Banjara Castes and Sub-castes: Gotra (Family) Tree
Gor Banjara is not a caste but a tribe. The All India Banjara Sewa Sangh has identified following names of Gor Banjaras in the country based on a nationwide study.
1) Banjara 2) Banajara 3) Banjare 4) Banjari 5) Brijjari 6) Brijwasi 7) Labhan 8) Lamani 9) Lambhadi 10) Lambhad 11) Baldiya 12) Ladeniya 13) Sugali 13) Gawariya Gawar 14) Gawar 15) Gawaliya 16) Gawana 17) Kangi 18) Kanada 19) Sarakiband 20) Sarakiwala 21) Singwale Banjara
Sub-castes:
1) Gor 2) Mathura 3) Dhaliya 4) Dhadi 5) Sanar 6) Nhavi 7) Shingada 8) Jogi 9) Bham 10) Bamaniya 11) Bagora 12) Digora 13) Charan 14) Bhat 15) Bazigar 16) Rohidas 17) Dhonkutte
The word Banjara is attached in front of sub-castes e.g. Gor Banjara. All these and the like sub-castes are Gorvamshiyas. In Maharashtra the list of castes and sub-castes of Gor Banjara was announced by the Government of Maharashtra in 1965 as Free Castes vide G.O.No. CBC 1464/146691-M dated Feb. 1965. The list is as follows:
Banjara-like Castes:
1) Gor 2) Banjara 3) Lambad 4) Labhani 5) Lamani 6) Charan Banjara 7) Laman Banjara 8) Banjara Laman 9) Labhan 10) Dhadi 11) Dhaliya 12) Shingada Banjara 13) Jogi Banjara 14) Banjari.
The Gotra Family Tree of Gor Banjaras
The Clan (Gotra) is given more importance than lineage (Vamsha) in the socio-religious life of Gorvamshiyas. He must memorize the names of chiefs of his earlier 7 generations of his clan otherwise he is considered as Kamsal i.e. incomplete. Dr. Majumdar has made this definition of clan (Gotra): Probably a Gotra is a combination of some lineages, whose origin is a real or imaginery one (Bharatiya Janjati by Harishchandra Utpreti, pages 28, 29, & 32). Suryavamshi and Chandravamshi are the main lineages in Kshatriyas. Gor are Chandravamshis.
I. Clan of Rathod Lineage
Bala and Bhika were the 2 sons of Phulsingh and Udaikaran.
Six sons of Bala – 1. Malan 2. Mohan 3. Muchhal 4. Jatiya 5. Dharmasot 6. Barnot
Two sons of Bhika – 1. Menasi 2. Malasi
Four sons of Menasi – 1. Dalu 2. Peri 3. Pota 4. Sadrath
Ten sons of Malasi – 1. Ramniya 2. Bochran 3. Dalbaan 4. Khalwan 5. Gopal 6. Modaricha 7. Kukrecha 8. Khatrot 9. Malpot 10. Bahadot
Two sons of Khatrot – 1. Daha 2. Bega
One son of Daha – Megha
One son of Megha – Khamdhar
Six sons of Megha – 1. Anna 2. Arasi 3. Dunga 4. Lakhasi 5. Junasi 6. Dhunasi
Seven sons of Khamdhar – 1. Udawat 2. Kinsot 3. Palot 4. Dhanawar 5. Ramawat 6. Karmatot 7. Devsot
Eight clans (Gotras) of Rathod – 1. ‘Bhukya’ from Bhika 2. ‘Balanot from Bala 3. ‘Dhalwan’ from Aalot 4. ‘Munawat’ from Mohan 5. Muchhal 6. Jatot from Jatiya 7. Dharmasot
The numbers of Pada of the Gotras are as under:
Bhukya – 27, Muchhal Kula – 52, Balnot – 12, Munawat – 56.
A Bhat is said to be described the linage of Bhukiya as : Kaspot Dhudya – Kas ke Kanwar – Awaraj – Dhawaraj – Tarasinh – Rao – Ratan – Doharaj – Bhika – Bhukiya
II. Jadhav Wadatiya Lineage Clan:
Three sons of Wadatiya – 1. Khetaji 2. Dhetaji 3. Netji Four sons of Khetaji – 1. Lakha 2. Luna 3. Dhara 4. Gugul Six sons of Dhetji – 1 Mala 2. Brahmawat 3. Bharat 4. Jethot 5. Bada 6. Boda (Pade Ajmera) Three sons of Netji – 1. Hala 2. Khunasi 3. Teja Four Padas of Purushottam Panda 1. Kilawat 2. Kalawat 3. Brahmawat and 4. Itrajarni Other Padas: Jthot – 7, Bharot-4, Kinasot – 4, Khetawat – 1, Dhanakawat – 4, Boda – 4, Lakha – 4, and Lana – 4.
The reason behind Purushottam Panda becoming a Banjara was that Purushottam Panda also known as Baba Brahman was a Wadatiya who had fallen in love with a Banjara girl of Zarpala clan.
Legend says that one Banjara from Goram clan owed some money to a Banjara from Zarpala clan. When Zarpala insisted on getting the money from Goram, he (Goram) kept his daughter as a mortgage with Zarpala and said that he will not show up again till he clears the debt and went to other region.
On the other hand Zarpala owed some money to a Bhat (regarded as Brahmin). When Bhat insisted on getting the money back, Zarpala said that he couldn’t return the money till Goram clears his debt. On this the Bhat started a sit-in agitation and lived near Zarpala. Gradually he fell in love with the Goram’s daughter. When this fact came to light in all 16 panch (juries) heard the case and gave decision to marry the daughter with the Bhat and allowed the Bhat to become a Banjara. This ritual was performed under a Banyan tree hence his name was also changed to Wadatiya.
The lyrical description regarding assimilation of Wadatiyas into Banjara tribe is as follows:
सिमरण बहर्षि रदा, भूल्या भेद बताय रणजी लोदया लाखणसी, तीनो जुगपत राय ।।1।। सतगुरु स्वामी सिमरता, सतजुग मूल मंडाण उदियागढ को सर किय, फरुके धजा नाण ।।2।। अस्सी मण लोहा गल्या, काढी सितन नहर उदेपुरी जी गरु मिल्या, साची किनी महर ।।3।। प्रभाते सिमरण करुं, पंवार कुल दातार राठऔडा जस गाविया, थे रि का सरदार ।।4।। चौहान मन का मौजवी, तीनों सभा के राव नर कहुं नारायण कहुं, भोज कहुं अमराव ।।5।। बड की छाया ााळतली, जाजम दी ढलकाय यादव ने कंचन कियो, डंड अठारा कराय ।।6।। घाची मोची रेगर कंजर, लुभाना पारधी नट सिंध मलेडिया ओसर्या, और सब भामट ।।7।। ग्यारा फुटया आज से, मानो सत ँट घोडा हाथी दियो, एक लाख रो दान ।।11।। सोले अठारा बैठिया, कंचण बणियो काम चाल भली रजपूत की, मिली सुपारी पान ।।12।। भांग कसूबां गूघरी, जल लोटा सनमान
III. Chauhan Clan Linage:
Six sons of Tejmal – 1. Palathya 2. Mud 3. Kurra 4. Sapawat 5. Kuelut 6. Chauradiya.
The number of Padas of each Clan was: Palathya – 5, Mud – 13, Kurra – 42 & Chawadiya – 5 padas.
IV. Pawar Clan Linage:
1) The seven sons of Kasturi further ran into 7 clans in Banjara viz. 1. Zarpala 2. Aamgot 3. Bakdot 4. Goram 5. Winjarawat 6. Lunsawat 7. Winshalawat 2) Five clans originated from 5 sons of Hanjal viz. 1. Aariyot 2. Chhaiyot 3. Banni 4. Tirbani 5. Asalat.
These 12 sons were responsible for the continuation of 12 clans afterwards.
Some people treat the 12 clans as under: 1. Zarpala 2. Aamgot 3. Wankadot 4. Goram 5. Winjarawat 6. Lunsawat 7. Wishalawat 8. Phulawat 9. Chhaiyot 10. Kitawat 11. Kandawat 12. Deglot.
V. Turi: 1. Jasawat 2. Rajawat 3. Tegawat 4. Winjod
Gorvamsha is given according to Clan Tree and alphabetically. The clan names of concerned sub-castes are also included in it.
1. Aanawat 2. Aarsot 3. Aasalat 4. Aalot 5. Aadot 6. Aamgot 7. Aaiyot 8. Aarod 9. Aajmera E 10. Isarot U 11. Udawat 12. Udaawat K 13. Kadakawat 14. Kurra 15. Kurawat 16. Kadawat 17. Kalawat 18. Kumpawat 19. Kammawat 20. Karanawat 21.Kunthawat 22. Kasanawat 23. Kilawat 24. Karadawat 25. Kitawat 26. Karamsiyot 27. Kandhlot 28. Kotwali 29. Kanthiwalo 30. Kookrechya 31. Kanna 32. Kelut 33. Keensot 34. Karamtot Kha 35. Khammawat 36. Khanawat 37. Khetawat 38. Khola 39. Kheemapot 40. Khaatrot 41. Khoonasi 42. Khaalwan Ga 43. Gangawat 44. Galawat 45. Geedawat 46. Gujrot 47. Googlot 48. Gaur 49. Goram 50. Gopal Cha 51. Chadawat 52. Chundawat 53. Cheenawat 54. Chintawat 55. Chandavtak 56. Chandot 57. Chavaan Chha 58. Chhajawat 59. Chhaiyot 60. Chhonchhawat Ja 61. Jamanawat 62. Jadawat 63. Josawat 64. Jesawat 65. Jetsalot 66. Jogawat 67. Jaatot 68. Jodhawalo 69. Jeenwalo 70. Jeewawat 71. Jarpala 72. Jalhane Ta 73. Teelawat Tha 74. Thaakran Da 75. Daalwan 76. Doomawat 77. Dehawat 78. Dangrot Ta 79. Tarawat 80. Tejawat 81. Tegawat 82. Tejsod 83. Tarbani 84. Tunwar Da 85. Doolawat 86. Daipot 87. Deosot 88. Deplaan 89. Deglot 90. Dewawat 91. Dapawat 92. Dedawat 93. Delawat 94. Dudhawat Dha 95. Dhanawat 96. Dhansawat 97. Dharawat 98. Dheerawat 99. Dharamsot 100. Dhasadi 101. Dhanakawat Na 102. Nalawat 103. Nagawat 104. Nenawat Pa 105. Pepawat 106. Popapawat 107. Peepawat 108. Pachanawat 109. Panchawat 110. Poonawat 111. Paatlot 112. Paatlot 113. Pachamanot 114. Palthya 115. Pandiya 116. Panwar 117. Palot 118. Patarwal 119. Perajat 120. Pemani 121. Palasiya 122. Paangot Pha 123. Phoolawat 124. Phoonasot 125. Phoolaya Ba 126. Balawat 127. Bandhawat 128. Bandawat 129. Boochawat 130. Badhawat 131. Brahmawat 132. Boonawat 133. Binjarot 134. Baalnot 135. Bechadot 136. Baakdot 137. Baangot 138. Bojgar 139. Boda 140. Bani 141. Baarnot 142. Badawat 143. Bocharan 144. Bahadot Bha 140. Bharatawat 141. Bharot 142. Bhakiya 143. Bhanchawat 144. Bhangawat 145. Bhegawat 146. Bhojawat 147. Bhansot Ma 148. Mangawat 149. Moolawat 150. Megawat 151. Mokawat 152. Motawat 153. Malawat 154. Mepawat 155. Moonawat 156. Mundawat 157. Menawat 158. Maalpot 159. Manakpot 160. Malot 161. Mhalan 162. Maansot 163. Meratiya 164. Motiwalon 165. Moochchal 166. Modaricha 167. Mood 168. Maulan 169. Maalpot 170. Mohan Ra 171. Ranawat 172. Rajawat 173. Raitala 174. Roopawat 175. Ranasipota 176. Raimalot 177. Ramniya 178. Rathod 179. Ramawat La 180. Lalawat 181. Lagawat 182. Lakhawat 183. Lumbawat 184. Lotawat 185. Lakhanot 186. Lhawadiya 187. Laadwan 188. Loona Va 189. Vinjarawat 190. Vinsalawat 191. Wadatiya 192. Vijarani Sa 193. Sangawat 194. Saktawat 195. Sadawat 196. Salawat 197. Somawat 198. Saangrot 199. Sadasot 200. Siraya 201. Sandol 202. Sadrath 203. Sankara 204. Saranot 205. Sapawat Ha 206. Harasawat 207. Haanawat 208. Hampawat 209. Handawat 210. Kalawat 211. Hirapot 212. Hardeo.
[Source: Book titled ‘Banjara Bhaskar’ by Swami Gokuldas Maharaj, Ajmer, Rajasthan].
