, but Gujjars in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are both Hindus and Muslims. Nomadic Gujjars have sub castes like that of the Hindu Gujjars of the plain areas and Rajputs. Food Habits Gujjars have very simple food habits. Their staple food is maize and rice. The Gujjars eat maize chapatis they call turo along with butter, milk and red chilies which constitute their morning meals. Sometimes in the evening they do eat rice. They eat rice mixing it with the fresh un- boiled milk and some cooked vegetables. Inhabitation J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Srinagar/Jammu The Gujars Vol. 1 Compiled by Dr. Javaid Rahi 10 The Gujjars live on high hills as better grazing facilities are possible for their herds at high altitudes. They have some portion of cultivable lands near their hutments. Each family has a house quite apart from the other house located in the same village. This is the reason that the villages inhabited by Gujjars are scattered over long distances. And sometimes to houses of Gujjars in the same village can be miles apart and this could happen because of the hill topography. There are usually some natural boundaries between two villages such as river, uninhabitable mountainous areas. Typical topography of the area and their style of having single homesteads create the problem of interaction among themselves. Interaction Gujjars have a language of their own called Gojri.