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The Dhangar (Sanskrit / Devanāgarī: धनगर ) caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The literal translation of the name Dhangar is "Wealthy". The Dhangars of the Northern or Southern India are reasonably considered to belong to the same race. The word Dhangar is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Dhenu' or 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 Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Lord Krishna was Dhangar. Nand Meher, the foster father of Lord Krishna, also belonged to this caste. Lord Krishna, Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ were all Shepherds. Metaphorically, the term Shepherd is used for God.
Initially there were twelve tribes of Dhangar and they had a Division of labour amongst brothers of one family. This later formed three sub-divisions and one half division (3.5). These three being Hatkar (Shepherds), Ahir (Cowherds) or Mhaskar (Gujar)(Buffalo keepers), and Khutekar (Wool and Blanket weavers) / Sangar. The half division is called Khateek or 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 Dhangars ignore the subcastes and project themselves only as Dhangars.
The word “hat” means obstinacy in Marathi and “hatti” means being obstinate. Therefore "hatkar" means people who are 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 (Barcha/Barchi in Marathi), and that on this account they were called Bargir, or Barga Dhangars. The temper of Hatkars is said to be obstinate and quarrelsome. The great National weapon of Maratha country during Shivaji era was the Spear. 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?' Raghuji Karande ( Marathi : रघुजी कारंडे ) was the General of the Army of the Nagpur kingdom of Bhosale's i.e. of Raghoji I Bhonsle and Janoji Bhonsle. He had the entire army of Nagpur Bhosales under his command and was directly responsible only to them. He was considered to be one of the most capable and trustworthy persons of the Bhosales.
They are industrious, honest and sincere. “Truthful as a Dhangar” is a proverb.
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. These people of Maval or mountain valley above the Ghats were called Mavalas and below the Ghats towards the sea were called Hetkaris. Dhangars were thus the first people who became the soldiers of Shivaji.
At the time of his Coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj showed that he belonged to the Gahlot (i.e. Sisodiya / Ranas of Mewar) Clan. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to this caste. The associates of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were Balwantrao Devkate, Nimbaji Patole, Dadaji Kakade, Venkoji Khandekar, Dhanaji Shingade, Banaji Birje, Yesaji Thorat, Heroji Shelke, Bhavanrao Devkate, Mankoji Dhangar, Amdoji Pandhare, Godaji Pandhare, Indraji Gorad, Naikji Pandhare, Raiji Gadade, Bahirji Bandgar, Hande, Mahanavar.
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). 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 / Marhatta country, 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 Dhangar name is exclusively used for the Shepherd Caste of Maharashtra. 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 Meenakshi temple was built by Pallavas who were Dhangars. This warrior community, in the districts of Nanded, Parbhani and Berar, across the Painganga River, were in open rebellion from 1798 A. D. till 1820 A. D. under the brave leadership of Novsaji Naik and had taken possession of a number of strongholds.
Traditionally being Warriors, Shepherds, Cowherds, Buffalo 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 disorganized 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 deprived 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
Dhangars are Kshatriyas. Dhangars employ Brahmins for religious and ceremonial purposes. 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 in India out of which some are unknown so far. Originally these castes were one and had mutual interactions of dining together and intermarriage amongst them. 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 derived 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 Pravaras 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 descendants of Dhangars".This shows that many Lingayats were Dhangars previously.
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
Ahir, Aagalave, Ahiyaru, Andar, Appugol, Bargujars, Bagadi, Brijbasi / Ghosh / Bargahi / Baragahi / Bargi (meaning- cattle owners) (UP), Bakarwal (Jammu & Kashmir), Changpa (Ladakh) Bhadiyar / Gangajali, Bharavadaru, Bhati / Bhatia / Chang / Chigare /Ghirath (Punj), Charan, Devanga, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanpal / Dhangod, Doddi Gowda, Drokpa, Gaddi / Garri, Gaderia / 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 / Gond /Gaola / Bagal, Gollavadu / Gowdiga, Gop (Assam), Gopal, Gounder, Gowda, Gwala / Gwal, Gavali (Goa, Karnataka), Gurung, Halumatha, Haridas, Hati (Soldier) (Guj), Heggades, Idaiga / Idyar / Idiyan / Idaiyar / Konar (Tamil Nadu),Kolekar(Maharahstra), Kalali / Kalari, Kalavar, Kamaria, Kamli, Kanne, Kantak, Khuruk, Khatri, Kuruba Gowda, Gauliga, Kacha Gauliga, Kuruba (Karnataka, AP), Kuruma(Korama) Kurumavaaru, Kuda, Kurkhi, Kurmar / Kurma / Kurumba / Kurumbar / Kurumans / Kurubaru (Tamil Nadu), Kurupu, Mendpal, Magadha / Magadhi / Maghi (Bihar), Maldhari / Bharwad / Rabari / Jagri / Khavas / Gopalak (Gujrath), Meshshawak (Bengal), Mirdha, Muniyani, Naikers, / Saile / Agrayya (East India), Nayer, Neekhar/ Nikhers (North India), Oraon, Paalakyatriya, Pal-Pali / Baghel / Rajpal (North India), Palaru, Poduvar, Raika, Yadavalu, Redharu, Rakhal, Bherarokhiya, Meshpalak, Meshpal, Attutidiyan, Attiyan, Bhagat, Bhedwar, Haldhar, Chagal etc
Notable Dhangars
*Bappa Rawal. Founder of Gahlot/Sisodia/Mewar Dynasty. Descendant of Lord Rama.
*Karande
*Novsaji Naik.
* Baghel/Vaghela of Rewa (Madhya Pradesh)
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Category:Kshatriya Category:Chhatis Rajkul Category:Indian castes Category:Social groups of Maharashtra Category:Ethnic groups in India Category:Goan society Category:Social groups of Gujarat Category:Social groups of Madhya Pradesh Category:Shepherds Category:Social groups of Karnataka Category:Ethnicities of Karnataka
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