Vankar

The Vankar is a Hindu social group found in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan in India. Their main traditional occupation was colth weaving of different kinds. Due to migration a sizable number of population can be found in other parts of the world, particularly in Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Australia.[1][2]

History and origin

The Vankar is a social group found largely in western states of India. Some claim to be descended from Rajputs and use the prefix Maru (meaning from Marwar).

As India is a vast, diverse country with a rich history of weaving and weavers. Examples of Indian cotton textiles date back 5,000 years ago.

Empire of Cotton goes on to show how the cotton industry and Vankars of Gujarat in India dominated in the early 18th century cloth trade. But was taken over by the British. Britain began to export machine-made yarn and cloth to India. Encouraging exports of low-cost fabric and imposing tax on imports of Indian cloth enabled Britain's textile industry to grow rapidly but severely hampered the development of Indian weavers own textile industry. Causing mass unemployment and harship for Vankars.

Due to this people led to the swadeshi moment of the 1890s. The principle of self reliance influenced the nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi in his call for swaraj. Gandhi appealed to the Indian people to spin, weave and wear khadi.

The most basic reason for India's textile industry being 'ruined' and Vankars to suffer under British rule due to the world becoming much larger to India, before colonial powers reached India. By imposing heavy tax on Indian cloth the Indian weaving market's collapsed. Loss to all weavers across India including Vankars of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Demographics

They are largely spread in Saurashtra region of Gujarat and also found in Mehsana, Patan, Kutch, Surat, Dadra, Daman and Diu.

Culture

They are endogamous community, consisting of a series of exogamous clans.[3]

Occupation

The main occupation of Vankars was the weaving of cloth. Since after expansion of British textile markets and decline of Indian textile industry Vankars suffered a lot. Hence started farming and small scale business in the British Raj to thrive better conditions ahead to maintain their livelihood. [3]

References
  1. India's communities by K. S. Singh. Oxford University Press. 1998. p. 1776,2101–03.
  2. Gujarat, Part 1. 2003. pp. 882–885.
  3. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Three edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 1126-1129
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