Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals

Author(s): Rati Dodhia
Publisher: Rati Dodhia

Page 96

CHAPTER 15
THE GOTRAS OF HALARI VISA OSHWALS
Why were gotras created? Initially they were created to identify the followers of different acharyas. As time passed they became independent congregations. Depending upon which acharya they followed the lay people identified themselves with that particular gotra. The gotra's name became their surname (last name).
Jaina acharya Jaisinh Suriji founded many gotras like Lalan, Gala, Dedhia, Karania, Polandia, Sandhoy, Hathudia, Loladia, Mithodia, Padahalia, Nishai, and Chhajod and others.
List of last names (surnames) of Halari Visa Oshwals:
Bavaria* Gala
Karania Patani Bid Galaiya
Khimasia Pethod Chandaria Gangar* Malde
Savla Chheda Gosrani
Mamania* Sumaria Shah Dedhia Gudka
Maru
Virpuria Shah Dodhia Haraniya Nagaria Shah Visaria Dhanani Haria
Nagda
Vora Gada Jhakharia Shah Parekh Zakharia
*Not a major subgroup
Chandaria: Many Rajput families of the Parmar dynasty from the city of Chandravati moved and settled down in City of Osiya and called themselves Chandavalia. They built a town and named it also Chandavalia. This in time evolved to Chandalia. When they embraced the Jaina