Saini History Information
" The above group of Yadavas came back from Sindh to Brij area and occupied Bayana in Bharatpur district. After some struggle the 'Balai' inhabitants were forced by Shodeo and Saini rulers to move out of Brij land and thus they occupied large areas.".
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Saini History - Welcome to sainiinfo - Saini History. SAINI'S are a kshatriya clan belonging to the CHANDRAVANSHI KSHATRIYA's, a branch of the warrior class. In a high court judgement in punjab the court ruled
Saini History - A history & profile of Yadavas of Surasena - Exclusions & Disclaimers This website is dedicated to documenting the history of Saini community of Punjab and its bordering districts in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and
Saini History - References - Saini Kshatriyas of Punjab The Sourasenoi of Megesthenes, i.e. the tribe of Lord Krishna and Porus. beta
Saini Online - Exclusions & Disclaimers This website is dedicated to documenting the history of Saini community of Punjab and its bordering districts in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and
शनिवार, 28 मई 2011
MALI / SAINI COMMUNITY AND BHAKTI(DEVOTION) MOVEMENT IN INDIA
MALI / SAINI COMMUNITY AND BHAKTI(DEVOTION) MOVEMENT IN INDIA
Bhakti movement has played a revolutionary role in the history of Indian religion.This movement was started about 1200 AD when different sampardayas such as NATH, VARKARI ,NAGESH, DATTA, MAHANUBHAV, SAMARTH etc. were founded by our great saints who are called as poet-saints and sufi saints.Sant Jnaneshwar, Sant Namdev and Sant Swata Mali were pioneers of this movement as they stood in a rebellion against orthodox religion.
This was the time when only the knowledge of Sanskrit and Gyan was believed to be the only way to attain Godliness. Only Brahmins were enjoying the right to perform various Rituals that were considered to be the only medium to attain Godliness. The masses were cut off from the religion due to lack of knowledge of Sanskrit and the dominance of Brahmins. All religious books were written only in Sanskrit and they were denied the right to learn Sanskrit Due to the Brahmin lobby as administrators of the kingdoms. Both Sant Jnaneshwar and Sant Namdev through their works and devotion initiated a Sampardaya which did not attach any importance to caste but only devotion to Lord. This was the birth of BHAKTI MOVEMENT. The enchanted masses could attain Godliness through devotion. Also the format of chorus singing could be easily adopted and practiced by commoners. They founded the VARKARI- NAMASKIRTANA SAMPARDAYA . Sant Jnaneshwar(1275-1296) translated “BHAGWAT GITA” In Marathi , the language of masses. The contemporary saints belonging to different castes such as Sant Namdev , Sant Sawata Mali, Sant Narahari Sonar, Sant Chokha Mela, Sant Janabai, Sant Sena Nhavi, Sant Gora Kumbhar, Sh. Sheikh Mohammad and other saints also wrote and sung hundreds of Abhangs(Shabads which can not be destroyed). The central ideology of this sect was chanting of Namaskirtana(Kirtan) daily. This sampardaya attached least importance to the position/status of person in society. Rendering of Namaskirtana attaches a great importance to “NAMA” (Nam Japna) and chorus singing (Kirtan).Varkari sect followers walk down to the shrine from long distances i.e. pilgrimage.
They preached that we do not need rituals to attain NIRVANA (Moksha) and do not need priests to worship God.They fought for equality and asked not to follow superstitions.They propounded Bhakti and Mukti are open to all castes including women folk.This Sampardaya contributed to simplify the Religion and thoughts mentioned in it, to understand and follow the path of one God. Pandharpur in Sholapur district was the centre of this movement and with the diety of VITHOBA(Krishna) established here by Raja Rajdeo Rao Yadav of the contemporary regime. This Yadav dynasty of Deogiri (Daultabad) also made Marathi as their court language. The Varkari saints wrote poems to purify the essence of religion. Sant Jnaneshwar`s Jnaneshwari, Sant Namdev`s Abhang Gatha , Sant Swata Mali`s Abhangs and Sant Tukaram`s Abhang Granth are main writings of Sampardaya. As the Vaishnavism(Krishan Bhakti) was already followed by masses and these saints recognised (Prakrit) Marathi as the religious language and became popular so.This movement slowly spread to whole of Maharashtra, Punjab and so on. This Sampardaya`s traditions in North India were continued by Sant Kabir, Sant Surdas, Meerabai and Sant Namdev`s visits. Sant Namdev Ji stayed for a long time in Punjab and served as a role model to Sikh Gurus and other sufi -saints. A few centuries later, Sant Tukaram and Sant Eknath (17 th century) further reinforced the Varkari- Namaskirtana Sampardaya.
In 15th century, during Deccan Udhasi- Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited almost all the key religious centres and places of political importance in Maharashtra and met followers of these famous saints and collected their Abhangs/Hymns(Bani) and were greatly influeced by their contribution to religion as well as social work. They visited Sholapur(the birth district of Sh Namdev Ji and Sh Sawata Mali) and Pandharpur whrere saints like Sh Namdev, Sh Sawata Mali and Sh. Jnaneshwar spent long time of their life. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji held discussions with followers of this sampardaya and collected verses. Later Shabads/Abhangs of Sh. Namdev, Bhai Parmanand and Bhai Trilochan were included into Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Sh. Guru Arjun Dev Ji. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji started a new sampardaya in Punjab that came to known as Sikh sampardaya whose central ideology of one God, Nam Japna, Denouncing of Casteism, Bhakti and Mukti are open to all and to attain Godliness there is no need of priests were same as that of Varkari-Namaskirtana Sampardaya. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also preached against the idol worship and said that pilgrimage is not necessary. . Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also wrote The Gurbani in people`s language i.e. Punjabi (Prakrit) by using Gurmukhi script.This sampardaya with course of time developed as Sikh religion.
Shiromani Sant Sh. Sawata Mali Ji --- Sant Sawata Mali Ji was born in 1250 AD in a Mali farmer family at Aran in Sholapur district of Maharashtra.His father Sh. Devoo Mali was an ardent devotee of Lord Vithal/Vithoba and used to visit Pandharpur situated at the holy river of Chanderbhaga.Original village of family was Astha in Miraj Sansthan and moved to Aran. Sant Swata Mali ji was contemporary of Sh. Namdev Ji and Sh. Jnaneshwar Ji and played an important part in the formation of Varkari- Namaskirtana Sampardaya. Sant Sawata Mali Ji and Sant Namdev Ji accompanied Sh. Jnaneshwar Ji on his pilgrimage of holy places of North, East and West India. He wrote many Abhangs (devotional songs) in his mother tongue Marathi which met the spiritual needs of the masses to achieve Godliness. Sant Sawata Mali Ji preached for a long time at Pandharpur. He left for his heavenly abode on 12th July 1295 AD at Aran.
Shiromani Bhagat Jamala Singh Nanuan—was a sufi-poet of 17th century and served as a darbari kavi at Shri Anandpur Sahib.He spent his whole life in close association of 8th, 9th and 10th Sikh Gurus.He was baptised by Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Bhagat Nanuan Ji was a true believer of Sikhism and he sacrificed his life in battle of Chamkaur Sahib fighting the Mughals , his two sons also laid their lives in Sikh -Mughal wars
In 19 th century , Mahatma Jyoti Rao Govind Rao Phule (Mali)- Saint of Modern India propagated the message of teachings of Sanits of Bhakti Movement through his movement of social reforms and fight against Brahamanism.
Saini -Mali community and other rural communities explored avenues for upward mobility through Bhakti movement and sectarian model. Mali- Saini farming class of Maharashtra was greatly influenced by the Varkari-Namaskirtana Sect as it was a branch of Vaishnav bhakti ( Krishna - their ancestor). They followed the teachings of these saints in their daily lives to fullfill their spiritual needs. They have great respect for Pandharpur.They visit Pandharpur twice a year on the eve of Ashadhi and Kartik ekadishies.Abhangs of these saints are the source of inspiration to them to lead an honest life by remembring God. They pay rich tributes to Sant Sawata Mali Ji by organising Kirtans.A devotional song “ Aamuchi Mali yati jaat” is very popular in the community. In North Saini- Mali community has great faith in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and they follow the teachings of Sikh Guru Sahiban. Sh. Guru Granth Sahib Ji has a large collection of Shabads written by these Poet- Saints of Varkari-Namaskirtana sect from Maharashtra as well as from North. Large population of this community has adopted Sikhism as their religion. S.Gursa Singh Gahunia was among the first sikhs to get baptised by Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib on Vaisakhi of 1699 AD.
Bhakti movement has played a revolutionary role in the history of Indian religion.This movement was started about 1200 AD when different sampardayas such as NATH, VARKARI ,NAGESH, DATTA, MAHANUBHAV, SAMARTH etc. were founded by our great saints who are called as poet-saints and sufi saints.Sant Jnaneshwar, Sant Namdev and Sant Swata Mali were pioneers of this movement as they stood in a rebellion against orthodox religion.
This was the time when only the knowledge of Sanskrit and Gyan was believed to be the only way to attain Godliness. Only Brahmins were enjoying the right to perform various Rituals that were considered to be the only medium to attain Godliness. The masses were cut off from the religion due to lack of knowledge of Sanskrit and the dominance of Brahmins. All religious books were written only in Sanskrit and they were denied the right to learn Sanskrit Due to the Brahmin lobby as administrators of the kingdoms. Both Sant Jnaneshwar and Sant Namdev through their works and devotion initiated a Sampardaya which did not attach any importance to caste but only devotion to Lord. This was the birth of BHAKTI MOVEMENT. The enchanted masses could attain Godliness through devotion. Also the format of chorus singing could be easily adopted and practiced by commoners. They founded the VARKARI- NAMASKIRTANA SAMPARDAYA . Sant Jnaneshwar(1275-1296) translated “BHAGWAT GITA” In Marathi , the language of masses. The contemporary saints belonging to different castes such as Sant Namdev , Sant Sawata Mali, Sant Narahari Sonar, Sant Chokha Mela, Sant Janabai, Sant Sena Nhavi, Sant Gora Kumbhar, Sh. Sheikh Mohammad and other saints also wrote and sung hundreds of Abhangs(Shabads which can not be destroyed). The central ideology of this sect was chanting of Namaskirtana(Kirtan) daily. This sampardaya attached least importance to the position/status of person in society. Rendering of Namaskirtana attaches a great importance to “NAMA” (Nam Japna) and chorus singing (Kirtan).Varkari sect followers walk down to the shrine from long distances i.e. pilgrimage.
They preached that we do not need rituals to attain NIRVANA (Moksha) and do not need priests to worship God.They fought for equality and asked not to follow superstitions.They propounded Bhakti and Mukti are open to all castes including women folk.This Sampardaya contributed to simplify the Religion and thoughts mentioned in it, to understand and follow the path of one God. Pandharpur in Sholapur district was the centre of this movement and with the diety of VITHOBA(Krishna) established here by Raja Rajdeo Rao Yadav of the contemporary regime. This Yadav dynasty of Deogiri (Daultabad) also made Marathi as their court language. The Varkari saints wrote poems to purify the essence of religion. Sant Jnaneshwar`s Jnaneshwari, Sant Namdev`s Abhang Gatha , Sant Swata Mali`s Abhangs and Sant Tukaram`s Abhang Granth are main writings of Sampardaya. As the Vaishnavism(Krishan Bhakti) was already followed by masses and these saints recognised (Prakrit) Marathi as the religious language and became popular so.This movement slowly spread to whole of Maharashtra, Punjab and so on. This Sampardaya`s traditions in North India were continued by Sant Kabir, Sant Surdas, Meerabai and Sant Namdev`s visits. Sant Namdev Ji stayed for a long time in Punjab and served as a role model to Sikh Gurus and other sufi -saints. A few centuries later, Sant Tukaram and Sant Eknath (17 th century) further reinforced the Varkari- Namaskirtana Sampardaya.
In 15th century, during Deccan Udhasi- Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited almost all the key religious centres and places of political importance in Maharashtra and met followers of these famous saints and collected their Abhangs/Hymns(Bani) and were greatly influeced by their contribution to religion as well as social work. They visited Sholapur(the birth district of Sh Namdev Ji and Sh Sawata Mali) and Pandharpur whrere saints like Sh Namdev, Sh Sawata Mali and Sh. Jnaneshwar spent long time of their life. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji held discussions with followers of this sampardaya and collected verses. Later Shabads/Abhangs of Sh. Namdev, Bhai Parmanand and Bhai Trilochan were included into Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Sh. Guru Arjun Dev Ji. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji started a new sampardaya in Punjab that came to known as Sikh sampardaya whose central ideology of one God, Nam Japna, Denouncing of Casteism, Bhakti and Mukti are open to all and to attain Godliness there is no need of priests were same as that of Varkari-Namaskirtana Sampardaya. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also preached against the idol worship and said that pilgrimage is not necessary. . Sh. Guru Nanak Dev Ji also wrote The Gurbani in people`s language i.e. Punjabi (Prakrit) by using Gurmukhi script.This sampardaya with course of time developed as Sikh religion.
Shiromani Sant Sh. Sawata Mali Ji --- Sant Sawata Mali Ji was born in 1250 AD in a Mali farmer family at Aran in Sholapur district of Maharashtra.His father Sh. Devoo Mali was an ardent devotee of Lord Vithal/Vithoba and used to visit Pandharpur situated at the holy river of Chanderbhaga.Original village of family was Astha in Miraj Sansthan and moved to Aran. Sant Swata Mali ji was contemporary of Sh. Namdev Ji and Sh. Jnaneshwar Ji and played an important part in the formation of Varkari- Namaskirtana Sampardaya. Sant Sawata Mali Ji and Sant Namdev Ji accompanied Sh. Jnaneshwar Ji on his pilgrimage of holy places of North, East and West India. He wrote many Abhangs (devotional songs) in his mother tongue Marathi which met the spiritual needs of the masses to achieve Godliness. Sant Sawata Mali Ji preached for a long time at Pandharpur. He left for his heavenly abode on 12th July 1295 AD at Aran.
Shiromani Bhagat Jamala Singh Nanuan—was a sufi-poet of 17th century and served as a darbari kavi at Shri Anandpur Sahib.He spent his whole life in close association of 8th, 9th and 10th Sikh Gurus.He was baptised by Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Bhagat Nanuan Ji was a true believer of Sikhism and he sacrificed his life in battle of Chamkaur Sahib fighting the Mughals , his two sons also laid their lives in Sikh -Mughal wars
In 19 th century , Mahatma Jyoti Rao Govind Rao Phule (Mali)- Saint of Modern India propagated the message of teachings of Sanits of Bhakti Movement through his movement of social reforms and fight against Brahamanism.
Saini -Mali community and other rural communities explored avenues for upward mobility through Bhakti movement and sectarian model. Mali- Saini farming class of Maharashtra was greatly influenced by the Varkari-Namaskirtana Sect as it was a branch of Vaishnav bhakti ( Krishna - their ancestor). They followed the teachings of these saints in their daily lives to fullfill their spiritual needs. They have great respect for Pandharpur.They visit Pandharpur twice a year on the eve of Ashadhi and Kartik ekadishies.Abhangs of these saints are the source of inspiration to them to lead an honest life by remembring God. They pay rich tributes to Sant Sawata Mali Ji by organising Kirtans.A devotional song “ Aamuchi Mali yati jaat” is very popular in the community. In North Saini- Mali community has great faith in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and they follow the teachings of Sikh Guru Sahiban. Sh. Guru Granth Sahib Ji has a large collection of Shabads written by these Poet- Saints of Varkari-Namaskirtana sect from Maharashtra as well as from North. Large population of this community has adopted Sikhism as their religion. S.Gursa Singh Gahunia was among the first sikhs to get baptised by Sh. Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib on Vaisakhi of 1699 AD.
Sainis of North India - Jammu
Sainis of North India - Jammu
Sainis of North India - Jammu
AS PER THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION , SAINI'S PRESENCE IN THE PLAIN AREA OF JAMMU IS NOT WELL KNOWN. AS THEY ARE A PART OF MINORITY ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER COUNTERPARTS LIKE LUBHANAS AND JATS OF THIS AREA IN A PROVINCE DOMINATED BY DOGRA RAJPUTS. HERE IN THE TEHSILS OF BISHNAH AND RANBIR SINGH PURA SECTOR MANY VILLAGES OF SAINI COMMUNITY ARE FOUND. THIS AREA IS RICH OF FERTILE LAND IRRIGATED BY CANALS AND IS FAMOUS FOR CULTIVATION OF BASMATI RICE AND RED BEANS AS WELL AS SUGARCANE AND COTTON. HERE SAINI'S ARE LIVING IN HARMONY WITH OTHER PUNJABI FARMING CASTES LIKE LUBHANAS, RAJPUTS AND JATS.
YOU WOULD BE WONDERING HOW COME THESE PEOPLE ARE IN JAMMU. ACTUALLY THIS AREA IS JUST A PART OF NORTHERN SIALKOT AND SHAKARGARH DISST.'S OF PAKISTAN. AFTER INDEPENDENCE DUE TO HINDU AND SIKH MAJORITY THESE TEHSILS WERE INCLUDED IN JAMMU PART OF INDIA AND SO THESE VILLAGES LOST THEIR DIRECT TRANSPORTATION ACCESS TO GURDASPUR AND PATHANKOT OF PUNJAB. SO NOW THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL A LONG STRETCH THROUGH JAMMU AND KATHUA TO REACH PATHANKOT AND GURDASPUR. FOR EXAMPLE NAROT MEHRA, SUJANPUR AND PATHANKOT ARE SITUATED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF SHIVALIK AND ACROSS RIVER RAVI WHICH SEPARATES SIALKOT AND SHAKARGARH OF PAKISTAN PUNJAB FROM PUNJAB OF INDIA. IN THESE PARTS OF PUNJAB, SAINI COMMUNITY HAS A LARGE POPULATION. MASTER SATPAL SAINI IS BJP MLA FROM SUJANPUR.
IN JAMMU REGION OF BISHNAH AND RS PURA SAINI'S FOLLOW HIDUISM AND SIKHISM ALTHOUGH THEY ARE MOSTLY HINDUS. BOTH HINDUS AND SIKHS INTERMARRY. SIMILARILY, OTHER FARMING COMMUNITIES OF THIS AREA, IE., JATS AND LUBHANAS ARE ALSO DIVIDED AS HINDUS AND SIKHS. IN THIS AREA VILLAGE CALLED KOOHL IS THE STRONGHOLD OF SAINIS. THIS VILLAGE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS SAINIS WHO ARE AGGRESSIVE AND DARING AND USED TO GET INVOLVED INTO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ACCROSS THE BORDER. THIS VILLAGE IS A TOTALLY SAINI SIKH VILLAGE AND THE SURNAME OF THE VILLAGE IS BANWAIT. OTHER FAMOUS VILLAGES ARE RASULPUR (SALARIA), SAROYA, CHAKRA (KHARGAL), AND CHANNA AND ARNIA, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS SECTOR ARNIA ON THE BORDER. FROM HERE SIALKOT IS NOT TOO FAR. SAINIS OF THIS AREA ARE VERY STURDY, TALL AND HARD WORKING. THEIR MAIN OCCUPATION IS FARMING AND ARMY. THERE IS A STRETCH OF TWELVE VILLAGES JUST FROM KOOHL TO ARNIA ROAD. NOW A DAYS, MOST OF THE SIKH SAINIS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DISTRICT GURDASPUR TO VISIT THEIR RELATIVES AND IN SEARCH OF NEW RELATIVES.
Sainis of North India - Jammu
AS PER THEIR GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION , SAINI'S PRESENCE IN THE PLAIN AREA OF JAMMU IS NOT WELL KNOWN. AS THEY ARE A PART OF MINORITY ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER COUNTERPARTS LIKE LUBHANAS AND JATS OF THIS AREA IN A PROVINCE DOMINATED BY DOGRA RAJPUTS. HERE IN THE TEHSILS OF BISHNAH AND RANBIR SINGH PURA SECTOR MANY VILLAGES OF SAINI COMMUNITY ARE FOUND. THIS AREA IS RICH OF FERTILE LAND IRRIGATED BY CANALS AND IS FAMOUS FOR CULTIVATION OF BASMATI RICE AND RED BEANS AS WELL AS SUGARCANE AND COTTON. HERE SAINI'S ARE LIVING IN HARMONY WITH OTHER PUNJABI FARMING CASTES LIKE LUBHANAS, RAJPUTS AND JATS.
YOU WOULD BE WONDERING HOW COME THESE PEOPLE ARE IN JAMMU. ACTUALLY THIS AREA IS JUST A PART OF NORTHERN SIALKOT AND SHAKARGARH DISST.'S OF PAKISTAN. AFTER INDEPENDENCE DUE TO HINDU AND SIKH MAJORITY THESE TEHSILS WERE INCLUDED IN JAMMU PART OF INDIA AND SO THESE VILLAGES LOST THEIR DIRECT TRANSPORTATION ACCESS TO GURDASPUR AND PATHANKOT OF PUNJAB. SO NOW THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL A LONG STRETCH THROUGH JAMMU AND KATHUA TO REACH PATHANKOT AND GURDASPUR. FOR EXAMPLE NAROT MEHRA, SUJANPUR AND PATHANKOT ARE SITUATED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF SHIVALIK AND ACROSS RIVER RAVI WHICH SEPARATES SIALKOT AND SHAKARGARH OF PAKISTAN PUNJAB FROM PUNJAB OF INDIA. IN THESE PARTS OF PUNJAB, SAINI COMMUNITY HAS A LARGE POPULATION. MASTER SATPAL SAINI IS BJP MLA FROM SUJANPUR.
IN JAMMU REGION OF BISHNAH AND RS PURA SAINI'S FOLLOW HIDUISM AND SIKHISM ALTHOUGH THEY ARE MOSTLY HINDUS. BOTH HINDUS AND SIKHS INTERMARRY. SIMILARILY, OTHER FARMING COMMUNITIES OF THIS AREA, IE., JATS AND LUBHANAS ARE ALSO DIVIDED AS HINDUS AND SIKHS. IN THIS AREA VILLAGE CALLED KOOHL IS THE STRONGHOLD OF SAINIS. THIS VILLAGE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS SAINIS WHO ARE AGGRESSIVE AND DARING AND USED TO GET INVOLVED INTO ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ACCROSS THE BORDER. THIS VILLAGE IS A TOTALLY SAINI SIKH VILLAGE AND THE SURNAME OF THE VILLAGE IS BANWAIT. OTHER FAMOUS VILLAGES ARE RASULPUR (SALARIA), SAROYA, CHAKRA (KHARGAL), AND CHANNA AND ARNIA, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS SECTOR ARNIA ON THE BORDER. FROM HERE SIALKOT IS NOT TOO FAR. SAINIS OF THIS AREA ARE VERY STURDY, TALL AND HARD WORKING. THEIR MAIN OCCUPATION IS FARMING AND ARMY. THERE IS A STRETCH OF TWELVE VILLAGES JUST FROM KOOHL TO ARNIA ROAD. NOW A DAYS, MOST OF THE SIKH SAINIS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DISTRICT GURDASPUR TO VISIT THEIR RELATIVES AND IN SEARCH OF NEW RELATIVES.
Maurya Parivar
Maurya Parivar
Maurya Parivar, To Unite All People Of Maurya Parivar Under One Roof. Home For Kushwaha, Koiri, Maurya, Saini(Sainya), Morya, Singh, Mahto, Mehta, Bhagirathi, Prasad, Rana, Dhaka, Hardia, Verma, Vadiya, Panjiyara, Chaudhary, Mandal.
Maurya Parivar, To Unite All People Of Maurya Parivar Under One Roof. Home For Kushwaha, Koiri, Maurya, Saini(Sainya), Morya, Singh, Mahto, Mehta, Bhagirathi, Prasad, Rana, Dhaka, Hardia, Verma, Vadiya, Panjiyara, Chaudhary, Mandal.
Sainis of North India - Haryana
ABOUT SAINI SAMAJ IN HARYANA
Sainis of North India - Haryana
The province of India called Haryana which was earlier a part of greater Punjab province has acquired its name from Abhiryana/Ahiryana, which denotes land of fearless Ahirs, who are the dominant people of Eastern Haryana, known as Ahirwal. As Sainis and Ahirs have common origins from Yadu tribe of Vedic Aryans so are found along them in different parts of Haryana. Sainis and Ahirs allied themselves under the Krishna-Pandava combine and after the war of ten kings known as Mahabharat at Kurukshetra they emerged victorious. At this time, Sainis got settled in different areas of Haryana by the Pandavas, Around the rivers called Saraswati (Ghaggar) and its branch known as Drishtadvadi, which was flowing through present day Jind, Hansi, and Hissar areas. Later during the Mauryan empire Sainis again got their hold even more stronger in these areas as Sainis constituted a major part of Mauryan army.
Present day Haryana is divided into nineteen districts with its capital at Chandigarh. Geographically, we can divide Haryana into four main regions. These include; Ahirwal-Mewat, which comprises districts of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mohindragarh, and Rewari. The second region is Shivalik region and it includes Yamunanagar, Punchkula, Ambala, and Kurukshetra district. The third is named Central Haryana which includes Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, and Bhiwani. The final region is South west Haryana and it includes districts of Jind, Kaithal, Fatehabad, Hissar, and Sirsa.
Sainis constitute the third largest farming caste in Haryana.Shivalik region is the region most densely inhabited by Saini community and is followed by SouthWest, Ahirwal, and Central Haryana in decreasing order.Sainis are the integral part of culture of Haryana. Hookah and Turban are the trademarks of their tradition and as well as the titles of Chaudhary and Sardar as has been the part of culture of Haryana People . They believe both in Sikhism as well as Hinduism although Hindus cnstitute the majority. Inter-religion marriages are the norm.They speak pure Haryanvi dialect as well as Punjabi in certain parts neighbouring Punjab.
Shivalik Region
Panchkula- This district borders the Saini dominated areas of Punjab and Himachal Pardesh, and Union territory of Chandigarh. Sainis are one of the peasantry of this district and are scattered all throughout regions such as; Morni, Kalka, Raipur Rani, Ramgarh, and Mauli, etc. Mr. Sadhu Ram Saini is the former MLA of this district.
Ambala- also known as Amba -wala i..e. land of Mango trees and was a part of kingdom of Pandavas. This district is in close proximity with Dera Bassi and Ropar areas of Punjab.Saini villages are in large numbers in this district. Narayangarh , Kala Amb, Shazadpura and Saha are most densely inhabited by Saini community.Stupas found at Sugh and Chaneti speaks of the Mauryan times glory of this region and Saini dominance.Many Sikh historic temples are situated in this distict like Gurudwara Lakhnaur Sahib. Mr. Raj Kumar Saini is the former MLA of Narayangarh.
Yamunanagar- This district is situated across the river Jamuna and is the entry point to the Saini dominated districts of Hardwar and Saharanpur of U.P. and Uttarachanchal. Sainis are the main farming community along with Rajputs in this area. Sadhaura, Jagadhari, Khizrabad, Radaur, Chachrauli areas have a vast population of Saini farming community. Mr. Bishan Lal Saini is present MLA of Jagadhari constituency.
Kurukshetra- Sainis made it their stronghold after the battle of Mahabharat. Thanesar, Pipli, Ladwa, Shahbad-Markanda, and Babain, etc., areas have the largest number of Saini villages. Saini domination in this area speaks of their Krishna-Pandava lineage, Thanesar is the native place of Harash Vardhana, the last ruler of Aryan Hindu empire before the arrival of Muslim Salatnat era. Kurukshetra district is also related to the Sikh Guru Har Gobind Ji’s visits to this area and therefore many Sainis are followers of Sikhism in this area. Sardar Gurdial Singh Saini is the former MP of this district and is the president of Haryana Saini Samaj. At present, Mrs. Kailasho Devi Saini is the MP and belongs to Partappura village of this district. She is doing a lot for the upliftment of Haryana women. Sardar Sahib Singh Saini is the former MLA from Thanesar.
SouthWest Haryana
Kaithal- was founded by Yudhisthera, where Hanuman was born. Vedic habitations of Manush and Elaspad (now called Shergarh), are found in this area. Sainis are one of the largest population in this area. For example, in Guhla-Cheeka and Arnauli etc. Mr. Balbir Saini is the former Haryana Minister from Pehowa. Saini women of this district are well known for performing Ghummar dance.
Jind-Hissar-Fatehabad- The sister branch of Saraswati called Drishtadvadi used to flow through this region during Mahabharat times, and Vedic settlements of Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Kunal, and Agroha speaks of Sainis settlement in this region. For example, in Safidon, Dhanouri, Kalait, Rajound, Jind, Tohana, Hansi-Hissar, and Jakhal areas. In 1197, Raja Bhimadeva organized a Sarvkhap Panchayat at Hissar to protect the territory from Muslim invaders in which 5,000 Sainis participated as fighters along with other Kshatriyas of the region. Hansi and Hissar are famous for its best Oxen. Mr. Attar Singh Saini (former MLA and minister) belongs to Hansi and Mr. Hari Singh Saini, (former minister) to Hissar.
Ahirwal\Eastern Haryana
Faridabad- Sainis are present all throughout the district from Bhallabhgarh to Hodal and along the banks of Jamuna. Senapati Gulab Singh Saini led the forces of Bhallabhgarh after the death of Raja Nahar Singh during 1857 revolt against British and sacrificed his life fighting for his country. His statue is located in his memory near Chandni Chowk in New Delhi.Shri Manohar Lal Saini was the member of 6th parliament from Faridabad.
Gurgaon-Rewari—Sainis are scattered in this region of Ahirwal.
Mohindragarh—Sainis make a substantial portion of farming community of this district. Ateli Mandi, Nangal Chaudhary and Narnaul have sizeable number of villages belonging to Sainis. From here, Sainis continue their presence in Rajasthan.
Central Haryana
Sainis are widely distributed in this region of Haryana.
Sainis are settled in the belts of Rohtak- Sampla, Bahadurgarh - Jhajjar-Kultana, Gohana-Sonipat-Gannaur and throughout in Sonipat and Panipat. Sainis of Rohtak , Bahadurgarh, Sampla and Nayagaon activily participated in Indian Freedom Struggle. Sainis are the traditional skilled workforce behind the famous REWRI and GACHAK industry of Rohtak. Dr. Ram Kumar Saini is present MLA from Gohana in Panipat.
FROM ---SAINISTARMATRIMONIAL.COM-----19-05-2009
Sainis of North India - Haryana
The province of India called Haryana which was earlier a part of greater Punjab province has acquired its name from Abhiryana/Ahiryana, which denotes land of fearless Ahirs, who are the dominant people of Eastern Haryana, known as Ahirwal. As Sainis and Ahirs have common origins from Yadu tribe of Vedic Aryans so are found along them in different parts of Haryana. Sainis and Ahirs allied themselves under the Krishna-Pandava combine and after the war of ten kings known as Mahabharat at Kurukshetra they emerged victorious. At this time, Sainis got settled in different areas of Haryana by the Pandavas, Around the rivers called Saraswati (Ghaggar) and its branch known as Drishtadvadi, which was flowing through present day Jind, Hansi, and Hissar areas. Later during the Mauryan empire Sainis again got their hold even more stronger in these areas as Sainis constituted a major part of Mauryan army.
Present day Haryana is divided into nineteen districts with its capital at Chandigarh. Geographically, we can divide Haryana into four main regions. These include; Ahirwal-Mewat, which comprises districts of Faridabad, Gurgaon, Mohindragarh, and Rewari. The second region is Shivalik region and it includes Yamunanagar, Punchkula, Ambala, and Kurukshetra district. The third is named Central Haryana which includes Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, and Bhiwani. The final region is South west Haryana and it includes districts of Jind, Kaithal, Fatehabad, Hissar, and Sirsa.
Sainis constitute the third largest farming caste in Haryana.Shivalik region is the region most densely inhabited by Saini community and is followed by SouthWest, Ahirwal, and Central Haryana in decreasing order.Sainis are the integral part of culture of Haryana. Hookah and Turban are the trademarks of their tradition and as well as the titles of Chaudhary and Sardar as has been the part of culture of Haryana People . They believe both in Sikhism as well as Hinduism although Hindus cnstitute the majority. Inter-religion marriages are the norm.They speak pure Haryanvi dialect as well as Punjabi in certain parts neighbouring Punjab.
Shivalik Region
Panchkula- This district borders the Saini dominated areas of Punjab and Himachal Pardesh, and Union territory of Chandigarh. Sainis are one of the peasantry of this district and are scattered all throughout regions such as; Morni, Kalka, Raipur Rani, Ramgarh, and Mauli, etc. Mr. Sadhu Ram Saini is the former MLA of this district.
Ambala- also known as Amba -wala i..e. land of Mango trees and was a part of kingdom of Pandavas. This district is in close proximity with Dera Bassi and Ropar areas of Punjab.Saini villages are in large numbers in this district. Narayangarh , Kala Amb, Shazadpura and Saha are most densely inhabited by Saini community.Stupas found at Sugh and Chaneti speaks of the Mauryan times glory of this region and Saini dominance.Many Sikh historic temples are situated in this distict like Gurudwara Lakhnaur Sahib. Mr. Raj Kumar Saini is the former MLA of Narayangarh.
Yamunanagar- This district is situated across the river Jamuna and is the entry point to the Saini dominated districts of Hardwar and Saharanpur of U.P. and Uttarachanchal. Sainis are the main farming community along with Rajputs in this area. Sadhaura, Jagadhari, Khizrabad, Radaur, Chachrauli areas have a vast population of Saini farming community. Mr. Bishan Lal Saini is present MLA of Jagadhari constituency.
Kurukshetra- Sainis made it their stronghold after the battle of Mahabharat. Thanesar, Pipli, Ladwa, Shahbad-Markanda, and Babain, etc., areas have the largest number of Saini villages. Saini domination in this area speaks of their Krishna-Pandava lineage, Thanesar is the native place of Harash Vardhana, the last ruler of Aryan Hindu empire before the arrival of Muslim Salatnat era. Kurukshetra district is also related to the Sikh Guru Har Gobind Ji’s visits to this area and therefore many Sainis are followers of Sikhism in this area. Sardar Gurdial Singh Saini is the former MP of this district and is the president of Haryana Saini Samaj. At present, Mrs. Kailasho Devi Saini is the MP and belongs to Partappura village of this district. She is doing a lot for the upliftment of Haryana women. Sardar Sahib Singh Saini is the former MLA from Thanesar.
SouthWest Haryana
Kaithal- was founded by Yudhisthera, where Hanuman was born. Vedic habitations of Manush and Elaspad (now called Shergarh), are found in this area. Sainis are one of the largest population in this area. For example, in Guhla-Cheeka and Arnauli etc. Mr. Balbir Saini is the former Haryana Minister from Pehowa. Saini women of this district are well known for performing Ghummar dance.
Jind-Hissar-Fatehabad- The sister branch of Saraswati called Drishtadvadi used to flow through this region during Mahabharat times, and Vedic settlements of Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Kunal, and Agroha speaks of Sainis settlement in this region. For example, in Safidon, Dhanouri, Kalait, Rajound, Jind, Tohana, Hansi-Hissar, and Jakhal areas. In 1197, Raja Bhimadeva organized a Sarvkhap Panchayat at Hissar to protect the territory from Muslim invaders in which 5,000 Sainis participated as fighters along with other Kshatriyas of the region. Hansi and Hissar are famous for its best Oxen. Mr. Attar Singh Saini (former MLA and minister) belongs to Hansi and Mr. Hari Singh Saini, (former minister) to Hissar.
Ahirwal\Eastern Haryana
Faridabad- Sainis are present all throughout the district from Bhallabhgarh to Hodal and along the banks of Jamuna. Senapati Gulab Singh Saini led the forces of Bhallabhgarh after the death of Raja Nahar Singh during 1857 revolt against British and sacrificed his life fighting for his country. His statue is located in his memory near Chandni Chowk in New Delhi.Shri Manohar Lal Saini was the member of 6th parliament from Faridabad.
Gurgaon-Rewari—Sainis are scattered in this region of Ahirwal.
Mohindragarh—Sainis make a substantial portion of farming community of this district. Ateli Mandi, Nangal Chaudhary and Narnaul have sizeable number of villages belonging to Sainis. From here, Sainis continue their presence in Rajasthan.
Central Haryana
Sainis are widely distributed in this region of Haryana.
Sainis are settled in the belts of Rohtak- Sampla, Bahadurgarh - Jhajjar-Kultana, Gohana-Sonipat-Gannaur and throughout in Sonipat and Panipat. Sainis of Rohtak , Bahadurgarh, Sampla and Nayagaon activily participated in Indian Freedom Struggle. Sainis are the traditional skilled workforce behind the famous REWRI and GACHAK industry of Rohtak. Dr. Ram Kumar Saini is present MLA from Gohana in Panipat.
FROM ---SAINISTARMATRIMONIAL.COM-----19-05-2009
Sainis of North India - Punjab
Sainis of North India - Punjab
1
Punjab is the most prosperous province of India whose farmers are credited for bringing the green revolution in India.Present day Punjab is made up of 17 districts and its capital ie Chandigarh which is a union territory and includes many villages around its periphery. Punjab has an agricultural economy. Major farming castes of Punjab are Rajputs, Sainis, Komboj, Jats, Lubhanas and Rai's. Sainis are the 2nd largest group of population among these peasant castes. Geographically Punjab has 3 divisions--MAJHA, DOABA and MALWA. Sainis are present in all 3 regions, however they dominate in the DOABA.
Majha--consists of districts of Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Sainis are concentrated only in Gurdaspur district. Most of the Saini farmers are inhabiting the villages alongside the rivers of Ravi and Beas. These areas of Saini population include; Narot, Pathankot, Sujanpur, Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Kahnuwan, and Shirihargobindpur. In the belt of Kandi (foothills of Shivalik) ie., Narot, Pathankot, Sujanpur, Dinanagar Sainis are mostly followers of Hinduism, and they are allied with the Rajputs of the area. In Gurdaspur, Kahnuwan, and Shirihargobindpur they are mostly Sikhs. Intermarriages between Hindu and Saini Sikhs are the norm. Lands in these areas are not highly fertile. Army and Punjab Police are the major source of employment especially for the Saini youth around the army cantonment, Gurdaspur. In the belt along Beas ie., Kahnuwan, Hargobindpur, Shala Patan, due to opening of Aparbari Doab Canal now these areas have irrigation facilities. Kahnuwan is the area of Chamb where the first Ghallughara took place. This is a semi-arid and semi marshy area. Gunnopur-Saidowal is the strong hold of Saini farmers in Kahnuwan area. The historic Sikh temple in memory of first Ghallughara is situated here. Other famous villages of this belt are Nanowalkalan, Nanowal-Jindar, Bahurian Sainian, Kotli Sainian, Nabipur, Saini Majra , Abbalkher etc.,. Master Jahaur Singh, Subedar Sarup Singh and Master Satpal Saini are the leading personalities of the Saini community in District Gurdaspur. Mr. Jessie Singh of California belongs to the village Saini Majra near Dinanagar.
Doaba- It consists of districts of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, and Jallandhur. Sainis are found in all these districts; District Hoshiarpur is most densely inhabited by Sainis. Khadiali Sainian is the largest village of Sainis of North India. Sainis are concentrated in Garhshankar, Mahilpur, Mukerian, Haryana, Gardiwala, Balachaur. In district Nawanshahr, Sainis are the dominant farming caste. The villages of Sujon, Naura-Bhaura, Langroya, Bagwainn, Aur-Orapur, and Alachour etc., are strongholds of Saini farmers. Sainis are prosperous farmers and transporters. Northern transport private limited is one of the largest transport companies of North India and is owned by Late Sardar Dilbhag Singh Saini's family. In district Jallandhar, Bhogpur and Adampur have larger numbers of Saini villages. Former M.P. from Jallandhar Sardar Gurdial Singh was a Saini. In district Kapurthala- Tehsil Phagwara has many Saini villages. Major personalities from Doaba are Late Ch. Balbir Singh(M.P.), Kamal Choudry(Former M.P.), Late Sardar Dilbag Singh (Agriculture Minister), Charanjit Singh Chani (M.P.), Sardar Purkash Singh (M.L.A. Nawanshahr), Jaikishan Saini (M.L.A.), famous Punjabi writer Dr. Harcharan Singh of Orapur, athlete Sardar Avtar Singh Saini of Mukerian wh holds the national record for 400 meters race. Sardar Barjinder Singh Hamdard (former Rajya Sabha member) and Late Sardar Sadhu Singh Hamdard and Shiri Ajit Saini etc.
Malwa-Ropar- is the district of most population of Sainis ,it was a centre of Indus Civilization. Saini are the dominant farming caste of this district. They are dispersed in whole of the district especially in Anandpur Sahib, Keeratpur Sahib,Ropar,Kharar, Nangal, Morinda, Chamkaur Sahib ,Kurali and Nurpur Bedi segments. Sardar Tara Singh Ladal was MLA for Akali dal from Anandpur Sahib. Kotla Nihang is a historical village of Sainis near Ropar where Gurudhawara Bhatha Sahib is situated. Indian Hockey Olympian S. Baljit Singh Saini belons to this district. Patiala----Sainis are the majority farming community in Dera Bassi, Jirakpur and Banur -Lalru segments.There are large no. of Saini villages in Rajpura tehsil and Nabha area.Saini villages are also in newly carved district of Fatehgarh Sahib. Ramgarh Sainian is one of the largest village in this belt. Sangrur--- Saini villages are in large no.’s in Dhuri bordering the Nabha and in Lehragaga - moonak segment bordering Haryana state. Ludhiana---Saini farmers are present in Machiwara, KumKalan, Payal-Rara Sahib, Samrala and Khanna region.Garhi Sainian, Panglian are well known villages in this region. Moga--- There are around 60-70 Saini villages in this deep centre of Malwa around Bagha- Purana area .These Sainis are completely isolated from their community in other parts of Punjab and are not known to Sainis of rest of Punjab.In Abohar area Sainis are also present are just continuation of the Sainis of Ganganagar IN Rajasthan. Saini Sisters i.e. Rupa Saini , Prema Saini, and Swarna Saini whose contribution to Indian Women Hockey is unforgettable belongs to Faridkot City. Rupa Saini led the Indian team in Olympics and won Arjuna award and is the manager of Indian team now. Ferozepur City---Many Saini families settled in this city from other parts of Punjab as it was a major centre between east Punjab and Lahore and was a railway junction before independence.eg. S. Girdhara Singh Saini (transporter)was BJP MLA from this city and now his son S.Sukhpal Singh is MLA.
1
Punjab is the most prosperous province of India whose farmers are credited for bringing the green revolution in India.Present day Punjab is made up of 17 districts and its capital ie Chandigarh which is a union territory and includes many villages around its periphery. Punjab has an agricultural economy. Major farming castes of Punjab are Rajputs, Sainis, Komboj, Jats, Lubhanas and Rai's. Sainis are the 2nd largest group of population among these peasant castes. Geographically Punjab has 3 divisions--MAJHA, DOABA and MALWA. Sainis are present in all 3 regions, however they dominate in the DOABA.
Majha--consists of districts of Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Sainis are concentrated only in Gurdaspur district. Most of the Saini farmers are inhabiting the villages alongside the rivers of Ravi and Beas. These areas of Saini population include; Narot, Pathankot, Sujanpur, Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Kahnuwan, and Shirihargobindpur. In the belt of Kandi (foothills of Shivalik) ie., Narot, Pathankot, Sujanpur, Dinanagar Sainis are mostly followers of Hinduism, and they are allied with the Rajputs of the area. In Gurdaspur, Kahnuwan, and Shirihargobindpur they are mostly Sikhs. Intermarriages between Hindu and Saini Sikhs are the norm. Lands in these areas are not highly fertile. Army and Punjab Police are the major source of employment especially for the Saini youth around the army cantonment, Gurdaspur. In the belt along Beas ie., Kahnuwan, Hargobindpur, Shala Patan, due to opening of Aparbari Doab Canal now these areas have irrigation facilities. Kahnuwan is the area of Chamb where the first Ghallughara took place. This is a semi-arid and semi marshy area. Gunnopur-Saidowal is the strong hold of Saini farmers in Kahnuwan area. The historic Sikh temple in memory of first Ghallughara is situated here. Other famous villages of this belt are Nanowalkalan, Nanowal-Jindar, Bahurian Sainian, Kotli Sainian, Nabipur, Saini Majra , Abbalkher etc.,. Master Jahaur Singh, Subedar Sarup Singh and Master Satpal Saini are the leading personalities of the Saini community in District Gurdaspur. Mr. Jessie Singh of California belongs to the village Saini Majra near Dinanagar.
Doaba- It consists of districts of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, and Jallandhur. Sainis are found in all these districts; District Hoshiarpur is most densely inhabited by Sainis. Khadiali Sainian is the largest village of Sainis of North India. Sainis are concentrated in Garhshankar, Mahilpur, Mukerian, Haryana, Gardiwala, Balachaur. In district Nawanshahr, Sainis are the dominant farming caste. The villages of Sujon, Naura-Bhaura, Langroya, Bagwainn, Aur-Orapur, and Alachour etc., are strongholds of Saini farmers. Sainis are prosperous farmers and transporters. Northern transport private limited is one of the largest transport companies of North India and is owned by Late Sardar Dilbhag Singh Saini's family. In district Jallandhar, Bhogpur and Adampur have larger numbers of Saini villages. Former M.P. from Jallandhar Sardar Gurdial Singh was a Saini. In district Kapurthala- Tehsil Phagwara has many Saini villages. Major personalities from Doaba are Late Ch. Balbir Singh(M.P.), Kamal Choudry(Former M.P.), Late Sardar Dilbag Singh (Agriculture Minister), Charanjit Singh Chani (M.P.), Sardar Purkash Singh (M.L.A. Nawanshahr), Jaikishan Saini (M.L.A.), famous Punjabi writer Dr. Harcharan Singh of Orapur, athlete Sardar Avtar Singh Saini of Mukerian wh holds the national record for 400 meters race. Sardar Barjinder Singh Hamdard (former Rajya Sabha member) and Late Sardar Sadhu Singh Hamdard and Shiri Ajit Saini etc.
Malwa-Ropar- is the district of most population of Sainis ,it was a centre of Indus Civilization. Saini are the dominant farming caste of this district. They are dispersed in whole of the district especially in Anandpur Sahib, Keeratpur Sahib,Ropar,Kharar, Nangal, Morinda, Chamkaur Sahib ,Kurali and Nurpur Bedi segments. Sardar Tara Singh Ladal was MLA for Akali dal from Anandpur Sahib. Kotla Nihang is a historical village of Sainis near Ropar where Gurudhawara Bhatha Sahib is situated. Indian Hockey Olympian S. Baljit Singh Saini belons to this district. Patiala----Sainis are the majority farming community in Dera Bassi, Jirakpur and Banur -Lalru segments.There are large no. of Saini villages in Rajpura tehsil and Nabha area.Saini villages are also in newly carved district of Fatehgarh Sahib. Ramgarh Sainian is one of the largest village in this belt. Sangrur--- Saini villages are in large no.’s in Dhuri bordering the Nabha and in Lehragaga - moonak segment bordering Haryana state. Ludhiana---Saini farmers are present in Machiwara, KumKalan, Payal-Rara Sahib, Samrala and Khanna region.Garhi Sainian, Panglian are well known villages in this region. Moga--- There are around 60-70 Saini villages in this deep centre of Malwa around Bagha- Purana area .These Sainis are completely isolated from their community in other parts of Punjab and are not known to Sainis of rest of Punjab.In Abohar area Sainis are also present are just continuation of the Sainis of Ganganagar IN Rajasthan. Saini Sisters i.e. Rupa Saini , Prema Saini, and Swarna Saini whose contribution to Indian Women Hockey is unforgettable belongs to Faridkot City. Rupa Saini led the Indian team in Olympics and won Arjuna award and is the manager of Indian team now. Ferozepur City---Many Saini families settled in this city from other parts of Punjab as it was a major centre between east Punjab and Lahore and was a railway junction before independence.eg. S. Girdhara Singh Saini (transporter)was BJP MLA from this city and now his son S.Sukhpal Singh is MLA.
Mali / Saini community of Maharashtra
Mali / Saini community of Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a province of Indian republic situated in Western region of Indian peninsula and is a bridge state between the North and the South and is the third largest state in poulation and area. Most of the public has a belief that Maharashtra is a part of South India, but that is not true, it is a part of Western India. Maharashtra came into existance in 1960 when Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujrat on languge concerns. Capital city of this province is Bombay now renamed by nationalists as Mumbai, the original name few centuries ago. Mumbai is the financial capitol of India. It is the centre of second largest film industry in world after Hollywood and is called as Bollywood. Maharashtra derives its name from desire of Maharastrians of Shiva ji times to create a single united big nation. Maha= Large or big and Rashtra means country or nation. The other theory is that it derives its name from its single largest caste known as Mahars who constitute 14% of the state poulation alone. Geographically Maharashtra can be divided into 4 parts- Western Ghats or Konkan, Northern Khandesh , Soth West Marathwada and North East as Vidharba. Maharastra has a total of 32 districts. Pune city is the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
1) Konkan region –is formed the hill tracts of Sahyadaris range or Western Ghats. Raigarh, Sindhudurg, Thane and Ratnagiri and Bombay are the districts of this region. Konkani is the language of this region.
2) Khandesh—comprises the northern districts of Nasik, Dhulia,Nandurbar, Jalgaon and some regions of Malwa likeBurhanpur and Nepanagar which are part of Madhya Pradesh. Khandesh region overlaps with the northern districts of Marathwada
3) Marathwada--- includes the south west districts of Aurangabad, Beed,Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Parbhani, Sangli, Nanded, Osmanabad, Sholapur, Satara, Kolhapur and Pune etc.
4) Vidharba—region has 11 districts which are Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Gadichiroli, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur and Bhandara etc. Vidarbha is comparatively backward and is seeking separate statehood.
Marathi speaking population is also present in neighbouring Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, some area of Madhya Pradesh like Indore of Malwa, In Karnatka and Gujrat.
History History of Maharashtra dates back to 7th BC when farming communities from North started moving to river valleys of Deccan plateau. Centres of earlier farming settlements are found in Prakash near Dhule, Daimabad in Aurangabad and Imamgaon in Pune district. At that time this region was known as Dandakarayna means great forest which was populated by tribals. Vidharba was part of Ashmaka, one of the 16 Aryan janapadas. Archeological site of Nanaghat gives evidence that Vaishnavism(Krishna Bhakti -Krisna ancestor of Mali/Saini and Yadav and other Yadu tribes) prevailed in the region before Ashoka introduced Budhism in this region. Mauryas were the first to control the Konkan region and control the local feudatories and trade. Ashoka established his edicts in Konkan region and established Budhism, casteless society and prakrit language. With inclusion of konkan and plateau region in Mauryan empire regular communication to North started. After the death of Ashoka local feudals established Satvahana kingdom which was followed by Vakatakas,Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas etc. and the last hindu dynaty of Yadavas of Deogiri of Nasik in 13th century which was destroyed by Khalzi’s. Yadavas were responsible for establishing the Marathi language and gave full patronage and made it their court language. Their defeat lead to Muslim rule in this region untill the 18th century to the rise of hindu mararha nation by Shivaji. Maharashtra has a long history of conflict between Brahmins and Non Brahmins. During the 500 years of muslim rule Brahmins allied with Muslims and Rajputs destroyed the Kshatrya status of these Vedic aryan peasant castes who regained this status under the banner of Shivaji and through sectarian model ie.Bhakti Movement Poet-Saints shown them the ethos to gain their self esteem. Shivaji established Rayatwari system and so lead to economic betterment of peasant class. After Shivaji, Peshwa Brahmins again captured the power with their advisory role to Maratha army and divided the society into castes. Shivaji’s ancestors from Satara and Kolhapur states as well as Maratha Sardars who established their own kingdoms outside Maharashtra and Pune always kept distance from Peshwas. At the end of 19th century Maharaj Shahu and Mahatama Phule started a movement against Brahmin Peshwas and shown the path of social reforms and education to peasant communities and tried to allign the farming class with untouchables instead of Brahmins to get rid the society from Brahmin dominance.
Social structure of Maharashtrian society
Population of Maharashtra based on Varna Theory consist of three classes or varnas-- Priest/administrative class, Working/Middle class and Dalit or Untouchables. There is no existance of Rajput class between the Upper Varna and Middle Varna. Chitpavan Brahmins constitute the upper class and are not a minority caste in Maharashtra as compare to the Brahmins in North who constitute only 3% of population in North and have to seek assistance of Rajputs or ruling class to maintain their dominance in the society over other castes. In Maharashtra they are in great numbers and are also involved in agriculture and military occopations.They are the dominant caste of Westerm Konkan region. Middle Castes Include all the Cultivator castes of Maharashtra ie. Kunbi, Maratha, Mali, Ahir,Lingayat, Dhangar, Lodhis, Kirars, Raghvis and some Banjaras. They were grouped in middle castes as Brahmins can take water from them. All these cultivator castes are now grouped into OBC group. Artisian castes like Nais,Chimpis(Darji) , Telis , Dhimar( Fisherman), Sutars(Lohar), Weavers, Kumbhars and Badhai(carpenter) also exist. Badhai include 2 sub groups called as Parvasi/Jat Badhai and Teli Badhai based on their origin. Most of these artisians are also included in OBC list. Untouchables or Harijans include Matangs,Mahars,Mangs, Ramoshis, Chambhars(Chamars),Churahas etc. Aborriginals or Dravidian speaking tribals are like Gonds, Bhils, Kolis, Warlis, Maadeos . Kolis are a tribe of western konkan region involved in fishing and agriculture and were notified as criminal caste. Shetties are a buisness community. Jain , Budhist, Jewish and Zorashtrian or Parsi communities are also present in Maharashtra.
MALI’S OF MAHARASHTRA
Name of this community is dervied from Maloi or Malavi or Malli which were the peaople of Malwa region ( Central India) who migrated down to Khandesh and Godavri and Bhima Valleys. They have descended from Mathura’s Surasena kingdom. Mallis were the people of Malwa who fought with Alexander The Great near Multan. Both Mali’s and Kunbi’s claim their movement to southward in ancient times from Multan area to Malwa. Mali caste constitute the third largest cultivator caste of Maharashtra peasant castes after Maratha and Kunbi caste. Mali’s are 7 % of the total poulation of Maharashtra. They are the specialist cultivators involved in the cultivation of Flowers, Vegetables and fruits, Sugarcane, Cotton, Tamarind, Cumin/Jira, Ginger and Haldi/Turmeric alongwith foodgrains and also combines the skill of professional gardening. While Kunbi was considered a general tiller of the land involved with only cultivation of staple food.
Their language, customs, traditions, beliefs, religion, culture and social status and geographical distribution is same to Kunbi- Maratha castes. They do not marry in the same gotra and with first and second cousins. Widow marriage and divorce are permitted. Their dead bodies are creamated. Earlier girls were married before puberty but not now. Mali community is follower of Hinduism and follow the Varkari sect and Vaishnavism. They also follow Lingayat sect in small proportion. Devi is their principal deity and marriages are performed in front of the deity. Devi is local incarnation of Maha Kali and represents the dreaded disease of smallpox and goats are sacrificed to please the Devi. They employ Brahmin priests for marriage ceremony and other hindu rituals. Pandharpur is a sacred place for the community and Abhang kirtana is part of their spirtual life. They have established Sant Swata Mali temples allover the state. Mali community is also a part of Gosain/Gosavi sect and Yogi castes of Nath Sampardaya.. Their language is Marathi and speak all the dialects of this language like Ahirani, Manedeshi etc. based on region. In the bordering areas they also speak Gujrati, Kannad, Telugu and Hindustani.
Their dress includes Maharashtrian style Dhoti called Dhotar and Sadara (Kurta) and freshly folded pagri/turban. For everyday use they wear Mundassa as head dress and wear red turban on special occasions like marriage and birth and other festivals. In daily life shoulder cloth (Uparne) is also a part of Mali men’s attire.They also use gandhi topi and Bandi (short coat) and countrymade Joda (shoes). Women wear traditional 9 yard saree called Lugade and girls wear Parkar (peticoat) and Palka (blouse). They also use Ghagra and embroidered Choli and equally graceful Dupatta. They wear trditiona jewellry like Nath(Nose ring), Besar,Choker, Tanmani(short necklace) and bajuband(the amulet). Nath and Besar are worne by married women. Rice, Jowar and Arhar is their staple food and use a lot of coconut and peanut in food. They perform a dance and song form based on incarnation of Lord Krishna known as Vasudev particularly in districts of Jalgaon and Dhule and perform Dindi dance when they join the procession to temple of Vithal . Lavni is performed by women .They celebrate festivals like Holi, Gudhi Padwa, Makar sakranti, Rakhi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dushehra and Diwali, Gokul Ashtami and POLA their harvest festival.
Main crops produced by Mali farmers are Turmeric, onions, vegetables, mango, grapes, flowers, cotton, jowar, sugarcane, groundnut, sunflower, soyabean, rice , papayas, oranges, bananas, pulses and cumin. Tanks, wells and canals are the main source of irrigation. They raise Killari breed of Cows and Oxen to use them for milk, ploughing and cart racing. They worship their oxen and during Pola celebrationsin rainy season take their bullocks in procession..
Mali’s were a part of Maratha army regiments during Peshwa and British rule and also provide a large no.of recruits to State Police Force and Indian army as per theirYadu Kshatrya traditions. During British rule Brahmins and Rajputs lobbyed to exclude them from Maratha regiments of Bombay presidency but they were failed in doing so by the combined efforts of Mahatama Phule and Rajas of Kolhapur, Baroda and Indore. During British rule Mali’s entered into Bacward class alongwith Maratha-Kunbi’s to gain the profit of reservation of assembly seats for them in Bombay Council as they fought for British in the first world war.
Distribution -- Malis are widely distributed in all parts of Maharashtra except Konkan region. They are the second largest community of political influence in Vidharba, Marathwada and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra. They have strong presense in 36 assembly constituencies out of total 288. Mali community has influence on 15 Parliament and 100 Assembly seats.
1) Khandesh—Mali’s are the leading cultivating caste of this region og Satpura foothills and are found in large numbers in Dhule, Nasik and Jalgaon districts. Nasik was once the centre of Yadava kingdom who belong to their sister caste. Nasik is one of the great pilgrimage centre of Hindus and a Kumbh Mela is organised here every 12 years. Sh.Chaggan Bhujbal Ex.Deputy Chief Minister belongs to this dsitrict. Mali community constructed Mali kund in Nasik in 1870 AD. Mali are majority community in Dhule and Jalgaon. Shirpur in Dhlue is stronghold of Mali’s, Smt.Parvati Bai Dalpatrao Mali College is situated in Shirpur. Dr.R. S.Mali is ex VC of North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon.
2) Marathwada- Mali community is wide spread in whole of Marathwada region and is the dominant caste of central Marathwada districts of Parbhani, Aurangabad and Jalna etc. Smt. Savitri Bai Phule belonged to Satara district. Saint Swata Mali Ji were from Aran in Sholapur District. Sh. N. S. Pharande is a big Mali leader of BJP party from Ahmednagar. Freedom Fighters like Sh. Shivaji Mnaji Mali of Satara and Sh. Dhondiram Mali of Kupwad from Satara district are also from this region. Mahatama Phule belonged to the Gorhe family of Pune. Kacchu Malis of Sholapur are involved in the famous cotton industry. Sh.Vithal Thamaji Mali is a Mali politician from Kopargaon in Ahmednagar and is Vice President of Kopargaon co-operative society. Mr.Chandukaka Jagtap is MLA from Pune. Bala Sahib Shivarkar is an eminent political leader from Mali caste of Pune, He is 3 times ex MLA and ex Cabinet minister. Mali community of Sholapur district was the the first in Maharashtra to start farmers co-operative movement for water irrigation and sugar mill in Maharashtra. Sangol, Malinagar and Mohal in Sholapur are strongholds. Mali’s are found in large no.’s in Nanded,Latur, Beed and Sangli districts.
3) Vidharba—Mali’s constitute the largest OBC group of Vidharba region along with Teli’s. They are 4%of the population in tribal dominated areas of Vidarbha like Yavatmal, Chandrapur and are one of the dominant caste in Akola, Amravati division and Nagpur. Eg. Mr.Krishan rao Ingle is ex MLA from Buldhana and Mr.Vinayakrao Korde is MLA from Achalpur in Amravati.
Subcastes of Mali community of Maharashtra
Depending on the type of specialized cultivation Mali’s are grouped in different subcastes like Phul Mali- Cultivation of flowers and vegetables and professional gardening and temple services like supply of garlands and mukuts and maintainance of Palaces and Govt.buildings, this subcaste was mostly concentrated in and around the cities due to easy market access to their products eg Elite Phul Mali Families from all over Maharashtra were invited to settle in and around Pune by Peshwas , Jire Mali- Cumin cultivation, Halde Mali- Turmeric cultivation, Kacchu Mali – Cotton cultivation, Saini, Ghase Mali, Kase Mali, Chaukalsa Mali, Panchkalsa Mali etc. With times these subdivisions have been almost vanished and are only regarded as surnames. But now a days all the farming castes of Maharashtra are involved in production of these agricultural products and Mali’s are also involved with cash crops, as now farming has changed to more intensive and integrated industry and demand based products, so based on type of cultivation there is no distinction between Mali’s and other peasant castes.
Surnames of Mali community of Maharahtra
A) Aavchar, Ambekar, Adilinge/Adlinge, Adhao, Akalkar, Aanap, Aagarkar, Ahire, Abhang, Avasare
B) Bhagwat, Baravkar, Bhujbal, Bhaskar, Burade, Bugade, Bodhke, Bele(=Bhele),Bhopale, Borse, Bhagat, Bhongle, Birmal, Bhakre, Borate, Bonsade, Bhale(=Bhela), Bali, Bharvirkar, Bidvai, Bagul, Boravke, Bunage, Bhamre, Baviskar, Bahalkar, Bhadke, Bhone, Bhong, Bankar, Bachav, Bhumkar, Bhanavase, Balsarf, Bhosal , Badade
C) Chipade, Chovde, Chawre(Chere), Chilpe, Chandne(=Chandan), Charpe, Chaudhary, Chakane
D) Dongre, Dhule, Darshne, Dale, Dalvi, Devare, Dudhe, Dhanwat(=Dhanauta), Dongche, Dhanumali, Dholepatil, Dagade, Doke(=Dulku/Dhorka), Dhole(=Dhole), Dedage, Date, Dhat, Dangle Dandge, Deshmukh
E) Ethate, Elave
F) Farande, Fulzade
G) Gidhe(=Gidha), Gholap, Girme, Ghanwat, Ghasemali, Godekar, Gavali/Gawali, Ghadge/Gadage, Gawde, Ghumatkar, Gudhe, Gaikwad, Galhar(=Galhe), Garudkar, Gore/Gorhe(=Gaare)/Phule, Garde, Gharte, Gavandi, Ghodekar, Gangurde, Gavnde, Ghogre, Ghotal, Gadade
H) Hazare, Hivse, Hingane/Hingne, Hegde, Herkal, Hagir, Hiwarkar, Haldemali, Hudekar
I) Inamdar, Ingle/Ingale
J) Jungare, Jambhale, Jhodge, Jhagde, Jiremali, Javle/Jawale, Jagtap, Jambhulkar, Jejurkar, Jamdade, Jagdale, Jadhekar, Jembe, Jadhav, Jaytal
K) Khaire, Kasemali, Kachre, Kamod, Kamodkar, Karande, Keadre, Khamkar, Khalane, Kodre, Kurhe, Kubade, Kharpude, Karpe, Khurpe, Kolhe, Kandpile, Khandalkar, Kundle, Kavi, Khirsagar, Kore, Korde, Kanade, Kacchumali, Kudale, Khairnar, Karne, Khedkar, Kalmkar, Kukade, Kathale, Karankar, Kherde, Kale, Kalukhe
L) Londhe, Lohane, Lokhande, Lothe, Lashkare
M) Makh, Mahale, Madankar, Masne/Masane, Manekar, Mane, Memane, Magre, Mohite, Mhetre, Masurkar, More, Mandalik, Mahajan, Mokal, Malkar
N) Namde, Nanavare, Nawle, Nandan, Narke, Nayakwadi, Newse, Nahire, Naik, Nagre, Naikude, Navade
O)
P) Pawar. Pandhare/Pandhre, Pathade/Pathare, Parahde, Pharande, Phulor, Patil, Parekh, Patkari, Pise, Pange, Pharate, Pingle/Pingale(=Panglia), Pashankar, Pable(=Pabla), Pigale, Pund, Prandwal
Q)
R) Rasve, Raul, Raut, Rajankar, Rahate, Ranmalkar, Raskar, Ratnakar, Ramane, Rakhonde, Rokade, Rajkule
S) Survanshi, Sawant, Sabale, Sangole, Shewate, Sante, Shete, Shevkar, Sulokar, Shevte, Salunkhe/Salunke, Satav, Shevale, Samose, Shivarkar, Sapkal, Shelar, Saudane, Shinde, Sinalkar/ Shinalkar, Sinnarkar, Shiraskar, Sasane, Sonavane, Sarang, Sinlikar, Surse, Sonsale, Saini, Shegaonkar, Sapate
T) Tisge, Tamhane, Tilekar, Tamalurkar, Tambe, Thorat, Telekar, Tarte, TaydeTodkar, Tajne
U) Umale
V) Vavhl, Vankhede, Vaghhale, Vagule, Vazare, Varnekar, Vavahare, Vithal, Vibhute, Vidhate, Varahdi
W) Walke, Warule, Warulekar, Waghmare, Wagh, Waghule, Wenere
Note—Why these surnames are different from Mali’s/Saini’s of North west---- Because when castes or communities settle into new lands , with time they evolve new language, customs, beliefs and gotras. New gotras are acquired to memorise their ancestors who took initiative to get established in new settlements and are also based on name of new villages or on flaura and fauna of region etc. eg. Wagh mean Tiger. Also in case of Brahmins of Maharashtra, their Gotras like Tendulkar, Gokhale, Joglekar etc. are totally different from the Brahmins of Punjab and their customs , language and culture is also different But they are of Brahmin caste. So this is true for all castes and not only for Saini or Mali community.
Who are Marathas --- Marathas were armymen or warriors of 18th century who dominated the political scene of central India and Maharashtra. In those times many sardars or jagirdars belonging to different peasant castes were working as administraotors of different areas or tehsils for Bahmani sultanate of Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Deccan who were mobilised by Brahmin advisors to create a Hindu nation. As in Maharashtian society there was no existance of a separate rajput caste or class. So these Marathi speaking peasant castes/ middle castes who were inspired by the Bhakti Movement to maintain their self esteem like Kunbi, Mali ,Ahir, Dhangars, Lingayats, Kolis and Gawalas formed army along with untouchables like Mahars, Mangs and Ramoshis and created a separate Hindu state. Their war cry was also Har Har Mahadev reflecting the combination of Vedic aryans and dravidian beliefs as compared to Jai Bhawani of Rajputs. Shiva ji in Gujrat and Maratha Sardars who conquered Rajputana were responsible for genocide of half of the Rajput population of those times. Once muslims were thrown out of power Brahmins administrators controlled the state and became the De Facto rulers under the name of Peshwas which means Prime Minister. Eg. Shiva ji was a Kunbi and his mother was a Yadav/ Ahir. From elite peasant clans Brahmins carved a new caste under Maratha name to divide the society and to control the social order of the society with help of this new caste group as they have done in North with help of Mughals and Rajputs. This Maratha caste later degenrated into a class like Rajputs. During Peshwa times they further grouped this new caste into 96 clans. This is the reason that Maratha as a separate caste has no clear cut subcaste and gotra system. They are so amorphous that it is hard to tell in some cases whether a gotra is maratha or of its allied caste Kunbi or Mali or Ahir or Dhangar. So creation of Maratha is equal to creation of Sikh who also belonged to different castes of Panjab. So in a comprehensive way all Marathi speaking people are reffered as Marathas.
Eg. Scindhias of Gawalier were Kunbis, Gaikwads of Baroda were Gawalas or Cowherders and Holkars of Indore were Dhangars ie. Sheperds. This amorphous arrangement facilitated incorporation of all peasant castes into Maratha race. Even today all these groups –Maratha, Kunbi, Mali, Ahir, Lingayat and Dhangar have same social status and all are regarded as OBC class of Maharashtra.
Following is a list of commomnly shared clan names among Malis and Marathas and Kunbis, Ahirs and Dhangars Etc.
Lokhande, Mhetre,Ingale,Mahale,Salunkhe, Pandhare, Sonavane, Nawle, Vyavhare, Jawle, Khairnar, Pawar, Shinde, Sawant, Shelar, Gaikwad,Kachre, Jagtap, Thorat, Dalvi, Khaire, Raut, Wagh, Bhagwat, Pingle, More, Ahire, Yadav, Jadhav, Mohite, Borade, Bhosale, Deshmukh, Lohane, Thorat, Hazare, Kale, Patil and Mane
Maharashtra is a province of Indian republic situated in Western region of Indian peninsula and is a bridge state between the North and the South and is the third largest state in poulation and area. Most of the public has a belief that Maharashtra is a part of South India, but that is not true, it is a part of Western India. Maharashtra came into existance in 1960 when Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujrat on languge concerns. Capital city of this province is Bombay now renamed by nationalists as Mumbai, the original name few centuries ago. Mumbai is the financial capitol of India. It is the centre of second largest film industry in world after Hollywood and is called as Bollywood. Maharashtra derives its name from desire of Maharastrians of Shiva ji times to create a single united big nation. Maha= Large or big and Rashtra means country or nation. The other theory is that it derives its name from its single largest caste known as Mahars who constitute 14% of the state poulation alone. Geographically Maharashtra can be divided into 4 parts- Western Ghats or Konkan, Northern Khandesh , Soth West Marathwada and North East as Vidharba. Maharastra has a total of 32 districts. Pune city is the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
1) Konkan region –is formed the hill tracts of Sahyadaris range or Western Ghats. Raigarh, Sindhudurg, Thane and Ratnagiri and Bombay are the districts of this region. Konkani is the language of this region.
2) Khandesh—comprises the northern districts of Nasik, Dhulia,Nandurbar, Jalgaon and some regions of Malwa likeBurhanpur and Nepanagar which are part of Madhya Pradesh. Khandesh region overlaps with the northern districts of Marathwada
3) Marathwada--- includes the south west districts of Aurangabad, Beed,Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Parbhani, Sangli, Nanded, Osmanabad, Sholapur, Satara, Kolhapur and Pune etc.
4) Vidharba—region has 11 districts which are Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Gadichiroli, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur and Bhandara etc. Vidarbha is comparatively backward and is seeking separate statehood.
Marathi speaking population is also present in neighbouring Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, some area of Madhya Pradesh like Indore of Malwa, In Karnatka and Gujrat.
History History of Maharashtra dates back to 7th BC when farming communities from North started moving to river valleys of Deccan plateau. Centres of earlier farming settlements are found in Prakash near Dhule, Daimabad in Aurangabad and Imamgaon in Pune district. At that time this region was known as Dandakarayna means great forest which was populated by tribals. Vidharba was part of Ashmaka, one of the 16 Aryan janapadas. Archeological site of Nanaghat gives evidence that Vaishnavism(Krishna Bhakti -Krisna ancestor of Mali/Saini and Yadav and other Yadu tribes) prevailed in the region before Ashoka introduced Budhism in this region. Mauryas were the first to control the Konkan region and control the local feudatories and trade. Ashoka established his edicts in Konkan region and established Budhism, casteless society and prakrit language. With inclusion of konkan and plateau region in Mauryan empire regular communication to North started. After the death of Ashoka local feudals established Satvahana kingdom which was followed by Vakatakas,Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas etc. and the last hindu dynaty of Yadavas of Deogiri of Nasik in 13th century which was destroyed by Khalzi’s. Yadavas were responsible for establishing the Marathi language and gave full patronage and made it their court language. Their defeat lead to Muslim rule in this region untill the 18th century to the rise of hindu mararha nation by Shivaji. Maharashtra has a long history of conflict between Brahmins and Non Brahmins. During the 500 years of muslim rule Brahmins allied with Muslims and Rajputs destroyed the Kshatrya status of these Vedic aryan peasant castes who regained this status under the banner of Shivaji and through sectarian model ie.Bhakti Movement Poet-Saints shown them the ethos to gain their self esteem. Shivaji established Rayatwari system and so lead to economic betterment of peasant class. After Shivaji, Peshwa Brahmins again captured the power with their advisory role to Maratha army and divided the society into castes. Shivaji’s ancestors from Satara and Kolhapur states as well as Maratha Sardars who established their own kingdoms outside Maharashtra and Pune always kept distance from Peshwas. At the end of 19th century Maharaj Shahu and Mahatama Phule started a movement against Brahmin Peshwas and shown the path of social reforms and education to peasant communities and tried to allign the farming class with untouchables instead of Brahmins to get rid the society from Brahmin dominance.
Social structure of Maharashtrian society
Population of Maharashtra based on Varna Theory consist of three classes or varnas-- Priest/administrative class, Working/Middle class and Dalit or Untouchables. There is no existance of Rajput class between the Upper Varna and Middle Varna. Chitpavan Brahmins constitute the upper class and are not a minority caste in Maharashtra as compare to the Brahmins in North who constitute only 3% of population in North and have to seek assistance of Rajputs or ruling class to maintain their dominance in the society over other castes. In Maharashtra they are in great numbers and are also involved in agriculture and military occopations.They are the dominant caste of Westerm Konkan region. Middle Castes Include all the Cultivator castes of Maharashtra ie. Kunbi, Maratha, Mali, Ahir,Lingayat, Dhangar, Lodhis, Kirars, Raghvis and some Banjaras. They were grouped in middle castes as Brahmins can take water from them. All these cultivator castes are now grouped into OBC group. Artisian castes like Nais,Chimpis(Darji) , Telis , Dhimar( Fisherman), Sutars(Lohar), Weavers, Kumbhars and Badhai(carpenter) also exist. Badhai include 2 sub groups called as Parvasi/Jat Badhai and Teli Badhai based on their origin. Most of these artisians are also included in OBC list. Untouchables or Harijans include Matangs,Mahars,Mangs, Ramoshis, Chambhars(Chamars),Churahas etc. Aborriginals or Dravidian speaking tribals are like Gonds, Bhils, Kolis, Warlis, Maadeos . Kolis are a tribe of western konkan region involved in fishing and agriculture and were notified as criminal caste. Shetties are a buisness community. Jain , Budhist, Jewish and Zorashtrian or Parsi communities are also present in Maharashtra.
MALI’S OF MAHARASHTRA
Name of this community is dervied from Maloi or Malavi or Malli which were the peaople of Malwa region ( Central India) who migrated down to Khandesh and Godavri and Bhima Valleys. They have descended from Mathura’s Surasena kingdom. Mallis were the people of Malwa who fought with Alexander The Great near Multan. Both Mali’s and Kunbi’s claim their movement to southward in ancient times from Multan area to Malwa. Mali caste constitute the third largest cultivator caste of Maharashtra peasant castes after Maratha and Kunbi caste. Mali’s are 7 % of the total poulation of Maharashtra. They are the specialist cultivators involved in the cultivation of Flowers, Vegetables and fruits, Sugarcane, Cotton, Tamarind, Cumin/Jira, Ginger and Haldi/Turmeric alongwith foodgrains and also combines the skill of professional gardening. While Kunbi was considered a general tiller of the land involved with only cultivation of staple food.
Their language, customs, traditions, beliefs, religion, culture and social status and geographical distribution is same to Kunbi- Maratha castes. They do not marry in the same gotra and with first and second cousins. Widow marriage and divorce are permitted. Their dead bodies are creamated. Earlier girls were married before puberty but not now. Mali community is follower of Hinduism and follow the Varkari sect and Vaishnavism. They also follow Lingayat sect in small proportion. Devi is their principal deity and marriages are performed in front of the deity. Devi is local incarnation of Maha Kali and represents the dreaded disease of smallpox and goats are sacrificed to please the Devi. They employ Brahmin priests for marriage ceremony and other hindu rituals. Pandharpur is a sacred place for the community and Abhang kirtana is part of their spirtual life. They have established Sant Swata Mali temples allover the state. Mali community is also a part of Gosain/Gosavi sect and Yogi castes of Nath Sampardaya.. Their language is Marathi and speak all the dialects of this language like Ahirani, Manedeshi etc. based on region. In the bordering areas they also speak Gujrati, Kannad, Telugu and Hindustani.
Their dress includes Maharashtrian style Dhoti called Dhotar and Sadara (Kurta) and freshly folded pagri/turban. For everyday use they wear Mundassa as head dress and wear red turban on special occasions like marriage and birth and other festivals. In daily life shoulder cloth (Uparne) is also a part of Mali men’s attire.They also use gandhi topi and Bandi (short coat) and countrymade Joda (shoes). Women wear traditional 9 yard saree called Lugade and girls wear Parkar (peticoat) and Palka (blouse). They also use Ghagra and embroidered Choli and equally graceful Dupatta. They wear trditiona jewellry like Nath(Nose ring), Besar,Choker, Tanmani(short necklace) and bajuband(the amulet). Nath and Besar are worne by married women. Rice, Jowar and Arhar is their staple food and use a lot of coconut and peanut in food. They perform a dance and song form based on incarnation of Lord Krishna known as Vasudev particularly in districts of Jalgaon and Dhule and perform Dindi dance when they join the procession to temple of Vithal . Lavni is performed by women .They celebrate festivals like Holi, Gudhi Padwa, Makar sakranti, Rakhi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dushehra and Diwali, Gokul Ashtami and POLA their harvest festival.
Main crops produced by Mali farmers are Turmeric, onions, vegetables, mango, grapes, flowers, cotton, jowar, sugarcane, groundnut, sunflower, soyabean, rice , papayas, oranges, bananas, pulses and cumin. Tanks, wells and canals are the main source of irrigation. They raise Killari breed of Cows and Oxen to use them for milk, ploughing and cart racing. They worship their oxen and during Pola celebrationsin rainy season take their bullocks in procession..
Mali’s were a part of Maratha army regiments during Peshwa and British rule and also provide a large no.of recruits to State Police Force and Indian army as per theirYadu Kshatrya traditions. During British rule Brahmins and Rajputs lobbyed to exclude them from Maratha regiments of Bombay presidency but they were failed in doing so by the combined efforts of Mahatama Phule and Rajas of Kolhapur, Baroda and Indore. During British rule Mali’s entered into Bacward class alongwith Maratha-Kunbi’s to gain the profit of reservation of assembly seats for them in Bombay Council as they fought for British in the first world war.
Distribution -- Malis are widely distributed in all parts of Maharashtra except Konkan region. They are the second largest community of political influence in Vidharba, Marathwada and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra. They have strong presense in 36 assembly constituencies out of total 288. Mali community has influence on 15 Parliament and 100 Assembly seats.
1) Khandesh—Mali’s are the leading cultivating caste of this region og Satpura foothills and are found in large numbers in Dhule, Nasik and Jalgaon districts. Nasik was once the centre of Yadava kingdom who belong to their sister caste. Nasik is one of the great pilgrimage centre of Hindus and a Kumbh Mela is organised here every 12 years. Sh.Chaggan Bhujbal Ex.Deputy Chief Minister belongs to this dsitrict. Mali community constructed Mali kund in Nasik in 1870 AD. Mali are majority community in Dhule and Jalgaon. Shirpur in Dhlue is stronghold of Mali’s, Smt.Parvati Bai Dalpatrao Mali College is situated in Shirpur. Dr.R. S.Mali is ex VC of North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon.
2) Marathwada- Mali community is wide spread in whole of Marathwada region and is the dominant caste of central Marathwada districts of Parbhani, Aurangabad and Jalna etc. Smt. Savitri Bai Phule belonged to Satara district. Saint Swata Mali Ji were from Aran in Sholapur District. Sh. N. S. Pharande is a big Mali leader of BJP party from Ahmednagar. Freedom Fighters like Sh. Shivaji Mnaji Mali of Satara and Sh. Dhondiram Mali of Kupwad from Satara district are also from this region. Mahatama Phule belonged to the Gorhe family of Pune. Kacchu Malis of Sholapur are involved in the famous cotton industry. Sh.Vithal Thamaji Mali is a Mali politician from Kopargaon in Ahmednagar and is Vice President of Kopargaon co-operative society. Mr.Chandukaka Jagtap is MLA from Pune. Bala Sahib Shivarkar is an eminent political leader from Mali caste of Pune, He is 3 times ex MLA and ex Cabinet minister. Mali community of Sholapur district was the the first in Maharashtra to start farmers co-operative movement for water irrigation and sugar mill in Maharashtra. Sangol, Malinagar and Mohal in Sholapur are strongholds. Mali’s are found in large no.’s in Nanded,Latur, Beed and Sangli districts.
3) Vidharba—Mali’s constitute the largest OBC group of Vidharba region along with Teli’s. They are 4%of the population in tribal dominated areas of Vidarbha like Yavatmal, Chandrapur and are one of the dominant caste in Akola, Amravati division and Nagpur. Eg. Mr.Krishan rao Ingle is ex MLA from Buldhana and Mr.Vinayakrao Korde is MLA from Achalpur in Amravati.
Subcastes of Mali community of Maharashtra
Depending on the type of specialized cultivation Mali’s are grouped in different subcastes like Phul Mali- Cultivation of flowers and vegetables and professional gardening and temple services like supply of garlands and mukuts and maintainance of Palaces and Govt.buildings, this subcaste was mostly concentrated in and around the cities due to easy market access to their products eg Elite Phul Mali Families from all over Maharashtra were invited to settle in and around Pune by Peshwas , Jire Mali- Cumin cultivation, Halde Mali- Turmeric cultivation, Kacchu Mali – Cotton cultivation, Saini, Ghase Mali, Kase Mali, Chaukalsa Mali, Panchkalsa Mali etc. With times these subdivisions have been almost vanished and are only regarded as surnames. But now a days all the farming castes of Maharashtra are involved in production of these agricultural products and Mali’s are also involved with cash crops, as now farming has changed to more intensive and integrated industry and demand based products, so based on type of cultivation there is no distinction between Mali’s and other peasant castes.
Surnames of Mali community of Maharahtra
A) Aavchar, Ambekar, Adilinge/Adlinge, Adhao, Akalkar, Aanap, Aagarkar, Ahire, Abhang, Avasare
B) Bhagwat, Baravkar, Bhujbal, Bhaskar, Burade, Bugade, Bodhke, Bele(=Bhele),Bhopale, Borse, Bhagat, Bhongle, Birmal, Bhakre, Borate, Bonsade, Bhale(=Bhela), Bali, Bharvirkar, Bidvai, Bagul, Boravke, Bunage, Bhamre, Baviskar, Bahalkar, Bhadke, Bhone, Bhong, Bankar, Bachav, Bhumkar, Bhanavase, Balsarf, Bhosal , Badade
C) Chipade, Chovde, Chawre(Chere), Chilpe, Chandne(=Chandan), Charpe, Chaudhary, Chakane
D) Dongre, Dhule, Darshne, Dale, Dalvi, Devare, Dudhe, Dhanwat(=Dhanauta), Dongche, Dhanumali, Dholepatil, Dagade, Doke(=Dulku/Dhorka), Dhole(=Dhole), Dedage, Date, Dhat, Dangle Dandge, Deshmukh
E) Ethate, Elave
F) Farande, Fulzade
G) Gidhe(=Gidha), Gholap, Girme, Ghanwat, Ghasemali, Godekar, Gavali/Gawali, Ghadge/Gadage, Gawde, Ghumatkar, Gudhe, Gaikwad, Galhar(=Galhe), Garudkar, Gore/Gorhe(=Gaare)/Phule, Garde, Gharte, Gavandi, Ghodekar, Gangurde, Gavnde, Ghogre, Ghotal, Gadade
H) Hazare, Hivse, Hingane/Hingne, Hegde, Herkal, Hagir, Hiwarkar, Haldemali, Hudekar
I) Inamdar, Ingle/Ingale
J) Jungare, Jambhale, Jhodge, Jhagde, Jiremali, Javle/Jawale, Jagtap, Jambhulkar, Jejurkar, Jamdade, Jagdale, Jadhekar, Jembe, Jadhav, Jaytal
K) Khaire, Kasemali, Kachre, Kamod, Kamodkar, Karande, Keadre, Khamkar, Khalane, Kodre, Kurhe, Kubade, Kharpude, Karpe, Khurpe, Kolhe, Kandpile, Khandalkar, Kundle, Kavi, Khirsagar, Kore, Korde, Kanade, Kacchumali, Kudale, Khairnar, Karne, Khedkar, Kalmkar, Kukade, Kathale, Karankar, Kherde, Kale, Kalukhe
L) Londhe, Lohane, Lokhande, Lothe, Lashkare
M) Makh, Mahale, Madankar, Masne/Masane, Manekar, Mane, Memane, Magre, Mohite, Mhetre, Masurkar, More, Mandalik, Mahajan, Mokal, Malkar
N) Namde, Nanavare, Nawle, Nandan, Narke, Nayakwadi, Newse, Nahire, Naik, Nagre, Naikude, Navade
O)
P) Pawar. Pandhare/Pandhre, Pathade/Pathare, Parahde, Pharande, Phulor, Patil, Parekh, Patkari, Pise, Pange, Pharate, Pingle/Pingale(=Panglia), Pashankar, Pable(=Pabla), Pigale, Pund, Prandwal
Q)
R) Rasve, Raul, Raut, Rajankar, Rahate, Ranmalkar, Raskar, Ratnakar, Ramane, Rakhonde, Rokade, Rajkule
S) Survanshi, Sawant, Sabale, Sangole, Shewate, Sante, Shete, Shevkar, Sulokar, Shevte, Salunkhe/Salunke, Satav, Shevale, Samose, Shivarkar, Sapkal, Shelar, Saudane, Shinde, Sinalkar/ Shinalkar, Sinnarkar, Shiraskar, Sasane, Sonavane, Sarang, Sinlikar, Surse, Sonsale, Saini, Shegaonkar, Sapate
T) Tisge, Tamhane, Tilekar, Tamalurkar, Tambe, Thorat, Telekar, Tarte, TaydeTodkar, Tajne
U) Umale
V) Vavhl, Vankhede, Vaghhale, Vagule, Vazare, Varnekar, Vavahare, Vithal, Vibhute, Vidhate, Varahdi
W) Walke, Warule, Warulekar, Waghmare, Wagh, Waghule, Wenere
Note—Why these surnames are different from Mali’s/Saini’s of North west---- Because when castes or communities settle into new lands , with time they evolve new language, customs, beliefs and gotras. New gotras are acquired to memorise their ancestors who took initiative to get established in new settlements and are also based on name of new villages or on flaura and fauna of region etc. eg. Wagh mean Tiger. Also in case of Brahmins of Maharashtra, their Gotras like Tendulkar, Gokhale, Joglekar etc. are totally different from the Brahmins of Punjab and their customs , language and culture is also different But they are of Brahmin caste. So this is true for all castes and not only for Saini or Mali community.
Who are Marathas --- Marathas were armymen or warriors of 18th century who dominated the political scene of central India and Maharashtra. In those times many sardars or jagirdars belonging to different peasant castes were working as administraotors of different areas or tehsils for Bahmani sultanate of Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Deccan who were mobilised by Brahmin advisors to create a Hindu nation. As in Maharashtian society there was no existance of a separate rajput caste or class. So these Marathi speaking peasant castes/ middle castes who were inspired by the Bhakti Movement to maintain their self esteem like Kunbi, Mali ,Ahir, Dhangars, Lingayats, Kolis and Gawalas formed army along with untouchables like Mahars, Mangs and Ramoshis and created a separate Hindu state. Their war cry was also Har Har Mahadev reflecting the combination of Vedic aryans and dravidian beliefs as compared to Jai Bhawani of Rajputs. Shiva ji in Gujrat and Maratha Sardars who conquered Rajputana were responsible for genocide of half of the Rajput population of those times. Once muslims were thrown out of power Brahmins administrators controlled the state and became the De Facto rulers under the name of Peshwas which means Prime Minister. Eg. Shiva ji was a Kunbi and his mother was a Yadav/ Ahir. From elite peasant clans Brahmins carved a new caste under Maratha name to divide the society and to control the social order of the society with help of this new caste group as they have done in North with help of Mughals and Rajputs. This Maratha caste later degenrated into a class like Rajputs. During Peshwa times they further grouped this new caste into 96 clans. This is the reason that Maratha as a separate caste has no clear cut subcaste and gotra system. They are so amorphous that it is hard to tell in some cases whether a gotra is maratha or of its allied caste Kunbi or Mali or Ahir or Dhangar. So creation of Maratha is equal to creation of Sikh who also belonged to different castes of Panjab. So in a comprehensive way all Marathi speaking people are reffered as Marathas.
Eg. Scindhias of Gawalier were Kunbis, Gaikwads of Baroda were Gawalas or Cowherders and Holkars of Indore were Dhangars ie. Sheperds. This amorphous arrangement facilitated incorporation of all peasant castes into Maratha race. Even today all these groups –Maratha, Kunbi, Mali, Ahir, Lingayat and Dhangar have same social status and all are regarded as OBC class of Maharashtra.
Following is a list of commomnly shared clan names among Malis and Marathas and Kunbis, Ahirs and Dhangars Etc.
Lokhande, Mhetre,Ingale,Mahale,Salunkhe, Pandhare, Sonavane, Nawle, Vyavhare, Jawle, Khairnar, Pawar, Shinde, Sawant, Shelar, Gaikwad,Kachre, Jagtap, Thorat, Dalvi, Khaire, Raut, Wagh, Bhagwat, Pingle, More, Ahire, Yadav, Jadhav, Mohite, Borade, Bhosale, Deshmukh, Lohane, Thorat, Hazare, Kale, Patil and Mane
Mali / Saini community of Maharashtra
Mali / Saini community of Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a province of Indian republic situated in Western region of Indian peninsula and is a bridge state between the North and the South and is the third largest state in poulation and area. Most of the public has a belief that Maharashtra is a part of South India, but that is not true, it is a part of Western India. Maharashtra came into existance in 1960 when Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujrat on languge concerns. Capital city of this province is Bombay now renamed by nationalists as Mumbai, the original name few centuries ago. Mumbai is the financial capitol of India. It is the centre of second largest film industry in world after Hollywood and is called as Bollywood. Maharashtra derives its name from desire of Maharastrians of Shiva ji times to create a single united big nation. Maha= Large or big and Rashtra means country or nation. The other theory is that it derives its name from its single largest caste known as Mahars who constitute 14% of the state poulation alone. Geographically Maharashtra can be divided into 4 parts- Western Ghats or Konkan, Northern Khandesh , Soth West Marathwada and North East as Vidharba. Maharastra has a total of 32 districts. Pune city is the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
1) Konkan region –is formed the hill tracts of Sahyadaris range or Western Ghats. Raigarh, Sindhudurg, Thane and Ratnagiri and Bombay are the districts of this region. Konkani is the language of this region.
2) Khandesh—comprises the northern districts of Nasik, Dhulia,Nandurbar, Jalgaon and some regions of Malwa likeBurhanpur and Nepanagar which are part of Madhya Pradesh. Khandesh region overlaps with the northern districts of Marathwada
3) Marathwada--- includes the south west districts of Aurangabad, Beed,Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Parbhani, Sangli, Nanded, Osmanabad, Sholapur, Satara, Kolhapur and Pune etc.
4) Vidharba—region has 11 districts which are Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Gadichiroli, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur and Bhandara etc. Vidarbha is comparatively backward and is seeking separate statehood.
Marathi speaking population is also present in neighbouring Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, some area of Madhya Pradesh like Indore of Malwa, In Karnatka and Gujrat.
History History of Maharashtra dates back to 7th BC when farming communities from North started moving to river valleys of Deccan plateau. Centres of earlier farming settlements are found in Prakash near Dhule, Daimabad in Aurangabad and Imamgaon in Pune district. At that time this region was known as Dandakarayna means great forest which was populated by tribals. Vidharba was part of Ashmaka, one of the 16 Aryan janapadas. Archeological site of Nanaghat gives evidence that Vaishnavism(Krishna Bhakti -Krisna ancestor of Mali/Saini and Yadav and other Yadu tribes) prevailed in the region before Ashoka introduced Budhism in this region. Mauryas were the first to control the Konkan region and control the local feudatories and trade. Ashoka established his edicts in Konkan region and established Budhism, casteless society and prakrit language. With inclusion of konkan and plateau region in Mauryan empire regular communication to North started. After the death of Ashoka local feudals established Satvahana kingdom which was followed by Vakatakas,Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas etc. and the last hindu dynaty of Yadavas of Deogiri of Nasik in 13th century which was destroyed by Khalzi’s. Yadavas were responsible for establishing the Marathi language and gave full patronage and made it their court language. Their defeat lead to Muslim rule in this region untill the 18th century to the rise of hindu mararha nation by Shivaji. Maharashtra has a long history of conflict between Brahmins and Non Brahmins. During the 500 years of muslim rule Brahmins allied with Muslims and Rajputs destroyed the Kshatrya status of these Vedic aryan peasant castes who regained this status under the banner of Shivaji and through sectarian model ie.Bhakti Movement Poet-Saints shown them the ethos to gain their self esteem. Shivaji established Rayatwari system and so lead to economic betterment of peasant class. After Shivaji, Peshwa Brahmins again captured the power with their advisory role to Maratha army and divided the society into castes. Shivaji’s ancestors from Satara and Kolhapur states as well as Maratha Sardars who established their own kingdoms outside Maharashtra and Pune always kept distance from Peshwas. At the end of 19th century Maharaj Shahu and Mahatama Phule started a movement against Brahmin Peshwas and shown the path of social reforms and education to peasant communities and tried to allign the farming class with untouchables instead of Brahmins to get rid the society from Brahmin dominance.
Social structure of Maharashtrian society
Population of Maharashtra based on Varna Theory consist of three classes or varnas-- Priest/administrative class, Working/Middle class and Dalit or Untouchables. There is no existance of Rajput class between the Upper Varna and Middle Varna. Chitpavan Brahmins constitute the upper class and are not a minority caste in Maharashtra as compare to the Brahmins in North who constitute only 3% of population in North and have to seek assistance of Rajputs or ruling class to maintain their dominance in the society over other castes. In Maharashtra they are in great numbers and are also involved in agriculture and military occopations.They are the dominant caste of Westerm Konkan region. Middle Castes Include all the Cultivator castes of Maharashtra ie. Kunbi, Maratha, Mali, Ahir,Lingayat, Dhangar, Lodhis, Kirars, Raghvis and some Banjaras. They were grouped in middle castes as Brahmins can take water from them. All these cultivator castes are now grouped into OBC group. Artisian castes like Nais,Chimpis(Darji) , Telis , Dhimar( Fisherman), Sutars(Lohar), Weavers, Kumbhars and Badhai(carpenter) also exist. Badhai include 2 sub groups called as Parvasi/Jat Badhai and Teli Badhai based on their origin. Most of these artisians are also included in OBC list. Untouchables or Harijans include Matangs,Mahars,Mangs, Ramoshis, Chambhars(Chamars),Churahas etc. Aborriginals or Dravidian speaking tribals are like Gonds, Bhils, Kolis, Warlis, Maadeos . Kolis are a tribe of western konkan region involved in fishing and agriculture and were notified as criminal caste. Shetties are a buisness community. Jain , Budhist, Jewish and Zorashtrian or Parsi communities are also present in Maharashtra.
MALI’S OF MAHARASHTRA
Name of this community is dervied from Maloi or Malavi or Malli which were the peaople of Malwa region ( Central India) who migrated down to Khandesh and Godavri and Bhima Valleys. They have descended from Mathura’s Surasena kingdom. Mallis were the people of Malwa who fought with Alexander The Great near Multan. Both Mali’s and Kunbi’s claim their movement to southward in ancient times from Multan area to Malwa. Mali caste constitute the third largest cultivator caste of Maharashtra peasant castes after Maratha and Kunbi caste. Mali’s are 7 % of the total poulation of Maharashtra. They are the specialist cultivators involved in the cultivation of Flowers, Vegetables and fruits, Sugarcane, Cotton, Tamarind, Cumin/Jira, Ginger and Haldi/Turmeric alongwith foodgrains and also combines the skill of professional gardening. While Kunbi was considered a general tiller of the land involved with only cultivation of staple food.
Their language, customs, traditions, beliefs, religion, culture and social status and geographical distribution is same to Kunbi- Maratha castes. They do not marry in the same gotra and with first and second cousins. Widow marriage and divorce are permitted. Their dead bodies are creamated. Earlier girls were married before puberty but not now. Mali community is follower of Hinduism and follow the Varkari sect and Vaishnavism. They also follow Lingayat sect in small proportion. Devi is their principal deity and marriages are performed in front of the deity. Devi is local incarnation of Maha Kali and represents the dreaded disease of smallpox and goats are sacrificed to please the Devi. They employ Brahmin priests for marriage ceremony and other hindu rituals. Pandharpur is a sacred place for the community and Abhang kirtana is part of their spirtual life. They have established Sant Swata Mali temples allover the state. Mali community is also a part of Gosain/Gosavi sect and Yogi castes of Nath Sampardaya.. Their language is Marathi and speak all the dialects of this language like Ahirani, Manedeshi etc. based on region. In the bordering areas they also speak Gujrati, Kannad, Telugu and Hindustani.
Their dress includes Maharashtrian style Dhoti called Dhotar and Sadara (Kurta) and freshly folded pagri/turban. For everyday use they wear Mundassa as head dress and wear red turban on special occasions like marriage and birth and other festivals. In daily life shoulder cloth (Uparne) is also a part of Mali men’s attire.They also use gandhi topi and Bandi (short coat) and countrymade Joda (shoes). Women wear traditional 9 yard saree called Lugade and girls wear Parkar (peticoat) and Palka (blouse). They also use Ghagra and embroidered Choli and equally graceful Dupatta. They wear trditiona jewellry like Nath(Nose ring), Besar,Choker, Tanmani(short necklace) and bajuband(the amulet). Nath and Besar are worne by married women. Rice, Jowar and Arhar is their staple food and use a lot of coconut and peanut in food. They perform a dance and song form based on incarnation of Lord Krishna known as Vasudev particularly in districts of Jalgaon and Dhule and perform Dindi dance when they join the procession to temple of Vithal . Lavni is performed by women .They celebrate festivals like Holi, Gudhi Padwa, Makar sakranti, Rakhi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dushehra and Diwali, Gokul Ashtami and POLA their harvest festival.
Main crops produced by Mali farmers are Turmeric, onions, vegetables, mango, grapes, flowers, cotton, jowar, sugarcane, groundnut, sunflower, soyabean, rice , papayas, oranges, bananas, pulses and cumin. Tanks, wells and canals are the main source of irrigation. They raise Killari breed of Cows and Oxen to use them for milk, ploughing and cart racing. They worship their oxen and during Pola celebrationsin rainy season take their bullocks in procession..
Mali’s were a part of Maratha army regiments during Peshwa and British rule and also provide a large no.of recruits to State Police Force and Indian army as per theirYadu Kshatrya traditions. During British rule Brahmins and Rajputs lobbyed to exclude them from Maratha regiments of Bombay presidency but they were failed in doing so by the combined efforts of Mahatama Phule and Rajas of Kolhapur, Baroda and Indore. During British rule Mali’s entered into Bacward class alongwith Maratha-Kunbi’s to gain the profit of reservation of assembly seats for them in Bombay Council as they fought for British in the first world war.
Distribution -- Malis are widely distributed in all parts of Maharashtra except Konkan region. They are the second largest community of political influence in Vidharba, Marathwada and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra. They have strong presense in 36 assembly constituencies out of total 288. Mali community has influence on 15 Parliament and 100 Assembly seats.
1) Khandesh—Mali’s are the leading cultivating caste of this region og Satpura foothills and are found in large numbers in Dhule, Nasik and Jalgaon districts. Nasik was once the centre of Yadava kingdom who belong to their sister caste. Nasik is one of the great pilgrimage centre of Hindus and a Kumbh Mela is organised here every 12 years. Sh.Chaggan Bhujbal Ex.Deputy Chief Minister belongs to this dsitrict. Mali community constructed Mali kund in Nasik in 1870 AD. Mali are majority community in Dhule and Jalgaon. Shirpur in Dhlue is stronghold of Mali’s, Smt.Parvati Bai Dalpatrao Mali College is situated in Shirpur. Dr.R. S.Mali is ex VC of North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon.
2) Marathwada- Mali community is wide spread in whole of Marathwada region and is the dominant caste of central Marathwada districts of Parbhani, Aurangabad and Jalna etc. Smt. Savitri Bai Phule belonged to Satara district. Saint Swata Mali Ji were from Aran in Sholapur District. Sh. N. S. Pharande is a big Mali leader of BJP party from Ahmednagar. Freedom Fighters like Sh. Shivaji Mnaji Mali of Satara and Sh. Dhondiram Mali of Kupwad from Satara district are also from this region. Mahatama Phule belonged to the Gorhe family of Pune. Kacchu Malis of Sholapur are involved in the famous cotton industry. Sh.Vithal Thamaji Mali is a Mali politician from Kopargaon in Ahmednagar and is Vice President of Kopargaon co-operative society. Mr.Chandukaka Jagtap is MLA from Pune. Bala Sahib Shivarkar is an eminent political leader from Mali caste of Pune, He is 3 times ex MLA and ex Cabinet minister. Mali community of Sholapur district was the the first in Maharashtra to start farmers co-operative movement for water irrigation and sugar mill in Maharashtra. Sangol, Malinagar and Mohal in Sholapur are strongholds. Mali’s are found in large no.’s in Nanded,Latur, Beed and Sangli districts.
3) Vidharba—Mali’s constitute the largest OBC group of Vidharba region along with Teli’s. They are 4%of the population in tribal dominated areas of Vidarbha like Yavatmal, Chandrapur and are one of the dominant caste in Akola, Amravati division and Nagpur. Eg. Mr.Krishan rao Ingle is ex MLA from Buldhana and Mr.Vinayakrao Korde is MLA from Achalpur in Amravati.
Subcastes of Mali community of Maharashtra
Depending on the type of specialized cultivation Mali’s are grouped in different subcastes like Phul Mali- Cultivation of flowers and vegetables and professional gardening and temple services like supply of garlands and mukuts and maintainance of Palaces and Govt.buildings, this subcaste was mostly concentrated in and around the cities due to easy market access to their products eg Elite Phul Mali Families from all over Maharashtra were invited to settle in and around Pune by Peshwas , Jire Mali- Cumin cultivation, Halde Mali- Turmeric cultivation, Kacchu Mali – Cotton cultivation, Saini, Ghase Mali, Kase Mali, Chaukalsa Mali, Panchkalsa Mali etc. With times these subdivisions have been almost vanished and are only regarded as surnames. But now a days all the farming castes of Maharashtra are involved in production of these agricultural products and Mali’s are also involved with cash crops, as now farming has changed to more intensive and integrated industry and demand based products, so based on type of cultivation there is no distinction between Mali’s and other peasant castes.
Surnames of Mali community of Maharahtra
A) Aavchar, Ambekar, Adilinge/Adlinge, Adhao, Akalkar, Aanap, Aagarkar, Ahire, Abhang, Avasare
B) Bhagwat, Baravkar, Bhujbal, Bhaskar, Burade, Bugade, Bodhke, Bele(=Bhele),Bhopale, Borse, Bhagat, Bhongle, Birmal, Bhakre, Borate, Bonsade, Bhale(=Bhela), Bali, Bharvirkar, Bidvai, Bagul, Boravke, Bunage, Bhamre, Baviskar, Bahalkar, Bhadke, Bhone, Bhong, Bankar, Bachav, Bhumkar, Bhanavase, Balsarf, Bhosal , Badade
C) Chipade, Chovde, Chawre(Chere), Chilpe, Chandne(=Chandan), Charpe, Chaudhary, Chakane
D) Dongre, Dhule, Darshne, Dale, Dalvi, Devare, Dudhe, Dhanwat(=Dhanauta), Dongche, Dhanumali, Dholepatil, Dagade, Doke(=Dulku/Dhorka), Dhole(=Dhole), Dedage, Date, Dhat, Dangle Dandge, Deshmukh
E) Ethate, Elave
F) Farande, Fulzade
G) Gidhe(=Gidha), Gholap, Girme, Ghanwat, Ghasemali, Godekar, Gavali/Gawali, Ghadge/Gadage, Gawde, Ghumatkar, Gudhe, Gaikwad, Galhar(=Galhe), Garudkar, Gore/Gorhe(=Gaare)/Phule, Garde, Gharte, Gavandi, Ghodekar, Gangurde, Gavnde, Ghogre, Ghotal, Gadade
H) Hazare, Hivse, Hingane/Hingne, Hegde, Herkal, Hagir, Hiwarkar, Haldemali, Hudekar
I) Inamdar, Ingle/Ingale
J) Jungare, Jambhale, Jhodge, Jhagde, Jiremali, Javle/Jawale, Jagtap, Jambhulkar, Jejurkar, Jamdade, Jagdale, Jadhekar, Jembe, Jadhav, Jaytal
K) Khaire, Kasemali, Kachre, Kamod, Kamodkar, Karande, Keadre, Khamkar, Khalane, Kodre, Kurhe, Kubade, Kharpude, Karpe, Khurpe, Kolhe, Kandpile, Khandalkar, Kundle, Kavi, Khirsagar, Kore, Korde, Kanade, Kacchumali, Kudale, Khairnar, Karne, Khedkar, Kalmkar, Kukade, Kathale, Karankar, Kherde, Kale, Kalukhe
L) Londhe, Lohane, Lokhande, Lothe, Lashkare
M) Makh, Mahale, Madankar, Masne/Masane, Manekar, Mane, Memane, Magre, Mohite, Mhetre, Masurkar, More, Mandalik, Mahajan, Mokal, Malkar
N) Namde, Nanavare, Nawle, Nandan, Narke, Nayakwadi, Newse, Nahire, Naik, Nagre, Naikude, Navade
O)
P) Pawar. Pandhare/Pandhre, Pathade/Pathare, Parahde, Pharande, Phulor, Patil, Parekh, Patkari, Pise, Pange, Pharate, Pingle/Pingale(=Panglia), Pashankar, Pable(=Pabla), Pigale, Pund, Prandwal
Q)
R) Rasve, Raul, Raut, Rajankar, Rahate, Ranmalkar, Raskar, Ratnakar, Ramane, Rakhonde, Rokade, Rajkule
S) Survanshi, Sawant, Sabale, Sangole, Shewate, Sante, Shete, Shevkar, Sulokar, Shevte, Salunkhe/Salunke, Satav, Shevale, Samose, Shivarkar, Sapkal, Shelar, Saudane, Shinde, Sinalkar/ Shinalkar, Sinnarkar, Shiraskar, Sasane, Sonavane, Sarang, Sinlikar, Surse, Sonsale, Saini, Shegaonkar, Sapate
T) Tisge, Tamhane, Tilekar, Tamalurkar, Tambe, Thorat, Telekar, Tarte, TaydeTodkar, Tajne
U) Umale
V) Vavhl, Vankhede, Vaghhale, Vagule, Vazare, Varnekar, Vavahare, Vithal, Vibhute, Vidhate, Varahdi
W) Walke, Warule, Warulekar, Waghmare, Wagh, Waghule, Wenere
Note—Why these surnames are different from Mali’s/Saini’s of North west---- Because when castes or communities settle into new lands , with time they evolve new language, customs, beliefs and gotras. New gotras are acquired to memorise their ancestors who took initiative to get established in new settlements and are also based on name of new villages or on flaura and fauna of region etc. eg. Wagh mean Tiger. Also in case of Brahmins of Maharashtra, their Gotras like Tendulkar, Gokhale, Joglekar etc. are totally different from the Brahmins of Punjab and their customs , language and culture is also different But they are of Brahmin caste. So this is true for all castes and not only for Saini or Mali community.
Who are Marathas --- Marathas were armymen or warriors of 18th century who dominated the political scene of central India and Maharashtra. In those times many sardars or jagirdars belonging to different peasant castes were working as administraotors of different areas or tehsils for Bahmani sultanate of Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Deccan who were mobilised by Brahmin advisors to create a Hindu nation. As in Maharashtian society there was no existance of a separate rajput caste or class. So these Marathi speaking peasant castes/ middle castes who were inspired by the Bhakti Movement to maintain their self esteem like Kunbi, Mali ,Ahir, Dhangars, Lingayats, Kolis and Gawalas formed army along with untouchables like Mahars, Mangs and Ramoshis and created a separate Hindu state. Their war cry was also Har Har Mahadev reflecting the combination of Vedic aryans and dravidian beliefs as compared to Jai Bhawani of Rajputs. Shiva ji in Gujrat and Maratha Sardars who conquered Rajputana were responsible for genocide of half of the Rajput population of those times. Once muslims were thrown out of power Brahmins administrators controlled the state and became the De Facto rulers under the name of Peshwas which means Prime Minister. Eg. Shiva ji was a Kunbi and his mother was a Yadav/ Ahir. From elite peasant clans Brahmins carved a new caste under Maratha name to divide the society and to control the social order of the society with help of this new caste group as they have done in North with help of Mughals and Rajputs. This Maratha caste later degenrated into a class like Rajputs. During Peshwa times they further grouped this new caste into 96 clans. This is the reason that Maratha as a separate caste has no clear cut subcaste and gotra system. They are so amorphous that it is hard to tell in some cases whether a gotra is maratha or of its allied caste Kunbi or Mali or Ahir or Dhangar. So creation of Maratha is equal to creation of Sikh who also belonged to different castes of Panjab. So in a comprehensive way all Marathi speaking people are reffered as Marathas.
Eg. Scindhias of Gawalier were Kunbis, Gaikwads of Baroda were Gawalas or Cowherders and Holkars of Indore were Dhangars ie. Sheperds. This amorphous arrangement facilitated incorporation of all peasant castes into Maratha race. Even today all these groups –Maratha, Kunbi, Mali, Ahir, Lingayat and Dhangar have same social status and all are regarded as OBC class of Maharashtra.
Following is a list of commomnly shared clan names among Malis and Marathas and Kunbis, Ahirs and Dhangars Etc.
Lokhande, Mhetre,Ingale,Mahale,Salunkhe, Pandhare, Sonavane, Nawle, Vyavhare, Jawle, Khairnar, Pawar, Shinde, Sawant, Shelar, Gaikwad,Kachre, Jagtap, Thorat, Dalvi, Khaire, Raut, Wagh, Bhagwat, Pingle, More, Ahire, Yadav, Jadhav, Mohite, Borade, Bhosale, Deshmukh, Lohane, Thorat, Hazare, Kale, Patil and Mane
Maharashtra is a province of Indian republic situated in Western region of Indian peninsula and is a bridge state between the North and the South and is the third largest state in poulation and area. Most of the public has a belief that Maharashtra is a part of South India, but that is not true, it is a part of Western India. Maharashtra came into existance in 1960 when Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujrat on languge concerns. Capital city of this province is Bombay now renamed by nationalists as Mumbai, the original name few centuries ago. Mumbai is the financial capitol of India. It is the centre of second largest film industry in world after Hollywood and is called as Bollywood. Maharashtra derives its name from desire of Maharastrians of Shiva ji times to create a single united big nation. Maha= Large or big and Rashtra means country or nation. The other theory is that it derives its name from its single largest caste known as Mahars who constitute 14% of the state poulation alone. Geographically Maharashtra can be divided into 4 parts- Western Ghats or Konkan, Northern Khandesh , Soth West Marathwada and North East as Vidharba. Maharastra has a total of 32 districts. Pune city is the cultural capital of Maharashtra.
1) Konkan region –is formed the hill tracts of Sahyadaris range or Western Ghats. Raigarh, Sindhudurg, Thane and Ratnagiri and Bombay are the districts of this region. Konkani is the language of this region.
2) Khandesh—comprises the northern districts of Nasik, Dhulia,Nandurbar, Jalgaon and some regions of Malwa likeBurhanpur and Nepanagar which are part of Madhya Pradesh. Khandesh region overlaps with the northern districts of Marathwada
3) Marathwada--- includes the south west districts of Aurangabad, Beed,Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Parbhani, Sangli, Nanded, Osmanabad, Sholapur, Satara, Kolhapur and Pune etc.
4) Vidharba—region has 11 districts which are Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Gadichiroli, Chandrapur, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur and Bhandara etc. Vidarbha is comparatively backward and is seeking separate statehood.
Marathi speaking population is also present in neighbouring Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, some area of Madhya Pradesh like Indore of Malwa, In Karnatka and Gujrat.
History History of Maharashtra dates back to 7th BC when farming communities from North started moving to river valleys of Deccan plateau. Centres of earlier farming settlements are found in Prakash near Dhule, Daimabad in Aurangabad and Imamgaon in Pune district. At that time this region was known as Dandakarayna means great forest which was populated by tribals. Vidharba was part of Ashmaka, one of the 16 Aryan janapadas. Archeological site of Nanaghat gives evidence that Vaishnavism(Krishna Bhakti -Krisna ancestor of Mali/Saini and Yadav and other Yadu tribes) prevailed in the region before Ashoka introduced Budhism in this region. Mauryas were the first to control the Konkan region and control the local feudatories and trade. Ashoka established his edicts in Konkan region and established Budhism, casteless society and prakrit language. With inclusion of konkan and plateau region in Mauryan empire regular communication to North started. After the death of Ashoka local feudals established Satvahana kingdom which was followed by Vakatakas,Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas etc. and the last hindu dynaty of Yadavas of Deogiri of Nasik in 13th century which was destroyed by Khalzi’s. Yadavas were responsible for establishing the Marathi language and gave full patronage and made it their court language. Their defeat lead to Muslim rule in this region untill the 18th century to the rise of hindu mararha nation by Shivaji. Maharashtra has a long history of conflict between Brahmins and Non Brahmins. During the 500 years of muslim rule Brahmins allied with Muslims and Rajputs destroyed the Kshatrya status of these Vedic aryan peasant castes who regained this status under the banner of Shivaji and through sectarian model ie.Bhakti Movement Poet-Saints shown them the ethos to gain their self esteem. Shivaji established Rayatwari system and so lead to economic betterment of peasant class. After Shivaji, Peshwa Brahmins again captured the power with their advisory role to Maratha army and divided the society into castes. Shivaji’s ancestors from Satara and Kolhapur states as well as Maratha Sardars who established their own kingdoms outside Maharashtra and Pune always kept distance from Peshwas. At the end of 19th century Maharaj Shahu and Mahatama Phule started a movement against Brahmin Peshwas and shown the path of social reforms and education to peasant communities and tried to allign the farming class with untouchables instead of Brahmins to get rid the society from Brahmin dominance.
Social structure of Maharashtrian society
Population of Maharashtra based on Varna Theory consist of three classes or varnas-- Priest/administrative class, Working/Middle class and Dalit or Untouchables. There is no existance of Rajput class between the Upper Varna and Middle Varna. Chitpavan Brahmins constitute the upper class and are not a minority caste in Maharashtra as compare to the Brahmins in North who constitute only 3% of population in North and have to seek assistance of Rajputs or ruling class to maintain their dominance in the society over other castes. In Maharashtra they are in great numbers and are also involved in agriculture and military occopations.They are the dominant caste of Westerm Konkan region. Middle Castes Include all the Cultivator castes of Maharashtra ie. Kunbi, Maratha, Mali, Ahir,Lingayat, Dhangar, Lodhis, Kirars, Raghvis and some Banjaras. They were grouped in middle castes as Brahmins can take water from them. All these cultivator castes are now grouped into OBC group. Artisian castes like Nais,Chimpis(Darji) , Telis , Dhimar( Fisherman), Sutars(Lohar), Weavers, Kumbhars and Badhai(carpenter) also exist. Badhai include 2 sub groups called as Parvasi/Jat Badhai and Teli Badhai based on their origin. Most of these artisians are also included in OBC list. Untouchables or Harijans include Matangs,Mahars,Mangs, Ramoshis, Chambhars(Chamars),Churahas etc. Aborriginals or Dravidian speaking tribals are like Gonds, Bhils, Kolis, Warlis, Maadeos . Kolis are a tribe of western konkan region involved in fishing and agriculture and were notified as criminal caste. Shetties are a buisness community. Jain , Budhist, Jewish and Zorashtrian or Parsi communities are also present in Maharashtra.
MALI’S OF MAHARASHTRA
Name of this community is dervied from Maloi or Malavi or Malli which were the peaople of Malwa region ( Central India) who migrated down to Khandesh and Godavri and Bhima Valleys. They have descended from Mathura’s Surasena kingdom. Mallis were the people of Malwa who fought with Alexander The Great near Multan. Both Mali’s and Kunbi’s claim their movement to southward in ancient times from Multan area to Malwa. Mali caste constitute the third largest cultivator caste of Maharashtra peasant castes after Maratha and Kunbi caste. Mali’s are 7 % of the total poulation of Maharashtra. They are the specialist cultivators involved in the cultivation of Flowers, Vegetables and fruits, Sugarcane, Cotton, Tamarind, Cumin/Jira, Ginger and Haldi/Turmeric alongwith foodgrains and also combines the skill of professional gardening. While Kunbi was considered a general tiller of the land involved with only cultivation of staple food.
Their language, customs, traditions, beliefs, religion, culture and social status and geographical distribution is same to Kunbi- Maratha castes. They do not marry in the same gotra and with first and second cousins. Widow marriage and divorce are permitted. Their dead bodies are creamated. Earlier girls were married before puberty but not now. Mali community is follower of Hinduism and follow the Varkari sect and Vaishnavism. They also follow Lingayat sect in small proportion. Devi is their principal deity and marriages are performed in front of the deity. Devi is local incarnation of Maha Kali and represents the dreaded disease of smallpox and goats are sacrificed to please the Devi. They employ Brahmin priests for marriage ceremony and other hindu rituals. Pandharpur is a sacred place for the community and Abhang kirtana is part of their spirtual life. They have established Sant Swata Mali temples allover the state. Mali community is also a part of Gosain/Gosavi sect and Yogi castes of Nath Sampardaya.. Their language is Marathi and speak all the dialects of this language like Ahirani, Manedeshi etc. based on region. In the bordering areas they also speak Gujrati, Kannad, Telugu and Hindustani.
Their dress includes Maharashtrian style Dhoti called Dhotar and Sadara (Kurta) and freshly folded pagri/turban. For everyday use they wear Mundassa as head dress and wear red turban on special occasions like marriage and birth and other festivals. In daily life shoulder cloth (Uparne) is also a part of Mali men’s attire.They also use gandhi topi and Bandi (short coat) and countrymade Joda (shoes). Women wear traditional 9 yard saree called Lugade and girls wear Parkar (peticoat) and Palka (blouse). They also use Ghagra and embroidered Choli and equally graceful Dupatta. They wear trditiona jewellry like Nath(Nose ring), Besar,Choker, Tanmani(short necklace) and bajuband(the amulet). Nath and Besar are worne by married women. Rice, Jowar and Arhar is their staple food and use a lot of coconut and peanut in food. They perform a dance and song form based on incarnation of Lord Krishna known as Vasudev particularly in districts of Jalgaon and Dhule and perform Dindi dance when they join the procession to temple of Vithal . Lavni is performed by women .They celebrate festivals like Holi, Gudhi Padwa, Makar sakranti, Rakhi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dushehra and Diwali, Gokul Ashtami and POLA their harvest festival.
Main crops produced by Mali farmers are Turmeric, onions, vegetables, mango, grapes, flowers, cotton, jowar, sugarcane, groundnut, sunflower, soyabean, rice , papayas, oranges, bananas, pulses and cumin. Tanks, wells and canals are the main source of irrigation. They raise Killari breed of Cows and Oxen to use them for milk, ploughing and cart racing. They worship their oxen and during Pola celebrationsin rainy season take their bullocks in procession..
Mali’s were a part of Maratha army regiments during Peshwa and British rule and also provide a large no.of recruits to State Police Force and Indian army as per theirYadu Kshatrya traditions. During British rule Brahmins and Rajputs lobbyed to exclude them from Maratha regiments of Bombay presidency but they were failed in doing so by the combined efforts of Mahatama Phule and Rajas of Kolhapur, Baroda and Indore. During British rule Mali’s entered into Bacward class alongwith Maratha-Kunbi’s to gain the profit of reservation of assembly seats for them in Bombay Council as they fought for British in the first world war.
Distribution -- Malis are widely distributed in all parts of Maharashtra except Konkan region. They are the second largest community of political influence in Vidharba, Marathwada and Khandesh regions of Maharashtra. They have strong presense in 36 assembly constituencies out of total 288. Mali community has influence on 15 Parliament and 100 Assembly seats.
1) Khandesh—Mali’s are the leading cultivating caste of this region og Satpura foothills and are found in large numbers in Dhule, Nasik and Jalgaon districts. Nasik was once the centre of Yadava kingdom who belong to their sister caste. Nasik is one of the great pilgrimage centre of Hindus and a Kumbh Mela is organised here every 12 years. Sh.Chaggan Bhujbal Ex.Deputy Chief Minister belongs to this dsitrict. Mali community constructed Mali kund in Nasik in 1870 AD. Mali are majority community in Dhule and Jalgaon. Shirpur in Dhlue is stronghold of Mali’s, Smt.Parvati Bai Dalpatrao Mali College is situated in Shirpur. Dr.R. S.Mali is ex VC of North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon.
2) Marathwada- Mali community is wide spread in whole of Marathwada region and is the dominant caste of central Marathwada districts of Parbhani, Aurangabad and Jalna etc. Smt. Savitri Bai Phule belonged to Satara district. Saint Swata Mali Ji were from Aran in Sholapur District. Sh. N. S. Pharande is a big Mali leader of BJP party from Ahmednagar. Freedom Fighters like Sh. Shivaji Mnaji Mali of Satara and Sh. Dhondiram Mali of Kupwad from Satara district are also from this region. Mahatama Phule belonged to the Gorhe family of Pune. Kacchu Malis of Sholapur are involved in the famous cotton industry. Sh.Vithal Thamaji Mali is a Mali politician from Kopargaon in Ahmednagar and is Vice President of Kopargaon co-operative society. Mr.Chandukaka Jagtap is MLA from Pune. Bala Sahib Shivarkar is an eminent political leader from Mali caste of Pune, He is 3 times ex MLA and ex Cabinet minister. Mali community of Sholapur district was the the first in Maharashtra to start farmers co-operative movement for water irrigation and sugar mill in Maharashtra. Sangol, Malinagar and Mohal in Sholapur are strongholds. Mali’s are found in large no.’s in Nanded,Latur, Beed and Sangli districts.
3) Vidharba—Mali’s constitute the largest OBC group of Vidharba region along with Teli’s. They are 4%of the population in tribal dominated areas of Vidarbha like Yavatmal, Chandrapur and are one of the dominant caste in Akola, Amravati division and Nagpur. Eg. Mr.Krishan rao Ingle is ex MLA from Buldhana and Mr.Vinayakrao Korde is MLA from Achalpur in Amravati.
Subcastes of Mali community of Maharashtra
Depending on the type of specialized cultivation Mali’s are grouped in different subcastes like Phul Mali- Cultivation of flowers and vegetables and professional gardening and temple services like supply of garlands and mukuts and maintainance of Palaces and Govt.buildings, this subcaste was mostly concentrated in and around the cities due to easy market access to their products eg Elite Phul Mali Families from all over Maharashtra were invited to settle in and around Pune by Peshwas , Jire Mali- Cumin cultivation, Halde Mali- Turmeric cultivation, Kacchu Mali – Cotton cultivation, Saini, Ghase Mali, Kase Mali, Chaukalsa Mali, Panchkalsa Mali etc. With times these subdivisions have been almost vanished and are only regarded as surnames. But now a days all the farming castes of Maharashtra are involved in production of these agricultural products and Mali’s are also involved with cash crops, as now farming has changed to more intensive and integrated industry and demand based products, so based on type of cultivation there is no distinction between Mali’s and other peasant castes.
Surnames of Mali community of Maharahtra
A) Aavchar, Ambekar, Adilinge/Adlinge, Adhao, Akalkar, Aanap, Aagarkar, Ahire, Abhang, Avasare
B) Bhagwat, Baravkar, Bhujbal, Bhaskar, Burade, Bugade, Bodhke, Bele(=Bhele),Bhopale, Borse, Bhagat, Bhongle, Birmal, Bhakre, Borate, Bonsade, Bhale(=Bhela), Bali, Bharvirkar, Bidvai, Bagul, Boravke, Bunage, Bhamre, Baviskar, Bahalkar, Bhadke, Bhone, Bhong, Bankar, Bachav, Bhumkar, Bhanavase, Balsarf, Bhosal , Badade
C) Chipade, Chovde, Chawre(Chere), Chilpe, Chandne(=Chandan), Charpe, Chaudhary, Chakane
D) Dongre, Dhule, Darshne, Dale, Dalvi, Devare, Dudhe, Dhanwat(=Dhanauta), Dongche, Dhanumali, Dholepatil, Dagade, Doke(=Dulku/Dhorka), Dhole(=Dhole), Dedage, Date, Dhat, Dangle Dandge, Deshmukh
E) Ethate, Elave
F) Farande, Fulzade
G) Gidhe(=Gidha), Gholap, Girme, Ghanwat, Ghasemali, Godekar, Gavali/Gawali, Ghadge/Gadage, Gawde, Ghumatkar, Gudhe, Gaikwad, Galhar(=Galhe), Garudkar, Gore/Gorhe(=Gaare)/Phule, Garde, Gharte, Gavandi, Ghodekar, Gangurde, Gavnde, Ghogre, Ghotal, Gadade
H) Hazare, Hivse, Hingane/Hingne, Hegde, Herkal, Hagir, Hiwarkar, Haldemali, Hudekar
I) Inamdar, Ingle/Ingale
J) Jungare, Jambhale, Jhodge, Jhagde, Jiremali, Javle/Jawale, Jagtap, Jambhulkar, Jejurkar, Jamdade, Jagdale, Jadhekar, Jembe, Jadhav, Jaytal
K) Khaire, Kasemali, Kachre, Kamod, Kamodkar, Karande, Keadre, Khamkar, Khalane, Kodre, Kurhe, Kubade, Kharpude, Karpe, Khurpe, Kolhe, Kandpile, Khandalkar, Kundle, Kavi, Khirsagar, Kore, Korde, Kanade, Kacchumali, Kudale, Khairnar, Karne, Khedkar, Kalmkar, Kukade, Kathale, Karankar, Kherde, Kale, Kalukhe
L) Londhe, Lohane, Lokhande, Lothe, Lashkare
M) Makh, Mahale, Madankar, Masne/Masane, Manekar, Mane, Memane, Magre, Mohite, Mhetre, Masurkar, More, Mandalik, Mahajan, Mokal, Malkar
N) Namde, Nanavare, Nawle, Nandan, Narke, Nayakwadi, Newse, Nahire, Naik, Nagre, Naikude, Navade
O)
P) Pawar. Pandhare/Pandhre, Pathade/Pathare, Parahde, Pharande, Phulor, Patil, Parekh, Patkari, Pise, Pange, Pharate, Pingle/Pingale(=Panglia), Pashankar, Pable(=Pabla), Pigale, Pund, Prandwal
Q)
R) Rasve, Raul, Raut, Rajankar, Rahate, Ranmalkar, Raskar, Ratnakar, Ramane, Rakhonde, Rokade, Rajkule
S) Survanshi, Sawant, Sabale, Sangole, Shewate, Sante, Shete, Shevkar, Sulokar, Shevte, Salunkhe/Salunke, Satav, Shevale, Samose, Shivarkar, Sapkal, Shelar, Saudane, Shinde, Sinalkar/ Shinalkar, Sinnarkar, Shiraskar, Sasane, Sonavane, Sarang, Sinlikar, Surse, Sonsale, Saini, Shegaonkar, Sapate
T) Tisge, Tamhane, Tilekar, Tamalurkar, Tambe, Thorat, Telekar, Tarte, TaydeTodkar, Tajne
U) Umale
V) Vavhl, Vankhede, Vaghhale, Vagule, Vazare, Varnekar, Vavahare, Vithal, Vibhute, Vidhate, Varahdi
W) Walke, Warule, Warulekar, Waghmare, Wagh, Waghule, Wenere
Note—Why these surnames are different from Mali’s/Saini’s of North west---- Because when castes or communities settle into new lands , with time they evolve new language, customs, beliefs and gotras. New gotras are acquired to memorise their ancestors who took initiative to get established in new settlements and are also based on name of new villages or on flaura and fauna of region etc. eg. Wagh mean Tiger. Also in case of Brahmins of Maharashtra, their Gotras like Tendulkar, Gokhale, Joglekar etc. are totally different from the Brahmins of Punjab and their customs , language and culture is also different But they are of Brahmin caste. So this is true for all castes and not only for Saini or Mali community.
Who are Marathas --- Marathas were armymen or warriors of 18th century who dominated the political scene of central India and Maharashtra. In those times many sardars or jagirdars belonging to different peasant castes were working as administraotors of different areas or tehsils for Bahmani sultanate of Bijapur, Ahmednagar and Deccan who were mobilised by Brahmin advisors to create a Hindu nation. As in Maharashtian society there was no existance of a separate rajput caste or class. So these Marathi speaking peasant castes/ middle castes who were inspired by the Bhakti Movement to maintain their self esteem like Kunbi, Mali ,Ahir, Dhangars, Lingayats, Kolis and Gawalas formed army along with untouchables like Mahars, Mangs and Ramoshis and created a separate Hindu state. Their war cry was also Har Har Mahadev reflecting the combination of Vedic aryans and dravidian beliefs as compared to Jai Bhawani of Rajputs. Shiva ji in Gujrat and Maratha Sardars who conquered Rajputana were responsible for genocide of half of the Rajput population of those times. Once muslims were thrown out of power Brahmins administrators controlled the state and became the De Facto rulers under the name of Peshwas which means Prime Minister. Eg. Shiva ji was a Kunbi and his mother was a Yadav/ Ahir. From elite peasant clans Brahmins carved a new caste under Maratha name to divide the society and to control the social order of the society with help of this new caste group as they have done in North with help of Mughals and Rajputs. This Maratha caste later degenrated into a class like Rajputs. During Peshwa times they further grouped this new caste into 96 clans. This is the reason that Maratha as a separate caste has no clear cut subcaste and gotra system. They are so amorphous that it is hard to tell in some cases whether a gotra is maratha or of its allied caste Kunbi or Mali or Ahir or Dhangar. So creation of Maratha is equal to creation of Sikh who also belonged to different castes of Panjab. So in a comprehensive way all Marathi speaking people are reffered as Marathas.
Eg. Scindhias of Gawalier were Kunbis, Gaikwads of Baroda were Gawalas or Cowherders and Holkars of Indore were Dhangars ie. Sheperds. This amorphous arrangement facilitated incorporation of all peasant castes into Maratha race. Even today all these groups –Maratha, Kunbi, Mali, Ahir, Lingayat and Dhangar have same social status and all are regarded as OBC class of Maharashtra.
Following is a list of commomnly shared clan names among Malis and Marathas and Kunbis, Ahirs and Dhangars Etc.
Lokhande, Mhetre,Ingale,Mahale,Salunkhe, Pandhare, Sonavane, Nawle, Vyavhare, Jawle, Khairnar, Pawar, Shinde, Sawant, Shelar, Gaikwad,Kachre, Jagtap, Thorat, Dalvi, Khaire, Raut, Wagh, Bhagwat, Pingle, More, Ahire, Yadav, Jadhav, Mohite, Borade, Bhosale, Deshmukh, Lohane, Thorat, Hazare, Kale, Patil and Mane
Saini Information
Saini Information
Saini is a Rajput descent warrior caste of India. Sainis, also known as Shoorsaini in Puranic literature, are now found by their original name only in Punjab and in the neighboring states of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. They trace their descent from Rajputs of the Yaduvanshi Surasena lineage, originating from Yadava King Shurasena, who was the grandfather of both Krishna and the legendary Pandava warriors. Sainis relocated to Punjab from Mathura and surrounding areas over different periods of time.
Ancient Greek traveller and ambassdor to India, Megasthenes, also came across this clan in its glory days as the ruling Tribe with its capital in Mathura. There is also an academic opinion that the ancient King Porus, the celebrated opponent of Alexander the Great, belonged to this once most dominant Yadava sept. Megasthenes described this tribe as Sourasenoi.
Like most other Rajput origin tribes of Punjab, Sainis also took up farming during medieval period due to the Turko-Islamic political domination, and have been chiefly engaged in both agriculture and military service since then until the recent times. During British period Sainis were enlisted as a statutory agricultural tribe as well as a martial class.
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Saini is a Rajput descent warrior caste of India. Sainis, also known as Shoorsaini in Puranic literature, are now found by their original name only in Punjab and in the neighboring states of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. They trace their descent from Rajputs of the Yaduvanshi Surasena lineage, originating from Yadava King Shurasena, who was the grandfather of both Krishna and the legendary Pandava warriors. Sainis relocated to Punjab from Mathura and surrounding areas over different periods of time.
Ancient Greek traveller and ambassdor to India, Megasthenes, also came across this clan in its glory days as the ruling Tribe with its capital in Mathura. There is also an academic opinion that the ancient King Porus, the celebrated opponent of Alexander the Great, belonged to this once most dominant Yadava sept. Megasthenes described this tribe as Sourasenoi.
Like most other Rajput origin tribes of Punjab, Sainis also took up farming during medieval period due to the Turko-Islamic political domination, and have been chiefly engaged in both agriculture and military service since then until the recent times. During British period Sainis were enlisted as a statutory agricultural tribe as well as a martial class.
Web Resources :: Saini
Welcome to Saini Parivar - This web site is our first effort to adjoin the candidates of Saini Samaj. We want to cover the complet details of different areas of our society in this era of
Saini Shaadi Centre - Saini Matrimonial - Marriage Bureau - Saini grooms, matrimonial site, matrimonial, matrimony, beautiful brides, shaadi matrimonial, looking for bride, Saini matrimonial, Saini marriage, Saini matrimony, bride
SAINI DIESAL POWER SERVICE PVT. LTD. :: SURAT :: GUJARAT :: INDIA. - saini a trusted name in surat region for last two decades in the field of diesel generating sets. headed by its founder chairman shri s l saini, the entire business of
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Saini-Mali Community of Rajasthan
Saini-Mali Community of Rajasthan
History of Rajasthan dates back to times of Induscivilization during which many centres were established all throughout this area, and new centres kept evolving in vedic (900-500 B.C) and late vedic period. Rajasthan came under the rule of Mauryan empire who ruled the land up to 150 A.D. Guptas follwed them up to 4th A.D. Budhism prevailed during these times. As these empires did not allow Brahmins to play a role in society so these Brahmins collaborated with the new Aryan immigrants to whom they named as Rajputs to establish Hinduism. This new ruling class in reward was given the status of upper class Kshatryias and they ruled over the other farming Kshatryias such as Ahirs, Mali-Sainis, Gujjars, Jats, Kalvis, and Aboriginal tribals like Bhills, Minas, Sahariyas, etc., and these farmers provided them recruits for their armies as well. These kingdoms established the Jagirdari system of revenue. These kingdoms later accepted the Mughal dominance and also continued to fight one another rather than serving the nation. During this same era Marathas came into power who were a fusion of different vedic peasant stocks along with Ahirs, Malis, and Kunbis of Nagpur-Maharashtra region. These Marathas were vedic Aryans fusion who were non-Brahmin nationalists and were striving to create the “Hindu nation” and during their several expediitions to this land of Rajasthan, they conquered various kingdoms and given hard punishment to the ruling class of Muslim allied Rajputs, and massacred 5 million to 8 million Rajputs.Later these kingdoms helped British during 1857 revolt by our nationalists.
Marathas established Rayatwari system and demolished Jagirdari system so all the farming communities spreaded them in more lands thereby prospering. In North, Jats also revolted and other farming castes such as Ahirs, and Saini-Malis allied with them and shared lands with them. Rajasthan is not a complete desert state as has been projected by Tourism Department of India. Eastern and North region belies the notion of being it a desert state. Rajasthan has vast tract of Aravali fertile range and river basins of Bharatpur. Jodhpur city is the land mark from where Eastern cultivable land separates from Western Thar desert.
Present Rajasthan is composed of 32 districts with capital at Jaipur. In North, its borders are with Punjab, Haryana, and UP, and in West, with Pakistan, in South and South East with Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh respectivily.
Saini-Mali Community
Saini-Mali farming community is found all throughout Rajasthan, and enjoy the same social status as do Ahirs, Jats, Gujjars, Bishnois, Rajputs, and Kalvis. They are part of the cultural fabric of this state. Rajasthani and Hindi are the main languages spoken by them. The turban and saffa is a unique part of Saini-Mali men’s dress and Saini-Mali women wear ghagras embroidered with artificial silver zari.Turban styles and colors change with region. Early age marriages and engagements are the norm. Here, the Hindu religion is followed mostly, with a small percentage of Saini Sikh population residing in the districts of Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner. They worship the idol of their folk deity “Jujhaar-ji”. They pray in the “Temple of Devi” and also solmenize their marriages in front of the Temple of Devi. Due to the influence of Vaisnavism sect in Rajasthan, Mali-Saini kshatriyas are vegetarians , as are the Ahirs, Jats and Bishnois. They celebrate all the Hindu festivals such as; Teej, Holi, Diwali, etc. and ghoomer, jhoomer and chari dance etc. are part of their social culture. Earlier women were not allowed to get education for the sake of family honour, but now girls are encouraged to attend schools.
. Saini-Mali farmers are professional cultivators and the main products grown by them include; rice, rose-flowers, pulses, jowar, red chillies, bajra, and vegetables, oil seeds and fruits. They are extensive agriculturalists in well irrigated regions and skilled horticulturalists, and vegetable growers in arid or water scarce regions. In laying out a flower garden and in arranging beds for nursery they are experts
Mali Holi-Holi is the harvest festival of this farming community. The colourful festival of Holi is played in many different ways. The “Mali-Saini” community of Rajasthan has a unique style where the men colour the women with water and the women retaliate by hitting them with sticks or long pieces of clothes. On the night of this festival Mali- Saini girls sing folk songs.
Chari Dance- This dance belongs to the Ajmer and Kishangarh areas of Rajasthan. The women folk of the Mali -Saini caste perform this colorful dance on the occasion of a marriage ceremony or at the time of the birth of a male child. They carry water filed brass vessels on their heads with lighted earthen lamps placed on the top of the vessels. Gentle head movements are a must in this dance.
Distribution
NorthWest Rajasthan- Saini-Mali community is present in the districts of: Ganganagar, Bikaner, and Hanumangarh. Out of these districts, they are most numerous in Ganganagar- Suratgarh belt which borders the
Abohar region of Punjab.Mr. Satyanaryan Singh Saini of Samajak Nayay Manch is a prominent personality of this area.
North/Shekhawati region- Consists of Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Nagaur and Churu districts. Saini farmers are spread all over in this region with the largest population in Jhunjhunu and Sikar. Mr. Madan Lal Saini is a former MLA from Gudha in Jhunjhunu and is a BJP stalwart from the state. He is state Vice President of BJP. Mr. Ishwar Lal Saini is a former MLA from Lachmangarh in Sikar. Mr. Matu Ram Saini, Mr. Banwari Lal Saini of Jhunjhunu, Mr.Kailash Chand Saini of Sikar. Nagaur is famous for bullocks and cattle fair.In Nagaur, Parvatsar and Makrana belt is stronghold of Saini-Maili farmers. Jhunjhunu is called as house of soldiers.
Central Eastern Rajasthan—includes districts of Jaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Karauli, Tonk, Dausa Bharatpur, Dholpur and Bhilwara.Mali-Saini community has large population in this region.They are one of the prominent farming caste in Jaipur and Dausa.In Alwar they are the 2nd professional farming castes after Ahirs. Mr.Bhagwan Sahai Saini is a sitting MLA from Chomu in Jaipur and Mr. Janardhan Singh Gehlot (Food and Supplies Minister) from Karauli also known as land of Krishna.Mr. Ram Kishore Saini is a former MLA from Bandikui in the district of Dausa. Mali-Saini farmers have a high concentration in Tonk-Malpura and Ajmer-Kishangarh belt. MR. Nathu Ram Mali is aleading person in Jaipur rural area. Mr. Bihari Lal Saini and Murari Lal Saini of Bharatpur are other prominent personalities.
Central Southern Rajasthan—Jodhpur, Rajsamand, Jalore-Sirohi and Pali districts are home to the Mali- Saini community. In Bhopalgarh—Jodhpur--Sardarpur belt Mali -Saini community is a leading farming caste. Mr. Ashok Gehlot, present chief minister of Rajasthan belongs to Jodhpur and was M.P from this area for a long term and held the portfolio of union deputy minister of tourism and civil aviation, and later served as textile minister of India. Presently, he is MLA from Sardarpur constituency of this district. Mr. Banshi Lal Gehlot is MLA from Rajsamand district constituency.
History of Rajasthan dates back to times of Induscivilization during which many centres were established all throughout this area, and new centres kept evolving in vedic (900-500 B.C) and late vedic period. Rajasthan came under the rule of Mauryan empire who ruled the land up to 150 A.D. Guptas follwed them up to 4th A.D. Budhism prevailed during these times. As these empires did not allow Brahmins to play a role in society so these Brahmins collaborated with the new Aryan immigrants to whom they named as Rajputs to establish Hinduism. This new ruling class in reward was given the status of upper class Kshatryias and they ruled over the other farming Kshatryias such as Ahirs, Mali-Sainis, Gujjars, Jats, Kalvis, and Aboriginal tribals like Bhills, Minas, Sahariyas, etc., and these farmers provided them recruits for their armies as well. These kingdoms established the Jagirdari system of revenue. These kingdoms later accepted the Mughal dominance and also continued to fight one another rather than serving the nation. During this same era Marathas came into power who were a fusion of different vedic peasant stocks along with Ahirs, Malis, and Kunbis of Nagpur-Maharashtra region. These Marathas were vedic Aryans fusion who were non-Brahmin nationalists and were striving to create the “Hindu nation” and during their several expediitions to this land of Rajasthan, they conquered various kingdoms and given hard punishment to the ruling class of Muslim allied Rajputs, and massacred 5 million to 8 million Rajputs.Later these kingdoms helped British during 1857 revolt by our nationalists.
Marathas established Rayatwari system and demolished Jagirdari system so all the farming communities spreaded them in more lands thereby prospering. In North, Jats also revolted and other farming castes such as Ahirs, and Saini-Malis allied with them and shared lands with them. Rajasthan is not a complete desert state as has been projected by Tourism Department of India. Eastern and North region belies the notion of being it a desert state. Rajasthan has vast tract of Aravali fertile range and river basins of Bharatpur. Jodhpur city is the land mark from where Eastern cultivable land separates from Western Thar desert.
Present Rajasthan is composed of 32 districts with capital at Jaipur. In North, its borders are with Punjab, Haryana, and UP, and in West, with Pakistan, in South and South East with Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh respectivily.
Saini-Mali Community
Saini-Mali farming community is found all throughout Rajasthan, and enjoy the same social status as do Ahirs, Jats, Gujjars, Bishnois, Rajputs, and Kalvis. They are part of the cultural fabric of this state. Rajasthani and Hindi are the main languages spoken by them. The turban and saffa is a unique part of Saini-Mali men’s dress and Saini-Mali women wear ghagras embroidered with artificial silver zari.Turban styles and colors change with region. Early age marriages and engagements are the norm. Here, the Hindu religion is followed mostly, with a small percentage of Saini Sikh population residing in the districts of Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Bikaner. They worship the idol of their folk deity “Jujhaar-ji”. They pray in the “Temple of Devi” and also solmenize their marriages in front of the Temple of Devi. Due to the influence of Vaisnavism sect in Rajasthan, Mali-Saini kshatriyas are vegetarians , as are the Ahirs, Jats and Bishnois. They celebrate all the Hindu festivals such as; Teej, Holi, Diwali, etc. and ghoomer, jhoomer and chari dance etc. are part of their social culture. Earlier women were not allowed to get education for the sake of family honour, but now girls are encouraged to attend schools.
. Saini-Mali farmers are professional cultivators and the main products grown by them include; rice, rose-flowers, pulses, jowar, red chillies, bajra, and vegetables, oil seeds and fruits. They are extensive agriculturalists in well irrigated regions and skilled horticulturalists, and vegetable growers in arid or water scarce regions. In laying out a flower garden and in arranging beds for nursery they are experts
Mali Holi-Holi is the harvest festival of this farming community. The colourful festival of Holi is played in many different ways. The “Mali-Saini” community of Rajasthan has a unique style where the men colour the women with water and the women retaliate by hitting them with sticks or long pieces of clothes. On the night of this festival Mali- Saini girls sing folk songs.
Chari Dance- This dance belongs to the Ajmer and Kishangarh areas of Rajasthan. The women folk of the Mali -Saini caste perform this colorful dance on the occasion of a marriage ceremony or at the time of the birth of a male child. They carry water filed brass vessels on their heads with lighted earthen lamps placed on the top of the vessels. Gentle head movements are a must in this dance.
Distribution
NorthWest Rajasthan- Saini-Mali community is present in the districts of: Ganganagar, Bikaner, and Hanumangarh. Out of these districts, they are most numerous in Ganganagar- Suratgarh belt which borders the
Abohar region of Punjab.Mr. Satyanaryan Singh Saini of Samajak Nayay Manch is a prominent personality of this area.
North/Shekhawati region- Consists of Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Nagaur and Churu districts. Saini farmers are spread all over in this region with the largest population in Jhunjhunu and Sikar. Mr. Madan Lal Saini is a former MLA from Gudha in Jhunjhunu and is a BJP stalwart from the state. He is state Vice President of BJP. Mr. Ishwar Lal Saini is a former MLA from Lachmangarh in Sikar. Mr. Matu Ram Saini, Mr. Banwari Lal Saini of Jhunjhunu, Mr.Kailash Chand Saini of Sikar. Nagaur is famous for bullocks and cattle fair.In Nagaur, Parvatsar and Makrana belt is stronghold of Saini-Maili farmers. Jhunjhunu is called as house of soldiers.
Central Eastern Rajasthan—includes districts of Jaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Karauli, Tonk, Dausa Bharatpur, Dholpur and Bhilwara.Mali-Saini community has large population in this region.They are one of the prominent farming caste in Jaipur and Dausa.In Alwar they are the 2nd professional farming castes after Ahirs. Mr.Bhagwan Sahai Saini is a sitting MLA from Chomu in Jaipur and Mr. Janardhan Singh Gehlot (Food and Supplies Minister) from Karauli also known as land of Krishna.Mr. Ram Kishore Saini is a former MLA from Bandikui in the district of Dausa. Mali-Saini farmers have a high concentration in Tonk-Malpura and Ajmer-Kishangarh belt. MR. Nathu Ram Mali is aleading person in Jaipur rural area. Mr. Bihari Lal Saini and Murari Lal Saini of Bharatpur are other prominent personalities.
Central Southern Rajasthan—Jodhpur, Rajsamand, Jalore-Sirohi and Pali districts are home to the Mali- Saini community. In Bhopalgarh—Jodhpur--Sardarpur belt Mali -Saini community is a leading farming caste. Mr. Ashok Gehlot, present chief minister of Rajasthan belongs to Jodhpur and was M.P from this area for a long term and held the portfolio of union deputy minister of tourism and civil aviation, and later served as textile minister of India. Presently, he is MLA from Sardarpur constituency of this district. Mr. Banshi Lal Gehlot is MLA from Rajsamand district constituency.
World / India / Uttar_Pradesh / Deoband , 6km from center Coordinates: 29°48'27"N 77°37'22"E SAINI PARIVAAR,PAHADPUR (Pahadpur)
Saini family of Pahadpur is one of the great,well-educated,nurtured family of all the times.This family comprises of Late Chaudhary Chatar singh saini(a farmer,hard working person),Late Chaudhary Atar Singh saini (a farmer and a great person of all the times,for him "work is worship") and Chaman lal saini(a great visionary person with a acumen,a genius thinker,a retd. UP Govt. employee) & childrens of these persons namely Mangeram singh,Tejpal singh,Ramkumar singh,Naresh singh,Jagpal singh,Arvind kr. saini, Shiv kr. saini,Vikram singh,pawan saini,praveen kumar .Anuj Saini their Grand son Contributed to the story.
Mali / Saini community of Gujarat
Mali / Saini community of Gujarat
Gujarat is the most industrialized province of India and is situated in Western India, with capital city Gandhinagar. Gujarat is the area bordering the Sindh region of Pakistan. Gujarat was a part of Indus Valley civilization with prominent centres like Lothal in Ahmedabad and Dholavira in Kutch. Geographically Gujarat has 4 regions-Kutch, Saurashtra, Kathiawad and North-East Gujarat. Kutch has desert like topography and in its North is salt marsh known as Little Run of Kutch and its central part isa ridge of jurassic sand stone. Southern Gujarat is extension of Western Ghats. Between Saurashtra and Khambat gulf is Kathiawad made of Deccan Lavas.
History—Gujarat was called as Anarta after the name of Anarta who was the son of Sharyati. Anarta’s son Revat ruled Kushsthali and its capital was Dwarka. Due to Jarasandh’s repeated attacks on Mathura Lord Krishna moved to Dwarka with mama Ugrasen and yadu tribes and carried the banner of Aryan culture to Gujarat. After the death of Krisna and Balaram, due to interncine strife among Yadav’s and to end this Arjuna installed Vajra -the King of Dwarka at Mathura and this ended the dominance of Yadu tribes in Gujarat. Kutch and Saurashtra also came under Persian and Greek influence also. After this Gujarat came under Mauryan empire and Pushyamitra was made Governer of this region. Ashoka established his Edict at Junagadh and also the Dam and canal system of Sudarshan river was constructed during Mauryan times. After 100 AD, Saka’s started migration to this region and controlled the region upto 450 AD when Gupta empire came on the scene, Gupta’s were followed by Maitraka in 640 AD. Maitraka kingdom was soon divided into different portions like Pratihara-Gurjara rule in North, Chalukya’s in South and with Maitrakas in Saurashtra. By 942 Chavda rule began in North Gujarat parts whose king Samar singh was overthrown by Mul raj and so was established Solanki Dynasty, which were defeated by Ghazni and temple of Somnath was destroyed. After fall of Solanki’s, Vaghelas who were in service of Solanki’s came to power. Solanki’s encouraged Jainism. Karandev Vaghela was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat and was defeated by Khilzi army in 1297 AD. After 400 years Mughal viceroy of Gujarat was defeated by Maratha’s in 1758 AD and Ahmedabad was captured. At this time of history, Gujarat became the hunting ground for Maratha warlords and were collecting tributes from all the small kingdoms of Saurashtra. Maratha General Dama ji Gaikwad established sway over Gujarat with headquarters at Baroda, and their interncine war with Brahmin Peshwas of Pune continued and later Gaikwads joined British against Peshwas in 1819 AD. After the famines of 1900 AD in Gujarat, people from Anand, Kheda and Nadiad districts started moving to Africa and then to North America and later people from Saurashtra also started migrating to foreign lands.
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Social Structure—Due to pouring of different tribes from Sindh route, Gujrati society has the largest no. of castes. Gujarat was the entrance to India from Sindh through Kutch. . Malwa region (Rajasrhan and central provinces i.e.Madhya Pradesh) is geographically cut off by Satpuras and Aravilli,s and Mount Abu. Sakas who when arrived to Gujarat got divided into many tribes like Gurjars-Pratiharas, Summas, Sumras etc and some got mixed with local aboriginals liike Bhils who are the most populous among 26 tribes found in Gujarat. Gurjar and Pratihara moved to Rajasthan through Mount Abu region. Later due to factionalism many Rajput clans established small kingdoms in Saurashtra (Land of 100 Kingdoms). Nomadic pastoralists or herders like Jats, Maldharis, Holaris, Bharwads also arrived from Sindh. Jats came from Sindh after being expelled by Chach Brahmins of Sindh. They tried to raise power but were soon subdued by the Summas who later became famous as Jadeja Rajputs. Later Jats were divided into 3 sub groups, Garasia Jats i.e.who took to Agriculture, Dhanetah Jats who were heders and Fakirani Jats who studied Koran. When around 900 AD, Brahmins created or enforced Rajput rule in the region which is known as Origin of Rajputs from fire at Mount Abu, it gave birth to Jagirdari system of Land holdings and Rajputs who were only 5% of the population became Jagirdars. Maratha’s capture of Surat and Ahmedabad and containment of the other Muslim and Rajput Chieftains of the region and massacre of Rajputs brought Rayatwari system of land reforms and cultivators beacame owners of the lands. Hindus constitute 70% of the present population. Main Gujarati dialects are Kutchi, Marwari, Charotri (central Gujarat), Vagadi, Bhili, Surati and Sorthi (Saurashtra). Sindhi and Parsi and Siddi communities are also settled in Gujarat. Kutch is famous for its Sufi- culture.
Brahmins--- are divided into 84 sub castes.
Trader or Vania castes--- are Jains, Lohanas, Marwaris, Meshri and Shravaks.
Cultivator castes ---Kolis, Patidars(Patels), Kachias, Malis/Rami and Yadavs/Ahirs and Rajputs and allied castes of Kathis and Darbars.
Artisan castes--- are Chunaras- brick layers, Sonis- Suniara, Kansara- copper smith, Luhar- black smith, Salats- stone cutter, Khumbhar- potter, Suthar- carpenter, Ghanchis- telis, Khatri- weavers and cloth-silk and cotton, Barber and Darji etc.
Schedule tribes and Adivasis---- include 29 groups , of them Bhils are the largest and has allied groups also like Bhilala, Gamti, Dubla, Dhodia, Baiga, Gonds, Rathawas and Rabaris and others are nomadic tribals like Garasias, Bharwads, Bhajanias, Halaris and Maldharis etc.and their main occupation is Herding/ Sheperding and Agriculture. Nomadic tribes are mostly Muslims and are amainly in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat eg. Muslim Garasia - Jats of Jamnagar in Saurashtra and of Kutch and North Gujarat.
Schedule castes--- like Vankaras and Maru - Meghwals are 7.4%.
Gujarat has a very long seacoast and has a large Koli community which constitutes 20% of the state population whose main profession is fishing and agriculture. Adivasis make 30% and Patels are 13% of the total population. Rajputs and allied castes who are the feudals of the yesteryears i.e. Kathis and Darbars constitute 7% of the population. After fall of Rajput- era, Rajputs became minority and to muster power they started alliance with Koli caste through matrimony and this new group came to known as Thakor caste. Mer caste is also present in Junagadh District.
Mali Community-- Mali community is a minority caste in Gujarat and is also called as Rami caste in Central Gujarat and Saini in Northern Gujarat. They are just 2-3% of the state population. Mali’s/ Rami’s are mostly found in the districts of the Gujarat which shares borders with the Malwa region of Rajasthan and Khandesh region of Maharashtra. Malis are Caste Hindus and are mostly Vaishnavs and some are Jains also in northern districts.
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Northern Gujarat---Mali community is found in the districts of Sabarkantha, Banaskantha as a cultivating caste. These districts border with the Sirohi, Jalore and Jhalawar districts of Rajasthan which has a large Saini/Mali population in these districts. Malis are also distribured in Mehsana and Patan Districts. Shri Gordhanji Gigaji Mali was BJP MLA from Deesa in Banaskantha district and was the Chairman of Gujarat State Water Resources Corporation.Their culture is very similar to Rajasthani Mali caste. Bajra is the main crop of this region along with teak forests buisness. Palanpur in the Banaskantha district is famous for Diamond workers and Ambaji for marble quarries. Mali caste is mostly involved in cultivation and handicrafts. Ambaji, Deesa, Radhanpur, Tharad, Palanpur Bhabhur are strongholds of the community.
Sothern Gujarat --- In districts of Valsad and Navsari which are an extension of Khandesh region of Maharashtra—Mali caste is one of the dominant caste along Koli caste. Their culture is reflection of Maharashtrian Malis. Main occupation is cultivation.
Central Gujarat--- During Maratha rule in Gujarat, Brahmin, Maratha –Kunbi and Mali and other natives of Deccan plateau and Khandesh migrated to Gujarat as part of Maratha army and administrative servants and had settled permanently in Baroda territory. This is the reason Baroda/ Vadodra has a 150,000 strong Mali community as Baroda was the capital of Gaikwad Marathas and is also known as Garden and Palace City. The culture of Baroda is Marathi and most of the population of Baroda speaks Marathi language. The other main centres of Maratha kingdom like Ahmedabad and Surat also has sizeable Mali community. In central Gujarat districts of Anand, Bharuch, Ahmedabad and Kheda, Mali caste is scattered in villages as a minority cultivating and florist caste. Many Malis from northern Gujarat district of Banaskantha and southern Gujarat districts are settled in Ahmedabad and Surat etc. and do a good buisness during festival season when demand of flowers is high. Many Malis are also involved in the export buisness. Many Sainis of Punajab has been involved in the Transport and Hotel buisness in Baroda and Ahmedabad. Mali caste of Baroda is famous for the ages old ritual of goat sacrifice. Shri M.L. Rami is the president of Mali Shikshan Prachar Samiti, Bapu Nagar, Ahmedabad and has contributed a lot to Relief work for earthquake victims in Kutch region.
Eastern Gujarat--- Districts of Panchmahal, Dahod and Dangs are Adivasi districts. Only some % of Malis are present in this region.
Saurashtra and Kutch--- Malis have insignificant presense in this region like their allied Yadu caste of Ahir/Yadav which is also a minority caste and is mostly present in Junagadh and some in Kutch region. These Ahirs and Malis came with Krisna and when were moved back to Mathura, few stayed back. Most of the population of this region is made up of namadic tribes.
Why Mali’s are minority in Gujarat while they are a dominant caste in Gujrat’s Northern State of Rajasthan and Southern State of Maharashtra---- Gujarat is a province or land of tribals and Adivasis. Sakas and nomadic herders came to this land through Sindh. During Mahabharata times, Arjuna brought the Yadu tribes back to Mathura in Central India from Dwarka in Saurashtra’s Junagadh District. This is the reason Saini/ Mali, Ahir and Yadav’s are the minority caste in Saurashtra region. Moreover Malis, Yadavas and Ahirs enterd the Khandesh through Malwa region ie.Indore and so they settled in Khandesh and river valleys of Maharashtra but are not found as a leading cultivating caste of central Gujarat and Saurashtra. Gujarat is situated on Western side of Malwa. And from Malwa entrance to Gujarat is cut off by lands which are densly forested and mountaneous and has only aborriginal and Adivasi population eg. Panchmahal and Dangs District in Satpura range. From Rajasthan it is separated by Mount Abu and Aravilli mountain range, so Malis are settled in North Gujarat dustricts. But Saka tribes got entrance through Sindh and Kutch. Mali / Sainis were Vedic Aryans settled in north and central Hindustan while Sakas and Sindh’s Nomadic Herders came much later to Gujarat through Kutch in search of new grazing lands. While Malis and Kunbis also made inroads to Gujarat through Khandesh and later with Marathas.
Gujarat is the most industrialized province of India and is situated in Western India, with capital city Gandhinagar. Gujarat is the area bordering the Sindh region of Pakistan. Gujarat was a part of Indus Valley civilization with prominent centres like Lothal in Ahmedabad and Dholavira in Kutch. Geographically Gujarat has 4 regions-Kutch, Saurashtra, Kathiawad and North-East Gujarat. Kutch has desert like topography and in its North is salt marsh known as Little Run of Kutch and its central part isa ridge of jurassic sand stone. Southern Gujarat is extension of Western Ghats. Between Saurashtra and Khambat gulf is Kathiawad made of Deccan Lavas.
History—Gujarat was called as Anarta after the name of Anarta who was the son of Sharyati. Anarta’s son Revat ruled Kushsthali and its capital was Dwarka. Due to Jarasandh’s repeated attacks on Mathura Lord Krishna moved to Dwarka with mama Ugrasen and yadu tribes and carried the banner of Aryan culture to Gujarat. After the death of Krisna and Balaram, due to interncine strife among Yadav’s and to end this Arjuna installed Vajra -the King of Dwarka at Mathura and this ended the dominance of Yadu tribes in Gujarat. Kutch and Saurashtra also came under Persian and Greek influence also. After this Gujarat came under Mauryan empire and Pushyamitra was made Governer of this region. Ashoka established his Edict at Junagadh and also the Dam and canal system of Sudarshan river was constructed during Mauryan times. After 100 AD, Saka’s started migration to this region and controlled the region upto 450 AD when Gupta empire came on the scene, Gupta’s were followed by Maitraka in 640 AD. Maitraka kingdom was soon divided into different portions like Pratihara-Gurjara rule in North, Chalukya’s in South and with Maitrakas in Saurashtra. By 942 Chavda rule began in North Gujarat parts whose king Samar singh was overthrown by Mul raj and so was established Solanki Dynasty, which were defeated by Ghazni and temple of Somnath was destroyed. After fall of Solanki’s, Vaghelas who were in service of Solanki’s came to power. Solanki’s encouraged Jainism. Karandev Vaghela was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat and was defeated by Khilzi army in 1297 AD. After 400 years Mughal viceroy of Gujarat was defeated by Maratha’s in 1758 AD and Ahmedabad was captured. At this time of history, Gujarat became the hunting ground for Maratha warlords and were collecting tributes from all the small kingdoms of Saurashtra. Maratha General Dama ji Gaikwad established sway over Gujarat with headquarters at Baroda, and their interncine war with Brahmin Peshwas of Pune continued and later Gaikwads joined British against Peshwas in 1819 AD. After the famines of 1900 AD in Gujarat, people from Anand, Kheda and Nadiad districts started moving to Africa and then to North America and later people from Saurashtra also started migrating to foreign lands.
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Social Structure—Due to pouring of different tribes from Sindh route, Gujrati society has the largest no. of castes. Gujarat was the entrance to India from Sindh through Kutch. . Malwa region (Rajasrhan and central provinces i.e.Madhya Pradesh) is geographically cut off by Satpuras and Aravilli,s and Mount Abu. Sakas who when arrived to Gujarat got divided into many tribes like Gurjars-Pratiharas, Summas, Sumras etc and some got mixed with local aboriginals liike Bhils who are the most populous among 26 tribes found in Gujarat. Gurjar and Pratihara moved to Rajasthan through Mount Abu region. Later due to factionalism many Rajput clans established small kingdoms in Saurashtra (Land of 100 Kingdoms). Nomadic pastoralists or herders like Jats, Maldharis, Holaris, Bharwads also arrived from Sindh. Jats came from Sindh after being expelled by Chach Brahmins of Sindh. They tried to raise power but were soon subdued by the Summas who later became famous as Jadeja Rajputs. Later Jats were divided into 3 sub groups, Garasia Jats i.e.who took to Agriculture, Dhanetah Jats who were heders and Fakirani Jats who studied Koran. When around 900 AD, Brahmins created or enforced Rajput rule in the region which is known as Origin of Rajputs from fire at Mount Abu, it gave birth to Jagirdari system of Land holdings and Rajputs who were only 5% of the population became Jagirdars. Maratha’s capture of Surat and Ahmedabad and containment of the other Muslim and Rajput Chieftains of the region and massacre of Rajputs brought Rayatwari system of land reforms and cultivators beacame owners of the lands. Hindus constitute 70% of the present population. Main Gujarati dialects are Kutchi, Marwari, Charotri (central Gujarat), Vagadi, Bhili, Surati and Sorthi (Saurashtra). Sindhi and Parsi and Siddi communities are also settled in Gujarat. Kutch is famous for its Sufi- culture.
Brahmins--- are divided into 84 sub castes.
Trader or Vania castes--- are Jains, Lohanas, Marwaris, Meshri and Shravaks.
Cultivator castes ---Kolis, Patidars(Patels), Kachias, Malis/Rami and Yadavs/Ahirs and Rajputs and allied castes of Kathis and Darbars.
Artisan castes--- are Chunaras- brick layers, Sonis- Suniara, Kansara- copper smith, Luhar- black smith, Salats- stone cutter, Khumbhar- potter, Suthar- carpenter, Ghanchis- telis, Khatri- weavers and cloth-silk and cotton, Barber and Darji etc.
Schedule tribes and Adivasis---- include 29 groups , of them Bhils are the largest and has allied groups also like Bhilala, Gamti, Dubla, Dhodia, Baiga, Gonds, Rathawas and Rabaris and others are nomadic tribals like Garasias, Bharwads, Bhajanias, Halaris and Maldharis etc.and their main occupation is Herding/ Sheperding and Agriculture. Nomadic tribes are mostly Muslims and are amainly in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat eg. Muslim Garasia - Jats of Jamnagar in Saurashtra and of Kutch and North Gujarat.
Schedule castes--- like Vankaras and Maru - Meghwals are 7.4%.
Gujarat has a very long seacoast and has a large Koli community which constitutes 20% of the state population whose main profession is fishing and agriculture. Adivasis make 30% and Patels are 13% of the total population. Rajputs and allied castes who are the feudals of the yesteryears i.e. Kathis and Darbars constitute 7% of the population. After fall of Rajput- era, Rajputs became minority and to muster power they started alliance with Koli caste through matrimony and this new group came to known as Thakor caste. Mer caste is also present in Junagadh District.
Mali Community-- Mali community is a minority caste in Gujarat and is also called as Rami caste in Central Gujarat and Saini in Northern Gujarat. They are just 2-3% of the state population. Mali’s/ Rami’s are mostly found in the districts of the Gujarat which shares borders with the Malwa region of Rajasthan and Khandesh region of Maharashtra. Malis are Caste Hindus and are mostly Vaishnavs and some are Jains also in northern districts.
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Northern Gujarat---Mali community is found in the districts of Sabarkantha, Banaskantha as a cultivating caste. These districts border with the Sirohi, Jalore and Jhalawar districts of Rajasthan which has a large Saini/Mali population in these districts. Malis are also distribured in Mehsana and Patan Districts. Shri Gordhanji Gigaji Mali was BJP MLA from Deesa in Banaskantha district and was the Chairman of Gujarat State Water Resources Corporation.Their culture is very similar to Rajasthani Mali caste. Bajra is the main crop of this region along with teak forests buisness. Palanpur in the Banaskantha district is famous for Diamond workers and Ambaji for marble quarries. Mali caste is mostly involved in cultivation and handicrafts. Ambaji, Deesa, Radhanpur, Tharad, Palanpur Bhabhur are strongholds of the community.
Sothern Gujarat --- In districts of Valsad and Navsari which are an extension of Khandesh region of Maharashtra—Mali caste is one of the dominant caste along Koli caste. Their culture is reflection of Maharashtrian Malis. Main occupation is cultivation.
Central Gujarat--- During Maratha rule in Gujarat, Brahmin, Maratha –Kunbi and Mali and other natives of Deccan plateau and Khandesh migrated to Gujarat as part of Maratha army and administrative servants and had settled permanently in Baroda territory. This is the reason Baroda/ Vadodra has a 150,000 strong Mali community as Baroda was the capital of Gaikwad Marathas and is also known as Garden and Palace City. The culture of Baroda is Marathi and most of the population of Baroda speaks Marathi language. The other main centres of Maratha kingdom like Ahmedabad and Surat also has sizeable Mali community. In central Gujarat districts of Anand, Bharuch, Ahmedabad and Kheda, Mali caste is scattered in villages as a minority cultivating and florist caste. Many Malis from northern Gujarat district of Banaskantha and southern Gujarat districts are settled in Ahmedabad and Surat etc. and do a good buisness during festival season when demand of flowers is high. Many Malis are also involved in the export buisness. Many Sainis of Punajab has been involved in the Transport and Hotel buisness in Baroda and Ahmedabad. Mali caste of Baroda is famous for the ages old ritual of goat sacrifice. Shri M.L. Rami is the president of Mali Shikshan Prachar Samiti, Bapu Nagar, Ahmedabad and has contributed a lot to Relief work for earthquake victims in Kutch region.
Eastern Gujarat--- Districts of Panchmahal, Dahod and Dangs are Adivasi districts. Only some % of Malis are present in this region.
Saurashtra and Kutch--- Malis have insignificant presense in this region like their allied Yadu caste of Ahir/Yadav which is also a minority caste and is mostly present in Junagadh and some in Kutch region. These Ahirs and Malis came with Krisna and when were moved back to Mathura, few stayed back. Most of the population of this region is made up of namadic tribes.
Why Mali’s are minority in Gujarat while they are a dominant caste in Gujrat’s Northern State of Rajasthan and Southern State of Maharashtra---- Gujarat is a province or land of tribals and Adivasis. Sakas and nomadic herders came to this land through Sindh. During Mahabharata times, Arjuna brought the Yadu tribes back to Mathura in Central India from Dwarka in Saurashtra’s Junagadh District. This is the reason Saini/ Mali, Ahir and Yadav’s are the minority caste in Saurashtra region. Moreover Malis, Yadavas and Ahirs enterd the Khandesh through Malwa region ie.Indore and so they settled in Khandesh and river valleys of Maharashtra but are not found as a leading cultivating caste of central Gujarat and Saurashtra. Gujarat is situated on Western side of Malwa. And from Malwa entrance to Gujarat is cut off by lands which are densly forested and mountaneous and has only aborriginal and Adivasi population eg. Panchmahal and Dangs District in Satpura range. From Rajasthan it is separated by Mount Abu and Aravilli mountain range, so Malis are settled in North Gujarat dustricts. But Saka tribes got entrance through Sindh and Kutch. Mali / Sainis were Vedic Aryans settled in north and central Hindustan while Sakas and Sindh’s Nomadic Herders came much later to Gujarat through Kutch in search of new grazing lands. While Malis and Kunbis also made inroads to Gujarat through Khandesh and later with Marathas.
Mali / Saini community of Gujarat
Mali / Saini community of Gujarat
Gujarat is the most industrialized province of India and is situated in Western India, with capital city Gandhinagar. Gujarat is the area bordering the Sindh region of Pakistan. Gujarat was a part of Indus Valley civilization with prominent centres like Lothal in Ahmedabad and Dholavira in Kutch. Geographically Gujarat has 4 regions-Kutch, Saurashtra, Kathiawad and North-East Gujarat. Kutch has desert like topography and in its North is salt marsh known as Little Run of Kutch and its central part isa ridge of jurassic sand stone. Southern Gujarat is extension of Western Ghats. Between Saurashtra and Khambat gulf is Kathiawad made of Deccan Lavas.
History—Gujarat was called as Anarta after the name of Anarta who was the son of Sharyati. Anarta’s son Revat ruled Kushsthali and its capital was Dwarka. Due to Jarasandh’s repeated attacks on Mathura Lord Krishna moved to Dwarka with mama Ugrasen and yadu tribes and carried the banner of Aryan culture to Gujarat. After the death of Krisna and Balaram, due to interncine strife among Yadav’s and to end this Arjuna installed Vajra -the King of Dwarka at Mathura and this ended the dominance of Yadu tribes in Gujarat. Kutch and Saurashtra also came under Persian and Greek influence also. After this Gujarat came under Mauryan empire and Pushyamitra was made Governer of this region. Ashoka established his Edict at Junagadh and also the Dam and canal system of Sudarshan river was constructed during Mauryan times. After 100 AD, Saka’s started migration to this region and controlled the region upto 450 AD when Gupta empire came on the scene, Gupta’s were followed by Maitraka in 640 AD. Maitraka kingdom was soon divided into different portions like Pratihara-Gurjara rule in North, Chalukya’s in South and with Maitrakas in Saurashtra. By 942 Chavda rule began in North Gujarat parts whose king Samar singh was overthrown by Mul raj and so was established Solanki Dynasty, which were defeated by Ghazni and temple of Somnath was destroyed. After fall of Solanki’s, Vaghelas who were in service of Solanki’s came to power. Solanki’s encouraged Jainism. Karandev Vaghela was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat and was defeated by Khilzi army in 1297 AD. After 400 years Mughal viceroy of Gujarat was defeated by Maratha’s in 1758 AD and Ahmedabad was captured. At this time of history, Gujarat became the hunting ground for Maratha warlords and were collecting tributes from all the small kingdoms of Saurashtra. Maratha General Dama ji Gaikwad established sway over Gujarat with headquarters at Baroda, and their interncine war with Brahmin Peshwas of Pune continued and later Gaikwads joined British against Peshwas in 1819 AD. After the famines of 1900 AD in Gujarat, people from Anand, Kheda and Nadiad districts started moving to Africa and then to North America and later people from Saurashtra also started migrating to foreign lands.
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Social Structure—Due to pouring of different tribes from Sindh route, Gujrati society has the largest no. of castes. Gujarat was the entrance to India from Sindh through Kutch. . Malwa region (Rajasrhan and central provinces i.e.Madhya Pradesh) is geographically cut off by Satpuras and Aravilli,s and Mount Abu. Sakas who when arrived to Gujarat got divided into many tribes like Gurjars-Pratiharas, Summas, Sumras etc and some got mixed with local aboriginals liike Bhils who are the most populous among 26 tribes found in Gujarat. Gurjar and Pratihara moved to Rajasthan through Mount Abu region. Later due to factionalism many Rajput clans established small kingdoms in Saurashtra (Land of 100 Kingdoms). Nomadic pastoralists or herders like Jats, Maldharis, Holaris, Bharwads also arrived from Sindh. Jats came from Sindh after being expelled by Chach Brahmins of Sindh. They tried to raise power but were soon subdued by the Summas who later became famous as Jadeja Rajputs. Later Jats were divided into 3 sub groups, Garasia Jats i.e.who took to Agriculture, Dhanetah Jats who were heders and Fakirani Jats who studied Koran. When around 900 AD, Brahmins created or enforced Rajput rule in the region which is known as Origin of Rajputs from fire at Mount Abu, it gave birth to Jagirdari system of Land holdings and Rajputs who were only 5% of the population became Jagirdars. Maratha’s capture of Surat and Ahmedabad and containment of the other Muslim and Rajput Chieftains of the region and massacre of Rajputs brought Rayatwari system of land reforms and cultivators beacame owners of the lands. Hindus constitute 70% of the present population. Main Gujarati dialects are Kutchi, Marwari, Charotri (central Gujarat), Vagadi, Bhili, Surati and Sorthi (Saurashtra). Sindhi and Parsi and Siddi communities are also settled in Gujarat. Kutch is famous for its Sufi- culture.
Brahmins--- are divided into 84 sub castes.
Trader or Vania castes--- are Jains, Lohanas, Marwaris, Meshri and Shravaks.
Cultivator castes ---Kolis, Patidars(Patels), Kachias, Malis/Rami and Yadavs/Ahirs and Rajputs and allied castes of Kathis and Darbars.
Artisan castes--- are Chunaras- brick layers, Sonis- Suniara, Kansara- copper smith, Luhar- black smith, Salats- stone cutter, Khumbhar- potter, Suthar- carpenter, Ghanchis- telis, Khatri- weavers and cloth-silk and cotton, Barber and Darji etc.
Schedule tribes and Adivasis---- include 29 groups , of them Bhils are the largest and has allied groups also like Bhilala, Gamti, Dubla, Dhodia, Baiga, Gonds, Rathawas and Rabaris and others are nomadic tribals like Garasias, Bharwads, Bhajanias, Halaris and Maldharis etc.and their main occupation is Herding/ Sheperding and Agriculture. Nomadic tribes are mostly Muslims and are amainly in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat eg. Muslim Garasia - Jats of Jamnagar in Saurashtra and of Kutch and North Gujarat.
Schedule castes--- like Vankaras and Maru - Meghwals are 7.4%.
Gujarat has a very long seacoast and has a large Koli community which constitutes 20% of the state population whose main profession is fishing and agriculture. Adivasis make 30% and Patels are 13% of the total population. Rajputs and allied castes who are the feudals of the yesteryears i.e. Kathis and Darbars constitute 7% of the population. After fall of Rajput- era, Rajputs became minority and to muster power they started alliance with Koli caste through matrimony and this new group came to known as Thakor caste. Mer caste is also present in Junagadh District.
Mali Community-- Mali community is a minority caste in Gujarat and is also called as Rami caste in Central Gujarat and Saini in Northern Gujarat. They are just 2-3% of the state population. Mali’s/ Rami’s are mostly found in the districts of the Gujarat which shares borders with the Malwa region of Rajasthan and Khandesh region of Maharashtra. Malis are Caste Hindus and are mostly Vaishnavs and some are Jains also in northern districts.
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Northern Gujarat---Mali community is found in the districts of Sabarkantha, Banaskantha as a cultivating caste. These districts border with the Sirohi, Jalore and Jhalawar districts of Rajasthan which has a large Saini/Mali population in these districts. Malis are also distribured in Mehsana and Patan Districts. Shri Gordhanji Gigaji Mali was BJP MLA from Deesa in Banaskantha district and was the Chairman of Gujarat State Water Resources Corporation.Their culture is very similar to Rajasthani Mali caste. Bajra is the main crop of this region along with teak forests buisness. Palanpur in the Banaskantha district is famous for Diamond workers and Ambaji for marble quarries. Mali caste is mostly involved in cultivation and handicrafts. Ambaji, Deesa, Radhanpur, Tharad, Palanpur Bhabhur are strongholds of the community.
Sothern Gujarat --- In districts of Valsad and Navsari which are an extension of Khandesh region of Maharashtra—Mali caste is one of the dominant caste along Koli caste. Their culture is reflection of Maharashtrian Malis. Main occupation is cultivation.
Central Gujarat--- During Maratha rule in Gujarat, Brahmin, Maratha –Kunbi and Mali and other natives of Deccan plateau and Khandesh migrated to Gujarat as part of Maratha army and administrative servants and had settled permanently in Baroda territory. This is the reason Baroda/ Vadodra has a 150,000 strong Mali community as Baroda was the capital of Gaikwad Marathas and is also known as Garden and Palace City. The culture of Baroda is Marathi and most of the population of Baroda speaks Marathi language. The other main centres of Maratha kingdom like Ahmedabad and Surat also has sizeable Mali community. In central Gujarat districts of Anand, Bharuch, Ahmedabad and Kheda, Mali caste is scattered in villages as a minority cultivating and florist caste. Many Malis from northern Gujarat district of Banaskantha and southern Gujarat districts are settled in Ahmedabad and Surat etc. and do a good buisness during festival season when demand of flowers is high. Many Malis are also involved in the export buisness. Many Sainis of Punajab has been involved in the Transport and Hotel buisness in Baroda and Ahmedabad. Mali caste of Baroda is famous for the ages old ritual of goat sacrifice. Shri M.L. Rami is the president of Mali Shikshan Prachar Samiti, Bapu Nagar, Ahmedabad and has contributed a lot to Relief work for earthquake victims in Kutch region.
Eastern Gujarat--- Districts of Panchmahal, Dahod and Dangs are Adivasi districts. Only some % of Malis are present in this region.
Saurashtra and Kutch--- Malis have insignificant presense in this region like their allied Yadu caste of Ahir/Yadav which is also a minority caste and is mostly present in Junagadh and some in Kutch region. These Ahirs and Malis came with Krisna and when were moved back to Mathura, few stayed back. Most of the population of this region is made up of namadic tribes.
Why Mali’s are minority in Gujarat while they are a dominant caste in Gujrat’s Northern State of Rajasthan and Southern State of Maharashtra---- Gujarat is a province or land of tribals and Adivasis. Sakas and nomadic herders came to this land through Sindh. During Mahabharata times, Arjuna brought the Yadu tribes back to Mathura in Central India from Dwarka in Saurashtra’s Junagadh District. This is the reason Saini/ Mali, Ahir and Yadav’s are the minority caste in Saurashtra region. Moreover Malis, Yadavas and Ahirs enterd the Khandesh through Malwa region ie.Indore and so they settled in Khandesh and river valleys of Maharashtra but are not found as a leading cultivating caste of central Gujarat and Saurashtra. Gujarat is situated on Western side of Malwa. And from Malwa entrance to Gujarat is cut off by lands which are densly forested and mountaneous and has only aborriginal and Adivasi population eg. Panchmahal and Dangs District in Satpura range. From Rajasthan it is separated by Mount Abu and Aravilli mountain range, so Malis are settled in North Gujarat dustricts. But Saka tribes got entrance through Sindh and Kutch. Mali / Sainis were Vedic Aryans settled in north and central Hindustan while Sakas and Sindh’s Nomadic Herders came much later to Gujarat through Kutch in search of new grazing lands. While Malis and Kunbis also made inroads to Gujarat through Khandesh and later with Marathas.
Gujarat is the most industrialized province of India and is situated in Western India, with capital city Gandhinagar. Gujarat is the area bordering the Sindh region of Pakistan. Gujarat was a part of Indus Valley civilization with prominent centres like Lothal in Ahmedabad and Dholavira in Kutch. Geographically Gujarat has 4 regions-Kutch, Saurashtra, Kathiawad and North-East Gujarat. Kutch has desert like topography and in its North is salt marsh known as Little Run of Kutch and its central part isa ridge of jurassic sand stone. Southern Gujarat is extension of Western Ghats. Between Saurashtra and Khambat gulf is Kathiawad made of Deccan Lavas.
History—Gujarat was called as Anarta after the name of Anarta who was the son of Sharyati. Anarta’s son Revat ruled Kushsthali and its capital was Dwarka. Due to Jarasandh’s repeated attacks on Mathura Lord Krishna moved to Dwarka with mama Ugrasen and yadu tribes and carried the banner of Aryan culture to Gujarat. After the death of Krisna and Balaram, due to interncine strife among Yadav’s and to end this Arjuna installed Vajra -the King of Dwarka at Mathura and this ended the dominance of Yadu tribes in Gujarat. Kutch and Saurashtra also came under Persian and Greek influence also. After this Gujarat came under Mauryan empire and Pushyamitra was made Governer of this region. Ashoka established his Edict at Junagadh and also the Dam and canal system of Sudarshan river was constructed during Mauryan times. After 100 AD, Saka’s started migration to this region and controlled the region upto 450 AD when Gupta empire came on the scene, Gupta’s were followed by Maitraka in 640 AD. Maitraka kingdom was soon divided into different portions like Pratihara-Gurjara rule in North, Chalukya’s in South and with Maitrakas in Saurashtra. By 942 Chavda rule began in North Gujarat parts whose king Samar singh was overthrown by Mul raj and so was established Solanki Dynasty, which were defeated by Ghazni and temple of Somnath was destroyed. After fall of Solanki’s, Vaghelas who were in service of Solanki’s came to power. Solanki’s encouraged Jainism. Karandev Vaghela was the last Hindu ruler of Gujarat and was defeated by Khilzi army in 1297 AD. After 400 years Mughal viceroy of Gujarat was defeated by Maratha’s in 1758 AD and Ahmedabad was captured. At this time of history, Gujarat became the hunting ground for Maratha warlords and were collecting tributes from all the small kingdoms of Saurashtra. Maratha General Dama ji Gaikwad established sway over Gujarat with headquarters at Baroda, and their interncine war with Brahmin Peshwas of Pune continued and later Gaikwads joined British against Peshwas in 1819 AD. After the famines of 1900 AD in Gujarat, people from Anand, Kheda and Nadiad districts started moving to Africa and then to North America and later people from Saurashtra also started migrating to foreign lands.
.
Social Structure—Due to pouring of different tribes from Sindh route, Gujrati society has the largest no. of castes. Gujarat was the entrance to India from Sindh through Kutch. . Malwa region (Rajasrhan and central provinces i.e.Madhya Pradesh) is geographically cut off by Satpuras and Aravilli,s and Mount Abu. Sakas who when arrived to Gujarat got divided into many tribes like Gurjars-Pratiharas, Summas, Sumras etc and some got mixed with local aboriginals liike Bhils who are the most populous among 26 tribes found in Gujarat. Gurjar and Pratihara moved to Rajasthan through Mount Abu region. Later due to factionalism many Rajput clans established small kingdoms in Saurashtra (Land of 100 Kingdoms). Nomadic pastoralists or herders like Jats, Maldharis, Holaris, Bharwads also arrived from Sindh. Jats came from Sindh after being expelled by Chach Brahmins of Sindh. They tried to raise power but were soon subdued by the Summas who later became famous as Jadeja Rajputs. Later Jats were divided into 3 sub groups, Garasia Jats i.e.who took to Agriculture, Dhanetah Jats who were heders and Fakirani Jats who studied Koran. When around 900 AD, Brahmins created or enforced Rajput rule in the region which is known as Origin of Rajputs from fire at Mount Abu, it gave birth to Jagirdari system of Land holdings and Rajputs who were only 5% of the population became Jagirdars. Maratha’s capture of Surat and Ahmedabad and containment of the other Muslim and Rajput Chieftains of the region and massacre of Rajputs brought Rayatwari system of land reforms and cultivators beacame owners of the lands. Hindus constitute 70% of the present population. Main Gujarati dialects are Kutchi, Marwari, Charotri (central Gujarat), Vagadi, Bhili, Surati and Sorthi (Saurashtra). Sindhi and Parsi and Siddi communities are also settled in Gujarat. Kutch is famous for its Sufi- culture.
Brahmins--- are divided into 84 sub castes.
Trader or Vania castes--- are Jains, Lohanas, Marwaris, Meshri and Shravaks.
Cultivator castes ---Kolis, Patidars(Patels), Kachias, Malis/Rami and Yadavs/Ahirs and Rajputs and allied castes of Kathis and Darbars.
Artisan castes--- are Chunaras- brick layers, Sonis- Suniara, Kansara- copper smith, Luhar- black smith, Salats- stone cutter, Khumbhar- potter, Suthar- carpenter, Ghanchis- telis, Khatri- weavers and cloth-silk and cotton, Barber and Darji etc.
Schedule tribes and Adivasis---- include 29 groups , of them Bhils are the largest and has allied groups also like Bhilala, Gamti, Dubla, Dhodia, Baiga, Gonds, Rathawas and Rabaris and others are nomadic tribals like Garasias, Bharwads, Bhajanias, Halaris and Maldharis etc.and their main occupation is Herding/ Sheperding and Agriculture. Nomadic tribes are mostly Muslims and are amainly in Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat eg. Muslim Garasia - Jats of Jamnagar in Saurashtra and of Kutch and North Gujarat.
Schedule castes--- like Vankaras and Maru - Meghwals are 7.4%.
Gujarat has a very long seacoast and has a large Koli community which constitutes 20% of the state population whose main profession is fishing and agriculture. Adivasis make 30% and Patels are 13% of the total population. Rajputs and allied castes who are the feudals of the yesteryears i.e. Kathis and Darbars constitute 7% of the population. After fall of Rajput- era, Rajputs became minority and to muster power they started alliance with Koli caste through matrimony and this new group came to known as Thakor caste. Mer caste is also present in Junagadh District.
Mali Community-- Mali community is a minority caste in Gujarat and is also called as Rami caste in Central Gujarat and Saini in Northern Gujarat. They are just 2-3% of the state population. Mali’s/ Rami’s are mostly found in the districts of the Gujarat which shares borders with the Malwa region of Rajasthan and Khandesh region of Maharashtra. Malis are Caste Hindus and are mostly Vaishnavs and some are Jains also in northern districts.
.
Northern Gujarat---Mali community is found in the districts of Sabarkantha, Banaskantha as a cultivating caste. These districts border with the Sirohi, Jalore and Jhalawar districts of Rajasthan which has a large Saini/Mali population in these districts. Malis are also distribured in Mehsana and Patan Districts. Shri Gordhanji Gigaji Mali was BJP MLA from Deesa in Banaskantha district and was the Chairman of Gujarat State Water Resources Corporation.Their culture is very similar to Rajasthani Mali caste. Bajra is the main crop of this region along with teak forests buisness. Palanpur in the Banaskantha district is famous for Diamond workers and Ambaji for marble quarries. Mali caste is mostly involved in cultivation and handicrafts. Ambaji, Deesa, Radhanpur, Tharad, Palanpur Bhabhur are strongholds of the community.
Sothern Gujarat --- In districts of Valsad and Navsari which are an extension of Khandesh region of Maharashtra—Mali caste is one of the dominant caste along Koli caste. Their culture is reflection of Maharashtrian Malis. Main occupation is cultivation.
Central Gujarat--- During Maratha rule in Gujarat, Brahmin, Maratha –Kunbi and Mali and other natives of Deccan plateau and Khandesh migrated to Gujarat as part of Maratha army and administrative servants and had settled permanently in Baroda territory. This is the reason Baroda/ Vadodra has a 150,000 strong Mali community as Baroda was the capital of Gaikwad Marathas and is also known as Garden and Palace City. The culture of Baroda is Marathi and most of the population of Baroda speaks Marathi language. The other main centres of Maratha kingdom like Ahmedabad and Surat also has sizeable Mali community. In central Gujarat districts of Anand, Bharuch, Ahmedabad and Kheda, Mali caste is scattered in villages as a minority cultivating and florist caste. Many Malis from northern Gujarat district of Banaskantha and southern Gujarat districts are settled in Ahmedabad and Surat etc. and do a good buisness during festival season when demand of flowers is high. Many Malis are also involved in the export buisness. Many Sainis of Punajab has been involved in the Transport and Hotel buisness in Baroda and Ahmedabad. Mali caste of Baroda is famous for the ages old ritual of goat sacrifice. Shri M.L. Rami is the president of Mali Shikshan Prachar Samiti, Bapu Nagar, Ahmedabad and has contributed a lot to Relief work for earthquake victims in Kutch region.
Eastern Gujarat--- Districts of Panchmahal, Dahod and Dangs are Adivasi districts. Only some % of Malis are present in this region.
Saurashtra and Kutch--- Malis have insignificant presense in this region like their allied Yadu caste of Ahir/Yadav which is also a minority caste and is mostly present in Junagadh and some in Kutch region. These Ahirs and Malis came with Krisna and when were moved back to Mathura, few stayed back. Most of the population of this region is made up of namadic tribes.
Why Mali’s are minority in Gujarat while they are a dominant caste in Gujrat’s Northern State of Rajasthan and Southern State of Maharashtra---- Gujarat is a province or land of tribals and Adivasis. Sakas and nomadic herders came to this land through Sindh. During Mahabharata times, Arjuna brought the Yadu tribes back to Mathura in Central India from Dwarka in Saurashtra’s Junagadh District. This is the reason Saini/ Mali, Ahir and Yadav’s are the minority caste in Saurashtra region. Moreover Malis, Yadavas and Ahirs enterd the Khandesh through Malwa region ie.Indore and so they settled in Khandesh and river valleys of Maharashtra but are not found as a leading cultivating caste of central Gujarat and Saurashtra. Gujarat is situated on Western side of Malwa. And from Malwa entrance to Gujarat is cut off by lands which are densly forested and mountaneous and has only aborriginal and Adivasi population eg. Panchmahal and Dangs District in Satpura range. From Rajasthan it is separated by Mount Abu and Aravilli mountain range, so Malis are settled in North Gujarat dustricts. But Saka tribes got entrance through Sindh and Kutch. Mali / Sainis were Vedic Aryans settled in north and central Hindustan while Sakas and Sindh’s Nomadic Herders came much later to Gujarat through Kutch in search of new grazing lands. While Malis and Kunbis also made inroads to Gujarat through Khandesh and later with Marathas.
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