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Jaina Community-A Social Survey
(vii) Humbaḍa or Hummaḍa:
Humbaḍas are found both among the Jainas and the Hindus but they are mostly Jainas. There are Digambara as well as Svetambara Jaina Hummaḍas but they are principally Digambaras. They are spread only in Rajasthan, Malwa, Gujarat and some districts of the Deccan.
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As regards their origin it is stated that when, the incessant quarrels between Bhupatisimha and Bhavanisimha, the two princes of Pataṇa, were set at right by a famous Jaina ascetic Manatunga Acharya, Bhupatisimha was pleased with the Acharya and waiving his claim over the throne became his devotee. He once said to his guru Hun Bada Hun" (a) and from that time his 'guru' named his caste as Humbada. Humbadas are divided into the following 18 exogamous gotras: 1. Kheraja, 2. Kamaleśvara, 3. Kākaḍeśvara, 4. Utreśvara, 5. Matreśvara, 6. Bhimesvara, 7. Bhadresvara, 8. Visvesvara, 9. Sankheśvara, 10. Gangesvara, 11. Ambesvara 12. Mamanesvara, 13. Someśvara, 14. Rajiyāṇa, 15 Lalitesvara, 16. Rngesvara, 17. Kasyapeśvara, 18. Budhesvara.109 According to another account they are said to take their name from Humada, the guru or spiritual head who established the caste. They are also called Vagadiya, from the Vagada or wild country including Dungarpur, Partapgarh and Sagvad in Rajaputana where considerable members are still settled.110
The Humbaḍas, like other Baniya castes, are divided into Visā and Dasā. The sub-caste Dasa Hummaḍa was formed, like that of Binaikiyās, by people who were degraded or outcasted from the Hummada caste. But steadily the strength of Dasa Hummadas increased and now they are ten times more than Visa Hummadas. The Dasas amassed wealth, built temples, rose in social estimation; and now in consequence there is very little difference between the Visa and Dasa Hummaḍas. Inter-dining is allowed and recently instances of inter-marriage between the two sections have occurred. This is a fine example of how a degraded section regains its social position.
6. JAINA CASTES IN THE DECCAN
The important Jaina castes described above are mainly found in the Northern India, including Gujarat, Kathiawar and upper districts of Madhya Pradesh. These castes nowadays are found in the
