Garhwali people

Garhwali (गढ़वळि)

Total population
5 million (estimated)
Regions with significant populations
Primary populations in: Uttarakhand, India Other: Uttar Pradesh Delhi Himachal Pradesh Punjab Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Outside India: United States United Kingdom Australia
Languages
Garhwali (गढ़वळि भाख/भासा)
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan people Rajput Brahmins Khasas Kumaoni people

Garhwali people (Garhwali: गढ़वळि मन्खि) are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group who primarily live in the Garhwal Himalayas of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. Any person who has ancestral Garhwali roots or lives in Garhwal and has a Garhwali heritage is called a Garhwali.

They include all those who speak the Garhwali language or any of its numerous dialects, living in Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts of Uttarakhand, India.

There is documented evidence that the Garhwal region has been inhabited by mankind at least since the Vedic period, and the people of Garhwal today are the descendants of different waves of migration of Indo-Aryan and Indo-Iranian people to these hills which took place over several centuries.

Significant communities of Garhwalis are present in the surrounding Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra along with a sizeable population overseas. According to various estimates, there are at least 25 lakh Garhwali migrants living in Delhi and the National Capital Region. Some Garhwalis also share links with the neighbouring Nepal with many similarities in traditions and culture.

The region was originally settled by Kols, an aboriginal people of the Austro- Asiatic physical type who were later joined by Indo-Aryan Khas/Khasas tribes that arrived from the northwest by the Vedic period.

The Khas are typically thought to be descendants of the ancient Kamboj people who were of eastern Iranian origin. The Khasas are also believed to have arrived from Tajikistan and share some physical traits with the Tajik population.

Historians of Kumaun and Garhwal say that in the beginning there were only three castes: Khas Rajput, Khas Brahmin and Shilpkar. Main occupation of Khas Rajputs was of Zamindari and law enforcement. Occupation of Khas Brahmins was to perform religious rituals in temples and education of the elite. Shipkar were mainly working for Rajputs, in their lands and were expert in handicrafts.

We can still see that surnames of these Khas origin people are associated with the name of villages they belonged to e.g. Bahuguna from Bughani, Painuly (Panuly) from Panyala and Uniyal from Uni and Joshi from South India. However, one's surname doesn't necessarily indicate the cast of the Uttarakhandi people. For example, famous surnames Bisht and Bhandari are used by both Rajputs and Brahmins.

These people of Garhwal were later joined by others through several waves of migration, mainly due to pilgrimages, which took place over centuries from various parts of India. The immigrants brought in their own cultures which blended in with the existing local traditions over time.

File:Traditional Garhwali.jpg

The Kingdom of Garhwal was founded by Rajputs nearly 700 years ago, one of these chiefs, Ajai Pal, reduced all the minor principalities under his own sway, and founded the Garhwal Kingdom. He and his ancestors ruled over Garhwal and the adjacent state of Tehri-Garhwal, in an uninterrupted line till 1803, when the Gurkhas invaded Kumaon and Garhwal, driving the Garhwal chief into the plains. For twelve years the Gurkhas ruled the country with a rod of iron, until a series of encroachments by them on British territory led to the Anglo–Nepalese War in 1814. At the termination of the campaign, Garhwal and Kumaon were converted into British districts, while the Tehri principality was restored to a son of the former chief. The British district of Garhwal was in the Kumaon Division of the United Provinces, and had an area of 5,629 sq mi (14,580 km2). After annexation, Garhwal rapidly advanced in material prosperity. Two battalions of the Indian army (the 39th Garhwal Rifles) were recruited in the district, which also contained the military cantonment of Lansdowne. Grain and coarse cloth were exported, and salt, borax, livestock and wool were imported, and the trade with Tibet was considerable. The administrative headquarters were at the village of Pauri, but Srinagar was the largest city. It was an important mart, as was Kotdwara, the terminus of a branch of the Oudh and Rohilkhand railway from Najibabad. Later it was part of the Punjab Hill States Agency of British India, consisting of the present day Tehri Garhwal district and most of the Uttarkashi district and acceded to the Union of India in 1949.

The Garhwali language (गढ़वळि भाख/भासा)is a Central Pahari language belonging to the Northern Zone of Indo-Aryan languages and is native to Garhwal.

Garhwali is one of the 325 recognized languages of India^[1] spoken by over 2,267,314^[2] people in Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Dehradun, Haridwar and Rudraprayag districts of Uttarakhand.^[3] Garhwali is also spoken by people in other parts of India including Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and [[Bihar], the official language of India. However, due to a number of reasons, Garhwali is one of the languages which is shrinking very rapidly. UNESCO’s Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger^[4] designates Garhwali as a language which is in the unsafe category and requires consistent conservation efforts.^[5]

The culture of the present Garhwal is an amalgamation of influences from the indigenous population coupled with traditions superimposed by various immigrants, especially the Khas-Aryans, who settled in the region from time to time. And thus due to this the myths, dialects, languages, folk literature, festivals, fairs and forms of artistic expression, arts form the basis and the general essence of the character that Garhwali people generally possess.culture and tradition of garhwal and nepal are very similar.

Garhwali people follow Hinduism along with a mix of traditional Garhwali Animism. As per Hinduism, Garhwalis relate every peak, lake or mountain range somehow or the other to God and Goddess, ranging from those associated with the Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava traditions, to local Gods like Narsingh, Khetrapal, Ghandiyal, Aachris, Dainkinis, Sainkinis etc. The protagonists of the epic Mahabharat, the Pandavas, are said to have ended their life on earth by ascending the slopes of a peak in Western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'. They are worshipped at in Garhwal and just like the epic unfolds that the five Pandava brothers had a common wife similar tradition have been reported in some areas like Jaunsaar, Bhabar and Ranwain. Temples are dedicated to the nine famous Goddesses, other local Goddesses, Bhairava, Surya, Ganesh, Kandar devta, Bhagwati, Ghandiyal. The Char Dham or the four pilgrimage which are auspicious to the Hindus are all located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. There are many famous temples in and around various areas of Garhwal but most temples are dedicated to Kalbhairav, Bhagwati, Ghandiyal, Narhsingh and Khetrapal.

File:Garhwal Rifles.gif

As Uttarakhand is a major source of recruits for the Indian Army. Garhwali ladies are therefore very laborious working right from dawn to dusk. They are bound to do this as most of the men are out for earning a living for their families. There is also widespread migration to urban areas due to lack of employment opportunities in the state, especially in rural and remote areas.people work hard for their livelihood.

The Indian Armed Forces and the Paramilitary forces of India have been the major source of employment for the Garhwali population. Designated as a "Martial Race" under British India, recruits from Uttarakhand are still over-represented in the armed forces compared to other states. The nineteen battalions of the Garhwal Rifles together with the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army clearly reflects the participation of the Garhwali people in defending and safe-guarding the frontiers of India.

Garhwali people enjoy a variety of festivals ranging from Makraini Sangraand (Makar Sankranti), Basant Panchmi, Holi, Diwali (Bagwali), Vijaydashmi, Bikhot, Maun etc. During festivals, Garhwalis perform various folk dances like Raaso, Harul, Jhumeilo, Taandi, Pandav Nritya, Thadya, Chauphula etc.

Garhwali food is very simple but very nutritious completely suits the hard environment. Pulses like Gehet,gauth,swanta,toor(tur) ,gauthare fashioned into different preparations like ras-bhaat, chainsu, faana and thatwaani,thatchwari ,kwuadu attu ,miceyani roti all are unique preparations.In sweet dishes primarly lapsi,arsa,rwatna,kandku are relished by all garhwali ppl.In chutneys bhangjeera has no substitute. Jholi or curry seasoned with curd. Chudkani and jol made from bhatt pulses. Cereals like Koda with rice and wheat are popular. Kaaphli which is the same as saag of Punjab is also popular. Fruits like maltas(mekauti) , narangi grow in the upper himalayas and papayas and mangoes in somewhat lower hilly areas such as pola(near tilwara) are grown.

Nanda Devi (Raj Jat): is an ancient tradition, which has been in vogue in the region for a long time. The genesis of Nanda worship is wrapped in mystery. However, most scholars agree that its genesis dates back to the 9th century or even before. According to the folk songs sung at Nauti during this Jat, King Shalipal of Chandpur Garhi is said to have laid the foundation of this tradition. He directed his royal priests to worship the Goddess according to his instructions. Nandadevi Raj Jat is an important religious event of Garhwal region of Uttrakhand It involves a long trekking for taking the areas reigning deity Goddess Nanda to her divine destination of Gaungati peak which is believed to be the abode of her consort, Lord Shiva. The Raj Jat is taken up every 12 years, after elaborate preparations by the descendants of the royal priests now living at village Nauti and royal class of Kunwars living in Kansuwar. The purpose of the 280 km. long arduous trek undertaken by thousands of devotees is to escort the Goddess to her in-laws place. The Jat resembles the postnuptial rite of ceremonially seeing off a daughter as she leaves for her husbands home with all her personal effects and dowry.^[6]

Surkunda Devi: is a Hindu temple situated close to the small resort hamlet of Dhanaulti in Tehri District. It is at an altitude of about 2,757m metres, or 9500 ft; lies close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 km) and Chamba (22 km). It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the north, and certain cities to the south (e.g., Dehradun, Rishikesh) The Ganga Dussera festival is celebrated every year between May and June.^[7]

Chandrabadni Devi Temple: this place is in Tehri garhwal and one can reach the temple either from Kandikhal en route Srinagar-Tehri, from where it is a 8 km walk to the temple or from Janikhal en route Dev Prayag-Tehri via a link road up to Jurana (9 km) and then take a bridle path (1.5 km) up to the temple. A big fair is held in April every year. Adding to the various religious and culture performances, the view of the snowcapped Himalayas is soul lifting. A visit to the shrine is an experience to cherish.^[8]

Jaagar Spirit Worship: Jaagar (जागर) falls in the category of ghost and spiritual worship, in the form of a folk song or at times combined with dances. Sometimes, Jaagar may also be in the form of Puja folk songs and are sung in honour of the various gods and goddesses. There are more than 500 ballads on indigenous spirits, gods and goddesses, fairies and ghosts. It can be termed as a mast hysteria. The chief priest, Jagariya, fixes the time on which a jagar is to be performed. Around the burning fire, in a circle, are members of the village or family-suddenly the Dangariya or medium, slowly, and with measured drum beats, starts to invoke the spirit. Coupled with his singing, punctuated by the exotic drum-beats, and the shrill sound of the thali', the crescendo, builds up and drives the listeners into a trance. In a fit of ectasy they leap, shout, tremble and jump. As they move around the fire, the Das starts to address them by the name of the spirit or spirits involved and asks the spirits, the questions that are sought by some families and the remedies. Usually the spirit demands a sacrifice of a goat or a chicken. The spirit is sent back to its Himalayan abode and the spell breaks-the dance and the ceremony is over. While in a state of trance the dancers lick red-hot pokers, or shove their hands into the blazing fire without being harmed. The instruments used are a big Drum (Dhol), a smaller Drum (Damau), Hurka and Thali. There are evidences that this all started as a means of entertainment in old age Garhwal same as enactment of Ramayana but subsequently got coupled with superstitions of ghosts and was transformed into present form.

According to a 2007 study, Uttarakhand has the highest percentage of brahmins of any state in India, with approximately 20% of the population being brahmin.^[9] Garhwal, in particular, has a very high percentage of Brahmins (30-40%).

Many Brahmins settled in the hill state through various waves of migration from the rest of the Indian subcontinent (mainly from the northern and western areas) due to the many holy temples and cities found throughout the region which includes the auspicious Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and the holy cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh. The Garhwali Brahmins are mostly of Khas-Aryan descent. The following are some of the Garhwali Brahmin clans:

• Dhoundiyal, Chamoli, Kothiyal, Dangwal, Jhildiyal, Dobriyal, Thapliyal, Kandwal, Hatwal, Lakhera, Dabral, Gairola, Jakhmola, Rudola, Jamloki, Dhyani, Painuly (Panuly), Pant, Sati, Kimothi, Dimri, Nawani, Bahuguna, Chaukiyal, Khanduri, Godiyal, Pandey, Tiwari, Semwal, Shailwal, Joshi, Nautiyal, Badoni, Raturi, Badola, Barthwal, Mamgain, Chandola, Upreti / Uprety, Bhatt, Pathak, Sarola, Khantwal, Kukreti, Balooni, Budakoti, Kotnala, Naithani, Dhasmana,Jadli, Juyal, Joshi, Kala, Dobhal, Duklan, Bijalwan, Binjola, Uniyal, Maithani, Sundriyal, Dandriyal, Maikhuri, Kothari, Sareera, Baukhandi, Kapruwan, Pokhriyal, Todaria/Todariya, Babulkar, Karnatak, Dobriyal, Gauniyal, Jadli, Ghildiyal, Sundali, Saklani, Devrani, Kulasari/Kulashri, Balodi, Gaur, Belwal, Baunthiyal, Khughshal/Kugshal and many more.

About 55% of people are Rajput in Garhwal.

• Parmar, Panwar, Kunwar, Kandari Rawat,mahar, Khatri, Patwal, Negi, Chauhan, Rana, Pundir, Bisht, Bhandari, Bartwal, Gusain, Aswal, Ramola, Khati, Jayara, Gunsola, Pokhriyal, Uniyal, Shah, Mall, Juyal , Kandwal , Dobriyal , Sundriyal , manral, Dingh, Thapliyal etc.

Garhwali Rajputs have many more surnames based on their village origins but most people prefer their professional surnames like Rawat, Negi, Bisht, Bhandari,Miyan,Manral etc.

• Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
• Narendra Singh Negi
• Shri Paripoornanand Painuly
• Bachan Singh Negi
• Veer Chandra Singh Gadhwali
• Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna
• Maj. Gen. Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri
• Madho Singh Bhandari
• Shridev Suman
• Bachendri Pal
• Jaspal Rana
• Deepak Dobriyal
• Anushka Sharma
• Varun Badola
• Shivanand Nautiyal
• Bhagat Darhshan
• Gabbar Singh
• Satpal Maharaj
• Prempal Singh Rawat
• Mangla Rawat
• Bhola Maharaj
• Gaura Devi
• Pandit. Satyeshwar Prasad Raturi
• Sunderlal Bahuguna
• Thakur Surveer Singh
• Vidya Sagar Nautiyal
• Surjan Singh Bhandari* Parimarjan Negi
• Chandra Kunwar Bartwal
• Arjun singh gusain pauri garhwal
• Sakshi Rawat Dhoni
• Dr. Rajesh Bahuguna, Principal Law College Dehradun.
• Mrs. Beena Bahuguna, Senior Rajya Andolankari, Mahila President, (UKD)

Jyoti Mamgain

• Asha Rawat (Fish)

Jagadguru Shankracharya Swami Madhvashram ji

• Sarola brahmin
• Garhwal division
• Garhwal Rifles
• Garhwali language
• Kumaon Regiment
• Kumaoni people
• Martial Race
• Uttarakhand

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