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People
The
people of Haryana belong to the Indo Aryan type and in parts to the
Indo-Dravidian type. Harayan's population, are divided into a number of castes (jatis).
The main classes of people in Haryana are the Brahmins, the Rajputs, the Jats, the Ahirs and the allied agricultural communities. From the
ancient past to the present, religion provides the main basis of the structure
of the Haryana society. In
the early times people professed Hinduism.
After some time Jainism and
Buddhism came to have their hold on the people. In the medieval times came Islam, followed by Sikhism and Christianity.
Jats
The
Hindu Jats occupy a prominent place in Haryana, being the single largest group
in the region. Some of the Jats claim themselves to be of Rajput origin and
maintained that their Rajput ancestors came from Malwa, Bikaner, Dharangar which
lay to the east near the ancient Hastinapur. It was the Jats who formed the
ethnic nucleus of the people now called the Punjabi's.
The
Jats are divided into twelve chief clans (gotras) and about 137 minor gotras.
The main gotras are Maliks ( also called Gatwallas), Dahiya, Ahlawat, Rathi,
Dalal, Sahrawat, Kadian, Jakhar, Golia and Deswal. The Muslim Jats, called
Mullas are a separate group. The Jats form a predominant proportion in the
districts of Hissar and Karnal and are also found in good strength in Ambala.
The Jats have great physical and moral energy, are admirable
cultivators. Besides agriculture, they engage themselves in trade and
production of local products in the rural area. Jats join in large numbers
in the Services, particularly in the army and the police. They are finding
representation in civil services also.
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Rajputs
Rajputs a sub clan of Gurjars occupy a respectable position in Haryana. The various Rajput clans trace their ancestry
to the ancient warriors (Kshatriya) who figure so prominently in legend and
ancient lore. The oldest Rajput settlers in Haryana are two principal clans, the
Mandhars and the Chauhans. The Mandhars claim to have descended from Lav, one of
the two sons of Rama, the great hero of Epic Ramayana. They are thus descendants of
Surajabansis. The Chauhans claim descent from Rana Har Rai. Other Rajput clans
are Badgujar, Parmara (Puars), Bachas, Tunwars, Gurs etc.
In earlier times the Rajputs have formed an important class
of the feudals in Haryana. But now the new social legislation and in particular
the land laws, have drastically cut down larger holdings of land which
led to the disappearance of the feudal gentry.
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Brahmans
The
Brahmans form an important section of the people in Haryana. Most of the
Brahmins in Haryana are Gaur Brahmins. The name is probably derived from their
residence at Ghaggar. The other common gotras among Brahmans are Sarsut,
Bharadwaja, Vashista, Gaudama, Bacchhasas, Parsira, Sandlasa, Gujarati or Bias
and the Dakaut. The Sarsut Brahmins, less numerous than the Gaur are not so
strict in their caste habits. The Gujarati or Bias who came from Gujarat are
regarded in some respects as the highest class of Brahmins.
Brahmins
constitute the most orthodox community. Not only do they keep aloof from others,
but also practice taboos among themselves. But now the situation is changing and
the Brahmins even take up other profession than the priesthood.
Tyagis or Tagas are of Brahmin origin who gave up priestly
profession and took to agriculture. Tyagis wear the sacred thread but
the other Brahmins will not inter marry or eat with them.
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