Regar

The Regar (Raigar, Rehgar, Rehgarh[1]) are a caste found in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India.[2][3]

History and origin

The word Regar means dyeing in the Rajasthani language. The community are involved in the dyeing of leather and are distributed throughout Rajasthan.[2]

Present circumstances

The Regar are an endogamous community, and practice clan exogamy. Their main clans are the Rashgania, Digarwal, and Bakolia. Despite having a common origin with the Chamar, they are no intermarriages between these two communities.[2]

At the beginning of the 20th century, the British Raj administration imposed restrictions on the indigenous manufacturing of saltpetre which destroyed their livelihood.[4]

Their main occupations remains dyeing and tanning of hides. A significant number are also involved in the manufacture of shoes, and a few are also now tailors. The community is economically marginal and suffers from deprivation. They have a caste association, that represents the community’s interest, as well as dealing with intra-community disputes.[2]

The Regar of Gujarat claim to have immigrated from the Nagaur and Parbacha regions of Rajasthan. They still speak Marwari although they now understand Gujarati. Their traditional occupation was to clean and colour hides, but now they are mainly involved in the manufacturers. Their economic situation is much better than their Rajasthani kinsmen, and many are now successful manufacturers.[3]

References

  1. ↑ India. Office of the Registrar General (1969). Census of India, 1961. p. 1070. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 People of India Rajasthan Volume XXXVIII Part Two edited by B.K Lavania, D. K Samanta, S K Mandal & N.N Vyas pages 819 to 822 Popular Prakashan
  3. 1 2 People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Three edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1169-1172
  4. ↑ Srivastava, Kamal Shankar (1998). Origin and development of class and caste in India. Sangeeta Prakashan, 1998. pp. 180–190.
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