Maldhari

Maldhari
માલધારી
Term, or title of Pastoralist and animal husbandry castes in Gujarat
Maldhari grazing buffaloes
Language
Religion

The Maldhari is a occupational term or title used by several herdsmen or animal husbandry castes.[1]

Most Maldhari live in Kutch district in Gujarat and the Maldharis are spread over 48 hamlets that are organized into 19 Panchayats. Their populations have increased to around 25,000 with 90 per cent belonging to the Muslim community and 10 per cent to the Hindu community.[2][3][4][5] Other caste such as the Koli, Kathi, Charan, Rabari and Bharwad reside in Kutch district of Gujarat, India.[6] The Gir Forest National Park is home to around 8,400 Maldharis as of 2007.[7]

The Maldhari Muslim tribes in Kutch include Halepotra, Raysipotra, Mutva, Jat, Hingorja, Node, Sumra, Juneja, Jiyenja, Theba, Saiyyad, Korad, Khaskeli, Bambha, Pathan, Sameja, Bafan, Bayad, Ker, Meta Qureshi, Mutwa, Node, Raysipotra, Royma, Hingora, Chakee, Samma, Sanghar, Soomra, Baloch and Munjavar. While the Hindu Maldhari are from the Meghwal and Vadha Koli communities.[8][9]

  1. ^ Ganguly, Varsha (2005). "Displacement, Rehabilitation and Resettlement: The Case of Maldhari Families of Gir Forest". Sociological Bulletin. 54 (1): 3–17: The Maldhari in Gir are Kolis who are dependent on animal husbandry and farming for. doi:10.1177/0038022920050101. ISSN 0038-0229. JSTOR 23620582.
  2. ^ https://www.sahapedia.org/sites/default/files/2019-03/The%20Maldhari%20Touch%20to%20Kutchi%20Performing%20Arts.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ "Maldharis, the Silvipastoralists of the Banni Grasslands".
  4. ^ "Maldhari Women Changemakers of Banni Grasslands in Kachchh". 7 March 2023.
  5. ^ "How Gujarat's Maldharis Are Asserting Their Rights over the Banni Grasslands".
  6. ^ Chaudhury, Sukant K. (2013-12-31). Readings in Indian Sociology: Volume VII: Sociology of Environment. New Delhi, India, Asia: SAGE Publications. pp. Maldhari is occupational term used for pastoralist and animal husbender castes such as Koli, Kathi, Charan, Rabari and Bharwad in Kutch of the state. ISBN 978-81-321-1841-1.
  7. ^ Rupam Jain Nair (2007-01-21), Rights gained by the Maldhari tribe over the Gir forest, Reuters, retrieved 2012-02-23
  8. ^ "Maldharis, the Silvipastoralists of the Banni Grasslands".
  9. ^ "Pastoralist Communities | Banni Breeders' Association".