By Meenakshi Naik (daughter of Er. Jyoti Bushan Naik).
Volunteer needed to edit this collection.
*Agharia (अघरिया)
Aghariya<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aghariya&action=edit&redlink=1>(अघरिया)
Agaria <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaria> (अगरिया)* are Jat Kshatriyas
found in Madhya Pradesh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh>,
Chhattisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhattisgarh>,
Orissa<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa>and Chhota
Nagpur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhota_Nagpur>. They originated from
the Agra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra> region, hence known as
Agaria<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaria>,
which changed to Agharia due to linguistic variations.
Contents
- 1 Origin <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#Origin>
- 2 In Mahabharata <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#In_Mahabharata>
- 3 History <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#History>
- 4 Parity with Jats<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#Parity_with_Jats>
- 5 Distribution of Agharia
population<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#Distribution_of_Agharia_population>
- 6 R. V. Russell and Rai Bahadur Hira Lāl on
Agharias<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#R._V._Russell_and_Rai_Bahadur_Hira_L.C4.81l_on_Agharias>
- 6.1 1. Origin. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#1._Origin.>
- 6.2 2. Subdivisions.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#2._Subdivisions.>
- 6.3 3. Marriage
customs.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#3._Marriage_customs.>
- 6.4 4. Religious and social
customs.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#4._Religious_and_social_customs.>
- 6.5 5. Occupation.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#5._Occupation.>
- 7 Notable persons<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#Notable_persons>
- 8 References <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#References>
- 9 Further reading<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#Further_reading>
Origin
That the *Agharia* have descended from Tomar<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomar>
/Tanwar <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanwar> is attested from the Agharia
Bisaundhi (Bhat) records. Bisaundhi (Bhat) records reveal that
*Viduratha<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Viduratha&action=edit&redlink=1>(विडूरथ)
* of Chandravanshi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandravanshi> Yadava Kula
was their ancestor. They are also known as
Dasharha<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dasharha&action=edit&redlink=1>or
Dasharna <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasharna>.[1]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-0>
[2] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-1>
Agrayayin<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Agrayayin&action=edit&redlink=1>(अग्रयायिन)
was the name of one of
Dhritarashtra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhritarashtra>'s hundred sons.
Mahabharata <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata> :(I.108.11), (1.117)
In Mahabharata
The Mahabharata <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabharata> mentions
Agreya<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agreya>(अग्रेय), janapada
conquered by
Karna <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karna> (III. 241.67). It is possibly in
the Hisar <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisar> region or near
Agra<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra>
.
The Mahabharata
Tribe<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Mahabharata_Tribe&action=edit&redlink=1>,
Bhadra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhadra> (भद्र), is mentioned to be
associated with Rohitaka <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohtak> and
Agreya<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agreya>tribes in
Karna <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karna>'s conquest (III. 241.67). They
had many branches and fought on both sides of the war (Pandavas VI.52.9 and
Kauravas VI.47.9).
History
*Agharia* is probably a variant of the Mahabharata tribe
Agreya<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agreya>.
During Alexander's time the *janapada* of
Agreyas<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agreya>was situated in
Punjab <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_region>.[3]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-2>
Agharia jats' original settlement is considered to be region near Agra and
Bharatpur. They migrated to Orissa and Chattisgarh around 15th/ 16th
century during Mughal rule from
Aghpur<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aghpur&action=edit&redlink=1>
/Aghapur<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aghapur&action=edit&redlink=1>near
Bharatpur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharatpur,_Rajasthan> (Rajasthan)
which is in radius of 84kose around
Vrindavan<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrindavan>&
Mathura <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathura>. The Agharia-Jats are known
as Chourasi-Agharia Jats in
Chhattisgarh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhattisgarh>& western
Orissa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa>. Some were serving in
Maratha-Army & are known as "Jagtap Maratha Jats"
now.[4]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-3>
It is necessary to study the history of
Aga<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aga>and
Agha <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agha> Jats found around Agra. It is very
likely that Agha and Agharia are both related and have linkages to
Kushana<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushana>history, who are
considered
Jats <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jats>. A branch of Tocharians was Hunga
who came to Brij <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brij> area in India and
settled on the fertile banks of Yamuna River.
Hunga<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunga>Jats are believed to get
their name from Hungamas satrap who came from the
region of "*Huang He*" river and *"hingu"* hills in
China<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China>.
The Hunga <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunga> over a period became "Aga".
Aga in Sanskrit became "Agre" meaning advance, since these were the people
first to come to Brij <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brij> area. Kanishka
had made the Hunga people the rulers of
Mathura<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathura>.
Another branch of Tocharians moved to
Afghanistan<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan>and up to
Iran <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran>.
Kanishka<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanishka>made these people the
rulers of
Ghazni <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazni>.
According to Dharampal Singh
Dudee<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dharampal_Singh_Dudee&action=edit&redlink=1>,
Agi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agi> gotra is different from Aga,
Haga<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haga>or Agre. Agi gotra started from
a Jat named
Aksha <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksha> (अक्ष), who are also considered
as descendants of rishi Agastya
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agastya>.[5]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-4>Dr.
Vinita Naik
[6] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-5> of
Chhattisgarh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhattisgarh>Considers the
Agharias of
Chhattisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhattisgarh>,
Orissa<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa>,
Madhya Pradesh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madhya_Pradesh> and Chhota
Nagpur as the Jats <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jats> who migrated from
area around Agra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra>. Since they came from
Agra so they were called Agaria in the new habitations. The traditions,
their titles, religious faith, habits, bravery and self respect etc. all
confirm similarity in the two communities. Common titles are
Chaudhary<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaudhary>,
Naik <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nayak_%28title%29>,
Patel<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patel>etc.
[7] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-6>[8]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-7>
Parity with Jats
Recent researches on Agharias, particularly distribution of their
chromosomes and blood groups, reveal that they are from northern Gangetic
plains. Scientific, historical and linguistic analysis tells that Agharias
are Indo-Europeans. Their Genetic Affinity is grouped with north Indian
higher and middle castes particularly Jats, Rajputs, Gujars, Tarkhans and
Khatris.[9] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-8>
*Haplogroup R1b (Y-DNA)*: Although it is rare in South Asia, some
populations show relatively high percentages for R1b. These include Lambadi
(Andhra Pradesh) showing
37%,[10]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-9>Hazara 32%
and Agharia (East India) at 30%.
[11] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-10> The point of
origin of R1b is thought to lie in
Eurasia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasia>.
The DNA Study proves that there has been male DNA into the
Jats<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jats>from
Ukrainian <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrain>
Scythians<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scythians>(
Saka <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saka>,
Massagetae<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massagetae>)
and White Huns.[12] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-11>
They have similarity with Jats in traditions, Language and Physique. Jats
and Agharias have common gotras and vanshas. Their Genetic Distance is
least with Jats as is clear from the following tables:
Caste Blood group 'O' Blood group 'B' Blood group 'A' Blood group 'AB'
Jats 41.93 35.51 22.58 1.07
Agharias 44.00 44.00 14.00 1-148
------------------------------
Caste Blood group 'X2' Blood group 'P' Blood group 'Q' Blood group 'R' Blood
group 'D' Jats 1.170 1.170 0.240 0.576 1.123 Agharias 1.740 0.084 0.235
0.681 0.151
Average-Heterozygosity of Agharias in comparison to other Kshatriyas:
------------------------------
1. Agharia - 0.824+0.019
2. Bhumihar - 0.821 +0.018
3. Jat - 0.816 +0.015
4. Maratha - 0.814 +0.015
------------------------------
Dr Vinita Naik has concluded that on the basis of similarity of
Chromosomes, Blood Groups, Physique, Language, Vanshas and Gotras Agharias
are closely related with
Jats.[13]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-12>
Dr Atal Singh Khokhar<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Atal_Singh_Khokhar&action=edit&redlink=1>has
supported the view of Dr Vinita Naik on the basis of deep study of
Gotras included in the list of Agharia Kshatriyas. He writes that these
Kshatriyas migrated from Agra Division were called Agaria which due to
linguistic difference changed to Agharia. The leader of Agharias who
migrated to Chhattisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhattisgarh> and
north-west Orissa was Bharos Singh
Rawat<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bharos_Singh_Rawat&action=edit&redlink=1>.
*Rawat (रावत)* and
Sahrawat<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sahrawat&action=edit&redlink=1>were
titles used by
Tanwar <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanwar> sardars which later began to
be used as gotras. 'Mathura Memoirs' considers them ruling independently
and located at Pura <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pura> situated on 12th
mile of Mathura <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathura>-Bharatpur Highway.[14
] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-13>
Dr Dharm Chandra Vidyalankar in his book "Jaton ka Naya Itihas" Rawat as
variant of Rajwat<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rajwat&action=edit&redlink=1>(राजवत).
Their famous village is
Jatpura <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jatpura> in
Bijnor<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijnor>district in Uttar
Pradesh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttar_Pradesh>. Rawats have 8
villages near Palwal <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palwal> in
Haryana<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haryana>and 80 villages in
Iglas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iglas>
(Aligarh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aligarh>).
Pratap Singh Shastri considers Jat Kshatriya Rawat as a branch of
Tanwars<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanwar>
/Tomars <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomar>.[15]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-14>
[16] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-15> Agharias descended
from Tomar <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomar>/Tanwar<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanwar>is
also attested from the Agharia Bisaundhi (Bhat) records. Bisaundhi
(Bhat) records also reveal that
Viduratha<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Viduratha&action=edit&redlink=1>of
Chandravanshi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandravanshi> Yadava Kula was
their ancestor. They are also known as
Dasharha<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dasharha&action=edit&redlink=1>or
Dasharna <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasharna>.[17]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-16>
Distribution of Agharia population
Dr Vinita Naik has provided the information about Distribution of Agharia
population in Chhatisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatisgarh> and
Orissa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa>. The historical records of
Agharias are maintained by Bisaundhi (bard). The Bisaundhi records reveal
that they have come to Chhatisgarh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatisgarh>and
Orissa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa> from Agra, Rajasthan and Delhi
during the rule of different
rulers.[18]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-17>
The earliest migrating Agharias were led by *Raja Bharos Singh
Rawat<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rawat>
*, along with *Bam Singh Jat <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat>* (Bam
Jatta), Ram Singh
Bankawat<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bankawat&action=edit&redlink=1>(Ram
Singh Banka) and Lakhi Singh
Sodhi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodhi> (Lakhi Sodhi).They were from
royal families. Along with them came Kshatriyas of 36
vanshas.[19]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-18>
According to the Bisaundhis of
Bilaspur<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilaspur>area in
Chhatisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatisgarh> they came from
Rajasthan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan>. From Rajasthan they
moved to around Agra, lived for some period and from there came to
Bilaspur. These Agharias never went to Jagannathpuri. Initially they
settled in five villages of Akaltara
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaltara>in deep forests and later
spread over 30 villages where about 150 families
live at present.[20] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-19>
The Agharias of Raigarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raigarh> and
Mahasamund <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasamund> districts of
Chhatisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatisgarh> settled at
Phuljhar<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fuljhar&action=edit&redlink=1>(
Lormi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lormi>),
Basna<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basna>,
Saraipali <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saraipali> (Kota
Chhattisgarh<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kota_Chhattisgarh&action=edit&redlink=1>)
etc. migrated to these areas during the reign of Ahmed Shah Abdali and the
Lodi rulers.[21] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-20>
Some Agharias of Orissa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa> migrated
during the reign of Adil Shah. During the rein of Aurangzeb religious
atrocities on Hindus were extreme and probably during this period more
Agharias came to Orissa. According to Orissa Gazeteer Agharias migrated
during the rule of Chauhan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chauhan> Raja
Baijal Dev II at Patnagarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patnagarh> (
Balangir <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balangir>) who was under the reign
of Chalukya <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalukya> king Gajpati Mukund Dev
(1460) of Puri <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri> . According C.W.Wills
South Kosal (Chhatisgarh) was always under Hindu rulers and out of the
influence of Mugal rule.[22]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-21>
During 10-17th century South Kosal
(Chhatisgarh<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatisgarh>)
was ruled by Haihaya <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haihaya> rulers with
capital at Tripuri <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripuri> near
Jabalpur<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabalpur>.
Raja *Kalingaraja* was from this dynasty whose capital was at
Tuman<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuman>.
The ruins of capital Tuman <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuman> can be
still seen in north-west of *Laafaagadh* Jamindari
(Kota<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kota_Chhattisgarh&action=edit&redlink=1>tahsil)
in present
Bilaspur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilaspur> district. His son Ratan
Singh founded Ratanpur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratanpur> which was
capital of South Kosal for a long period. In 16th century Marathas defeated
Raja Raghunath Singh, the last ruler of
Ratanpur<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratanpur>
.[23] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-22>
*Mughal rule* declined with the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707. The
Maratha ruler of Nagpur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagpur> Raghuji
Bhonsle-I occupied Orissa in *1751*. Orissa remained under the Maratha
Subedar with Cuttack <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttack> as its capital.
Marathas encouraged pilgrimage to Orissafrom other parts of the country.
they divided Orissa <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orissa> in to two
separate divisions namely Mughalbandi and the
Garhjat<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Garhjat&action=edit&redlink=1>
.[24] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-23>
*Marathas* established Suba system and the area of *36 Subas* was named
Chhatisgarh <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatisgarh>. The Maratha rulers
adopted a system of giving land in place of salary to the Army personnels.
Villages were leased on pattas and this helped Agharias in permanent
settlements.[25] <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-24>
Agharias were very regular in paying land-taxes to the rulers. They became
big Gotiya/Malgujar/Jamindars in their areas of settlement. Maratha rulers
awarded the influential families titles like
Chaudhary<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaudhary>,
Naik<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Naik_%28title%29&action=edit&redlink=1>,
Patel <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patel>,
Khoont<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Khoont&action=edit&redlink=1>
/Khot <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khot>, Mukaddam, Subedar etc. As per
records of Bisaundhis of Agharias, 6 *vanshas* were awarded *Chaudhary*, 18
*vanshas* *Naik* and 60 *vanshas* *Patel<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patel>
*/*Patil <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patil>*
titles.[26]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-25>
The ruler of Sambalpur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambalpur> awarded
title Sai <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai> (साय) to first Agharia person
Ravichandra Patel of Balangir <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balangir> who
was first to pass High School. This title still
continues.[27]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agharia#cite_note-26>
R. V. Russell and Rai Bahadur Hira Lāl on Agharias
The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume II, Author:
R. V. Russell, Assisted by Rai Bahadur Hira Lāl, Macmillan and Co., Limited
St. Martin’s Street, London.
1916<http://www.gutenberg.org/files/22010/22010-h/22010-h.htm>gives
following details about Agharias.
1. Origin.
*Agharia* (a corruption of Agaria <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaria>,
meaning one who came from Agra <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra>). —A
cultivating caste belonging to the Sambalpur District and adjoining States.
They number 27,000 persons in the Raigarh and Sārangarh States and Bilāspur
District of the Central Provinces, and are found also in some of the Chota
Nāgpur States transferred from Bengal. According to the traditions of the
Agharias their forefathers were Rājpūts who lived near
Agra<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra>.
They were accustomed to salute the king of
Delhi<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delhi>with one hand only and
without bending the head. The king after suffering
this for a long time determined to punish them for their contumacy, and
summoned all the Agharias to appear before him. At the door through which
they were to pass to his presence he fixed a sword at the height of a man’s
neck. The haughty Agharias came to the door, holding their heads high and
not seeing the sword, and as a natural consequence they were all
decapitated as they passed through. But there was one Agharia who had heard
about the fixing of the sword and who thought it better to stay at home,
saying that he had some ceremony to perform. When the king heard that there
was one Agharia who had not passed through the door, he sent again,
commanding him to come. The Agharia did not wish to go but felt it
impossible to decline. He therefore sent for a Chamār of his village and
besought him to go instead, saying that he would become a Rājpūt in his
death and that he would ever be held in remembrance by the Agharia’s
descendants. The Chamār consented to sacrifice himself for his master, and
going before the king was beheaded at the door. But the Agharia fled south,
taking his whole village with him, and came to *Chhattīsgarh*, where each
of the families in the village founded a clan of the *Agharia caste*. And
in memory of this, whenever an Agharia makes a libation to his ancestors,
he first pours a little water on the ground in honour of the dead Chamār.
According to another version of the story three brothers of different
families escaped and first went to Orissa, where they asked the Gajpati
king to employ them as soldiers. The king caused two sheaths of swords to
be placed before them, and telling them that one contained a sword and the
other a bullock-goad, asked them to select one and by their choice to
determine whether they would be soldiers or husbandmen. From one sheath a
haft of gold projected and from the other one of silver. The Agharias
pulled out the golden haft and found that they had chosen the goad. The
point of the golden and silver handles is obvious, and the story is of some
interest for the distant resemblance which it bears to the choice of the
caskets in The Merchant of Venice. Condemned, as they considered, to drive
the plough, the Agharias took off their sacred threads, which they could no
longer wear, and gave them to the youngest member of the caste, saying that
he should keep them and be their Bhāt, and they would support him with
contributions of a tenth of the produce of their fields. He assented, and
his descendants are the genealogists of the Agharias and are termed
Dashānshi. The Agharias claim to be *Somvansi Rājpūts*, a claim which
Colonel Dalton says their appearance favours. “Tall, well-made, with high
Aryan <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryan> features and tawny complexions,
they look like Rājpūts, though they are more industrious and intelligent
than the generality of the fighting tribe.”
2. Subdivisions.
Owing to the fact that with the transfer of the Sambalpur District, a
considerable portion of the Agharias have ceased to be residents of
the *Central
Provinces*, it is unnecessary to give the details of their caste
organisation at length. They have two subdivisions, the Bad or superior
Agharias and the
Chhote<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chhote&action=edit&redlink=1>,
Sarolia<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sarolia&action=edit&redlink=1>or
Sarwaria<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sarwaria&action=edit&redlink=1>,
the inferior or mixed Agharias. The latter are a cross between an Agharia
and a Gaur <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaur> (Ahīr) woman. The Bad
Agharias will not eat with or even take water from the others. Further
local subdivisions are now in course of formation, as the *Ratanpuria*, *
Phuljharia* and *Raigarhia* or those living round Ratanpur, Phuljhar and
Raigarh. The caste is said to have *84 gotras* or exogamous sections, of
which 60 bear the title of *Patel*, 18 that of *Nāik*, and 6 of *Chaudhri*.
The section names are very mixed, some being those of eponymous Brāhman
gotras, as *Sāndilya*, *Kaushik* and *Bhāradwāj*; others those of *Rājpūt
septs*, as Karchhul<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Karchhul&action=edit&redlink=1>;
while others are the names of animals and plants, as
*Barāh<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Varah&action=edit&redlink=1>
* (pig), Baram <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baram> (the pīpal tree),
Nāg<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga>(cobra),
Kachhapa<http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kachhwala&action=edit&redlink=1>(tortoise),
and a number of other local terms the meaning of which has been
forgotten. Each of these sections, however, uses a different mark for
branding cows, which it is the religious duty of an Agharia to rear, and
though the marks now convey no meaning, they were probably originally the
representations of material objects. In the case of names whose meaning is
understood, traces of *totemism* survive in the respect paid to the animal
or plant by members of the sept which bears its name. This analysis of the
structure of the caste shows that it was a very mixed one. Originally
consisting perhaps of a nucleus of immigrant Rājpūts, the offspring of
connections with inferior classes have been assimilated; while the story
already quoted is probably intended to signify, after the usual Brāhmanical
fashion, that the pedigree of the Agharias at some period included a Chamār.
3. Marriage customs.
Marriage within the exogamous section and also with first cousins is
forbidden, though in some places the union of a sister’s son with a
brother’s daughter is permitted. *Child marriage* is usual, and censure
visits a man who allows an unmarried daughter to arrive at adolescence. The
bridegroom should always be older than the bride, at any rate by a day.
When a betrothal is arranged some ornaments and a cloth bearing the swastik
or lucky mark are sent to the girl. Marriages are always celebrated during
the months of Māgh and Phāgun, and they are held only once in five or six
years, when all children whose matches can be arranged for are married off.
This custom is economical, as it saves expenditure on marriage feasts.
Colonel Dalton also states that the Agharias always employ Hindustāni
Brāhmans for their ceremonies, and as very few of these are available, they
make circuits over large areas, and conduct all the weddings of a locality
at the same period. Before the marriage a kid is sacrificed at the bride’s
house to celebrate the removal of her status of maidenhood. When the
bridegroom arrives at the bride’s house he touches with his dagger the
string of mango-leaves suspended from the marriage-shed and presents a
rupee and a hundred betel-leaves to the bride’s sawāsin or attendant. Next
day the bridegroom’s father sends a present of a bracelet and seven small
earthen cups to the bride. She is seated in the open, and seven women hold
the cups over her head one above the other. Water is then poured from above
from one cup into the other, each being filled in turn and the whole
finally falling on the bride’s head. This probably symbolises the
fertilising action of rain. The bride is then bathed and carried in a
basket seven times round the marriage-post, after which she is seated in a
chair and seven women place their heads together round her while a male
relative winds a thread seven times round the heads of the women. The
meaning of this ceremony is obscure. The bridegroom makes his appearance
alone and is seated with the bride, both being dressed in clothes coloured
yellow with turmeric. The bridegroom’s party follows, and the feet of the
couple are washed with milk. The bride’s brother embraces the bridegroom
and changes cloths with him. Water is poured over the hands of the couple,
the girl’s forehead is daubed with vermilion, and a red silk cloth is
presented to her and the couple go round the marriage-post. The bride is
taken for four days to the husband’s house and then returns, and is again
sent with the usual *gauna* ceremony, when she is fit for conjugal
relations. No price is usually paid for the bride, and each party spends
about Rs. 100 on the marriage ceremony. Polygamy and widow marriage are
generally allowed, the widow being disposed of by her parents. The ceremony
at the marriage of a widow consists in putting vermilion on the parting of
her hair and bangles on her wrists. Divorce is allowed on pain of a fine of
Rs. 50 if the divorce is sought by the husband, and of Rs. 25 if the wife
asks for it. In some localities divorce and also polygamy are said to be
forbidden, and in such cases a woman who commits adultery is finally
expelled from the caste, and a funeral feast is given to symbolise her
death.
4. Religious and social customs.
The family god of the Agharias is *Dulha Deo*, who exists in every
household. On the *Haraiti day* or the *commencement of the agricultural
year* they worship the implements of cultivation, and at *Dasahra* the
sword if they have one. They have a great reverence for *cows* and feed
them sumptuously at festivals. Every Agharia has a *guru* or spiritual
guide who whispers the mantra or sacred verse into his ear and is
occasionally consulted. The *dead are usually burnt*, but *children* and
persons dying of cholera or smallpox are *buried*, males being placed on
the pyre or in the grave on their faces and females on their backs, with
the *feet pointing to the south*. On the *third day* the *ashes* are thrown
into a river and the bones of each part of the body are collected and
placed under the *pipal tree*, while a pot is slung over them, through
which water trickles continually for a week, and a lighted lamp, cooked
food, a leaf-cup and a tooth-stick are placed beside them daily for the use
of the deceased during the same period. Mourning ends on the tenth day, and
the usual purification ceremonies are then performed. Children are mourned
for a shorter period. Well-to-do members of the caste feed a Brāhman daily
for a year after a death, believing that food so given passes to the spirit
of the deceased. On the anniversary of the death the caste-fellows are
feasted, and after that the deceased becomes a purkha or ancestor and
participates in devotions paid at the *shrādhh ceremony*. When the head of
a joint family dies, his *successor* is given a *turba*n and betel-leaves,
and his forehead is marked by the priest and other relations with
sandalwood. After a birth the *mother* is impure for *twenty-one days*. A
feast is given on the twelfth day, and sometimes the child is named then,
but often children are not named until they are six years old. The *names*of
*men* usually end in *Ram, Nāth or Singh*, and those of *women* in *Kunwar*.
*Women do not name their husbands*, their elderly relations, nor the sons
of their husband’s eldest brother. A *man does not name his wife*, as he
thinks that to do so would tend to shorten his life in accordance with the
Sanskrit saying, ‘He who is desirous of long life should not name himself,
his guru, a miser, his eldest son, or his wife.’ The Agharias do not admit
outsiders into the caste. They will not take cooked food from any caste,
and water only from a Gaur or Rāwat. They refuse to take water from an
Uriya Brāhman, probably in retaliation for the refusal of Uriya Brāhmans to
accept water from an Agharia, though taking it from a Kolta. Both the Uriya
Brāhmans and Agharias are of somewhat doubtful origin, and both are
therefore probably the more concerned to maintain the social position to
which they lay claim. But *Kewats*, *Rāwats*, *Telis* and other castes eat
cooked food from Agharias, and the caste therefore is admitted to a fairly
high rank in the Uriya <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uriya> country. The
Agharias do not drink liquor or eat any food which a Rājpūt would refuse.
5. Occupation.
As *cultivators* they are considered to be *proficient*. In the census of
1901 nearly a quarter of the whole caste were shown as *mālguzārs* or
village proprietors and lessees. They wear a coarse cloth of homespun yarn
which they get woven for them by Gāndas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganda>;
probably in consequence of this the Agharias do not consider the touch of
the Gānda to pollute them, as other castes do. They will not grow turmeric,
onions, garlic, san-hemp or tomatoes, nor will they rear tasar
silk-cocoons. Colonel Dalton says that their women do no outdoor work, and
this is true in the Central Provinces as regards the better classes, but
poor women work in the fields.
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