Opinion | Gujjar and Bakerwal Community “An Introduction to the largest tribal groups of jammu and kashmir”

Jammu and Kashmir is inhabited by a few tribal communities. The tribal people and their customs, cultures and also means of communication makes the tribes of Jammu and Kashmir stand out. UT of Jammu and Kashmir accounts for 1.2% of the total tribal population of the country. Tribal’s are amongst the most marginalized and disadvantaged communities owing to their relative isolation and continued primitive mode of sustenance. The framers of Indian Constitution recognized the tribal’s as a weaker section of the society and therefore introduced the concept of scheduled tribes to specifically uplift these communities.

Gujjar Tribe: – Gujjar tribe is the largest tribe in Jammu and Kashmir. The Gujjars are a well known semi-nomadic, Pastoral Community. In order to carry on conversation, these Gujjar tribal communities use the beautiful language called as Gojri. The Muslim Gujjars are divided into various exogamous sections or Gotras such as Chachi, famda, kasana, poswal, khatana, Deedar, etc. Sir Walter Roper Lawrence, first settlement commissioner of Kashmir has used word “Semi-nomad Tribe” for the Gujjar Tribes in his book “The Valley of Kashmir” published in 1895.He further states that “In their relations with the state are infinitely more honest then the Kashmir’s”. Their Relations with the Bakerwal are very close as they are considered a section of the Gujjar tribe.
Gujjars are not original inhabitant of Jammu and Kashmir but started their migration in 9th and 10th century from Gujarat, Kathiawar, and Jodhpur where they have been even in power. The origin of these Gujjar tribes is quite interesting, though the proper origin of the Gujjar tribes is not known but it is said that during the time of Hun invasion, Gujjar clan moved towards the northern India. The famous scholar V.A Smith claimed that the Gujjar tribes were foreign migrants, perhaps belongs to the group of Hephthalites, better known as White Huns. Also D. B. Bhandarkar assumed that Gujjar tribes migrated to India along with the Hun tribes. Another school of thought has assumed that the Khazar tribes are ancestors of these Gujjar tribes. The British official James M. Campbell also distinguished Gujjar tribes with Khazar tribes. The relation of these Gujjar tribal communities has also been established with other tribal communities, namely, Chachen tribes, etc.
Following the tradition of most of the tribal communities of the Northern hilly regions of Indian Territory, this Gujjar tribal community have adapted the occupation of semi nomadic tribal community. Majority of this Gujjar tribal community used to herd animals like sheep, goats and buffalo. Gujjars unlike the Bakerwals migrate from their dwelling habitats to green pasture in summers for rearing their cattle’s and with the start of winter, get back to their dwelling places. Gujjars are known for their exquisite tribal dressing style and their style of dressing in case of both men and women are of distinctive pattern. The colorful turban with the unique style of wrapping has been a style mark of Gujjar tribal community. Topi which is also called Afghani hat is worn by the aged Gujjar men. However, Gujjar female beauty is greatly enhanced by the beautiful clothes called Dupatta, It looks like a shawl.

Bakerwall Tribe: – Bakerwall is a nomadic pastoral tribe known for livestock farming as the main source of livelihood and is the second largest tribe in Union territory. The word Bakarwal is derived from two terms with different meanings- ‘Bakar’ means ‘goat’ and ‘Wall’ connoting ‘one who takes care of. Bakerwall Tribe is a Sub-tribe of the Gujjar Tribe. The most interesting fact about Gujjar Bakerwall Community is that every Bakerwall is Gujjar but every Gujjar is not Bakerwall.
Bakarwal tribal community of Jammu and Kashmir are special nomadic tribes, mainly found in the Pir-Panjal range located between the two states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Bakarwal tribes are also found in the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. In Jammu and Kashmir alone, Bakarwal tribes are predominant in the areas of Jammu, which comprises of various districts like Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri and the Kashmir Valley which consist of several districts like Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Budgam and Anantnag. They are also found in some parts of Ladakh consisting of Ladakh and Kargil districts.
The lifestyle of Bakarwal tribes also throws some light on their culture and societal set up. They lead a very secluded and lonely life. Once in every year they take herds of sheep to the steep high mountain regions for grazing. During the summer seasons, when the nature is in its bounty, they easily move from one meadow to the other. Once in a while, however, they may go alone or in larger groups largely depending upon the number of sheep or goats they take for grazing. The physical characteristics of the Bakarwal males are that they keep long beards. Some of their characteristics feature along with their customs, language, manners and dressing sense match with the Gujjar tribes.

Maajaaz Faisal
fn6113739@gmail.com