PEOPLE
Scores of races, communities and cultures have intermingled in
Himachal. The crime
rate is very low. There faiths are simple, beliefs primitive and myths difficult
to fathom. A birth, a fair, a community
gathering, a marriage, a festival all provide them opportunity for song and
dance. Their has been relatively a closed society. They hardly ever lock up their
houses. There are few instances of theft or trickery. They firmly believe that
all their act whether good or bad are recorded in heaven and their proportions,
shall eventually decide their next birth.
 Ninety three percent of the state population are engaged in agriculture. Most
of the land is owned by Rajputs, Brahmins and Mahajans (the high caste) who
dominate the economic and political life of the state. They dominate in ritual
status too. The low castes who form about 24% of the population are mostly artisans.
They depend on the high castes for their livelihood and hold them in respect.
The relationship is gradually changing to interdependence with the
implementation of social and agrarian reforms.
The people of Himachal love
colour.
Their dress patterns follow the local
climate. The people of Lahaul wear long gowns and trousers but their gowns do
not have mandarin sleeves. They wear grass or leather boots. Their caps indicate
the region they come from.
Castes
The Rajputs are in a majority in
Himachal. They are the descendants of
immigrant Rajputs who came here to establish small princely states or who were
driven to the hills by the Muslim invaders. The earlier inhabitants, the Khasia
(descendants of the Khasas) joined the Rajputs and adopted some of their
sub-castes. But a certain distance has always persisted in their social
relationship. Rajputs are mostly landed people and are engaged in agriculture.
They are also good soldiers. In relation to its population Himachal has
contributed the maximum number of Rajputs to the Indian army. The Rajputs
soldiers from Kangra and Hamispur areas are well known for their qualities of
bravery and loyalty. Kotoch, Bana, Pathaniya and Baliriye are the main branches
of the Rajputs in the area. The Kanait Rajputs are considered a little below
these and they have taken to farming.
The
Brahmins, who were the priests of Rajputs are the second largest group.
Shrotriyas, the Dixit, the Nagas, the Panch Karmas and the Padhes are some
prominent Brahmin branches. They have more influence in the lower hills than in
the higher regions.
The Ghirats are next in number. They are the descendants of Kirats according
to some sources. But according to ethnographic evidence they are of Indo-Aryan
origin. They are farmers.
Mahajans and
Soods, the business communities are sprinkled all over. They
wield great influence even though they are a small minority. They have a shop in
almost every village right up to the Tibetan border. Traditionally they used to
be the main exporters and importers of the products in the state. Now
co-operatives and corporations are taking up their role.
Chahang, Saini etc are other castes where people are professional farmers.
The Ahirs own windmills and catch fish. The Darai have settled along the river
Beas. Their forefathers were boatmen. Lohar (ironsmiths), Tarkhan (carpenter),
Nai (barbers), Dusali, Doomna, Chamar (cobblers) and Julahas (weavers) follow
their paternal professions.
The educated in these castes are moving towards other professions and also
into farming. The caste system has weakened and there is a greater intermingling
among the people in the society. The untouchables are being specially protected
and helped by the government by special acts. A few peasant families belong to
the backward classes. All these castes are divided into the categories of Kachha,
Pakka, Nagar Kotiya and Bhatedu.
|
