Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 58

It is further learnt that even to-day Vedava Vagharis of Saurashtra area believe that it is imperative for them to lift the crops and cattle while returning home from work, otherwise the Goddess would be displeased and her wrath would ruin their families. Some catastrophy may come or unforeseen calamity may bestow on them. Classification :
In the year 1952, they were notified as scheduled tribes by the then govt. of Kutch and as other backward classes by the then govt. of Saurashtra and as denotified tribes in the rest of the old Bombay state territory i.e. Gujarat territory.
At present they are classified as Scheduled Tribe in Kutch district and as Socially and Educationally Backward Class in the rest of the district of Gujarat. They are also classified as Denotified Tribes/Nomedic Tribes too. It is not understood why a person belonging to one and the same community is treated differently within the territory of the same state? Why area restriction is not lifted only in this case. Elite class of Vaghari community is shocked to learn this injustice and opposed for this discrimination.
The ancestors of 'Paraghi' of Madhya Pradesh, the ancestors of Sansiyas and Bagris of Rajasthan and Hariyana, the ancestors of Tekaris and Shikaries of Maharashtra belong to the same 'stock' of hunters of pre-Vedic period. At present they are at different stages of development in different parts of India and classified according to their charactaristic and status.
Interpretation of the word 'Vaghari' :
There are different views regarding the origin of 'Vaghari' community and the meaning of the word "Vaghari":
(1) As per the gazetteer of Bombay Presidency they are also known as 'Tekari' and the word 'Tekari' is also a synonymous of the word 'Banta' (See pages 359 and 399 of the Bombay Gazetteer.).
(2) The word 'Vaghari' is derived from 'Vaghurs' and 'Vaghurs' means a 'net'. They were using net for catching the birds and in trapping the wild animals for hunting. (3) 'Vagharis' of Gujarat probably belong to 'Bagari' tribes inhabitant of the 'Bagad' or 'Vagad' area, a track between southern western borders of Hariyana and Sara (Bombay Gazetteer, Vol. IX, Part 1, page 150).
(4) They have sprung from Sansiyas or Sansis, a well-known race of plunderer in the Punjab and other states. Sansis claim themselves to be of Rajput origin, but they were degraded to a very low status.
5) The other interpretation is that the word 'Vaghari' is derived from 'Vagh' + 'Ari'. 'Vagh' means tiger and 'Ari' means an enemy, i.e. an enemy of tiger. Once they were the best hunters of wild animals.
6) The other meaning of the word "Vaghari' in colloquial Gujarati language is uncultured but it has nothing to do with 'Vagharis' or their culture. It shows the hostile attitudes of higher division classes.
'agharis of Gujarat: An Ancient Tribe]
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