Dhangar

Dhangar
Classification:	Caste/Kshatriya Dhangar (Shepherds)
Clans:	108
Significant populations in:	India
Language	Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu
Religion	Hinduism

The Dhangar (Sanskrit / Devanāgarī: धनगर ) caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The literal translation of the name Dhangar is "Who is wealthy". 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.

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 (Gawli/Gavali) or Mhaskar(Gujar), and Khutekar (Wool and Blanket weavers) / Sangar. The half division is called 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.

The main Dhangar subcastes are Ahir / Gawli / Mhaskar / Gurjar / Yadu (Yadav), Hatkar (Assal)/ Bargi / Barahatti / Barhatta / Bargahi / Baragahi / Bande (Revolutionary) / Zende (Brave) / Bhillari / Khillari / Metkari / Dange / Bakarwal / Pohol / Bharwad / Baghel / Pal / Gadari / Gadariya / Gaddi / Shippi / Kuruba (meaning trustworthy) / Kanore / Kanade / Kurmar / Kurbar / Kurumbar / Idaiyan / Idaiyar / Idaiga / Konar / Golla / Neekhar / Nikher, Khutekar / Dewanga / Kshitri / Khatri, Kuktekar, Sengar / Sangar / Shegar, Lad Mendhe / Ladse, Jhade / Jhadi / Zade, Hulwan, Konkani, Mahure / Mahurai, Telange, Tellari, Warhade / Varadi / Barade, 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.

The Dhangars ignore the subcastes and project themselves only as Dhangars.

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 “kar” means doer meaning 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, and that on this account they were called Bargir, or Barga Dhangars. The temper of Hatkars is said to be obstinate and quarrelsome. 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?' 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 slogan of the Marathas, “Har Har Mahadeo”, was used by the Dhangars -- showing that Mavalas or the soldiers of Shivaji were themselves Dhangars. 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).

At the time of his Coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj showed that he belonged to the Gahlot (i.e. Sisodiya/Ranas of Mewar) Clan. 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, 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 Dhangars of the Northern or Southern India are reasonably considered to belong to the same race.

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.

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.

see main article Dhangar Scheduled tribe issue

Jejuri

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.

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.

Clans in India

See also List of Dhangar clans in India.

Dhangars are Kshatriyas. Kshatriyas have three major castes (or ethnic groups) -- the Dhangars, the Rajputs and the Marathas. The Rajputs are Indo-Scythians and mainly had their kingdoms in North India. The Rajputs did not originate as a tribe or a single community. They emerge from history as a collection of clans ruling different regions. The term Rajput as it is used today refers to the set of intermarrying royal clans. The Marathas are Indo-Aryans and had an empire which spread all over central and North India. The Dhangars are Proto-Asians, who had their Kingdoms throughout India. Rajputs have 36 Clans, Marathas have 96 Clans and Dhangars have 108 clans out of which 92 are found/known so far in India. Originally these castes were one and had mutual interactions of dining together and intermarriage amongst them.

The widespread Palaeolithic mtDNA haplogroups and analysis of Y-DNA Haplogroup in Dhangar clans highlight their Proto-Asian genetic ancestries. Dhangar heterogeneity is ascribable to predominantly South-Asian males and West-Eurasian females. Dhangar have a significant Pleistocene gene pool, corroborating their “Proto-Asian” origin. As per J. H. Hutton they are Proto-Australoid. Kashyap (2006) designates 23 out of 54 Indian populations studied as Australoid, of which one speaks an Indo-European language (Dhangar of Maharashtra).

Dhangars are believed to be Indo-Aryans as the Aryans were shepherds. Dhangar follow many rituals which were followed by Aryans. Aryans used to pierce the ears of their children, and Dhangars too pierce the ears of their children. Out of the 36 Queens of Kshayapa the 28th Queen, Sundara, was a Dhangar. Out of the Original 36 Rishis Tap Rishi and Manimahant were Dhangar.

The word Gotra is dereived from the word "Go" meaning Cow. In ancient times wealth used to be measured by the number of cows. The cows of one Kula used to be kept together which was termed Gotra this was later termed as Kula Gotra. Marriage in the Kula of one's own Pravara is prohibited. Ethoven has listed 108 such exogamous groups of Dhangars. However Gautama Sutra has given two remedies for such marriages i.e. "Sutrakali Chandrayan, Kruch Prayaschit".

Allama Prabhu, President of Lingayat Temple at the time of allowing saint Rewad in the temple stated

"Kuruba Hutavamunna Kulavilla Gotra Villam, Kuruban fal kani Basawanna."

meaning

"Before the Dhangars there were no gotras, gotras came with Dhangars, Basawanna, we are the decendants of Dhangars".

This shows that many Lingayats were Dhangars previously.

Enthoven in his observations has listed 22 Endogamous groups (Sub-Castes) and 108 Exogamous groups (Clans) of Dhangars (Enthoven 1920:311). It should be recorded that the list of the 22 Endogamous groups and 108 Exogamous groups of Dhangars, as provided by Enthoven, is not exhaustive.

The number 108 is very sacred and has a great significance.

The List of Dhangar clans in India is of surnames of all sub-castes from India

Other Names

Dhangars are identified by different names in different regions of the country. The names vary from area to area and from district to district Ahir, Ahir,Aagalave, Ahiyaru, Andar, Appugol, Bagadi, Baghel, 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, Gaddi / Garri, 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 / Gaola / Bagal, Gollavadu / Gowdiga, Gop (Assam), Gopal, Gounder, Gowda, Gwala / Gwal, Halumatha, Haridas, Hati (Soldier) (Guj), Heggades, Idaiga / Idyar / Idiyan / Idaiyar / Konar (Tamilnadu), Kalali / Kalari, Kalavar, Kamaria, Kamli, Kanne, Kantak,Khandekar,Kolekar, Khuruk, Khatri, Kuruba Gowda, Kuruba (Karnataka, AP), Kuruma, Kurumavaaru, Kuda, Kurkhi, Kurmar / Kurma / Kurumba / Kurumbar / Kurumans / Kurubaru (Tamilnadu), 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 / Pala / Pali / Rajpal (North India), Palaru, Poduvar, Raika, Yadavalu, Redharu, Rakhal, Bherarokhiya, Meshpalak, Meshpal, Attutidiyan, Attiyan, Bhagat, Bhedwar, Haldhar, Chagal etc.

Notable Dhangars

Kingdoms

• Ajpal Chauhan. Founder of Ajmer city, Chauhan Dynasty.
• Prithvi Raj Chauhan

• Bappa Rawal. Founder of Gahlot/Sisodia/Mewar Dynasty. Descendant of Lord Rama.
• Maharana Pratap

• Holkars (Marhatta Empire)
• Malharrao Holkar
• Punyaslok Rajmata Ahilyadevi Holkar - ("Catherine the Great, Elizabeth, Margaret of India”)
• Tukojirao Holkar
• The Great Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar ("Napoleon of India")
• Bhimabai Holkar

• Hoysalas
• Kadamba
• Maurya
• Chandragupta Maurya ("Alexander of India")

• Pallavas
• Rashtrakutas
• Vijaynagar Empire
• Sangolli Rayanna was a prominent freedom fighter. He continued the struggle till 1829. Finally he was captured by treachery and hanged. At the time of being hanged he said "My last wish is to be born again in the country to fight against the British and drive them away from our sacred soil".

Scientists

• Shri. Hake. ISRO

Military

• Field Marshall K. M. Cariappa
• General Sri Nagesh

Political

• Late Shivajirao Shendge.
• B. K. Kokare. Founder, Yashwant Sena
• Late Rakhamaji Gawade (Ex MP & MLA Beed dist (M.S.)
• Anandrao Devkate Ex-Minister (Maharashtra) Congress(I)
• Anil Gote. Ex-MLA
• Annasaheb Dange Ex-Minister (Maharashtra)
• Arun Gawali. M.L.A. (Maharashtra)
• Ayodhya Prasad Pal
• Babubhai Desai
• Bhawanbhai Bharwad
• Dattatraya Pandhare. Ex-Vice President Cong(I).
• Ganpatrao Deshmukh M.L.A. (Maharashtra) PWP
• Ganpatrao Patil Ex-M.L.A. (Maharashtra)
• Haribhau Badhe. MLA.
• Hukum Chand Yadav MLA
• Jethabhai Bharwad
• Kakasaheb Thorat Ex-MLA
• Kokare. Ex-M.L.A. (Maharashtra)
• Lakhan Singh Baghel
• Mahadeo Jankar (Maharashtra) President RSP
• Malharrao Mahulkar Ex-MLA
• Popatrao Gawade. Ex-M.L.A. (Maharashtra)
• Prakashanna Shendge M.L.C.(Maharashtra) BJP
• Rajesh Yadav
• Ramesh Shendge MLC
• Ramkaran Pal. (M.L.C.) (Bihar)
• Sachin Ahir. M.L.A.(Maharashtra)
• Shaitansinh Pal (M.P)
• Somnath Waghmode. Vice President, Maha. Youth Cong(I)
• Srimati Pooja Pal MLA
• Sundersingh Baghel. M.L.A. (U.P.)
• Vijayrao More. Ex-MLC (INC)

Members of Parliament

• Arjun Singh HRD Minister GOI
• Bandaru Dattatreya - Former Union Minister.
• Kapil Sibal - Union Minister
• Lalu Prasad Yadav, politician
• Mulayam Singh Yadav, politician
• Sharad Yadav, politician
• Siddaramaiah - Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Dr B K Ravi
• H. M. Revanna
• H. Vishwanath
• Juel Oraon
• K.Virupakshappa
• Kartik Oraon
• Rameshwar Oroan. State Minister GOI
• Ratan Dewasi
• S.P. Baghel. M.P. (U.P.)
• Sagar Raika
• Vijay Shankar

Social Workers / Reformists

• Periyar E. V. Ramasamy Nayakar
• Adv. Gunderao Bansode. Founder President, All India Dhangar Association.
• Bhagappa Goranal
• Captain Shriram Pal Holkar. - Editor of "THE GREAT HOLKAR TIMES" from Delhi
• Dr. Shyam Singh Shashi (awarded Padma Shri in 1990)
• Gunajirao Mhatre
• Jayantkumar Kathavate.
• Kishor Lasure
• Krantiveer Bapu Biru Wategaonkar
• Laxmanrao Chingle
• Lakhmi Chand Pal
• M. Ramarao Holkar.
• Nishi Pal - Editor of "PAL KSHATRIYA SAMACHAR PATRA" from Delhi.
• Prabhuji Kokane
• Subhash Khemnar
• Waman Bhure

Women

• Arunatai Wakse (Mayor, Solapur) (INC)
• Bachendri Pal - 1st Indian woman (5th in world) to climb Mount Everest.
• Laxmidevi Ramanna - First woman representative in Mysore Assembly.
• Ratnatai Choudhary (Social Worker) (Cong (I))
• Sampat Devi Pal MLA
• Vaishalitai Satpute (Former President, Solapur Zilla Parishad) (NCP)

Executive

• Shrinivas Karande. Founder President, VJNT & SBC Emp. & Officers Association.

Media

• Adv. Dilip Edatkar, Editor, Social Worker (BSP)
• Mahendra Pratap Singh Chief Sub Editor, Rashtriya Sahara, 091-9415105642

Writers/Poets

• N. D. Mahanor awarded Padma Shri
• Dr. Dharmaveer Shastri of Aligarh,
• Dr. Dharmaveer Singh of Bulandshahar,
• Dr. Shri Ram Pal of Allahabad,
• Ganesh Matkar.
• Govind bhai Rabari
• Homesh Bhujade
• Karnabhai Maldhari
• Late Ganpatrao Kolekar
• Madhusudanrao Holkar
• Poonabhai Soorabhai Bharwad
• Ummed singh Rabari

Sports

Hockey

• Dada Kishan Lal. Former Captain, awarded Padma Shri

Wrestlers

• Aaba Sul - Maharashtra Kusti Mahavir.
• Bapurao Lokhande - Maharashtra Kesari.
• Gorakh Sarak - Maharashtra Kesari.
• Pappu Yadav – Hind Kesari

Other

• Dr. Babasaheb Bandgar. VC, Solapur University.
• S.M.Lokhande, Loco Pilot, National Railway Mazdoor Union, Running Staff Leader, Central Railway

See also

• Lord Shiva
• Vithoba
• Khandoba
• Shambhu Mahadeo of Shikhar Shingnapur
• Eklingji
• Pashupati / Shree Pashupatinath
• Veer Mhaskoba
• Beeralingeswara
• Dhangar Scheduled tribe issue

External links

• Pastoral People Worldwide
• Molecular insight into the genesis of ranked caste populations of western India by Sonali Gaikwad and VK Kashyap
• Gene differentiation among the Dhangar caste-cluster of Maharashtra, India
• http://illiad.biblio.com/isbn/351501926X.html
• Matrimonial distance, inbreeding coefficient and population size: Dhangar data
• The Warlis and the Dhangars
• Indian Military History - Dynasties - Holkars

References

Bibliography