the banjaras led a settled life
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Introduction
In the first chapter the researcher has brought out the general-local geographical, social, cultural, and socio-economic background of Bagepalli Taluk and how Banjara people were placed in this area. This chapter has focused on the descriptive history of Banjara, their culture, religious practices, social-cultural and political Thanda governance, their geographical spread and . Banjara history which traces back to ancient times to pre-Indus river civilization was buried and not known to the world as no written documents written. Their history was unearthed by using fables and fictions, stories, songs, memories, census reports, and ethnographic writings, travelogues, interviews, questionnaire and other local sources are used to construct their history. Therefore in this chapter by using various available accounts the researcher has dealt with the historicity of Banjara and thereby providing a way to the future investigation.
1.1. Origin and Background
The Indus river civilization was the world’s oldest one and many nomadic tribes have once lived here. The Banjara tribe comes under the family of Indo-Aryan race speaking a language similar to that of Sanskrit and Hindi. The origin and background of Banjara was not well known not preserved due to their nomadic nature and illiteracy.1 There are differences of opinions among the historians of their original birth place, their settlements within and outside India. Syed Siraj Ul Hasan gives the account of the origin of Banjara, probably a story passed on:
The Banjara claim to be descended from Mota and Mola, the two brothers who tended Sri Krishna’s cows. From Mota sprang the ancestors of the modern Marwaris, Mathura Banjaras and Labhanas. Mola having no issue, once visited a prince’s court with his wife Radha, and there exhibited gymnastic feats, in which he was an adept. The Prince was so pleased with Mola’s skill and so charmed with Radha’s beauty and grace, that he gave them, as reward, three infant boys of different castes…. Their progeny have been collectively known as Charan Banjaras.2
The Banjara tribe was divided into five clans viz., (1) Mathura, (2) Labhani, (3) Charan, (4) Dhadia; a fifth class Dhalias or Banjari Mongs were added to each clan as musicians, although their touch was considered as impure by other clans.3 Cumberlege points out that the Matura Banjara, who trace to Mathura in upper India are called Hindustani Brahmans who wore sacred thread and do not eat meat but learn Vedas like any other upper caste.4
Among all others clans, the Charan Banjara formed a majority in south (Nizam territory and Bombay provinces) and they were divided into five exogamous clans - (1) Rathod, (2) Panwar, (3) Chavan, (4) Vaditya, and (5) Tori.5 From head of the each clan the lineage flows down. Rathod had seven sons,6 Panwar had twelve sons,7 Chauvan had six sons,8 Vaditya had thirteen sons,9 and Tori (Tamburis) had six sons.10 The Charans and their descendents were most notorious for highway robbery and dacoiti and also had involved in agriculture and cattle breeding. The Banjara who were uprooted from their trade by British government were forced to such crimes which invited the wrath of British. Tanaji Rathod mentions that “to curb the criminal activities, the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 was promulgated under which Banjara community was notified as criminal tribes under the act.”11
In Deccan, of the five original Charan Banjara clans, Rathods and Vaditiyas are chiefly found, especially in Nizm’s Dominions, Marathwada districts and Karnataka. In AD 1630 Asaf Jah, who campaigned against Bijapur, brought these Banjaras to south under the leadership of Bhangi and Jangi to supply food grains to his army.12 British army used them for supply of food and be the guide in the forests on their war against south India.
The Banjara men and women are addressed as Ghor Mati and Ghor Dasi respectively, and they address to non-Banjara as Khor Mati.15 The names ‘Go-r’ was given for they were tending and rearing oxen/cows and were known as “Gor Banjara.” In Karnataka Banjara are well known as Lambani/Lambadi.
They are also known as ‘Gypsy” for these migrants came from the East, may be from Turkey, Nubia or Egypt or any other eastern places, hence were called “Egyptians” or “Gyptians” from this came the name “Gypsy.” There was yet another etymology originated in Persia that when the locals asked the migrants from where they have come from? They replied “Punjab-say -- from Punjab, later heard as Jab say, Gypsy. The locals took Gypsy to mean from Egypt, a known country to them.16 All analysis by historians, anthropologists and social scientist link the Roma Gypsies with Indian origin.
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