Gadaria people

The Gadaria or Gadariya is a herding caste of North India. Traditionally, they were involved in Livestock rearing, especially sheep and cow. They are mainly found in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and in some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Bihar

Etymology
The word Gadariya is formed from two parts: ‘Gadar’ and ‘ya’. Gadar is a Prakrit word that means sheep, and the suffix ya means related to or belonging to. Together, Gadariya refers to a community associated with sheep, that is, shepherds. Whereas in Sanskrit language the word Gandhāra means a sheep, the Sanskrit name was taken from the country of Ancient Indo-Aryan/Iranian tribe of Gandhara or Kandahar, from which sheeps were first brought, Over time, this word gradually evolved into the term Gadariya. 

Some scholars believe that the words Gadar (sheep) and Arya (Indo-Aryans) combined to form Gadararya or Gadarya, meaning Indo-Aryan shepherds. Over time, this term evolved into Gadariya. 

Another view suggests that they were Aryas (Indo-Aryan) who protected or guarded Garh (forts). Because of this role as defenders of forts, they came to be known as Gadariyas.

Origin
This caste is believed to be connected to the ancient Gandharas, who are mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Rig Veda. The Rig Veda states that the Gandhara tribe possessed the best quality sheep with fine wool. The Gandharas were also well known for making blankets and were mainly shepherds by occupation. Because of these links, it is suggested that the Gadariya caste originated from the Gändhäras.  They are also believed to be among the earliest settlers of the Narmada (Nerbudda) Valley. Several places in this region are named after them, such as Gadariakheda and Gadarwara. . The Gadarmal Devi Temple, in present-day Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, was built around the 7th–8th century AD (about 1,400 years ago) by a Gadariya (shepherd). 

The great grammarian Panini (5th century B.C.E.), in his work Ashtadhyayi, referred to Brahmour as Gabdika and its people as Gabdik. The region was also called Gaderan or Gaddiyar, meaning the land of the Gadariyas.

Sub-castes and clans
There are two major subdivisions amongst Gadarias, namely Dhangar and Nikhar. They share the same gotras such as Chauhan, Parihar, Sisodiya, Shirashwar, Chandel, Mohania, Kula etc are some of the gotras amongst them.

 Notables 
Religion and Temples

Gadarmal Devi Temple, is a Hindu and Jain temple built around 7 - 8 century A.D. (Approximately 1400 years ago) in present day Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh by a person of Gadaria caste (shepherd).

Baidyanath Temple, In the legend of Baidyanath Temple, Lord Vishnu took the form of a shepherd from the Gadariya caste, known as Baiju Gadariya. When Ravana was carrying the Shivalinga to Lanka, he needed to relieve himself.He handed the linga to Baiju Gadariya, who placed it on the ground. As a result, the linga got permanently rooted at Deoghar. This site became the famous Baidyanath Jyotirlinga, worshipped to this day.

Kingdom’s and Dynasties

Holkar Dynasty, The Holkars were the ruling house of the Indore State of the Maratha Confederacy, they belonged to the Gadaria caste.

Rulers, chieftains, and warriors

Mahraja Shri. Malhar Rao Holkar: Founder of the Holkar dynasty; a leading Maratha general under Peshwa Baji Rao I; established Holkar rule in the Malwa region.

Rajmata/Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar: One of the greatest female rulers in Indian history; known for wise and just administration, promoting trade, building roads, tanks, and temples across India, including the Kashi Vishwanath and Somnath temples.

Maharja Shri. Yashwantrao Holkar: Had fought against Britishers during the time of Lord Wellesly and he did not allow them to succeed in their attempt to annex Hindu Kingdoms. It was Holkar alone who successfully faced them for this he was also called the "Napoleon of India" and "First freedom fighter"; resisted British expansion; won battles against the British and tried to unite Indian rulers against colonial rule.

Social Reformer and Freedom Fighter

Ishwardatt Medhrathi, was a freedom fighter, Hindi writer, and social reformer from Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to the Gadariya (Gareria) caste and worked for the upliftment of backward and marginalized communities. He earned the surname "Medharthi" for being the most brilliant student in his school, and used literature and activism to fight caste discrimination and British rule.

 Classification 
They are classified as Other Backward Class in the Indian System of Reservation.

Demographics and Distribution

Uttar Pradesh

The Gadariya caste is spread all over the Uttar Pradesh. The community forms 4.4% percent of entire Uttar Pradesh state population.

Gujarat

The Gadaria caste formed 2% of the total population of Gujarat. They are recorded to be the richest caste in Palanpur, Gujarat

Religion
They generally practice Hinduism, worshipping various popular deities including Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman, Kali, Chandi and Lakshmi, as well as various Kuladevata, or family deities. Some of them wear the sacred thread. A majority of them are vegetarians.

References

Bibliography



Category:Indian castes
Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh
Category:Social groups of Rajasthan
Category:Social groups of Haryana
Category:Pastoralists
Category:Herding castes
Category:Other Backward Classes of Madhya Pradesh
Category:Other Backward Classes of Uttar Pradesh
Category:Other Backward Classes of Maharashtra
Category:Other Backward Classes of Bihar
Category:Other Backward Classes of Haryana