|
People
The People
Rajasthan according to the 2001 census has a population of 56.5
million.
Rajasthan has a large indigenous populace Minas (Minawati) in Alwar,
Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas.
The Meo and the Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans.
The Gadia Lohar is the Lohar meaning ironsmith who travels on Gadia
meaning bullock carts; they generally make and repair agricultural
and household implements. The Bhils are one of the oldest peoples
in India, inhabit the districts of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur,
Banswara, Udaipur, and Sirohi and are famous for their skill in
archery. The Grasia and nomadic Kathodi live in the Mewar region.
Sahariyas are found in the Kota district, and the Rabaris of the
Marwar region are cattle breeders. More...
The Oswals hail from Osiyan near Jodhpur are successful traders
and are predominately Jains. While the Mahajan (the trading class)
is subdivided into a large number of groups, some of these groups
are Jain, while others are Hindu. In the north and west, the Jat
and Gujar are among the largest agricultural communities. The Gujars
who are Hindus dwell in eastern Rajasthan. The nomadic Rabari or
Raika are divided in two groups the Marus who breed camels and Chalkias
who breed sheep and goats.
The Muslims form less than 10% of the population and most of them
are Sunnis. There is also a small but affluent community Shiaite
Muslims known as Bhoras in southeastern Rajasthan
The Rajputs though represent only a small proportion of the populace
are the most influential section of the people in Rajasthan. They
are proud of their martial reputation and of their ancestry. |
|