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Religion
The total population of the state consists of Hindus,
Muslims and Jains. Zorastrians or Parsis can also be seen in
Gujarat.
The caste system is strictly followed by the Hindus
of Gujarat. Besides the 'Brahmins' and the 'Banias' whose functions and
occupations are fairly well determined, the community of 'Patidars' owning
land is the strongest force in the economic and political life of the
state. Patidars, also called Patels, are the best agriculturists of Gujarat.
They are grouped into four categories namely Levas, Kadawas, Anjana and
Uda. The Levas are most shrewd and are concentrated in central Gujarat.
The Kadawas are most numerous in Mehsana district.
The fourth regional group which may have been a native
of Gujarat is the community of aboriginals, locally known as 'Bhils',
inhabit the hilly tracts of Gujarat that border the plains from Abu in
the north to Dangs in the south. The Bhils may be regarded as a hybrid
group in Gujarat, on the one hand absorbing Rajput blood and on the other
representing a tribal sub-stratum. The Bhils regard themselves as belonging
to the Kshatriya caste who had to take shelter in the hills of the Vindhyas
and the Satpuras, along the lower Narmada, to save themselves from the
wrath of the Brahmin hero, Parashuram.
The Bhils of Gujarat thus do not possess any racial basis distinct from
the other inhabitants of the region.
The tribals of Gujarat are found concentrated in the
south-eastern part of Gujarat particularly in the district of Panchmahals,
Surat, Baroda, and Broach. The main tribal groups are the Bhils, the Dublas,
the Naika-Narkdas, the Gamits and the Dhankas.
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