Charan Banjaras, or Charans, are one of the largest division among the Banjara community of Indian subcontinent, and were historically involved in the inter-regional transportation and trade of merchandise. At present, most of them reside in the Central and Southern states of India.
History edit
Origin edit
The origin of the Charan Banjaras is generally inferred to be from the Chāraṇas of Northern India. In northern regions, the persons of the Chāraṇas were regarded as sacrosanct and inviolable; they were known for their readiness to commit trāga (ritual self-mutilation) and even kill themselves rather than give up the property entrusted to their care, thus becoming the best safe-conduct for the passage of goods. In Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, they themselves became traders utilizing their large wealth of cattle as pack animals and being exempted from all taxes and cesses. By 8-9th century, this led to the divisions among the Chāraṇas into the Māru (Marwar) and the Kāchhela (from Kutch),[1] the former giving preference to literary occupation as royal poet-historians while the later focused on trade and mercantile activities. [2][3] The Kāchhela Chāraṇas in Rajasthan excelled as merchants.[4]
The Banjaras have been identified with the Kāchhela in several instances. Many customs of Charan Banjaras of Maharashtra are found to be linked with the Kāchhela Chāraṇas.[4] James Tod describes a halt he made at Murlah, a Mewar town populated by Chāraṇas of the Kāchhela clan:[5]
"Murlāh is an excellent township inhabited by a community of Chārans of the tribe Kāchhela, who are Bunjārris (carriers) by profession, though poets by birth. The alliance is a curious one, and would appear incongruous were not gain the object generally in both cases. It was the sanctity of their office which converted our bardais into bunjārris, for their persons being sacred, the immunity extended likewise to their goods and saved them from all imposts; so that in process of time they became the free-traders of Rājputāna.".[6]: 1645
— Colonel James Tod, Excerpt from Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan, 1829 AD
Thus, the Charans rose to eminence as commissariat transporters in the north. They had established themselves as chief transporters and traders in North India, specially in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the region being a large contributor of influence on the culture, language, and traditions of the Charan Banjaras till present times.[4]
Trade and transportation edit
During medieval period, fairs and bazaars were organized for a day in a week and commercial cities were the places where different kinds of goods were sold and purchased. Charans transported a multitude of items including food grains, salt, sugar, and butter using bullock carts, camels and sometimes horses during and after the rainy season. They moved in caravans to protect themselves from robbers, sometimes wearing arms to meet danger on the way. Due to rough terrain and slow communication, transportation was not quick. They spent their nights in the open, at sarais built along the main routes or in villages.[7][8]
The Charan Banjaras had a unique advantage as traditional transporters of essential commodities in various kingdoms. Their safety was ensured due to strict taboos against harming or imprisoning them. As a result, they were able to move freely across different regions without fear of violence or persecution, contributing to the smooth distribution of essential goods.[9]
The transportation of goods from various locations was a key aspect of the logistics operations in the region. The Charan traders brought goods from Bombay and Pen to Poona and Satara, while also handling long-distance transportation from Surat in Gujarat. The goods were skillfully loaded and unloaded at various points along the route, including Nasik, Poona, and Nandurbar.[10]
In their role as suppliers of food grains and weaponry, Charans were essential for the movement of large armies.
Particularly successful were Bhikha Rathore and his descendents Mersi, Multāsi, Dheda and Khāmdār, who are remembered as great names among the Charans. Mackenzie remarks,
It is certain that the Chārans, whoever they were, first rose to the demand which the great armies of northern India, contending in exhausted countries far from their basis of supply, created, viz. the want of a fearless and reliable transport service.... The start which the Chārans then acquired they retain among Banjāras to this day, though in very much diminished splendour and position. Chārans, rose immediately to eminence as commissariat transporters in the north. And not only under the Delhi Emperors, but under the Satāra, subsequently the Poona Rāj, and the Subāhship of the Nizām, did several of their descendants rise to consideration and power.
Migration to Deccan (South India) edit
Charans first came to Deccan (South India) around 1630 in the Mughal campaigns to annex Ahmednagar and Berar during the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. Jhangi and Bhangi Rathore, the naiks (chiefs) of Rathore Charans with 1,80,000 pack bullocks; and Bhagwan Das, the naik of Jadon Charans with 52,000 pack-bullocks, were their leaders. They came to the Deccan with Asaf Jah who led the Mughal campaign. During the migration, the Rathore Charans would have altercations with the soldiers of the imperial army, resulting in difficulties in the supply. Asaf Jah thus engraved his declaration in gold on a copper tablet, given to the Rathore Naiks:
Transliteration:
Ranjan kā pāni, Chhappar kā ghas, Din ke tīn khun muāf;
Aur jahān Asaf Jāh ke ghore, Wahān Bhāngi Jhāngi ke bail.
Translation: If you can find no water elsewhere you may even take it from the pots of my followers; grass you may take from the roofs of their huts; and I will pardon you up to three murders a day, provided that wherever I find my cavalry, Bhangi and Jhangi’s bullocks shall be with them.
Internecine feuds edit
This grant by Asaf-Jah remained in possession of Naik Bhangi Rathore's descendants residing at Musi, near Hingoli, who were recognized as the head Naik of the entire Banjara community. Each successive Naik would receive a khillat or dress-of-honour from the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Following Asaf Jāh’s campaign and settlement in the Deccan, a dispute arose among the Charans between the Rāthore clan, led by Bhangi and Jhangi, and the Jādons under Bhagwān Dās. The reason behind this conflict was Asaf Jāh’s refusal to grant Bhagwān Dās the same privileges as the Rathore Naiks. This feud led to successive attacks upon each clan by the other resulting in the deaths of both Bhangi and Bhagwān Dās, and the Jādons ultimately took possession of the standard. The standard consisted of eight lengths of cloth and was an annual gift given to Bhangi's descendants by the Nizām. As of 1869, it was recorded that Nāik Hatti, a descendant of Bhagwān Dās, owned the standard and held an estate close to Muchli Bunder in the Madras Presidency.
According to Colonel Mackenzie, the Rathore clan leaders gained significant recognition not only for their skills in their specific field but also for their military prowess. The Emperors acknowledged their achievements by allowing them to carry unique standards, known as "dhal" by the Rathores themselves.
During the siege of Seringapatam in 1791-92, the British army led by the Marquis of Cornwallis enlisted the Charans to provide grain supplies. Furthermore, the Duke of Wellington frequently included them in the commissariat staff of his army during his campaigns.
Social Structure edit
Several clans and subclans constitute the Charan division of the Banjaras. Major clans are Rathore, Chauhan, Jadon, Turi, Parmar, etc, which have many sub-clans.
Tanda edit
Associated groups edit
Charans are patron to a host of communities who are part of Banjara society and provide services to the tanda of the Charans. They are
- Bhat
- Dhari
- Jangar
- Nai
- Luhar
- Sunar
References edit
- ^ Hutton, John Henry (1963). Caste in India: Its Nature, Function and Origins. Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-560056-8.
Kachela (or its synonym Parajia) among the Charan and Brahman castes (Kachela means an inhabitant of Kachh)... the name Kachella occurs in inscriptions as early as the eighth century
- ^ Choudhry, P. S. (1968). Rajasthan Between the Two World Wars, 1919-1939. Sri Ram Mehra.
The Kachela Charans were traders . They were shrewd merchants and lighter dues were levied on them than on others. The Marus did not eat with them.
- ^ Rajpurohit, Dalpat Singh (2022). "Defining a Tradition: The Literary Science of Rajasthani at the Dawn of Colonialism". Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. 42 (2): 381–387 – via dukeupress.edu.
Being a community of letters, the Charans are close to the Brahmins in the Hindu caste hierarchy but share much in common with the Rajputs. Prominent Marwari poets spent their whole career in one court. Nevertheless, the Charan caste was widespread in northwestern India. The two larger subgroups of Charans—those who had origins in Marwar and the other who hailed from Kutch in Gujarat—were spread out in the states today known as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
- ^ a b c Bhise, V. B. (2007). Some Aspects of Agricultural Development in Maharashtra. Serials Publications. pp. 30–32. ISBN 978-81-8387-070-2.
It is true that Banjaras used to carry the goods on oxen-backs, from long distances. They were engaged for many centuries in this occupation. Because of this they are known as Charan Banjaras. Kutch was mainly their region because many customs of Charan Banjaras of Maharashtra are linked with Kachchela Charan of Gujarat. Kachchela means from Kutch.
- ^ Weinberger-Thomas, Catherine (1999). Ashes of Immortality: Widow-Burning in India. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-88568-1.
James Tod emotionally describes a halt he made at Murlah on February 8, 1820, at a time when this small Mewar town was populated by Charans of the Kachela clan
- ^ Tod, James; Crooke, William (2010-01-01). Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan (3 Vols): Or the Central and Western Rajput State of India. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0380-0.
- ^ Sharma, Gian Chand (1979). Administrative System of the Rajputs. Rajesh Publications.
- ^ SHARMA, GIRIJA SHANKAR (1993). "SOURCES ON BUSINESS HISTORY OF RAJASTHAN (18th and 19th centuries AD)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 54: 899–908. ISSN 2249-1937.
- ^ Jafa, Jyoti (2021-04-10). Meera, Sanga and Mewar: The Remarkable Story of A Brave Rajput Princess and Her Legendary Devotion. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN 978-81-86939-85-7.
- ^ Mahajan, T. T. (1983). "URBANIZATION IN MAHARASHTRA DURING THE 18TH CENTURY". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 44: 478–483. ISSN 2249-1937.