Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya

Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya^[1][2][3][4] (also known as Mistri^[5][6] or Mestri^[7][8]) are a minority Hindu and one of the Socially and Educationally Backward Class community of Gujarat^[9] in India, whom claim to be Kshatriyas.^[8] They are an artisan community related with Kadia works. Most are employed as laborers under construction contractors ^[8] They are also known as the Mistri a.k.a. Mistris of Kutch.^{[6][7][10][11]}

History

Paliyas belonging to war heroes of Mistris of Kutch, standing at Dhaneti dating back to 1178 AD

The community is believed to be from Kota^[7] and first entered into Saurashtra and founded 36 villages in the area, while others moved further into Kutch. Around 1177–78 AD (VS 1234), a major group migrated to Kutch from Saurashtra^[7] under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru. They settled in the village of Dhaneti.^[12] There are several Parias of the community, located near village pond of Dhaneti, standing as memorials of the war that was fought in 1178 AD. The community members still go once every year to offer pooja and their respects to their fore-fathers.^[13]

This group, later, made their distinct identity not only by building historical forts, palaces, temples and architects in Kutch but also all over British India, primarily in the fields of railways and coal mining.^[6]

The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas left Dhaneti and went on to establish eighteen villages in Kutch^[7] which were granted to them by the King: Anjar, Sinugra, Khambhra, Nagalpar, Khedoi, Madhapar, Hajapar, Kukma, Galpadar, Reha, Vidi, Jambudi, Devaliya, Lovaria, Nagor, Meghpar, Chandiya and Kumbharia.^[14]

Over the centuries, they have been known or identified by names like Mistri, Mistry, Mistris of Kutch, Kutchi Contractor, Kadia, Kadia Kshatriyas, Gurjar Kshatriya Kadia, Kumar Gnati, Kutch Gurjar Kshatirya, Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj, KGK Samaj, Kgk community, etc.^[10]

Culture

They are a Hindu community. Some are followers of Swaminarayan and Pranami sect of Hinduism, They are vegetarian in diet and avoid consumption of alcohol. The staple food is khichdi, vegetables, pulses and butter-milk.^[8]

The community consists of clans like Rathod, Chauhan, Yadav, Chawda, Jethwa, Padhiar, Yadav, Chudasama, Parmar, Taunk, Khodiyar, Solanki, Sawaria, Vaghela, Vegad, Varu, Maru, Bhalsod, etc., who enjoy same status. However, most of people prefer to pre-fix Mistri to their name.^[8]

The community are an endogamous community who practice the principle of clan exogamy. Dowry is generally not asked for, neither practice of bride price is there in community. Divorce is generally not encouraged; however, divorce can be claimed in certain cases.^[8]

Betrothal ceremony generally precedes marriage, which is held usually within one year of engagement and marriage is observed as per Hindu rites by taking seven circumambulation of fire.^[8]

Widow remarriage (ghargenu) is allowed, where the women is usually married outside husband's family.^[8][15]

In Kutch

A Chabutro built by Seth Khora Ramji Chawda in year 1900 standing at village Sinugra, shows the unique architect and skill of Mistris of Kutch. Such huge Chabutra are rare to be found in whole of India

The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas were master craftsmen, architects and contractors and have played a major role in erection and construction of the majority of forts, palaces and architecture of Kutch. It was because of this they came to be known as Mistri in Kutch.^[7]

Indian railways

It was during 1850 to 1930 AD that the KGK migrated outside Kutch and were involved in the construction of major rail-bridges and the laying down of railway tracks in almost all major rail routes of undivided British India doing the "Railway Thekedari" (Railway Contractors also Thikadari) and as Thekedar (or Thikadar) in Irrigation projects and Forest Department and Public Works Department.^[16] They have also done major roadway, road bridges, canal works, irrigation dams and barrage work throughout British India from 1850 to 1980. The communities largest contribution is in the building of the early railway lines and bridges throughout British India. Their works in Railway construction span from 1850 to 1980 for more than one and a quarter of century.

Starting as small-time masons in railway construction in the 1850s and later working as sub-contractors or agent to British engineers, they rose to a level of first class railway contractors by 1880. In history of India, Mistris of Kutch are probably the only community, whose migration out of their home land Kutch, was attributed to construction of Railways in British era. This is a unique fact about association of Railways and Mistris of Kutch

Docks, dams and canals in British India

The KGK contributed to the building of docks, dams, barrages and irrigation canals between 1850 and 1980, and they in the eighteenth century had been among the communities who built the first ports of Bombay and Hornby Vellard. Other docks were developed in Bombay during 1870–1895 (Prince's Docks built in 1885 and Victoria Docks built in 1891^[17]) in which many Mistris of Kutch and Kadia Kshatriyas of Saurahstra worked.

In 1883 the Mandvi Port Docks and a bridge over the Rukmavati River at Mandvi were built by Vishram Karman Chawda of Chandiya. It is the longest stone bridge of its kind in India.

Mining

Downturn in fortunes

The majority of the once-prosperous KGK community living in Kutch and Saurashtra today are devoid of agricultural land and have been included in the list of Socially and Educationally Backward Class community in Gujarat. Those who migrated from the state cannot take advantage of this reservation.^[9][10]

Present status

KGK Community in other fields

• Seth Khora Ramji Chawda (1860–1923) has been credited by British themselves as the first Indian to break monopoly of Europeans in Jharia coalfields belt in year 1894 going on to establish ten collieries. He was also a Railway Contractor and Banker of repute and his life sketch is mentioned by British authorities in Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Year 1920.^[18][20]
• Govamal Jiwan Chauhan (1855–1929) of Kumbharia was also a Railway Contractor of repute and Coal Mines owner and Banker at Jharia. His exploits as Railway Contractor and life sketch is also noted by British authorities in Encyclopaedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa, Year 1924-25. The coal mines business established by him in 1910 was carried on by his sons Amarsinh Gowamal and Manji Gowamal carried on his coal mines business after his death till nationalization of coal mines in 1972-73.^[18][32]
• Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan (1887–1974) who established himself in Allahbad and Bombay was a railway contractor of repute having built several Railroad and bridges in India and especially noted for building Bally Bridge. He also was a noted Industrialist, banker, miner, aviator and philanthropist and was one of the pioneers in glass and ceramic industry,^[33] aviation & navigation business. He was owner of Ambica Airlines.^{[34][35][36][37][38]}
• Koovarji Karsan Rathor (1898–1976) was a reputed Railway and Civil Contractor, businessman & philanthropist, who established himself in Cuttack.^[18][39][40]
• Purushottam K. Chauhan (1905–1958) who lived in Dhanbad, was a noted coal mines owner, freedom fighter and politician ^[41][42]
• Rai Bahadur Jairam Valji Chauhan (1898–1967) was a railway contractor, a Mill-owner, Mines owner & philanthropist. British authorities named Jairamnagar railway station after him.^[43]
• Ruda Ladha Chawra (1884-1948) was a noted railway contractor and industrialist based at Bagra Tawa.
• Moolji Jagmal Sawaria (1889–1956) was a noted railway and civil contractor, miner & businessman, who lived in Bilaspur.^[44]
• Lira Raja Rathor (1889–1972) was a noted railway Contractor, real estate owner & philanthropist who established himself in Calcutta.^[18]
• Jairam Dahya Chauhan (1885–1968) who established himself at Nasik was a reputed Railway Contractor, industrialist & philanthropist. He is noted for founding of Muktidham.^[41]
• Kalyanji Ramji Rathod (1912-1995) was a leading businessman and mill owner from Raipur.^[45]
• Kanji Morarji Rathor (1913–1989) was a leading industrialist, who is noted for founding first steel plant of Chhattisgarh.^[46]
• Rajesh Chauhan (b 1966) of Bhilai is a former Spin Bowler, who played for Indian Cricket team from 1993 to 1998, belongs to the community.^[47]
• Bharat Purshottam Tank (1966–2009) son of Purshottam Jagmal Tank of Kukma living in Raipur was a drummer, who created a national record in beating drums non-stop for 123 hours and 20 minutes at the age of 22 in year 1988.^[48]
• Vaidhya Pragji Mohanji Rathor (1918–2006) of Nagalpar, who lived in Bhavnagar and later in Navsari, was a noted person in Ayurvedic medicines and science. He was an authority in Urine therapy and have written many books on Shivambu Chikitsa or self-urine therapy and Ayurvdic medicines in Gujarati language. His weekly articles used to be published in various Gujarati publications and newspapers. He was honored by Gujarat Government. The noted book written by him is Vigyan Ki Kasauti Par: Swamutra Chikitsa .^[49] During his lifetime he was President of Gujarat Vaidya Mandal and worked on several posts of Gujarat Ayurved University.^[50]
• Dharshi Jethalal Tank (1919–2010) of Jamshedpur has his name recorded in Limca Book of Records for Mathematical Calculations of having evolved a method of finding 10,00,000 prime numbers in the shortest possible time.^[51] He was also the editor and compliar of the book Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-pothi published in 1999. The book was given Ank-Sidhhi award by Kuth Shakti at a function held in Mumbai in 2000.
• Amritlal Vegad (1928-2018) of Jabalpur, was a noted writer, painter and environment activist from the community.

References

Notes