Kansara
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| Languages | |
| Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tambat and Panchal |
The Kansara or Kasera are a Hindu caste found throughout India. They are mostly found in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Also found in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, UP and Bihar. They traditionally made utensils and bells.
Etymology
The Kansara or Kasera derived their name from kan̩su (Gujarati: કાંસુ, IPA: [kaɳsũ]), bell metal.[1]
History
Their mythical history associates them with Parshurama (sixth avatar of Vishnu) who exterminated the Kshatriyas. It is said that the Kansaras were Kshatriyas who hid their identity by selling utensils to save their lives. Later, selling utensils became their caste occupation. This story is told in the Kalika Purana, named after their deity Kali.[1]
Caste groups
The Kansara belongs to Gujarat, India. Their associated groups live in Maharashtra such as Tambat.[2]
The Kansara are divided into Gujarati Kansara, Maru Kansara, Sorathia Kansara, and Jamnagari Kansara,Surti Kansara, based on their native place. The Gujarati Kansara live in Wadhwan, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Dhrangdhra. They speak the Kathiawar dialect of Gujarati. They traditionally wear kanthi mala.[1]
In other states there is no concentration of the people in any particular region and can be found in almost all the places.
People living in Gujarat and Maharashtra are vegetarian.[1][2] People living in other places have mixed eating habits.