पाल/बघेल/गडरिया/गाडरी/गायरी/रेवारी/धनगर/नीखर/कुरुबा/हटकर/होल्कर/मराठा/सेंगर/ जाति की प्रारंभिक उत्पत्ति

वास्तव गडरिया कोई जाति नहीं थी यह एक पेशा हुआ करता था किन्तु प्राचीन समय में पेशे से ही जाति की उत्पत्ति होती थी जैसे चमड़े का कार्य करने वाले चर्मकार अथवा चमार बन गए,लकड़ी का कार्य करने वाले बढाई बन गए लोहे का कार्य करने वाले लोहार बन गए इसी प्रकार भेड पालने वाले गडरिया बन गए! गडरिया शब्द गड़र से निकला है जो कि गांधार से लिया गया है क्युकी भेड को सबसे पहले गांधार से ही लाया गया था!गडरिया जाति को एक मूल जाति माना जाता है तथा इसके साथ अन्य उपजातियां इस प्रकार हैं पाल,बघेल,कुरुबा,धनगर ,गायरी,रेवारी,होल्कर,गाडरी,हटकर,सेंगर इत्यादि!

पाल शब्द संस्कृत शब्द पाला से आया है जिसका अर्थ होता है 'पालने वाला' अथवा 'रखने वाला'! उत्तर भारत में जो लोग भेड बकरिया पालते थे उनको पाल कहा जाता था किन्तु पाल सरनेम सबसे पहले बंगाल और बंगाल के पास के क्षेत्र वर्तमान बांग्लादेश में गुप्तोत्तर कालीन कायस्थ राजाओं ने उपयोग किया वहाँ पाल सरनेम कायस्थों द्वारा लगाया जाता है!उसके बाद महाराष्ट्र की एक शिकार करने वाली जाति ने पाल शब्द को सरनेम बनाया तथा बाद में पाल सरनेम को ग्वालियर के राजा ने अपनाया!इसी प्रकार पाल सरनेम को गढ़वाल के परमार राजपूत राजाओं ने अपनाया किन्तु बाद में उन्होंने इसको सिंह के नाम से परिवर्तित कर दिया!इस प्रकार कहा जा सकता है कि उत्तर भारत में पाल सरनेम को भेड बकरियां पालने वाले गडरिया लोगो ने लगाया और पाल गडरिया की एक उपजाति बन गयी!

उत्तर प्रदेश एवं आसपास के क्षेत्र में बघेल सरनेम एक नदी के कारण लिया गया है जो बघेल साम्राज्य के सीमा पर बहती थी उस नदी के आसपास जो गडरिया निवास करते थे वो अपने आप को बघेल/बाघेला कहने लगे तथा अपने आप को बघेल वंशज मानने लगे!

गायरी/गाडरी/रेवारी- ये उपजातियां राजस्थान में प्रचलित हैं राजस्थानी भाषा में गायर शब्द का अर्थ भेड से निकाला जाता है इस प्रकार राजस्थान में भेड पालने वाले गड़रियों द्वारा गायरी/गाडरी सरनेम का उपयोग किया जाता है!रेवारी शब्द रेवड़/रेवर से आया है राजस्थान में भेड़ों/बकरियों के झुण्ड को रेवर कहा जाता है इस प्रकार गायरी/गाडरी/रेवारी भी गडरिया जाति की उपजातियां बनी!

कुरुंबा उपजाति दक्षिण भारत में पायी जाति है तेलुगु भाषा में कुरुबा का मतलब भेड होता है इस प्रकार वहाँ भेड पालने वाले गड़रियों द्वारा कुरुबा सरनेम को अपनाया गया और कुरुंबा भी गडरिया की एक उपजाति बनी!

धनगर उपजाति महाराष्ट्र एवं दक्षिण भारत के अन्य राज्यों में प्रचलित है धनगर शब्द एक संस्कृत शब्द 'धेनुगर' से लिया गया है,जिसका अर्थ चरवाहे से होता है धनगर शब्द एक पहाड़ी 'धनग' के नाम से भी माना जाता है जो महाराष्ट्र में स्थित है एवं वहाँ चरवाहे रहा करते थे!महाराट्र में धनगर की बहुत सी उपजातियां है जैसे- धनगर/मराठा/हटकर/सेंगर/होल्कर महाराट्र में प्रचलित उपजातियां हैं हटकर लोग महाराष्ट्र,गुजरात,कर्नाटक एवं अन्य दक्षिण भारत के राज्यों में रहने वाले लोग थे!महाराष्ट्र के हटकर लोग भेड पालने वाले लड़ाकू जनजाति से थे बाद में हटकर लोगों में से ही शिवाजी निकले और मराठा राजवंश की स्थापना की!यहाँ यह बताना जरुरी है कि सभी मराठा हटकर नहीं हैं!मराठा राजवंश से ही होल्कर राजवंश बना इस प्रकार होल्कर भी गडरिया जाति की उपजाति बनी!होल्कर मध्य प्रदेश में इंदौर के प्रशासक बने!सेंगर लोग वो लोग थे जो गडरिया तो थे ही लेकिन वो भेड पालने के साथ उनकी ऊन से कम्बल बना कर बेचा करते थे!हटकर उपजाति में भी अन्य उपजातियां हैं जैसे-बारहट्टी/बारहट्टा/बरगाही/बाराहघर!

नीखर और धनगर में क्या अंतर है?- इसके पीछे एक कहानी जुडी हुई है!ये मात्र एक कहानी है जिसमे धनगर स्वयं को बड़ा मानते हैं और निखर खुद को इसमें सच्चाई नहीं है इसलिए सामाजिक समरसता के लिए धनगर निखर के भेदभाव को समाप्त कर एक होकर समाज की प्रगति में योगदान करना आवश्यक है!

Prepared by-Raj Holkar

Sangolli Raayanna The Great Warrior

Shree Sangolli Raayanna (Kuruba) a great Warrior under Shree Channamma, the Queen of Kittur Kingdom. He was born on 15-8-1798 (Independence-Day) in Sangolli Village of Karnaataka and he was hanged by the Britishers to a Banyan Tree in Nandhagada Village, on 26-1-1831 (Republic-Day). A Kannada Film named after him is produced by Shree Anand Appugola (Kuruba), a deciple of Sangolli-Raayanna, is scheduled for release on 1-11-2012, the day of 'Karnaataka Raajyothsava Day' (State Re-organisation Day). The Budget of the film is ever-high in Kannada Film Industry. Source:- Shree Kuruba Vikaas Prathistaana (Dhommalooru Seethaaraama)

कहां खो गये महान शासक यशवंतराव होलकर ! राज़नामा.कॉम।

एक ऐसा भारतीय शासक जिसने अकेले दम पर अंग्रेजों को नाकों चने चबाने पर मजबूर कर दिया था। इकलौता ऐसा शासक, जिसका खौफ अंग्रेजों में साफ-साफ दिखता था। एकमात्र ऐसा शासक जिसके साथ अंग्रेज हर हाल में बिना शर्त समझौता करने को तैयार थे। एक ऐसा शासक, जिसे अपनों ने ही बार-बार धोखा दिया, फिर भी जंग के मैदान में कभी हिम्मत नहीं हारी। इतना महान था वो भारतीय शासक, फिर भी इतिहास के पन्नों में वो कहीं खोया हुआ है। उसके बारे में आज भी बहुत लोगों को जानकारी नहीं है। उसका नाम आज भी लोगों के लिए अनजान है। उस महान शासक का नाम है – यशवंतराव होलकर।
यह उस महान वीरयोद्धा का नाम है, जिसकी तुलना विख्यात इतिहास शास्त्री एन एस इनामदार ने ‘नेपोलियन’ से की है। भास्कर नॉलेज पैकेजके अंतर्गत आज हम आपको इसी वीर योद्धा के बारे में बताने जा रहे हैं। पश्चिम मध्यप्रदेश की मालवा रियासत के महाराज यशवंतराव होलकर का भारत की आजादी के लिए किया गया योगदान महाराणा प्रताप और झांसी की रानी लक्ष्मीबाई से कहीं कम नहीं है। यशवतंराव होलकर का जन्म 1776 ई. में हुआ। इनके पिता थे – तुकोजीराव होलकर। होलकर साम्राज्य के बढ़ते प्रभाव के कारण ग्वालियर के शासक दौलतराव सिंधिया ने यशवंतराव के बड़े भाई मल्हारराव को मौत की नींद सुला दिया। इस घटना ने यशवंतराव को पूरी तरह से तोड़ दिया था। उनका अपनों पर से विश्वास उठ गया। इसके बाद उन्होंने खुद को मजबूत करना शुरू कर दिया। ये अपने काम में काफी होशियार और बहादुर थे।
इसका अंदाजा इसी से लगाया जा सकता है कि 1802 ई. में इन्होंने पुणे के पेशवा बाजीराव द्वितीय व सिंधिया की मिलीजुली सेना को मात दी और इंदौर वापस आ गए। इस दौरान अंग्रेज भारत में तेजी से अपने पांव पसार रहे थे। यशवंत राव के सामने एक नई चुनौती सामने आ चुकी थी। भारत को अंग्रेजों के चंगुल से आजाद कराना। इसके लिए उन्हें अन्य भारतीय शासकों की सहायता की जरूरत थी। वे अंग्रेजों के बढ़ते साम्राज्य को रोक देना चाहते थे। इसके लिए उन्होंने नागपुर के भोंसले और ग्वालियर के सिंधिया से एकबार फिर हाथ मिलाया और अंग्रेजों को खदेड़ने की ठानी। लेकिन पुरानी दुश्मनी के कारण भोंसले और सिंधिया ने उन्हें फिर धोखा दिया और यशवंतराव एक बार फिर अकेले पड़ गए। उन्होंने अन्य शासकों से एकबार फिर एकजुट होकर अंग्रेजों के खिलाफ लड़ने का आग्रह किया, लेकिन किसी ने उनकी बात नहीं मानी। इसके बाद उन्होंने अकेले दम पर अंग्रेजों को छठी का दूध याद दिलाने की ठानी। 8 जून 1804 ई. को उन्होंने अंग्रेजों की सेना को धूल चटाई। फिर 8 जुलाई, 1804 ई. में कोटा से उन्होंने अंग्रेजों को खदेड़ दिया। 11 सितंबर, 1804 ई. को अंग्रेज जनरल वेलेस्ले ने लॉर्ड ल्युक को लिखा कि यदि यशवंतराव पर जल्दी काबू नहीं पाया गया तो वे अन्य शासकों के साथ मिलकर अंग्रेजों को भारत से खदेड़ देंगे। इसी मद्देनजर नवंबर, 1804 ई. में अंग्रेजों ने दिग पर हमला कर दिया।
इस युद्ध में भरतपुर के महाराज रंजित सिंह के साथ मिलकर उन्होंने अंग्रेजों को उनकी नानी याद दिलाई। यही नहीं इतिहास के मुताबिक उन्होंने 300 अंग्रेजों की नाक ही काट डाली थी। अचानक रंजित सिंह ने भी यशवंतराव का साथ छोड़ दिया और अंग्रजों से हाथ मिला लिया। इसके बाद सिंधिया ने यशवंतराव की बहादुरी देखते हुए उनसे हाथ मिलाया। अंग्रेजों की चिंता बढ़ गई। लॉर्ड ल्युक ने लिखा कि यशवंतराव की सेना अंग्रेजों को मारने में बहुत आनंद लेती है। इसके बाद अंग्रेजों ने यह फैसला किया कि यशवंतराव के साथ संधि से ही बात संभल सकती है। इसलिए उनके साथ बिना शर्त संधि की जाए। उन्हें जो चाहिए, दे दिया जाए। उनका जितना साम्राज्य है, सब लौटा दिया जाए।
इसके बावजूद यशवंतराव ने संधि से इंकार कर दिया। वे सभी शासकों को एकजुट करने में जुटे हुए थे। अंत में जब उन्हें सफलता नहीं मिली तो उन्होंने दूसरी चाल से अंग्रेजों को मात देने की सोची। इस मद्देनजर उन्होंने 1805 ई. में अंग्रेजों के साथ संधि कर ली। अंग्रेजों ने उन्हें स्वतंत्र शासक माना और उनके सारे क्षेत्र लौटा दिए। इसके बाद उन्होंने सिंधिया के साथ मिलकर अंग्रेजों को खदेड़ने का एक और प्लान बनाया। उन्होंने सिंधिया को खत लिखा, लेकिन सिंधिया दगेबाज निकले और वह खत अंग्रेजों को दिखा दिया। इसके बाद पूरा मामला फिर से बिगड़ गया। यशवंतराव ने हल्ला बोल दिया और अंग्रेजों को अकेले दम पर मात देने की पूरी तैयारी में जुट गए।
इसके लिए उन्होंने भानपुर में गोला बारूद का कारखाना खोला। इसबार उन्होंने अंग्रेजों को खदेड़ने की ठान ली थी। इसलिए दिन-रात मेहनत करने में जुट गए थे। लगातार मेहनत करने के कारण उनका स्वास्थ्य भी गिरने लगा। लेकिन उन्होंने इस ओर ध्यान नहीं दिया और 28 अक्टूबर 1806 ई. में सिर्फ 30 साल की उम्र में वे स्वर्ग सिधार गए। इस तरह से एक महान शासक का अंत हो गया। एक ऐसे शासक का जिसपर अंग्रेज कभी अधिकार नहीं जमा सके। एक ऐसे शासक का जिन्होंने अपनी छोटी उम्र को जंग के मैदान में झोंक दिया। यदि भारतीय शासकों ने उनका साथ दिया होता तो शायद तस्वीर कुछ और होती, लेकिन ऐसा नहीं हुआ और एक महान शासक यशवंतराव होलकर इतिहास के पन्नों में कहीं खो गया और खो गई उनकी बहादुरी, जो आज अनजान बनी हुई है।

!!!...Mahan Krantiveer Sangolli Rayanna...!!!

The Great Freedom Fighter Veer Sangolli Rayanna,(15 August 1798 – 26 January 1831) was a prominent freedom fighter from Karnataka,India.He fought the British till his death.He was the army chief of the Kingdom of Kittur ruled at the time by Rani Chennamma.Rayanna was born in the small village of Sangolli,he belonged to the Kuruba /Dhangar caste and hence a warrior.A film was made on his life and achievements.


Kittur War:

When the British wanted to secede the kingdom to their empire by putting forward the doctrine of lapse as Rani Chennamma’s son was adopted,the queen refused to secede her kingdom after her husband’s death.Aided by Rayanna,she fought British bravely but was defeated and imprisoned.

ek aisi mahila jo lad rahi hai sabhi mahilao ke haq ke liye aur wo hain apni Sampat Pal Devi...............kon kehta hai ki sab log apne matlab ke liye ladte hai dekhiye ek jhalak .."The Gulabi Gang commanded by Sampat Devi Pal




to view the video of "The Gulabi Gang" then check this link..."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHl_nLDptV8&feature=fvwrel"

Who Is Dhangar ????????

The Dhangar (Sanskrit / Devanāgarī: धनगर ) caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The literal translation of the name Dhangar is "Wealthy". The Dhangars of the Northern or Southern India are reasonably considered to belong to the same race. The word Dhangar is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Dhenu' i.e. Cow. They are called by different synonyms like Dhangar, Dhangad and Dhanpal. Dhang also means a hill or a mountain. During the times of hardship some Kshatriyas went to the mountains and hills with their sheep and cows and stayed in the forests: these people are called Dhangars.

The “Ain-i-Akbari” describes them as being a proud, refractory and domineering race of Rajputs, living in the Basim Sircar and, with numerous armed forces, occupying the forts and controlling the surrounding districts.

Their original home is said to be Gokul Vrindavan near Mathura. From Gokul they are said to be moved to Mewar and from Mewar to have spread into Gujrat and Maharashtra.

Lord Krishna was Dhangar. Nand Meher, the foster father of Lord Krishna, also belonged to this caste. Lord Krishna, Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ were all Shepherds. Metaphorically, the term Shepherd is used for God.

Initially there were twelve tribes of Dhangar and they had a Division of labour amongst brothers of one family. This latter formed three sub-divisions and one half division (3.5). These three being Hatkar (Shepherds), Ahir (Cowherds) or Mhaskar(Gujar)(Buffaloe keepers), and Khutekar (Wool and Blanket weavers) / Sangar. The half division is called Khateek or Khatik (Butchers). All sub-castes fall in either of these divisions. All sub-divisions emerge from one stock and all sub-divisions claim to be a single group of Dhangars. Studies have revealed that they are genetically the closest. The number three and a half is not a random selection but has a religious and cosmological significance.







Sub castes

Ahir, Pal-Pali, Baghel, Mhaskar / Bargujar / Gurjar, Hatkar (Assal/Assali)/ Bargi / Barahatti / Barhatta / Bargahi / Baragahi / Bande (Revolutionary) / Zende (Brave) / Bhillari / Khillari / Metkari / Dange / Bakarwal / Pohol / Bharwad / Shippi /Banne / Kuruba (meaning trustworthy) / Kanore / Kanade /Katmore/ Kurmar / Kurbar / Kurumbar / Idaiyan / Idaiyar / Idaiga / Konar / Gavali / Golla / Mohaniya, Neekhar/Nikher, Khutekar / Gire / Dewanga / Kshitri / Khatri, Kuktekar, Sagar/,Sengar / Sangar / Shegar, Lad Mendhe / Ladse, Jhade / Jhadi / Zade, Hulwan, Konkani, Mahure / Mahurai, Telange, Tellari, Warhade / Varadi / Barade[20], Khatik / Rangiya / Chikva / Kasai / Ghodchade / Sonkar / Sunkhar / Birwal Jain / Badgujar / Vihari Vaishya / Meve Farosh / Halal / Kalal / Chakhana Kakal / Bakar Kasab / Purbiya / Kaseruval / Lad / Katik, Oraon, Talwar, Banjara / Vanjara, Kambar, Shirotya, Utekar, Gadge Dhangars are also called as Gauli/Govali/Gavali/ in Karnataka and Goa.






Origin and History

Captain Fitzgerald had observed that ‘the general idea is that originally there were Twelve Tribes of Bargi-Dhangars, who came from Hindustan, and the country about Hingoli was called Bara Hatti (Hatkar)’. The term Bara-Hatti could thus mean a country of the Dhangars of twelve hattis. The term Hatkar is derived from hatti. According to the Dravidian Etymological Dictionary, h(p)atti has the following meanings: pen (Kannada), hamlet (Malayalam), cowstall, sheepfold (Tamil). A hatti would therefore mean a sheep pen or a camp or a settlement of sheep-keepers. In the old Kannada lexicon hattikara occurs as a synonym of govali, or cowherds. These etymological linkages indicate a connection between the sheep and cattle keepers. The term means a camp of sheep-cattle keepers. Bara-hatti means a village consisting of twelve vadis. The vadi constitutes 20-23 Dhangar families.

The word “hat” means obstinacy in Marathi and “hatti” means being obstinate .Therefore "hatkar" means people who are obstinate. Captain Fitz Gerald, once an assistant commissioner in Berar, made the following observation:- “The Hatkars declare that they came prior to the Nizam becoming subhedar of Deccan on behalf of the King of Delhi. The Hatkars are all Bargi Dhangars, or the Shepherds with the Spears. The Hatkars say that they formerly, when going on any expedition, took only a blanket seven hands long and a bear-spear (Barcha/Barchi in Marathi), and that on this account they were called Bargir, or Barga Dhangars. The temper of Hatkars is said to be obstinate and quarrelsome. The great National weapon of Maratha country during Shivaji era was the Spear. A famous couplet of a Bengali cradle song, created by Oriya and Bengali people to make their babies sleep at night is quoted below.

"Chhele ghumalo para juralo Bargi elo deshe

Bulbulite dhan kheyechhe khajna debo kise?"

Hushed the child sleeps and quiet is the neighborhood now, for the Bargis have descended on our land; the bulbulis have eaten away our crops, how shall we pay our land tax?' Raghuji Karande ( Marathi : रघुजी कारंडे ) was the General of the Army of the Nagpur kingdom of Bhosale's i.e. of Raghoji I Bhonsle and Janoji Bhonsle. He had the entire army of Nagpur Bhosales under his command and was directly responsible only to them. He was considered to be one of the most capable and trustworthy persons of the Bhosales.

They are even now noted for their martial qualities and readily become soldiers. The armies of Shivaji were composed of recruits mainly drawn from this caste who were the most trusted by Shivaji. The bravest Maratha leaders, among whom the Holkars are the most distinguished, are of this tribe. When tending and driving sheep and goats Dhangars ejaculate 'Har, Har,' which is a name of Mahadeo used by devotees in worshipping him. The Dhangars furnished a valuable contingent to Sivaji's guerilla soldiery. The battle cry of the Marathas, “Har Har Mahadeo”, was used by the Dhangars—showing that Mavalas or the soldiers of Shivaji were Dhangars. These people of Maval or mountain valley above the Ghats were called Mavalas and below the Ghats towards the sea were called Hetkaris. Dhangars were thus the first people who became the soldiers of Shivaji.

At the time of his Coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj showed that he belonged to the Gahlot (i.e. Sisodiya / Ranas of Mewar) Clan. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to this caste. The associates of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were Balwantrao Devkate, Nimbaji Patole, Dadaji Kakade, Venkoji Khandekar, Dhanaji Shingade, Banaji Birje, Yesaji Thorat, Heroji Shelke, Bhavanrao Devkate, Mankoji Dhangar, Amdoji Pandhare, Godaji Pandhare, Indraji Gorad, Naikji Pandhare, Raiji Gadade, Bahirji Bandgar, Hande, Mahanavar.

The Shepherds of Maratha country are called Marathe (Marhatta (Singular) / Marhatte (Plural)/ Bar-hatta, i.e. Hatkar) (Hatkars of Western Maharashtra and Konkan are also called Maratha Dhangar). The Prakrit word Marhatta is found in Jain Maharashtri literature. Shahu Maharaj coined the word Maratha for the peasant section i.e. Kunbi. Historically "Maratha" was a common term used for people of Maharashtra region that speak Marathi. Today, however, the term "Maratha" refers only to those Marathi-speaking people who also belong to certain specific Hindu castes: for one available listing, refer to Maratha clan system. Thus, the terms "Maratha people" and "Maratha-Dhangar" are not interchangeable and should not be confused for each other. All Dhangars of Western Maharashtra and Konkan / Marhatta country, like Holkars, can be termed Marathas, but all Marathas are not Dhangars. For one available listing of Dhangars, refer to List of Dhangar clans in India.

The Dhangar name is exclusively used for the Shepherd Caste of Maharashtra. The Dhangar community is one of the oldest existing communities of India, tracing its history back to Mahabharata times. They have originated several ruling dynasties, most recently the Holkars of Indore. Prominent Dhangars have been Hakkaraya and Bukkaraya, founders of the Vijayanagara Empire. Dhangars have founded the Hoysalas, Holkar, Rashtrakutas, Maurya, Pallav dynasties. In addition the poets Kalidasa and Kanakadasa were also Dhangars. The famous Vithoba temple at Pandharpur was built by Vishnuvardhana, a Dhangar from the Hoysala Dynasty. The famous Meenakshi temple was built by Pallavas who were Dhangars. There is a tradition that Deoghur or Daulatabad was built in 1203 AD by a Dhangar or herdsman who acquiring by some unusual good fortune vast wealth was named by his brother shepherds Rajah Ram and soon after assumed the rank of a Raja. This warrior community, in the districts of Nanded, Parbhani and Berar, across the Painganga River, were in open rebellion from 1798 A. D. till 1820 A. D. under the brave leadership of Novsaji Naik and had taken possession of a number of strongholds.

Traditionally being Warriors, Shepherds, Cowherds, Buffaloe keepers, Blanket & Wool Weavers, Butchers and Farmers, Dhangars were late to take up modern day education. Though it has a notable population not only in Maharashtra but also in India, had a rich history, today it is still politically highly unorganized community and is socially, educationally, economically and politically backward. They lived a socially isolated life due to their occupation, wandering mainly in forests, hills and mountains.

For the affirmative action or the Reservation in India they are distributed into Advanced Class, Other Backward Class, Nomadic Tribe, Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste through out India.

In Maharashtra though they were classified as extremely backward since Independence they got reservation in 1990 after peaceful and non-violent agitation in 1989. The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi told the State Government to immediately implement the Scheduled Tribe status but the Sharad Pawar led State government depreived the ST status and included them as Nomadic Tribe in 1990. The Creamy layer is excluded from reservations. In 2004, the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in a rally at Pandharpur declared that if BJP lead NDA comes to power they would immediately confer the ST status. The All India Dhangar Association is still fighting to get the ST status.







Kuldaivat

Jejuri is one of the famous temples in Maharashtra. The God of Jejuri - Khandoba (Lord Shiva), the husband of Banai (from the Dhangar caste), is popular amongst the Dhangars as it is their Kuladaivat. Dhangars worship various forms of Father Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Mother Parvati and Mother Mahalaxmi as their Kuldaivat, like Khandoba, Biroba, Mhasoba,Dholoba (Dhuleshwar), Vithoba, Janai, Malai, Tulai, Padubai, Ambabai. They generally worship the temple of these Gods that is nearest to their residence which becomes their kuladev and kuladevi. The place of their Kuladev and Kuladevi would mean that their original place of residence was some where in that region.





Dhangari Gaja

This is a dance form performed by Dhangars of Solapur district of Maharashtra. Their poetry is mainly inspired by the evergreen trees all around. The poetry is in a form called 'Ovi' which is made up of couplets. These poems also contain tales of the birth of their God "Biruba" or Birappa or Viroba, in simple and basic lines. The group of dancers surrounds the drum players and move at the drummers' rhythm.





Other Names

Dhangars are identified by different names in different regions of the country.[70] The names vary from area to area and from district to district

Ahir,Ahir,Aagalave, Ahiyaru, Andar, Appugol,Bargujars, Bagadi, Brijbasi / Ghosh / Bargahi / Baragahi / Bargi (meaning- cattle owners) (UP), Bakarwal (Jammu & Kashmir), Bhadiyar / Gangajali, Bharavadaru, Bhati / Bhatia / Chang / Ghirath (Punj), Charan, Devanga, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanpal / Dhangod, Doddi Gowda, Drokpa, Gaddi / Garri, Gaderia / Gadhariya / Gadaria / Gadariya / Gareri / Gauriya (UP, MP, Bihar), Gadri / Gairi / Gari / Gadade/Gawade/Ghosi / Gurjar / Dewasi / Charvaha (Rajasthan), Gari / Bharud / Ghosi (MP), Gavara (AP), Ghancha / Ghanchi, Golla / Gola / Gond /Gaola / Bagal, Gollavadu / Gowdiga, Gop (Assam), Gopal, Gounder, Gowda, Gwala / Gwal, Gavali (Goa, Karnataka), Gurung, Halumatha, Haridas, Hati (Soldier) (Guj), Heggades, Idaiga / Idyar / Idiyan / Idaiyar / Konar (Tamil Nadu), Kalali / Kalari, Kalavar, Kamaria, Kamli, Kanne, Kantak, Khuruk, Khatri, Kuruba Gowda, Gauliga, Kacha Gauliga, Kuruba (Karnataka, AP), Kuruma, Kurumavaaru, Kuda, Kurkhi, Kurmar / Kurma / Kurumba / Kurumbar / Kurumans / Kurubaru (Tamil Nadu), Kurupu, Mendpal, Magadha / Magadhi / Maghi (Bihar), Maldhari / Bharwad / Rabari / Jagri / Khavas / Gopalak (Gujrath), Meshshawak (Bengal), Mirdha, Muniyani, Naikers, Oraon / Saile / Agrayya (East India), Nayer, Neekhar/ Nikhers (North India), Paalakyatriya, Pal-Pali / Baghel / Rajpal (North India), Palaru, Poduvar, Raika, Yadavalu, Redharu, Rakhal, Bherarokhiya, Meshpalak, Meshpal, Attutidiyan, Attiyan, Bhagat, Bhedwar, Haldhar, Chagal etc.





Dhangar Scheduled tribe issue

Dhangar community in Maharashtra has been agitating for the implementation of Scheduled Tribe status. According to them Dhangar and Dhangad is one and the same and Dhangar community is included in the List of Scheduled Tribes in India#Maharashtra at Sr. no 36 Oraon, Dhangad. The only community present in the state is Dhangar that can be spelt as Dhangad and pronounced as Dhangar. There is no such community called Dhangad present in Maharashtra. The etnological and antropological information of Dhangad and Dhangar given in the reports is same which is of Shepherds. That is both the words mean a same single community which is Shepherds of Maharashtra. State of Maharashtra had twice recommended the Government of India to include the Dhangar community in the list of Scheduled Tribe. Even in 1989, the CAG report recommended the inclusion of Dhangar community in the list of Scheduled Tribe.

However, the State of Maharashtra has not implemented the Scheduled Tribe status as according to them Dhangar and Dhangad are two distinct communities of Maharashtra.





Notable Dhangars

* Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Founder of Marhatta Empire

* Holkars (Marhatta Empire)
o Malhar Rao Holkar
o Punyaslok Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar - ("Catherine the Great, Elizabeth, Margaret of India”)
o Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar.
o The Great Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar ("Napoleon of India")
o Bhimabai Holkar.


* Kadamba

* Karande
o Raghuji Karande. General of Army of Nagpur kingdom of Raghoji I Bhonsle.
o Krishnaji Karande. Subedar(Governor or Military and Administrative head) in Nagpur kingdom of Bhonsle.

* Maurya
o Chandragupta Maurya ("Alexander of India")[89]
o Ashoka the Great

* Novsaji Naik.
* Sangolli Rayanna


* Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri.

Great Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar

Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Sawai Shri Yashwantrao Holkar Bahadur, Maharaja of Indore was born in 1776.
He has been described by a historian as the “Napoleon of India”.

He was the son of Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar who had conquered Attock in 1758 and had hoisted the saffron flag beyond the Sindhu river. Even today, there is a saying in Marathi “Attake par zhenda phadkawane”. Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar had defeated Tippu Sultan in March 1787 and hoisted Saffron flag beyond Tungabhadra River. After the demise of Malharrao Holkar’s (d. 20 May 1766 at Alampur ) daughter-in-law Punyaslok Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar on 13 August 1795 at Maheshwar, Maharaja Tukojirao Holkar succeeded to the throne. He died on 15 August 1797 at Khadki near Pune. After his death, the eldest son Kashirao was chosen as the heir. Tukojirao had four sons Kashirao, Malharrao (II), Vitthojirao and Yashwantrao (also called as Jaswant Rao).

Kashirao was not an able ruler but Malharrao Holkar (II) had all the qualities of an able ruler and was also a Military leader. Naturally, the people and the soldiers preferred Malharrao (II). Malharrao (II), Vitthojirao and Yashwantrao opposed Kashirao and demanded that Malharrao(II) should be the heir after Maharaja Tukojirao. Another reason was the immense courage, leadership and bravery shown by Malharrao (II) in the Battle of Lakhairi (1793) where the Holkars were defeated by the well-trained modern army of Scindia under the command of Benoît de Boigne. He stood till the last soldier fell in the battlefield, he was wounded and fell unconscious in the battlefield. There was a growing support for Malharrao(II) and Kashirao felt his authority was in danger so he sought help of Scindia, who were considered jealous of Holkars due to the growing prominence and rising power of Holkars in North India. This move angered the people as they hated the Scindias who had betrayed Holkars when Holkars had besieged the Kumher Fort in 1754. On 14/09/1797 Daulatrao Scindia suddenly attacked Malharrao (II) and killed him. He imprisoned Malharrao’s pregnant wife Jijabai, who gave birth to Khanderao Holkar (II), and Bhimabai Holkar, daughter of Yashwantrao Holkar. Nana Phadnawis condemned this and so the Peshwa, Scindia and Sarjarao Ghatke imprisoned him.

Yashwantrao Holkar took shelter at Nagpur’s Raghuji Bhosale. When Scindia learnt this, he asked Raghuji Bhosale to arrest Yashwantrao Holkar. Accordingly, Yashwantrao Holkar was arrested on 20/02/1798. Bhawani Shankar Khatri who was with Yashwantrao helped him to escape and both of them escaped from Nagpur on 06/04/1798. After that Yashwantrao Holkar never trusted anybody. Meanwhile the support for Yashwantrao Holkar was growing. Vitthojirao Holkar, Fatthesinh Mane, Aamir Khan, Bhawani Shankar Bakshi, Zunzhar Naik, Govardhan Naik, Rana Bhau Sinha, Balaji Kamlakar, Abhay Sinha, Bharmal Dada, Parashar Dada, Govind Pant Ganu, Harmat Sinha, Shamrao Mahadik, Jiwaji Yashwant, Harnath Chela, Vazir Hussain, Shahmat Khan, Gaffur Khan, Fatteh Khan had joined the army of Yashwantrao Holkar. The King of Dhar, Anandrao Pawar requested Yashwantrao Holkar to help him curb the rebellion of one of his minister Rangnath. Yashwantrao Holkar succesffully helped Anandrao Pawar.

In December 1798, Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the army of Shevelier Duddres and captured Maheshwar. In January 1799 he was crowned King as per Hindu Vedic rites. In May 1799, he captured Ujjain.

Vitthojirao Holkar declared that he was working for Amrutrao Raghunathrao who is more capable to be the Peshwa than Bajirao (II). To grow their empire, Yashwantrao Holkar started a campaign towards north whereas Vitthojirao started a campaign towards south.
Bajirao (II) sent Balaji Kunjir and Bapurao Ghokale to arrest Vitthojirao Holkar. In April 1801, Vitthojirao was arrested and taken to Pune. On the advice of Balaji Kunjar he was sentenced to death under the feet of an elephant. His wife and son Harirao too were imprisoned. The well wishers of Maratha Confederation warned the Peshwa not to take such a drastic step as it would lead to the collapse of Maratha Confederation but Bajirao(II) Peshwa ignored it. When Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar learnt this, he vowed to take revenge.

In May 1802, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar marched towards Pune. He marched conquering Sendhwa, Chalisgaon, Dhulia, Malegaon, Parol, Ner, Ahmednagar, Rahuri, Nashik, Sinnar, Dungargaon, Jamgaon, Pharabagh, Gardond, Pandharpur, Kurkumb, Narayangaon, Baramati, Purandhar, Saswad, Moreshwar, Thalner and Jejuri. On Sunday, the 25 October 1802 on the festival of Diwali Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the combined armies of Scindia and Peshwa at Hadapsar near Pune. The battle took place at Ghorpadi, Banwadi and Hadapsar. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar had ordered his army not to attack first and wait until 25 cannonballs are fired from other side. When 25 cannonballs were fired, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar ordered his army to attack. As soon as he won the war he ordered his army not to harm the civilians of Pune.

Peshwa when he learnt that he was defeated fled from Pune via Parvati, Wadgaon to Sinhagad. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar asked the Peshwa to return to Pune. If Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar would have decided to arrest the Peshwa he would have arrested him but he sent food to Peshwa so that he didn’t suffer.

On 27 October 1802 Peshwa Bajirao (II) along with Chimnaji, Baloji Kunjir along with some soldiers of Scindia went to Raigad and spent one month in Virwadi. He then went to Suwarnadurgh and on 01/12/1802, he went to Bassein by a ship named Harkuyan. The British offered him allurements to sign the Subsidiary Treaty in return for the throne. After deliberating for over a month, and after threats that his brother would otherwise be recognised as Peshwa, Bajirao(II) signed the treaty surrendering his residual sovereignty, and allowing the English to put him on the throne at Poona. This Treaty of Bassein (1802) was signed on 31 December 1802.

Panse, Purandhare and some other Maratha Sardars had requested the Peshwa to return to Pune and have a dialogue with Holkars. Even Chimanaji was against signing a treaty with British.

After conquering Pune, Yashwantrao Holkar took the administration in his hands and appointed his men. He freed Nana Phadnawis, Moroba, Phadke etc who were imprisoned by Bajirao(II).

He appointed Amrutrao as the Peshwa and went to Indore on 13 March 1803. The British reinsted Bajirao(II) as the Peshwa at Pune on 13th May 1803 but soon the Peshwa realised that he was only a nominal peshwa and that British had taken total control.

On 4 June 1803 Raghuji Bhosale, Daulatrao Scindia and Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar met at Bodwad and decided to jointly fight against the British. However, the just demands of Yashwantrao Holkar were not fulfilled and he was betrayed again. Daulatrao Scindia wrote a letter to Bajirao (II) and stated that they need not worry about Yashwantrao Holkar as they only should show that they would fulfill the demands of Yashwantrao Holkar and once they defeat the British they will take their revenge against Holkar. However, the letter reached in the hands of Amrutrao and he handed over the letter to General Wellesley. Wellesley immediately sent the letter to Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar decided not to be a part of Maratha Confedaracy.

On 17 December 1803, the Bhonsale of Nagpur signed a treaty with the British after the Battle of Laswari and on 30 December 1803, the Scindia signed a treaty with the British after the Battle of Assaye. Gaekwad of Baroda had already signed a treaty on 29 July 1802.
This was 34 year old Wellesley’s first major success, and one that he always held in the highest estimation, even when compared to his later triumphant career. According to anecdotal evidence, in his retirement years Wellington considered the Battle of Assaye his finest battle, surpassing even his victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

On 20 December 1803, General Wellesley in one of his letters has stated that it is necessary to curb the rising power of Yashwantrao Holkar as he is very brave, courageous and ambitious.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar wrote letters to different Kings to unite and fight against the British. He stated “First Country and then Religion. We will have to rise above caste, religion and our states in the interest of our country. You too must wage a war against the British like me”. His appeal fell on deaf ears as all of them had already signed treaties with the British.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the British army lead by Colonel Fawcett at Kunch in Budhlekand. On 8 June 1804 Governor General in a letter to Lord Lake wrote that the defeat has caused a great insult. This will endanger the company rule in India and hence Yashwantrao Holkar should be defeated as soon as possible.
On 8th July 1804 Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar defeated the army of Colonel Manson and Leukan at Mukundare and Kota. Bapuji Scindia surrendered before Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar.

From June 1804 till September 1804 he defeated the British at different battles. On 8 th October 1804 Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar attacked Delhi to free Mugol Emperor Shah Alam II who was imprisoned by the British. He attacked the army of Colonel Actorloni and Berne. The battle lasted for a week but Yashwantrao Holkar could not succeed as Lord Lake came to help Colonel Actorloni. Assessing the situation, he changed the plan and postponed it. Looking at his bravery Mughol Emperor Shah Alam gave him the title of “Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Alija Bahadur”.

Colonel Marey and Wallace captured Indore and Ujjain on 8th July 1804. On 22 August 1804, Wellesley marched against Holkar from Pune along with Bajirao Peshwa’s army. In Mathura Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar learnt that the British had captured some of his territory. He decided to stay in Mathura and work out a strategy to regain his territory.

In a letter dated 11/09/1804 written to Lord Lake, Wellesley says that if Yashwantrao Holkar is not defeated at the earliest the rest of the Kings of India may stand against the British unitedly.

On 16 November 1804 Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar reached Deeg by defeating the army of Major Frazer. After the death of Major Frazer, Manson took the charge of the British army. The Jat King Ranjit Singh of Bharatpur welcomed him and decided to be with Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar against the British.

In Farrukhabad Lord Lake was a mute spectator watching Yashwantrao Holkar proceeding towards Deeg. He didnt dare to attack Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. Governor General was disappointed by this conduct of Lord Lake and he wrote to him about his disappointment.
Lord Lake attacked Deeg on 13 December 1804 ( Battle of Bharatpur ). The army of Holkar and Jat resisted successfully and reached the Bharatpur Durg. Lord Lake attacked Bharatpur on 3 January 1805 along with General Manson, Colonel Marey, Colonel Don, Colonel Berne, Major General Jones, General Smith, Colonel Jetland, Setan and others. The war lasted for three months in Bharatpur. This war was compared with the Mahabharata war. Many poems on this war were written praising Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. There are many other poems praising Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. It is said that Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar cut off the nose of 300 English Soldiers. To keep the Indian Kings divided, the British declared that they would distribute the territory of Holkars amongst its Indian Friends. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar had become famous throughout India due to his bravery. However, Amir Khan Pindari and Bhawani Shankar Khatri betrayed Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. The British gave the Jahagir of Tonk to Amir Khan Pindari and a Mahal and a Jahagir in Delhi was given to Bhawani Shankar Khatri. Bhawani Shankar Khatri’s Haweli situated in Delhi is even today referred to as Namak Haram ki Haweli (Traitors House). Daulatrao Scindia decided to help Holkar but he was prevented to do so by the ill advice of Kamal Nayan Munshi. If Daulatrao had gone to help Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar they would have crushed the British army. Ranjit Singh was disappointed as Daulatrao Scindia did not come for their help but Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was not affected and he continued to communicate with rest of the Kings of India.
Sir P. E. Roberts states that surprisingly the Jat King Ranjit Singh signed a treaty with the British on 17th April 1805 when they had nearly won the war. Due to this, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar had to leave Bharatpur.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar, Daulatrao Scindia, Satara Chattrapati, Chatarsinh met at Sabalgad. It was decided that they would unitedly uproot the British from Indian soil. In September 1805 Holkar and Scindia reached Ajmer. Maharaja Man Singh Rathore sent his army to help them. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar sent letters to the rest of the Kings of India appealing them to fight against the British. The King of Jaipur, Bhosale of Nagpur, Ranjit Singh of Punjab, accepted his appeal. When the British learnt that Holkar and Scindia are united they informed Lord Lake to pursue them. On 25 April 1805, Lord Lake replied to Governor General Wellesley and stated that he was unable to pursue them and that Holkar felt great pleasure killing the Europeans. Governor General Wellesley replied that all disputes with Holkar be resolved without any war. The British were worried because of the continuous failure against Holkars. They felt that Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar would drive out the East India Company. Finally, they called back Lord Wellesley and appointed Lord Cornwallis as the Governor General of India. As soon as he came to India, he wrote to Lord Lake on 19 September 1805 and stated that all the territory of Yashwantrao Holkar be returned back and that he was ready to do peace with Holkar. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar rejected to sign any treaty with the British. George Barlow was appointed as the Governor General due to the sudden death of Lord Cornwallice. Barlo immediately tried to divide Holkar and Scindia. The British signed a treaty with Daulatrao Scindia through Kamal Nayan Munshi on 23 November 1805 and in this way Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was left alone to fight with the British.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar sought help from Raja Bhag Singh of Jindh, Raja Fathesinh Ahuwalia of Patiyala and other Sikh rulers they all rejected to help Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar against the British. He then went to Maharaja Ranjit Singh (Punjab) of Lahore who too turned down his request to fight against the British. As soon as the British learnt this, they sent Bahg Singh, uncle of Ranjit Sinh, to prevent Ranjit Sinh from helping Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar. Ranjit Singh and Fateh Singh signed a friendship treaty with British ( The Treaty with Lahore ). The agreed draft of this treaty was ready on 17th December 1805. Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar cursed him. This curse became a saying in Punjab.

The British East India Company Council told Lord Lake to anyhow make a treaty with Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar because if they were late and the other Kings accept the appeal of Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar it would be difficult for them to remain in India.
Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar saw that rest of the Kings were not ready to unite and were interested in personal benefits, he was the last to sign a treaty with the British on 24 December 1805 at a place called Rajghat (then in Punjab, now in Delhi) (Treaty at Rajghat). He was the only King in India to whom the British approached to sign a peace treaty. He didn’t accept any condition which would affect his self respect. The British recognised him as a sovereign King and returned all his territory. They accepted his dominion over Jaipur, Udaypur, Kota, Bundi, and some Rajput Kings. They also accepted that they would not interfere in the matters of Holkars. The Victorious King reached Indore and started ruling his Kingdom. The King of Jodhpur always helped Holkars.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar again tried to unite the Maratha Confederacy and wrote to Daulatrao Scindia about the same. However, Scindia gave the information about this letter to British resident Marsor who informed about this to Governor General on 12 May 1806. Holkars and Scindias agreed on 11 points on defensive and offensive strategies on 14 November 1807. However, the British once again succeeded to divide Scindias from Holkars.

Finally, Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar decided to fight with the British single-handedly and to drive them out of India. He decided to stay in Bhanpura, to gather a large army, and to manufacture cannons to defeat the British. He was successful to keep the British out of his state but he wanted them out of India. He knew that was impossible without sufficient cannons. He built a factory to manufacture cannons in Bhanpura. He worked day and night and manufactured 200 cannons. He gathered an army of 1 lakh soilders to attack Culcutta. The stress of the work and the deaths of his nephew Khanderao Holkar (II) on 3rd February 1806 at Shahapura and Kashirao Holkar in 1808 at Bijagad lead to a brain stoke due to which he suddenly died at Bhanpura (Mandsaur, M.P.) on 28 October 1811 (Kartiki Ekadashi) at a young age of 35 years. The most probable cause of his death must have been a brain tumor.

Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar started the first freedom struggle in 1803 itself. Maharaja Yaswantrao Holkar was a gifted military leader.
If Battle of Assaye, Wellesley’s first major success, and one that he always held in the highest estimation was his finest battle, surpassing even his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, then the victory at the Battle of Bharatpur undoubetedly makes Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar the “Napoleon of India”.