Gujjar Population in India

Gujjar Population of India is near about 5.3 crores approximately. Overall, they form 10 per cent of India’s population. The name for the state of Gujarat has derived from "Gurjar," the community. The Gurjars were classified as a Scheduled Tribe in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, and as Other Backward Class in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Over the decades, this community came to known as “Gujjars.” Gujjars were originally engaged in agriculture, pastoral and nomadic activities for livelihood. They lived in heterogeneous groups.

The Gujjars have held a remarkably diverse role throughout history. While some were associated with powerful kingdoms, others lived as nomadic communities without permanent lands. The defining chapter in Gurjar or Gujjar identity is often linked to the rise of the Gurjara kingdom in what is now Rajasthan and Gujarat during the Middle Ages. Historical accounts suggest that the Gujjars migrated from the region known as Gurjaratra to various parts of the Indian subcontinent, leaving a distinct cultural and political footprint.

For many centuries before British rule, the regions now known as Gujarat and Rajasthan were referred to as “Gurjaradesa” and “Gurjaratra”, respectively. Likewise, the Saharanpur district in present-day Uttar Pradesh was once known as “Gurjargadh”, named for the numerous Gurjar zamindars who lived and ruled there.

By the 10th century CE, the prominence of the Gurjaras in mainstream history began to wane. In the centuries that followed, records mention several Gurjar chieftains and warrior leaders who, though influential, ruled smaller territories compared to their forebears. During the Mughal era, the terms ‘Gujar’ or ‘Gujjar’ were widely used.

Interestingly, historians have different opinions of their origin and their coming to India. Some historians are of the view that they were the inhabitants of India long ago while others say that they had migrated from Central Asia. It is also said that probably they might have settled in the Indian territory during 5th or 6th century AD. According to the historians who take them as aborigines of India, the three sects of Kshatriyas - Suraj Vanshi, Chandra Vanshi and Yadav Vanshi, had amalgamated with Gujjars after the war Mahabharata. And prior to the Mahabharata war, Kshatriyas were the sole rulers but their power and influence declined considerably after the war.

Gujjars migrated to India in 476 AD and were quickly assimilated into the local population as Kshatriyas. According to the Varna or caste system in India, the Gurjars or Gujjars traditionally belonged to the Kshatriya caste or the warrior class. They formerly ruled the Gurjara-Pratihara Kingdom, which included much of northern India during the 8th and 9th centuries. They are believed to have originated from what is now Georgia. Gujarat is said to be named after them as they settled in this state in the 6th century AD. But very recently, the Gujjar community in India were in arms for their inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe list in Rajasthan. It was nothing short of an uprising that left behind a huge trail of corpses, damaged public property and huge loss of business.

The people belonging to Gurjar community are characterized by their strong and large built. They also have a very good self-esteem and are proud people. Gujjars in modern times possess both the desire and ability to rule the world. Gujjar community had produced several great leaders like Vijay Singh Pathik, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajesh Pilot and many more.

In India, the semi-nomadic Gujjar populations are found mainly in the states of Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, western Uttar Pradesh, northern Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Maharashtra. They are mostly Muslims, the rest being either Hindus or Sikhs. It is also said that Gujarat is said to be named after them as they settled there in the 6th century AD. There are around 15 lakh Gujjar Muslims in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Originally Gujjars are thought to be an Aryan tribe that entered India in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan from the North West. Having been cattle breeders and milkmen, they were usually associated with herdsmen and shepherds. Traditionally, Gujjars are pastoral people with no fixed abode. However, a large number of Gujjars have now settled down in the state of Haryana and have taken to farming and combine agricultural work with animal husbandry.

Western Uttar Pradesh is totally dominated by Gurjars. Before the year 1857, western Uttar Pradesh was called "Mini Gujarat" due to domination of Gurjars as this region was ruled by them. In Uttar Pradesh, the Gurjar populations are mainly found in the western region that is Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Moradabad, Bijnor, Ghaziabad, Noida, Bulandshahar and Bareilly. To a fewer extent, they are also found in Agra and Bundelkhand.

There are many Gurjar villages in the state of Punjab and most of these Gurjars are Sikhs. The last names of the Punjabi Gurjars include Kasana, Khepar, Kataria, Chaudhary, Bjarh, Chauhan, Bhumbla, Chandpuri, Chechi, Meelu, Hans and others. According to some records, population of Gujjar community is relatively high in the central region of India.

The Gujjars constitute a significant segment of Delhi’s population, maintaining a blend of their traditional pastoral lifestyle and small-scale farming across areas in and around the city. Predominantly Hindu, the Gujjar community in Delhi follows a largely vegetarian diet centered around milk, dairy products, and wheat as their staple food.

Historically pastoralists and marginal cultivators, many Gujjar villages in Delhi have undergone rapid urbanization, transforming into thriving residential and commercial hubs. Within their homes, Gujjars commonly speak Gujjari while also using Hindi in everyday communication. Despite increasing modernization, the community continues to uphold long-standing social traditions, including endogamous marriage practices and patrilineal inheritance.

The state derives its name from ‘Gurjara,’ the land of the Gurjars, who held dominion over the region during the 7th and 8th centuries. Today, the Gurjars or Gujjars are recognized among the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Gujarat.

Some scholars suggest that the Leva Kunbis, also known as Kambis, a subgroup of the Patidar community, may trace their ancestry to the Gurjars. The Patidars, formerly called Kanbis, are a prominent land-owning and agrarian community native to Gujarat, comprising several sub-castes, most notably the Levas and Kadvas. They remain one of the state’s most influential social groups. However, while a few theories propose Gurjar roots for certain Patidars, others assert that the Patidars are of Kurmi or Kunbi descent which is somewhat similar to Kanbis. Notably, Gurjars are included in the OBC category in Gujarat, whereas Patidars are not.

In North Gujarat, as well as in parts of Western Rajasthan and Punjab, the Gurjars traditionally worship the goddesses Sitala and Bhavani, reflecting their enduring cultural and spiritual heritage.

Gujjars in Maharashtra were considered as the brave people who had always ten to twenty thousand cavaliers in their own army. History of Gujjar community suggests that the early Maratha party consisted of five Kshatriya families and they are Yadav, Panwar, Sindey, Gurjar and Maura. It is said that a community using the surnames ‘Gujjar’ and ‘Gurjarpadhye’ used to reside in the coastal Konkan region of the state of Maharashtra. They also lived in Pangre, Hasol, and several other villages in Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra. It is estimated that the Gujjar community have been residing in the Konkan region for near about three centuries. There is no clue how they settled down in this coastal region. Basically, they are Brahmins and not Kshatriyas.

According to the local priests, the Gujjars in Maharasthra are fundamentally a priestly community. ‘Bargujjar’ is considered as one of the main clans among the Marathas. Pratap Rao Gurjar was the third royal commander-in-chief of the army of Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji. Moreover, Sidhoji Bargujar was also a noteworthy admiral in Shivaji’s navy. Singh Gadh Fort was conquered by another Gurjar commander namely Kartoji. The Gujjars in Maharashtra were the right hand of Shivaji in his liberation movement in each fight. Against Afzal Khan, Shaista Khan and Prince Moazzam they led their armies in the fore-front.

In Maharashtra, the Khandesh region has a sizable population of the Gujjars. The main sub-castes of the Gujjar community here are Dode Gujjar, Leva Gujjar, Bargujjar, etc. Moreover, they are also found in several clans of Kshatriya Dhangar. In Maharasthra, Dode and Dore Gujjars are scheduled as separate caste and they are included in the state OBC list. Further, there is another distinct Gujjar caste in Maharashtra which is known as ‘Reve Gujjars’. They speak Gurjari language.

According to the British records, the Gurjar population in Central India was around 56,000 in the year 1911. Gujjars in Madhya Pradesh were mostly concentrated in the Nimar and Hoshangabad regions of the Valleys of Narmada. Most of these were migrants from the Gwalior region, while some of the members of the Gujjar community in Nimar area were immigrants from the state of Gujarat. At present the Gujjars in Madhya Pradesh are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Bagelkhand (or Baghelkhand) is a region in the north-eastern part of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Baghels, after whom this region is named, are a division of the Solanki Gujjars who once ruled in Gujarat and then moved eastwards in the 13th century. Vyaghra Dev was the earliest Solanki leader who came to this region from the state of Gujarat and started his rule. Vyaghra is in fact a Sanskrit word which in Hindi means “Bagh”, the tiger. The descendants of Vyaghra Dev are identified as Baghels. The famous Bagelkhand Agency derived its name from the region.

Gujjars in Haryana are mostly settled in Faridabad and Panchkula districts and also in the Samalkha segment of Panipat district. The population of Gujjars in Haryana is relatively large. In this state, most of the people of the Gujjar community are occupied in farming. Moreover, the Gujjars in Haryana also has several complicated guidelines for celebrating marriages and they also have set rules for holding other functions. Here the Gurjars are also hugely concentrated in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, Kaithal, Hisar, Gurgaon and several other cities.

Gujjars of the state of Haryana are considered as simple, thrifty and industrious people. It is a common fact that the Gujjars are cultivators only in the plains but in the hills they are more into keeping cattle than following the plough. Interestingly, the main gotras of the Gujjars found in the Faridabad district of Haryana include Bhadana (near about 14 villages), Nagar (almost 20 villages), Baisla (around 10 villages) and Poswal (1 village). The Bhadana gotra in Faridabad district launched an anti-dowry campaign in the year 2002 for peacefully solemnizing important occasions like marriages. Brigadier Hem Chan Nagar, who was born in the Tigaon village in Ballabhgarh Tehsil of the district Faridabad, was the first brigadier among the Gujjar community of Haryana.

Gujjars in Rajasthan is considered as one of the chief communities. The Gujjar community of Rajasthan are largely rural. They are mostly pastoral and their community is called as semi agriculturist whose primary conventional profession is that of selling milk and other milk products. Gurjars in Rajasthan mainly nurture cows, buffalos, goats and also sheep. They lead a very simple life in accord with the nature. All spheres of life of Gujjars in Rajasthan exhibits primitive traits, be it marriage pattern, social organization, culture, economy, medicinal system, religion, customs, traditions, dresses, ornaments, dwellings, food, domestic effects, education, health etc. Their customs and traditions are in crude form. They follow simple pre-machine economy. They have unsophisticated rituals and social customs. There are no signs of advancement or impact of modern life in most of the villages inhabited by Gurjars. Their literacy rate is very low.

Gujjar and the Mina community of Rajasthan share most of the physical, geographical, social and cultural characteristics. The only difference is that Mina people are distributed in the plain fertile area and they are traditionally good agriculturalists whereas Gujjars inhabit the hilly and forested area, cut off from the main stream and thriving mainly on animal husbandry. The traditional occupation followed by the Gujjars is pastoralism, which make them even more eligible to be classified as a scheduled tribe. The cultural traits, customs and traditions, and the distinctive lifestyle of Gujjars of Rajasthan exhibit their social backwardness.

In 2006 and 2007, some Gujjar community members in Rajasthan resorted to aggressive protests over the matter of reservation. Presently, the Gujjars in Rajasthan are categorized as Other Backward Classes (OBCs). In September 2006, the Gujjars in Rajasthan organized violent protests after the ruling party failed to keep its promise of including this community in the Indian Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. In May 2007, during violent protests over reservation issue, the Gurjar community members clashed with the police in Dausa district of Rajasthan. Subsequently, the Gurjars protested violently, under various groups including the Gurjar Sangarsh Samiti, Gurjar Mahasabha and the Gurjar Action Committee. On 5th June, 2007 the Gujjar community rebelled over the desire to be added to the list of Scheduled tribes of the Government of India who are basically given preferences in several sectors in the country like government job selection and also in placement in the schools that are funded by the States Governments in India. This predilection is actually given to the reserved categories under a system that is designed for helping the poor and disadvantaged citizens of the country. However, this uprising or request of the Gujjars is opposed by the other tribes on the government list.

In December of the year 2007, the Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha (All-India Gurjar Council) made it specifically clear that their community would boycott the ruling party which was in power in the state. Moreover, in early 2000, the Gurjars in Rajasthan were in headlines for the falling sex ratio and the resulting polyandry. The Gujjars are not traditionally agricultural tribe in this region, so the little agriculture they do is poorly managed and they yield a below average crop.

As of 2001, Gujjars in certain regions of Himachal Pradesh were classified as a Scheduled Tribe. The Gujjar community in the state is known for its nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoral lifestyle, with livelihoods largely centered around animal husbandry, particularly buffalo rearing. They are primarily concentrated in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Sirmaur, Solan, and Bilaspur, where they practice transhumance, migrating seasonally between the plains and the hills in search of grazing pastures.

The community encompasses both Hindu and Muslim Gujjars, though the majority identify as Muslim. Their contribution to Himachal Pradesh’s dairy economy is considerable, as they supply a substantial share of the region’s milk and dairy products. Despite their economic role, the Gurjars continue to face persistent challenges such as poverty, limited access to basic infrastructure, and marginalization from broader development initiatives.

Gujjars in Shamshergarh of Uttarakhand were known for their extensive bravery and sacrifices. Samther or Shamshergarh is bounded on the north and east by the Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh, on the south by Jhansi and on the west by the Bhander pargana of Gwalior state. The name Samther is the corruption of Shamshergarh. The ruler of Shamshergarh belonged to Khatana sub-caste of the Gujjar community. The native place of the family was the North West territory in ancient times where Kaid Rai, one of their ancestors fought against Alexander the Great. Chandrapal, son of Jaipal Khatana fought against Subuktgin at Kabul in 997 CE. Mohammad Ghaznavi defeated Jaipal and Anandpal and Lahore became a part of the Ghaznavi rule in 1018 CE. The Khatana took refuge in Mardan, Awat, Hazara, etc. and Trilochanpal (son of Anadpal), himself retired to Jammu hills from where he attacked Punjab. Some Khatana families migrated south of Satluj River and reached up to Malwa and Gwalior and in the East up to upper Gangetic valley.

The Khatana all over the sub-continent are unanimous since centuries in claiming their decent from the house of Jaipal and Anandpal. The Kala and Thakaria share the same claim in Punjab. Undoubtedly, the three families are offshoots of the historic Lakhan Thakia who fought against Shankarvarman, the ruler of Kashmir in 890 CE. After the defeat and death of Anandpal in 1018 CE some members of royal house migrated south of Satluj River and carved a principality in Jaipur area. Allauddin Khilji’s forces ousted the family from Dausa and the family settled in Rajorgarh area from where they were again driven out in about 1496 CE by the Muslims. The family with its leaders Rana Madhav Singh took refuge in lower Kumaon Himalaya.

When Humayun was fleeing Iran and Shershah was busy in establishing himself as a king of Delhi, Rana Madhav Singh left the hills and occupied an area on the left bank of river Ganges, after killing Nawab Dilawar Khan. Rana was attacked by Mughal forces and Gurjars were completely uprooted. The city was renamed Shahajahanpur.

Rana Parsuram Singh with his remaining family members and the army men crossed the River Ganges and Yamuna River and reached the Betwa River valley where he established a small kingdom and founded a city by the name of Shamshergarh. His son Nauneshah conquered Inchhar, Bhander, Konch and Kalpi. Nauneshah’ son Madan Singh ruled at Shamshergarh successfully. Madan Singh`s son Vishnu Singh Khatana defeated Prthvi Singh, who was an ally of the Marathas and captured the fort of Siyoda that actually belonged to Datiya ruler. The bravery of Gurjar king Vishnu Singh roused jealousy of the chiefs of the adjoining states.

The Gujjar army of Shamshergarh defeated the allied forces of the adjoining states in a stubborn fight. The Maratha Subedar Ragunath Rao Hari and Shivnath Rao Hari on hearing the news of the conquest of Vishnu Singh Khatana over their subordinate chiefs jointly made an invasion on Samther or Shamshergarh kingdom. The Gurjars again defeated the invaders. Vishu Singh Khatana died sonless and he was succeeded by his younger brother Raja Dev Singh. At last, a peace treaty was signed and executed between the Gujjar king of Shamshergarh and the British East India Company.

Raja Dev Singh was a famous Gujjar ruler of Shamshergarh and also a great administrator. The condition of Shamshergarh improved tremendously at that time and new markets were built. In 1947, Shamshergarh or Samther state was merged with the Indian Union.

Gujjar community of Kashmir have their own cultural and linguistic heritage. In Rajouri District around 12% population is comprised of Bakarwals (Gujjars) while 23% population belongs to Gurjars, both having some common enlightening as well as linguistic inheritances. Gujjars of Kashmir region mostly rear cattle and they are herdsmen of buffaloes and possess small pieces of lands, kacha houses on slopes and foothills of mountains in Rajouri district. Bakarwals are the offshoots of Gurjars in Kashmir and they are nomadic tribes. Most of them are landless and houseless. Their livelihood is mostly dependent on sheep and goats for which they have to rear these animals. In search of green pastures for their herds and flocks, they travel from one place to another with their baggage and flock of sheep and goats, fleet of horses and dogs. Their favourite dresses are waist Coat, salwar, Kurta (long shirt) and turban while the women usually bear trouser, kurti (shirt) and cotton shawl.

Gujjars or hill people of Kashmir are found in several parts of the state. They are known as Rajputs. They migrated from Rajasthan and accepted the Muslim faith. According to some historians, the Gurjars and Bakarwals originally belong to Rajputana region of Gujara (Kathiawad) and due to famine and other hostile conditions, they migrated to the Kashmir region. Early records show that the Gujjars living on the borders of Kashmir embraced Islam after some time and later on divided into two professionally different sects of Gujjars and Bakarwals. After detailed and in-depth study made by the historians, anthropologists, social scientists, researchers and ethnographers, the links of Gurjars have been traced to the house of the pandvas of Mahabharata, Lord Krishana himself was closely connected with the family of milkman. Study of India's History has revealed that Gurjars or Gujjars played a crucial role in making and unmaking the kingdoms and principalities.

Though the government has done a lot for the development of Gurjars and Bakarwals, for instance, in the field of education, permanent and mobile schools were established, Gurjar and Bakarwals hostels were built at the District level with free boarding and lodging facilities, reservation was made in employment and vocational institutions. However, the Gujjar community in Kashmir is still backward. The Gujjar community of Kashmir have their own Gujri language, which they generally speak. However, they generally respond in Urdu language.

According to the great and elaborate history of the country, tremendous role was played by the Gujjars in Indian Army. The Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauj was the army of the Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind (the Provisional Government of free India) that fought along with the Japanese 15th Army and in the battle of Imphal, during the Second World War. It consisted mostly of Indian prisoners of war who, in the course of service in the British Army, had been captured by Axis forces. Gujjar soldiers has major contributions as part of this Indian Army.

Gujjar soldiers as well as officers were in great numbers in Azad Hind Fauj. Among which Captain Mukhram Singh, Captain Surajmal and Col. Man Singh are the most mentionable names. Captain Surajmal fought many successful battles and won the confidence of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and General Shah Nawaz Khan. Col. Man Singh also impressed everyone with his intelligence and bravery. Gujjar soldiers did not give up even in unfavourable conditions. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose himself appreciated their bravery and patriotism. Even after the partition of India on the basis of religion; Indian army was also divided thus dividing the Gujjar soldiers.

After the Second World War and before partition, British rulers permitted the formation of the Gurjar regiment in the Indian Army after looking at the great bravery and sacrifices of the Gujjars in the war. But this regiment was not completely formed because of the partition of India. Gujjar community of the Rajput regiment, on every opportunity, proved themselves as great fighters. When foreign invaders entered into Kashmir and occupied a wide area, then the Rajput regiment with Gujjar companies was posted to protect the region. Gujjar soldiers fought with great courage under the commands of Col. Girdhari Singh Gurjar and saved most of the region. More than 10 lakh Gurjars revolted and supported the Indian army.

In 1962, China attacked India and war began between the two nations. In this war also, brave Gujjar soldiers and officers of Rajput regiment fought with their full strength. Post the war, bravery and sacrifices of the Gujjar soldiers are remembered. Many Gujjar soldiers won medals for their sacrifices. Moreover, Kargil Hills were also won by the Gujjar soldiers of Rajput regiment. Thus, every time, in the moments of crisis, Gujjar soldiers of different regiments of the Indian Army proved themselves as the greatest of fighters and protectors of the country.

Gujjars in contemporary India accounts for a huge population in modern India. They speak their mother tongue that is the Gurjari language, which is also known as Gurjuri, Gojiri. Gujri, and Gojri, regardless of their region and religion. Their Gurjari language is very similar to the Rajasthani language or marvari language. This was the royal language during the kingdom of the Gujjar kings in the past and thus it is said that they are very fond of it. In the modern times, the Gujjars are mostly settled with large tracts of lands in the northern region of India. They are also known as good farmers. According to surveys, Gujjars in contemporary India are doing really well in all spheres of life, especially in education and politics.

It is said that Gujjar community in contemporary India is a sum total of the warrior tribes. Though in different states across the country the word ‘Gujjar’ has come to be known differently, yet it has not changed altogether. For instance, ‘Gurjar’, ‘Gojar’, ‘Gorjar’, ‘Godar’, ‘Kochar’ or ‘Gorj’ etc. are different forms in which Gujjars are identified.