Gujarati people

TheGujarati people, orGujaratis, are anIndo-Aryanethnolinguistic groupwho reside in or can trace their ancestry or heritage to a region of theIndian subcontinentprimarily centered in the present-day western Indian state ofGujarat. They primarily speakGujarati, an Indo-Aryan language. While Gujaratis mainly inhabit Gujarat, they have adiasporaworldwide.
Despite significant migration primarily for economic reasons, most Gujaratis in India live in the state ofGujaratin Western India.Gujaratis also form a significant part of the populations in the neighboring metropolis ofMumbaiandunion territoryofDadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, formerlycolonial possessionsofPortugal.There are very large Gujarati immigrant communities in other parts of India, most notably inMumbai,Pune,Delhi,Kolkata,Chennai,Bangaloreand other cities likeKochi.All throughout history.Gujaratis have earned a reputation as merchants, industrialists and businessentrepreneursand have therefore been at forefront of migrations all over the world, particularly to regions that were part of theBritish Empiresuch asFiji,Hong Kong,Malaya,Singapore,East Africa, andSouth Africa.Diasporas and transnational networks in many of these countries date back to more than a century.In recent decades, larger numbers of Gujaratis have migrated to English-speaking countries such as theUnited Kingdom,Australia,New Zealand,Canadaand theUnited States.
In anthropological surveys conducted in India about 60% of the people claim that their community is a migrant to their state or region. In Gujarat that number is around 70%. In the state, 124 Hindu communities out of 186 claim a migrant past. For example, theAudichya Brahminsclaim migration from present day Uttar Pradesh. With Muslims in Gujarat, 67 out of 86 communities claim a migrant past.
Early European travelers likeLudovico di Varthema(15th century) traveled to Gujarat and wrote on the people of Gujarat. He noted thatJainismhad a strong presence in Gujarat and opined that Gujaratis were deprived of their kingdom by Mughals because of their kind heartedness. His description of Gujaratis was:
In 1790 and 1791, an epidemic devastated numerous parts of Gujarat during which 100,000 Gujaratis were killed inSuratalone.
An outbreak ofbubonic plaguein 1812 has been claimed to have killed about half the Gujarati population.
Ports on the western coast of India have been engaged in trade for millennia. During the medieval and early modern period, ports in Gujarat such asDiu,Surat,Mandavi,Cambay, andPorbandarbecame important. Gujarati merchants operating from these ports operated not only in India Ocean but also in Southeast Asia. It is estimated that there were 1000 Gujarati merchants resident inMalaccain fifteenth century with a thousand others operating in theBay of BengalandIndonesian archipelago. Most of the Gujarati traders were Muslims but there were Hindu and Jains too despite religious prohibitions.Gujarati merchants operating in Southeast Asia were primarily involved exporting India cotton to Southeast Asia in exchange for spices from the islands which were then exported to Persia. Surat was the principal port for this trade.Gujaratis played a big part in the Indian ocean trade. The Portuguese explorerVasco de Gamanoted presence of Muslim and Hindu navigators and merchants from Gujarat inZanzibarandPembaand along theEast Africacoast in towns such asKilwa,Bagamoyo,MombasaandMalindi.International trade by Gujarati merchants increased with the advent of the Gujarat Sultanate at the beginning of the 1400s. The trade involved gold, ivory and slaves from Africa in exchange for cotton and glass beads from India.The important Gujarati traders active in the Indian Ocean trade at different periods of history included Jains; Hindu Bhatias and Lohanas; Muslim Khojas, Memons, and Bohras; and the Parsee communities.The Jains were active during the Solannki period trading with Arabian and Red sea ports. The Portuguese also preferred Jains to the Arab traders.
Orthodox Gujarati society, which wasmercantileby nature,was historically organized alongethno-religiouslines and shaped into existence on the strength of itsMahajan("guildassemblies"),and for its institution of Nagarsheth ("head of the guild assembly"); a 16th-centuryMughalsystem akin to medieval Europeanguildswhich self-regulated the mercantile affairs of multi-ethnic, multi-religious communities in the Gujaratibourgeoisielong before municipal state politics was introduced.Historically, Gujaratis belonging to numerous faiths andcastes, thrived in an inclusive climate surcharged by a degree ofcultural syncretism, in which Hindus andJainsdominated occupations such asshroffsand brokers whereas,Muslims,HindusandParsislargely dominated sea shipping trade. This led to religiousinterdependence, tolerance,assimilationandcommunity cohesionultimately becoming the hallmark of modern-day Gujarati society.
The Gujarati people are predominantlyHindu. There are also minority ofMuslims,Jains,Christians,Sikhs,Buddhists,Parsis,Jews, and followers of theBaháʼí Faith.
The major communities in Gujarat are farmers and livestock herders (such asPatidar,Koli,Rabari,Bharvad,Ahir), traders (such asBania,Bhatia,Soni), sailor and seafood exporters (such asKharwa), artisan and business communities (such asPrajapati,Varaiya,Mochi),Brahmincommunities (such asJoshi,Anavil,Nagar,Modh,Shrimali), genealogists (such asBarot),Kshatriyacommunities (such asKoliThakor,Bhanushali,Karadia,Nadoda,Jadeja,Dabhi,Chudasama,Maher,Lohana), Tribal communities (such asBhils,Meghwal,Gamit,Konkani,varli) and Devipujak (such as Dataniya, Dantani,Chunara,Patni).
The majority of Gujarati Muslims areSunni Muslim. Minority communities includeTwelver,NizariIsmailis,Daudi Bohra,Khoja, Pathans, Shaikhs, Maliks.
Gujaratis have a long tradition of seafaring and a history of overseas migration to foreign lands, toYemenOmanBahrain,Kuwait,Zanzibarand other countries in thePersian Gulfsince a mercantile culture resulted naturally from the state's proximity to the Arabian Sea.The countries with the largest Gujarati populations are Pakistan, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and many countries in Southern and East Africa.Globally, Gujaratis are estimated to constitute around 33% of the Indian diaspora worldwide and can be found in 129 of 190 countries listed as sovereign nations by theUnited Nations.Non Resident Gujaratis(NRGs) maintain active links with the homeland in the form of business,remittance,philanthropy, and through their political contribution to state governed domestic affairs.
Gujarati parents in the diaspora are not comfortable with the possibility of their language not surviving them.In a study, 80% ofMalayaliparents felt that "children would be better off with English", compared to 36% ofKannadaparents and only 19% of Gujarati parents.
Significant Gujarati communities existed here before 1947 Partition of India. Many of them migrated after thePartition of Indiaand subsequentcreation of Pakistanin 1947.  These Pakistani Gujaratis belong mainly to theIsmāʿīlī,Khoja,Dawoodi Bohra,Chundrigar,Charotar Sunni Vohra,Khatri MuslimsKutchi MemonsandKhatiawari Memons; however, many Gujaratis are also a part of Pakistan's smallHindu community. A number of them belong to theDalitcommunity.
Estimated to number 3.5 million they virtually all live inKarachi.
The United States has the second-largestGujarati diasporaafter Pakistan. The highest concentration of the population of over 200,000 is in theNew York City Metropolitan Area, notably in the growing Gujarati diasporic center ofIndia SquareinJersey City,New Jersey, andEdisoninMiddlesex CountyinCentral New Jersey. Significant immigration from India to the United States started after the landmarkImmigration and Nationality Act of 1965.Early immigrants after 1965 were highly educated professionals. Since US immigration laws allow sponsoring immigration of parents, children and particularly siblings on the basis of family reunion, the numbers rapidly swelled.A number of Gujarati are twice or thrice-migrant because they came directly from the former British colonies of East Africa or from East Africa via Great Britain respectively.Given the Gujarati propensity for business enterprise, a number of them opened shops and motels. While they may make up only around 0.1% of the population in the United States, Gujarati Americans control over 40% of thehospitalitymarket in the country, for a combined net worth of over US$40 billion and employing over one million employees.Gujaratis, especially the Patidar samaj, also dominate as franchisees of fast food restaurant chains such asSubwayandDunkin' Donuts.The descendants of the Gujarati immigrant generation have also made high levels of advancement intoprofessionalfields, including asphysicians,engineersand politicians.
The third largest overseas diaspora of Gujaratis, afterPakistanand United States, is in the United Kingdom. At a population of around 600,000 Gujaratis form almost more than half of the Indian community who live in the UK (1.2 million). Gujaratis first went to the UK in the 19th century with the establishment of theBritish Rajin India. Prominent members of this community such asShyamji Krishna Varmaplayed a vital role in exerting political pressure upon colonial powers during theIndian independence movement.
Gujaratis in Britain are regarded as affluent middle-class peoples who have assimilated into the milieu of British society.They are celebrated for revolutionizing the corner shop, and energising the British economy which changed Britain's antiquated retail laws forever.Demographically, Hindus form a majority along with a significant number ofJainsand Muslims,and smaller numbers ofGujarati Christians.They are predominantly settled in metropolitan areas likeGreater London,East Midlands,West Midlands,LancashireandYorkshire.Cities with significant Gujarati populations includeLeicesterand London boroughs ofHarrow,BarnetandBrent. There is also a small, but vibrant Gujarati-speaking Parsi community ofZoroastrianspresent in the country, dating back to the bygone era ofDadabhai Navroji,Shapurji SaklatvalaandPherozeshah Mehta.Both Hindus and Muslims have established caste or community associations, temples, and mosques to cater for the needs of their respective communities. A well known temple popular with Gujaratis is theBAPSSwaminarayan Templein Neasden, London. A popular mosque that caters for the Gujarati Muslim community in Leicester is theMasjid Umar. Leicester has a Jain Temple that is also the headquarters of Jain Samaj Europe.
Gujarati Hindus in the UK have maintained many traditions from their homeland. The community remains religious with more than 100 temples catering for their religious needs. All major Hindu festivals such asNavratri, Dassara, andDiwaliare celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm even from the generations brought up in UK. Gujarati Hindus also maintain their caste affiliation to some extent with most major castes having their own community association in each population center with significant Gujarati population such as Leicester and London suburbs.Patidarsform the largest community in the diaspora including Kutch Leva Patels,followed closely byLohanasofSaurashtraorigin.GujaratiRajputsfrom various regional backgrounds are affiliated with several independent British organizations dependent on caste such as Shree Maher Samaj UK,and the Gujarati Arya Kshatriya Mahasabha-UK.
Endogamy remains important to Gujaratis in UK with the existence of matrimonial services specifically dedicated to their community.The Gujarati Muslim society in the UK have kept the custom of Jamat Bandi, literally meaning communal solidarity. This system is the traditional expression of communal solidarity. It is designed to regulate the affairs of the community and apply sanctions against infractions of the communal code. Gujarati Muslim communities, such as theIsmāʿīlī, Khoja,Dawoodi Bohra,Sunni Bohra, and Memon havecasteassociations, known as jamats that run mosques and community centers for their respective communities.
Two Gujarati business communities, thePalanpuriJains and the Kathiawadi Patels from Surat, have come to dominate the diamond industry ofBelgium.They have largely displaced theOrthodox Jewishcommunity which previously dominated this industry in Belgium.
The 1961 takeover of Portuguese Goa by India made life difficult for the Indian population in the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. The independence of Mozambique like in other African countries led to many Gujaratis to move to Portugal.Many Hindu Gujaratis have moved from Portugal to Great Britain since the 1990s.
Canada, just like its southern neighbour, is home to a large Gujarati community. As per the2021 Canadian census, Gujarati Canadians number approximately 210,000 and account for roughly 0.6% of Canada's population.The majority of them live inToronto and its suburbs- home to the second largest Gujarati community in North America, after theNew York Metropolitan Area. Gujarati Hindus are the second largest linguistic/religious group in Canada's Indian community afterPunjabi Sikhs, and Toronto is home to the largest Navratriraas garbafestival in North America.The MuslimIsmailiKhojaform a significant part of the Canadian diaspora estimated to be about 80,000 in numbers overall.Most of them arrived in Canada in the 1970s as either refugees or immigrants fromUgandaand other countries ofEast Africa.
Former British colonies in East Africa had many residents ofSouth Asiandescent. The primary immigration was mainly from Gujarat and to a lesser extent from Punjab. They were brought there by theBritish EmpirefromIndiato doclericalwork in Imperial service, or unskilled and semi-skilled manual labour such as construction or farm work. In the 1890s, 32,000 labourers from British India were brought to the then British East African colonies under indentured labour contracts to work on the construction of theUganda Railwaythat started in the Kenyan port city ofMombasaand ended inKisumuon Kenyan side ofLake Victoria. Most of the surviving Indians returned home, but 6,724 individuals decided to remain in theAfrican Great Lakesafter the line's completion.
Many Asians, particularly the Gujaratis, in these regions were in the trading businesses. They included Gujaratis of all religions as well many of the castes and Quoms. Since the representation of Indians in these occupations was high, stereotyping of Indians in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika as shopkeepers was common. A number of people worked for the British run banks. They also worked in skilled labor occupations, as managers, teachers and administrators. Gujarati and other South Asians had significant influence on the economy, constituting 1% of the population while receiving a fifth of the national income. For example, in Uganda, theMehtaandMadhvanifamilies controlled the bulk of the manufacturing businesses. Gated ethnic communities served elite healthcare and schooling services. Additionally, the tariff system in Uganda had historically been oriented toward the economic interests of South Asian traders.One of the oldestJainoverseas diaspora was of Gujarat. Their number was estimated at 45,000 at the independence of the East African countries in the early 1960s.Most members of this community belonged to Gujarati speaking Halari Visa Oshwal Jain community originally from theJamnagararea ofSaurashtra.
The countries of East Africa gained independence from Britain in the early 1960s. At that time most Gujarati and other Asians opted to remain as British Subjects. The African politicians at that time accused Asians of economic exploitation and introduced a policy of Africanization. The 1968 Committee on "Africanisation in Commerce and Industry" in Uganda made far-reaching Indophobic proposals. A system of work permits and trade licenses was introduced in 1969 to restrict the role of Indians in economic and professional activities. Indians were segregated and discriminated against in all walks of life.During the middle of the 1960s many Asians saw the writing on the wall and started moving either to UK or India. However, restrictive British immigration policies stopped a mass exodus of East African Asians until Idi Amin came to power in 1971. He exploited pre-existing Indophobia and spread propaganda against Indians involving stereotyping and scapegoating the Indian minority. Indians were stereotyped as "only traders" and "inbred" to their profession. Indians were labelled as "dukawallas" (an occupational term that degenerated into an anti-Indian slur during Amin's time), and stereotyped as "greedy, conniving", without any racial identity or loyalty but "always cheating, conspiring and plotting" to subvert Uganda. Amin used this propaganda to justify a campaign of "de-Indianization", eventually resulting in the expulsion and ethnic cleansing of Uganda's Indian minority.
Gujarati and other Indians started moving to the Kenya colony at the end of the 19th century when the British colonial authorities started opening up the country with the laying down of therailroads. A small colony of merchants, however, had existed on the port cities such Mombasa on the Kenyan coast for hundreds of years prior to that.The immigrants who arrived with the British were the first ones to open up businesses in rural Kenya a century ago. These dukanwalas or shopkeepers were mainly Gujarati (Mostly Jains and Hindus and a minority of Muslims). Over the following decades the population, mainly Gujarati but also a sizable number of Punjabi, increased in size. The population started declining after the independence of Kenya in the 1960s. At that time the majority of Gujaratis opted for British citizenship and eventually moved there, especially to cities likeLeicesterorLondonsuburbs. Famous Kenyans of Gujarati heritage who contributed greatly to the development of East Africa includeThakkar Bapa,Manu Chandaria,
There is a small community of people of Indian origin living in Uganda, but the community is far smaller than before 1972 when Ugandan ruler Idi Amin expelled most Asians, including Gujaratis.In the late 19th century, mostlySikhs, were brought on three-year contracts, with the aid of Imperial British contractorAlibhai Mulla Jeevanjeeto build theUganda Railwayfrom Mombasa to Kisumu by 1901, and toKampalaby 1931. Some died, while others returned to India after the end of their contracts, but few chose to stay. They were joined by Gujarati traders called "passenger Indians",both Hindu and Muslim free migrants who came to serve the economic needs of the indentured labourers, and to capitalise on the economic opportunities.
After the 1972 expulsion, most Indians and Gujaratis migrated to the United Kingdom. Due to the efforts of theAga Khan, many Khoja Nizari Ismaili refugees from Uganda were offered asylum in Canada.
Indians have a long history inTanzaniastarting with the arrival of Gujarati traders in the 19th century.There are currently over 50,000 people of Indian origin in Tanzania. Many of them are traders and they control a sizeable portion of the Tanzanian economy. They came to gradually control the trade inZanzibar. Many of the buildings constructed then still remain inStone Town, the focal trading point on the island.
The Indian community in South Africa is more than a 150 years old and is concentrated in and around the city ofDurban.The vast majority of immigrant pioneer Gujaratis who came in the latter half of the 19th century werepassenger Indianswho paid for their own travel fare and means of transport to arrive and settle South Africa, in pursuit of fresh trade and career opportunities and as such were treated asBritish subjects, unlike the fate of a class of Indian indentured labourers who were transported to work on the sugarcane plantations ofNatal Colonyin dire conditions. Passenger Indians, who initially operated in Durban, expanded inland, to the South African Republic (Transvaal), establishing communities in settlements on the main road betweenJohannesburgand Durban. After wealthyGujarati Muslimmerchants began experiencing discrimination from repressive colonial legislation inNatal,they sought the help of one young lawyer,Mahatma Gandhito represent the case of aMemonbusinessman.Umar Hajee Ahmed Jhaveriwas consequently elected the first president of theSouth African Indian Congress.
Indians in South Africa could traditionally be bifurcated as either indentured labourers (largely from Tamil Nadu, with smaller amounts from UP and Bihar) and merchants (exclusively from Gujarat).
Indians have played an important role in theanti-apartheid movementof South Africa.Many were incarcerated alongsideNelson Mandelafollowing theRivonia Trial, and many became martyred fighting to end racial discrimination.
In the second half of the 1800s, many Gujarati Hindus belonging to the Vaniya community migrated to the South ofMozambique, in particular to the provinces ofInhambaneandLourenço Marquesto run businesses. This was followed by migration of Hindus of various artisan castes fromDiuto the region. Later in 1800s, immigration restrictions imposed by the colonial authorities in neighboring South Africa and theBoer republicmade Mozambique the preferred destination for many Gujarati Hindus from theSaurashtra(namely, Rajkot and Porbandar) and Surat regions.
The 1961 takeover of Portuguese Goa by India made life difficult for the Indian population in the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. The independence of Mozambique like in other African countries led to many Gujaratis to move to Portugal.
Oman, holding a strategically important position at the mouth of thePersian Gulf, has been the primary focus of trade and commerce for medieval Gujarati merchants for much of its history and Gujaratis, along with various other ethnic groups, founded and settled its capital port city,Muscat.Some of the earliest Indian immigrants to settle in Oman were theBhatiasofKutch, who have had a powerful presence in Oman dating back to the 16th century.At the turn of the 19th century, Gujaratis wielded enough clout thatFaisal bin Turki, the great-grandfather of the current ruler, spoke Gujarati andSwahilialong with his native Arabicand Oman's sultan Syed Said (1791-1856) was persuaded to shift his capital from Muscat toZanzibar, more than two thousand miles from the Arabian mainland, on the recommendation of Shivji Topan and Bhimji families who lent money to the Sultan.In modern times, business tycoon Kanaksi Khimji, from the famous Khimji family of Gujaratwas conferred title ofSheikhby the Sultan, the first ever use of the title for a member of the Hindu community.The Muscati Mahajan is one of the oldest merchants associations founded more than a century ago.
Gujaratis had a flourishing trade with Southeast Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries, and played a pivotal role in establishingIslamin the region.Miller (2010) presented a theory that the indigenous scripts ofSumatra(Indonesia),Sulawesi(Indonesia) and thePhilippinesare descended from an early form of theGujarati script.Tomé Piresreported a presence of a thousand Gujaratis inMalacca(Malaysia) prior to 1512.The Gujarati language continues to be spoken in Singapore and Malaysia.
Gujaratis also dominate the diamond trade in the city. As of 2012 350 diamond firms in Hong Kong were owned by Gujaratis.
There estimated around 31,500 Gujarati in Malaysia. Most of this community work as traders and settled in the urban parts of Malaysia like Melaka, George Town, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh.
Gujaratis in Fiji represent an important trading community within the large Indian population.
Kavi Kant,KalapiandAbbas Abdulali Vasiare Gujarati language poets.Ardeshar Khabardar, Gujarati-speaking Parsi who was president ofGujarati Sahitya Parishadwas a nationalist poet. His poem,Jya Jya Vase Ek Gujarati, Tya Tya Sadakal Gujarat(Wherever a Gujarati resides, there forever is Gujarat) depicts Gujarati ethnic pride and is widely popular in Gujarat.
Swaminarayanparamhanso, like Bramhanand, Premanand, contributed to Gujarati language literature with prose likeVachanamrutand poetry in the form ofbhajans.Kanji Swamia spiritual mystic who was honored with the title, 'Koh-i-NoorofKathiawar' made literary contributions toJainphilosophy and promotedRatnatraya.
Gujarati theatre owes a lot to bhavai.Bhavaiis a musical performance of stage plays. Ketan Mehta andSanjay Leela Bhansaliexplored artistic use of bhavai in films such asBhavni Bhavai,Oh Darling! Yeh Hai IndiaandHum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Dayro (gathering) involves singing and conversation reflecting on human nature.
Gujarati language is enriched by the Adhyatmik literature written by the Jain scholar,Shrimad Rajchandraand Pandit Himmatlal Jethalal Shah. This literature is both in the form of poetry and prose.
Gujarati food has famously been described as "the haute cuisine of vegetarianism" and meals have a subtle balance of sweet, tart and mild hot sensations on the palate.Gujarati Jains, many Hindus andBuddhistin Gujarat are vegetarian. However, many Gujarati Hindu communities such asGhanchi, Koli Patel, andKharwaconsume fish as part of their diet.Christians, and Muslims have traditionally eaten a variety of meats and seafood, althoughMuslimsdon't eat pork and Hindus don't eat beef.Gujarati cuisinefollows the traditional Indian full meal structure of rice, cooked vegetables,lentil dalor curry androti. The different types of flatbreads that a Gujarati cooks are rotli orchapati,bhakhri, puri, thepla, rotla, dhebara, maal purah, and puran-pohli. Popular snacks such asKhaman,Dhokla, Dhokli, dal-dhokli,Undhiyu,Jalebi, fafda,chevdoh, Muthia, Bhajia, Patra, bhusu, locho, sev usal, fafda gathiya, vanela gathiya andSev mamra, Sev Khaman, Dabeli are traditional Gujarati dishes savoured by many communities across the world.
Khichdi– a mix of rice andmung dal, cooked with spice – is a popular and nutritious dish which has regional variations. Quite often the khichdi is accompanied byKadhi. It is found satisfying by most Gujaratis, and cooked very regularly in most homes, typically on a busy day due to its ease of cooking. It can also become an elaborate meal such as athaliwhen served with several other side dishes such as a vegetable curry, yogurt,sabzishaak, onions, mango pickle andpapad.
Spices have traditionally been made on grinding stones, however, since villages have seen rapid growth and industrialization in recent decades, today people may use a blender or grinder. People from north Gujarat use dry red chili powder, whereas people from south Gujarat prefer using green chili and coriander in their cooking. There is no standard recipe for Gujarati dishes, however the use of tomatoes andlemonsis a consistent theme throughout Gujarat.Traditionally Gujaratis eatmukhwasat the end of a meal to enhance digestion, and desserts such asaam shrikhandmade usingmangosalad and hungcurdare very popular.In many parts of Gujarat, drinkingchaas(chilledbuttermilk) or soda after lunch or dinner is also quite common.
Surti delicasies includeghariwhich is a puri filled withkhoaand nuts that is typically eaten during the festivalChandani Padva.Khambhatdelicacies include famoussutarfeni– made from fine strands of sweet dough (rice or maida) garnished with pistachios, andhalwasanwhich are hard squares made from broken wheat, khoa, nutmeg andpistachios.A version of Englishcustardis made in Gujarat that usescornstarchinstead of the traditional eggs. It is cooked with cardamom andsaffron, and served with fruit and sliced almonds.Gujarati families celebrateSharad Purnimaby having dinner with doodh-pauva under moonlight.
The folk dances of Gujarat areGarba,Dandiya,Padhar,Tippani, Dangi, etc. which are done during festivals.
Folklore is an important part of Gujarati culture. The folktales of Kankavati are religious in nature because they sprung from the ordinary day-to-day human cycle of life independent of, and sometimes deviating from the scriptures. They are part of the Hindu rituals and practices for marriage,baby shower,naming ceremony, the harvest and death, and are not merely religious acts but they reflect the lived life of people in rural and urban societies. The anthologies of Dadaji Ni Vato and Raang Chhe Barot are pragmatic with practical and the esoteric wisdom. Saurashtra Ni Rasdhar is a collection of love legends and depicts every shade of love and love is the main emotion which makes human world beautiful because it calls forth patience, responsibility, sense of commitment and dedication. Also the study of Meghani's works is quintessential because he was a trailblazer in exploring the vast unexplored heritage of Gujarati folklore. His folktales mirrors milieu of Gujarat, dialects, duhas, decors, humane values, sense of sacrifice and spirit of adventure, enthusiasm and, of course, the flaws in people. Meghani's folktales are verbal miniature of Gujarati culture.