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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.
 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. |
