ANCIENT HISTORY OF GOR BANJARAS Written by: Prof. MOTIRAJ RATHOD (Aurangabad, Maharashtra) Gor Banjaras and the Indus Culture Gor is one of the ancient vamshas in the world. Its history dates back to 5-6 thousand years. The references about Gor Vamsha are found in Greek civilization up to Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Even proof has been…
Clothing The male’s outfit includes Dhoti, Barabundi (Shirt & Coat), Uparana and a Turban. The style of clothing of Banjara women is quite different and attractive. They normally wear a ghaghra (stretching up to knees), which is hand-woven, and a blouse. A cloth covers the head. This pattern is in practice since thousands of years…
History of Gor Culture through monuments Sir Marshall has written a big treatise on the Indus civilization. The history of Gor culture is hidden in this book and it needs to be carefully found out. The pond measuring 31 x 23 x 8 feet found near Mohenjodaro is not a bathing place but a lake…
Origin: Afghanistan The kingdom of Gorvamshiya groups was extended up to Kabul Gajni’s mountainous region in North-South of Hirat for many years before Christ. Hence the mountain ranges in the region are known as Gor region even today. Gorvamshiya tribals still live in this region. The costumes of women here also like the Banjara women….
Religion Gor Banjaras are basically worshippers of Nature. They treat the Sun, Earth, Fire, Wind and Water as gods and worship them. The tribe, which worships the birth giver i.e. ‘pitru’ and the goddess might have been following the Vedic religion. Instances of Gor Banjaras first adopting the Buddha religion during the time of Gautam…
[4] Religious literature: The kings were referred to as Maharaja in the Buddha period. Today the Dhalias while saluting the Naiks proclaim them as ‘Maharaj.’ Naik in turn offers them some donations for entertainment. [5] Folk Literature: Folk lores, legends, Saki, Kelawat, proverbs, rituals at the time of birth, marriage and death etc. all provide…
Marathas and Gor Banjaras Almost all kings have taken benefit of the transport facility provided by the Gor Banjara tribe. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came to meet Aurangzeb at Agra in 1666. They had 500 oxen and 100 Banjara with them. They were even able to fight depending on the situation. Shivaji Maharaj used a huge…
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…
The Tanda System Every group had a leader. They needed grasslands for their cattle. C.N. Luniya says: “The cattle was the real wealth of the Aryans. The wealthiness of a person was decided on the basis of the amount of cattle with him.” (Indian Culture by C.N. Luniya, page 38). The Gors had similar tradition….
Worship and Devotion The Tanda of Gors followed some definite principles of life. The references to their faith in life and work are seen in the prayer of the goddess. Gors are worshippers of Goddess. The goddesses viz. Tulaja, Mathara, Sitala, Hingala, Kankali, Durga, Maryamma are called as Banjaran goddesses in Nimad region. The goddess…
