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In its survey of ''[[The People of India]]'', the [[Anthropological Survey of India]] (AnSI) - a government-sponsored organisation - noted that {{quote|The Gurjars/Gujjars were no doubt a remarkable people spread from Kashmir to Gujarat and Maharashtra, who gave an identity to Gujarat, established kingdoms, entered the Rajput groups as the dominant lineage of Badgujar, and survive today as a pastoral and a tribal group with both Hindu and Muslim segments.<ref name="Kumar Suresh Singh 2004">{{Cite book|title=People of India: Maharashtra|author=[[Kumar Suresh Singh]]|coauthor=B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India|publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2004|id=ISBN 81-7991-101-2, ISBN 978-81-7991-101-3 |page=xxviii}}</ref>}}
In its survey of ''[[The People of India]]'', the [[Anthropological Survey of India]] (AnSI) - a government-sponsored organisation - noted that {{quote|The Gurjars/Gujjars were no doubt a remarkable people spread from Kashmir to Gujarat and Maharashtra, who gave an identity to Gujarat, established kingdoms, entered the Rajput groups as the dominant lineage of Badgujar, and survive today as a pastoral and a tribal group with both Hindu and Muslim segments.<ref name="Kumar Suresh Singh 2004">{{Cite book|title=People of India: Maharashtra|author=[[Kumar Suresh Singh]]|coauthor=B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India|publisher=Popular Prakashan|year=2004|id=ISBN 81-7991-101-2, ISBN 978-81-7991-101-3 |page=xxviii}}</ref>}}

AnSI record that I. Karve, the Indologist and historian, noted that the Gurjars position in society and the caste system generally varied from one linguistic area of India to another. In Maharashtra, according to AnSI, Karve believes that they were probably absorbed by the Rajputs and Marathas but retained some of their distinct identity. She based her theories on analysis of clan names and tradition, noting that while most Rajputs claim their origins to lie in the mythological [[Lunar Dynasty|Chandravansh]] or [[Solar Dynasty|Suryavansh dynasties]], at least two of the communities in the region claimed instead to be descended from the [[Agnivanshi|Agnivansh]].<ref name="Kumar Suresh Singh 2004" />{{efn|AnSI cites I. Karve's ''Hindu Society - An Interpretation'', page 64.<ref name="Kumar Suresh Singh 2004" />}}

===Gurjar rulers===
{{See also|Gurjara-Pratihara|Kushan Gurjar|Solanki|Parmara|Tomara|Chapa (Gurjara) Dynasty}}

[[Image:Indian Kanauj triangle map.svg|thumb|right|250px|The [[Pratihara|Gurjara-Pratihara]] kingdom and other contemporary kingdoms.]]
According to some historical accounts, the kingdom with capital at [[Bhinmal]] (or Srimal) was established by the Gurjars. A minor kingdom of Bharuch was the offshoot of this Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Malabari
| first =Behramji Merwanji
| coauthors=Krishnalal M. Jhaveri
| title =Gujarat and the Gujaratis: Pictures of Men and Manners Taken from Life
| year =1998
| publisher=Asian Educational Services
| isbn =81-206-0651-5
| page =2
}}</ref> In 640-41 CE, the Chinese traveller [[Xuanzang]] (Hieun Tsang) described the kingdoms of ''Su-la-cha'' (identified with [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]]) and ''Kiu-che-lo'' (identified with Gurjara) in his writings. He stated that the Gurjaras ruled a rich and populous kingdom with capital at [[Bhinmal]] (''Pilo-mo-lo'').<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Campbell
| first =James MacNabb
| coauthors=Reginald Edward Enthoven
| title =Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency
| year =1901
| publisher=Govt. Central Press
| isbn =81-206-0651-5
| page =2
}}</ref> According to his expositor, M. Vivien de St. Martin, ''Su-la-cha'' represents the modern [[Gujarat]], and ''Kiu-che-lo'' (Gurjjara), "the country of the Gujars", represents the region between [[Anhilwara]] and the [[Indus River]], i.e. [[Sindh]] region.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://persian.packhum.org/persian/index.jsp?serv=pf&file=80201011&ct=90
|title=Juzr or Jurz.
|work=Persian Texts in Translation
|publisher=The Packard Humanities Institute
|accessdate=2007-05-31
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070929130741/http://persian.packhum.org/persian/index.jsp?serv=pf&file=80201011&ct=90 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 29 September 2007}}</ref>

D. B. Bhandarkar also believed that [[Pratihara]]s were a clan of Gurjars.<ref name="some_aspects_bhandarkar">{{Cite book
| last =Bhandarkar
| first =Devadatta Ramakrishna
| title =Some Aspects of Ancient Indian Culture
| year =1989
| publisher=Asian Educational Services
| isbn =81-206-0457-1
| page =64
}}</ref>

Some other historians believe that although some sections of the Pratiharas (e.g. the one to which Mathanadeva belonged) were Gurjars by caste, the Pratiharas of [[Kannauj]] were not Gurjars and there was no Gurjara empire in Northern India in 8th and 9th century.,<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Majumdar
| first =Ramesh Chandra
| title =Readings in Political History of India, Ancient, Mediaeval, and Modern
| origyear = 1976
| year = 2002
| publisher = B.R. Pub. Corp (on behalf of Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quaternary Studies), D.K. Publishers' Distributors
| page = 209
| quote = But he refused to believe that the Imperial Pratiharas of Kanauj were also Gujars in this sense.
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| title = Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 2
| publisher = Digital South Asia Library
|url=http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V02_355.gif
|accessdate=2007-05-31
|page =320
|quote=But whatever our theories regarding the infusion of Gujar blood among the Rajputs, there was certainly no Gurjara (Gujar) empire in Northern India
}}</ref> though from the work of other historians it has been known that [[Kannauj]] was capital of [[Gurjara-Pratihara]].<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Kulke
| first =Hermann
| title =A history of India
|url=http://books.google.com/?id=V73N8js5ZgAC&pg=PA163&dq=gurjara+pratihara&q=gurjara%20pratihara%20kanauj
| year = 2004
|isbn =0-415-32920-5|id=ISBN 978-0-415-32920-0
| publisher =Routledge, 2004
|edition=4th, illustrated
| pages = 432 pages|nopp=yes
| quote =In 9th century the Gurjara pratiharas kings, Bhoja (836-885) and Mahendrapala (885-910), proved to be more powerful than their contemporaries of the other two dynasties whom they defeated several times. Kanauj then emerged as the main focus of power in India.
| last2=Rothermund|first2=Dietmar
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book
| last =Majumdar
| first =Ramesh Chandra
| title =The History and Culture of the Indian People: The classical age
|url=http://books.google.com/?id=8QhuAAAAMAAJ&q=gurjara+pratihara&dq=gurjara+pratihara
| origyear =1954
| publisher =G. Allen & Unwin, original from-the University of Michigan
| quote =Rajasekharan, the great poet and playwright at the Gurjara-pratihara court of [[Kannauj]].
| year =1954
| last2=Samiti|first2= Bhāratīya Itihāsa
}}</ref><ref name="Chopra 196">{{Cite book
| last =Chopra
| first =Pran Nath
| title =A comprehensive history of ancient India
|url=http://books.google.com/?id=gE7udqBkACwC&pg=PA196&dq=gurjara+pratihara&q=gurjara%20pratihara
| year = 2003
|isbn =81-207-2503-4|id= ISBN 978-81-207-2503-4
| publisher =Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd
| page =196
| quote =Al-Masudi who visited his (Gurjara mahipala) court, also refers to the great power and resources of the Gurjara pratihara rules of Kannauj.
}}</ref>

[[Chapa (Gurjara) Dynasty|Chavdas]], also known as Gurjar Chapas <ref>{{Cite book
| title =History of mediaeval Hindu India, Volume 1
| author =Chintaman Vinayak Vaidya
| publisher =Cosmo Publications
| year =1979
| page =355
|url=http://books.google.com/?id=sXpDAAAAYAAJ&q=history+is+all+about+gurjara&dq=history+is+all+about+gurjara&cd=40
}}</ref> was also one of the ruling clans of Gurjars.

===British rule===
In the eighteenth century, several Gurjar chieftains and small kings were in power. During the reign of [[Rohilla]] [[Nawab]] [[Najib-ul-Daula]], Dargahi Singh, the Gurjar chieftain of [[Dadri]] possessed 133 villages at a fixed revenue of Rs.29,000.<ref>{{Cite book
|title = Uttar Pradesh District Gazetteers
|publisher =Govternment of Uttar Pradesh
|year=1993
| page =152
}}</ref> A fort at Parlchhatgarh in [[Meerut District]], also known as Qila Parikishatgarh, is ascribed to a Gurjar [[Raja Nain Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://meerut.nic.in/tourist.htm
|title=Tourist Places
|publisher=District Administration Meerut
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> According to a legend, the fort was built by [[Parikshit]] and restored by Nain Singh in the eighteenth century. The fort was dismantled in 1857, to be used as a police station.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 20
| publisher = Digital South Asia Library
|url=http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V20_008.gif
|accessdate=2007-05-31
| page =2
}}</ref>

[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]] states that throughout the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]], the Gujars and Musalman (Muslim) Rajputs proved the "most irreconcilable enemies" of the British in the Bulandshahr area.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 9
| publisher = Digital South Asia Library
|url=http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V09_056.gif
|accessdate=2007-05-31
| page =50
}}</ref>

During the revolt of 1857, the Muslim Gujars in the villages of the [[Ludhiana District]] showed dissent to the British authorities.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 16
| publisher = Digital South Asia Library
|url=http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V16_207.gif
|accessdate=2007-05-31
| page =201
}}</ref> The British interests in [[Gangoh]] city of [[Saharanpur District]] were threatened by the rebel Gujars under the self-styled Raja Fathua. These Gujars rebels were defeated by the British forces under H. D. Robertson and Lieutenant Boisragon, in June 1857.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 12
| publisher = Digital South Asia Library
|url=http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V12_145.gif
|accessdate=2007-05-31
| page =139
}}</ref> The Gujars of Chundrowli rose against the British, under the leadership of Damar Ram. The Gujars of Shunkuri village, numbering around three thousand, joined the rebel [[sepoy]]s. According to British records, the Gurjars plundered gunpowder and ammunition from the British and their allies.<ref name="munshi_jeewan_lal">{{Cite book
|last = Jivanlala (Jeewan Lal)
|first = Munshi
|coauthors = Mu‘in al-Din Hasan Khan
|editor = [[Charles Metcalfe, 1st Baron Metcalfe]]
|title = Two Native Narratives of the Mutiny in Delhi
|origyear = 1898
|url = http://www.kapadia.com/NativeNarrative/TwoNativeNarratives.html
|accessdate=2007-05-31
|year = 1974
|publisher = Seema Publications (original publisher: A. Constable & Co)
|pages = 10–27
|chapter = Narrative Of Munshi Jeewan Lal
|chapterurl = http://www.kapadia.com/NativeNarrative/NarrativeofMunshiJeewanLal.htm
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/jan/dehli-campaign.htm
|title=The Delhi Campaign
|author=Agha Humayun Amin
|publisher=Defence Journal
|month=January
|year=2000
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> In [[Delhi]], the ''[[Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, 4th Baronet|Metcalfe]] House'' was sacked by the Gurjar villagers from whom the land was taken to erect the building.<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Sen
| first =Geeti
| coauthors=Ashis Banerjee
| title =The Human Landscape
| publisher =Orient Longman
|year=2001
|isbn=81-250-2045-4
| page =236
}}</ref> The British records claim that the Gujars carried out several robberies. Twenty Gujars were reported to have been beheaded by [[Rao Tula Ram]] for committing dacoities in July 1857.<ref name="munshi_jeewan_lal"/> In September 1857, the British were able to enlist the support of many Gujars at [[Meerut]].<ref>{{Cite book
|title=The Adivasis of India - A History of Discrimination, Conflict, and Resistance
|author=C.R. Bijoy
|work=PUCL Bulletin
|publisher=People's Union for Civil Liberties
|month=February
|year=2003
}}</ref> The colonial authors always used the code word "turbulent" for the castes who were generally hostile to British rule. They cited proverbs that appear to evaluate the caste in an unfavorable light. The British ethnographer, [[William Crooke]], described that Gurjars seriously impeded the operations of the British Army before Delhi.<ref>Everyday life in South Asia By Diane P. Mines, Sarah Lamb, Published by Indiana University Press, 2002, pp.206</ref> Reporter Meena Radhakrishna believe that the British classified the Gurjars along with others as "criminal tribes" because of their active participation in the revolt of 1857, and also because, they considered these tribes to be prone to criminality in the absence of legitimate means of livelihood.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/folio/fo0007/00070240.htm
|title=Dishonoured by history
|author=Meena Radhakrishna
|work=folio: Special issue with the Sunday Magazine
|publisher=[[The Hindu]]
|date=16 July 2006
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]] stated that the Gujars were impoverished due to their "lawlessness in [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|the Mutiny]]".<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Imperial Gazetteer of India, vol. 9
| publisher = Digital South Asia Library
|url=http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/text.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V09_061.gif
|accessdate=2007-05-31
| page =55
|quote=In 1860, the same tracts suffeered, being largely inhabited by Gujars, still impoverished due to their lawlessness in the Mutiny
}}</ref>

==Demographics==

Gurjars are mainly concentrated in the [[Indo-Gangetic plains]], the Himalayan region, and eastern parts of [[Afghanistan]], although the Gurjar diaspora is found in other places as well. A majority of Gurjars follow [[Hinduism]] and [[Islam]], though small Gurjar communities following other religions exist.

===India===
In India, Gurjar populations are found mainly in [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], [[Delhi]], [[Haryana]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]], western [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]], northern [[Madhya Pradesh]], Himachal Pradesh and [[Maharashtra]]. The semi-nomadic Muslim Gujjar groups are found in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and north-western Uttar Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Chib
| first =Sukhdev Singh
| title =Himachal Pradesh
| year =1977
| publisher =Light & Life Publishers
| page =99
}}</ref> The name for the state of [[Gujarat]] has derived from "Gurjar".<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.gujaratindia.com/about-gujarat/history-1.htm
|title=Gujrat state official site
|author=Gujrat Government
|quote=The State took it’s name from the Gujara, the land of the Gujjars, who ruled the area during the 700’s and 800’s.
}}</ref>

[[Gujari]] (or Gojri), classified under [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]],<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.koshur.org/Linguistic/5.html
|title=Gujari Language and Identity in Jammu and Kashmir
|author=Dr. R.P. Khatana
|publisher=Kashmir News Network: Language Section (koshur.org)
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> has traditionally been the primary language of the Gurjaras.

Today, the Gurjars are classified under the [[Other Backward Class]] (OBC) category in some states in India.<ref>{{Cite news
| url = http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/asia/article2608724.ece |title = India's Gujjar caste fight for a downgrade |first=Jeremy |last=Page |publisher = The Times |date = 30 May 2008 |accessdate = 2009-12-01}}</ref> However, in [[Jammu and Kashmir]] and parts of [[Himachal Pradesh]], they are designated as a [[Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes|Scheduled Tribe]] under the [[Reservation in India|Indian government's reservation program]] of [[positive discrimination]]. [[Hinduism|Hindu]] Gurjars today are assimilated into several [[Varna (Hinduism)|varnas]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=RS|title=Early medieval Indian society: a study in feudalisation|publisher=Orient Longman Private Limited|date=2001,2003|page=207|chapter=6|quote=It would be wrong to think that all foreigners were accepted as kshatriya and Rajputs for, in course of time, the Gujar people broke up into brahmans, banias, potters, goldsmiths, not to speak of herdsmen and cultivators (kunbis), who were looked upon as sudras. |isbn=81-250-2523-5 |url=http://books.google.com/?id=i_sIE1sO5kwC&pg=PA207&dq=vaishya+caste+gujjar#v=onepage&q=|accessdate=30 November 2009}}</ref>

====Haryana====
The Gurjar community in Haryana has set elaborate guidelines for solemnizing marriages and holding other functions.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030803/ncr1.htm#4
|title=Anti-dowry campaign renewed before marriage season
|author=Chattar Pal Tanwar
|publisher=[[The Tribune]], [[Chandigarh]]
|date=3 August 2003
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> In a ''mahapanchayat'' ("the great [[panchayat]]"), the Gurjar community decided that those who sought dowry would be excommunicated from the society.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030630/ncr1.htm#5
|title=No band, no dhol, and just 11 baratis
|author=Parmindar Singh
|publisher=[[The Tribune]], [[Chandigarh]]
|date=29 June 2003
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref>

====Rajasthan====
[[File:Shri Devnarayan BhagwanVeerGurjar.JPG|thumb|right|Fairs of [[Shri Devnarayan Bhagwan]] are organized two times in a year at Demali, Maalasheri, [[Asind]] and [[Jodhpuriya]]]]
[[File:SawaibhojGurjar.jpg.JPG|thumb|right|Statue of [[Devnarayan#Bagaravat Bharat|Sri Sawai Bhoj Bagaravat]], one of the 24 Gurjar brothers collectively known as Bagaravats, at [[Dev Dham Jodhpuriya]] temple.]]

There is close connection between [[Pushkar]] and Gurjar community.[[Pushkar]] is considered one of the holiest place to visit.According to Rajputana Gazetteer [[Pushkar]] was held by [[Chechi]] Gurjars till about 700 years ago.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Volume 9,Part 1|author=Bombay (India : State)|publisher=Govt. Central Press|year=1901|page=490}}</ref> There are still priests from Gurjar community in [[Pushkar]] temple known as Bhopas.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Social science probings,Volume 10|author=|publisher=People's Pub. House|year=1993|page=49}}</ref>

Songs pertaining to Krishna and Gurjars were documented in Gurjar-inhabited areas during the [[British Raj]], the connection being that [[Nand Mihir]], the foster-father of Krishna, is claimed to be a Gurjar.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The child Krishna, Christianity and the Gujars|author=J. Kennedy|publisher=Royal Asiatic Society|year=1907}}</ref> [[Radha]], the consort of Krishna, was also a Gurjar.<ref name="Taran Singh 1992 142">{{Cite book|title=Guru Nanak, his mind and art|author=Taran Singh|publisher=Bahri Publications|year=1992|page=142|isbn=81-7034-066-7, ISBN 978-81-7034-066-9
}}</ref>

The Rajasthani Gurjars worship the Sun God, [[Devnarayan]] (an [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]), [[Shiva]] and [[Durga|Bhavani]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Bards, ballads and boundaries: an ethnographic atlas of music traditions in West Rajasthan|author=Daniel Neuman|coauthor=Shubha Chaudhuri, Komal Kothari|publisher=Seagull|year=2007|id=ISBN 1905422075, ISBN 978-1-905422-07-4|quote=Devnarayan is worshipped as an avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. This epic is associated with the Gujar caste}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Indian studies: past & present, Volume 11|publisher=Today & Tomorrow's Printers & Publishers|year=1970|page=385|quote=The Gujars of Punjab, North Gujarat and Western Rajasthan worship Sitala and Bhavani}}</ref>

In Rajasthan, some members of the Gurjar community resorted to violent protests over the issue of [[Reservation in India|reservation]] in 2006 and 2007. The more powerful and more influential [[Jat people|Jat community]] had been included under the [[Other Backward Class]]es (OBC) category, which prompted the Gurjars to demand [[Scheduled Tribe]] (ST) status. During the 2003 election to the Rajasthan assembly, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) promised them ST status.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.countercurrents.org/rahi060608.htm
|title= Gujjar of Rajasthan and ST Status
|publisher=Countercurrents.org ! News
|date=6 June 2008
|accessdate=2009-06-24
}}</ref> However, the party failed to keep its promise after coming to the power, resulting in protests by the Gurjars in September 2006.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/060905/139/67ale.html
|title=Gujjar community goes berserk in Rajasthan
|publisher=Yahoo! News
|date=5 September 2006
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

In May 2007, during violent protests over the reservation issue, the members of the Gurjar community clashed with the police twenty six people (including two policemen).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200705301541.htm |title=Gujjar unrest: CPI(M) demands judicial probe |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=30 May 2007 |accessdate=2007-05-31 }}</ref> Subsequently, the Gurjars protested violently, under various groups including the Gurjar Sangarsh Samiti,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=374252&sid=REG&ssid= |title= Talks between Rajasthan Government, Gujjars collapse |publisher=[[Zee News]] |date=30 May 2007 |accessdate=2007-05-31 }}</ref> Gurjar Mahasabha<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/May302007/national200705304597.asp?section=updatenews |title=Gujjars seek resignation of Minister Kalulal Gujjar |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=30 May 2007
|accessdate=2007-05-31 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070929131756/http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/May302007/national200705304597.asp?section=updatenews <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 29 September 2007}}</ref> and the Gurjar Action Committee<ref>{{Cite news
|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Four_dead_in_Gujjar-police_clash/articleshow/2082202.cms |title=Four dead in Gujjar-police clash in Rajasthan
|publisher=[[The Times of India]] |date=29 May 2007 |accessdate=2007-05-31 |deadurl=yes }} {{Dead link|date=January 2012|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> The protestors blocked roads and set fire to two police stations and some vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/30-05-2007/92454-clash_india-0
|title=Impoverished villagers burn police stations, vehicles in India |publisher=[[Pravda.ru]] |date=29 May 2007 |accessdate=2007-05-31 }}</ref> Presently, the Gurjars in Rajasthan are classified as [[Other Backward Classes]] (OBCs).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/rajasthan.htm |title=Central List Of Other Backward Classes: Rajasthan |publisher=National Commission for Backward Classes |accessdate=2007-05-31}}</ref>

On 5 June 2007 the Gurjar rioted over their desire to be added to the central list of tribes who are given preference in India government job selection as well as placement in the schools sponsored by the states of India. This preference is given under a system designed to help India's poor and disadvantaged citizens. However, other tribes on the list oppose this request as it would make it harder to obtain the few positions already set aside.<ref>{{Cite news
|year=2007 |month=5 June |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1628192,00.html?xid=rss-world&iid=sphere-inline-bottom |title=The Race to the Bottom of India's Ladder |publisher=Time Magazine |accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref>

In December 2007, the Akhil Bhartiya Gurjar Mahasabha ("All-India Gurjar Council") stated that the community would boycott BJP, which is in power in Rajasthan.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200712311013.htm |title=Gurjar community 'threatens' to boycott BJP |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=31 December 2007 |accessdate=2007-12-31}}</ref> But now in 2009 all Gurjars were supporting BJP so that they can be politically benefitted.[[Kirori Singh Bainsla]] fought and lost at BJP ticket.
In early 2000s, the Gurjar community in Rajasthan was also in news for the falling [[sex ratio]], unavailability of brides and the resulting [[polyandry]].<ref>{{Cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2003/08/31/stories/2003083100250400.htm
|title=Men without women
|author=Manipadma Jena
|publisher=[[The Hindu]]
|date=3 August 2003
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/globalpers/gp021505.htm
|title=Diminishing returns
|author=Astrid Lobo Gajiwala
|publisher=The National Catholic Reporter
|date=7 February 2005
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref>

{{See also|2008 caste violence in Rajasthan}}

====Madhya Pradesh====
Presently, the Gurjars in [[Madhya Pradesh]] are classified as [[Other Backward Classes]] (OBCs).<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/mp.htm
|title=Central List Of Other Backward Classes: Madhya Pradesh
|publisher=National Commission for Backward Classes
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref>

====Gujarat and Maharashtra====

A few scholars believe that the [[Leva Patil|Leva]] [[Kunbi]]s (or Kambis) of Gujarat, a section of the [[Patidar]]s, are possibly of Gurjar origin.<ref>{{Cite journal
| last =B K.
| first = Mohapatra
| coauthors = R. Trivedi, A. K. Mehta, J. M. Vyas, V. K. Kashyap
| year = 2004
| month =June
| title = Genetic Diversity at 15 Fluorescent-Labeled Short Tandem Repeat Loci in the Patel and Other Communities of Gujarat, India.
| journal = American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology
| volume =25
| issue = 2
| pages = 108–112
| url = http://www.amjforensicmedicine.com/pt/re/ajfmp/abstract.00000433-200406000-00003.htm;jsessionid=GdtDnGQq8blktYN2GKllqTLZLPyyVLdGHhh1Qbpsv2skJJT3w4PH!-1547828331!-949856145!8091!-1
|accessdate=2007-05-31
| quote = They are a section of the Kambi who address themselves as Patidar, and probably they are Gujjar in origin.
| doi = 10.1097/01.paf.0000114137.01885.01
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/BULDHANA/people_castes.html
|title=Buldhana: Castes
|work=Buldhana District Gazetteer
|publisher=Gazetteers Department, Cultural Affairs Department of Government of Maharashtra
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref><ref name="indomitable_sardar">{{Cite book
|last=Panjabi
|first=Kewalram Lalchand
|title =The Indomitable Sardar
|year =1977
|publisher =Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
|page=4
|quote=Vallabhbhai Patel belonged to the famous clan of Leva Gujar Patidars who played a notable role in the history of Gujarat. They were Gujars who came from Punjab and had occupied the rich charotar land between Mahi and Tapi rivers.
}}</ref> However, several others state that the Patidars are [[Kurmi]]s or [[Kunbi]]s (Kanbis);<ref name="patidarsamaj.org">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.patidarsamaj.org/culture-traditions.htm
|title=Culture and Traditions
|publisher=Patidar Samaj
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref><ref name="Pocock 1972">{{Cite book
|last=Pocock
|first=David Francis
|title =Kanbi and Patidar: A Study of the Patidar Community of Gujarat
|year =1972
|publisher=Clarendon Press
|isbn=0-19-823175-X
}}</ref> the National Commission for Backward Classes of India lists Leva Patidars (or Lewa Petidars) as a sub-caste of Kunbis/Kurmis. Dode Gujars and Dore Gujars are listed as separate caste in Maharastra and Gurjars are included in OBC list in Gujarat but Patidars are not.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://ncbc.nic.in/backward-classes/maharashtra.html
|title=Central List of Other Backward Classes
|publisher=National Commission for Backward Classes
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> Most of Patidar associations clearly mention in their history that they are the
part of [[Kurmi]] Samaj.<ref name="patidarsamaj.org"/><ref name="Pocock 1972"/><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.lpstnvs.com/history.php
|title=Leuva Connextion Issue 2 May 2006
|publisher=Leuva Patidar Samaj USA
|accessdate=2007-09-16
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://kpsuk1.members.beeb.net/Pride_of_our_history.htm
|title=PRIDE OF OUR HISTORY
|publisher=Sree Kadwa Patidar Samaj UK
|accessdate=2007-09-16
|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070706213738/http://kpsuk1.members.beeb.net/Pride_of_our_history.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 6 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.matiyapatidar.com/history-by-ramanbhai.html
|title=HISTORY OF THE MATIYA PATIDAR SAMAJ
|publisher=Matiya Patidar Samaj
|accessdate=2007-09-16
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.leuvapatidarsamaj.com/pdfs/leuvaconnection-2.pdf
|title=Culture and Traditions
|publisher=Patidar Samaj
|accessdate=2007-09-16
|format=PDF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://bakrol.pustakalay.com/history.pdf
|title=The Patidars: A Golden Page in History
|publisher=Patidar Samaj
|accessdate=2007-09-16
|format=PDF}}</ref>

A community using Gurjar and Gurjarpadhye as their surnames resides in the coastal [[Konkan]] region of [[Maharashtra]], inhabiting Pangre, Hasol, and other villages in [[Ratnagiri District]]. Originally bearing the name "Gurjarpadhye", many now prefer to call themselves Gurjar. The community may have been living in the Konkan region for at least three centuries, although this estimate may be inaccurate. The community is a sub-caste of the larger [[Karhade Brahmin]] group<ref>{{Cite book
|last=Saraswati
|first=Baidyanath
|title =Brahmanic Ritual Traditions in the Crucible of Time
|year =1977
|publisher =Indian Institute of Advanced Study
|page=45
}}</ref> and speaks the [[Marathi language|Marathi]] language.

====Himachal Pradesh====
{{As of|2001}}, the Gurjars in parts of Himachal Pradesh were classified as a Scheduled Tribe.<ref name="census2001">{{cite web |publisher=Census of India: Government of India |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/scst_main.html |date=7 March 2007 |title=List of Scheduled Tribes |accessdate=27 November 2012}}</ref>

====Jammu and Kashmir====

In the Indian state of [[Jammu & Kashmir]], the concentration of Muslim Gujjars is observed in the districts of [[Rajouri District|Rajouri]] and [[Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir|Poonch]], followed by, [[Anantnag District|Ananatnag]], [[Udhampur District|Udhampur]] and [[Doda District|Doda]] districts.<ref name="census2001_jk_st">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/
|title=Jammu & Kashmir Data Highlights: The Scheduled Tribes
|work=[[Census of India]] 2001
|publisher=Office of the Registrar General, India
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> It is believed that Gurjars migrated to Jammu and Kashmir from Gujarat (via Rajasthan) and Hazara district of NWFP.<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Kapoor
| first =A. K.
| coauthors=M. K. Raha, D. Basu, Satwanti Kapoor
| title =Ecology and man in the Himalayas
| year =1994
| publisher =M. D. Publications
| isbn =978-81-85880-16-7
| pages =43–44
}}</ref> Another group called [[Bakarwal]] (or Bakerwal) belongs to the same ethnic stock as the Gurjars, and inter-marriages freely take place among them.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}}

{{As of|2001}}, the Gurjars and the Bakarwals in Jammu and Kashmir were classified as Scheduled Tribes.<ref name="census2001" /> According to the 2001 [[Census of India]], Gurjar is the most populous scheduled tribe in J&K, having a population of 763,806. Around 99.3 per cent population of Gurjar and Bakarwal in J&K follow Islam.<ref name="census2001_jk_st"/> But according to the [[Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation]], Gurjars constitute more than 20% of total population of the state.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/29/stories/2010032955531400.htm|title=Jammu and Kashmir Gujjars, Bakerwals advance seasonal migration by a month|publisher=The Hindu |date=29 March 2010 |accessdate=|quote=The Gujjars constituted more than 20 per cent population of the State}}</ref>

The Gurjars of Jammu and Kashmir in 2007 demanded to treat this tribal community as a [[Linguistic minorities|linguistic minority]] in the State and provide constitutional safeguards to their language [[Gojri]]. They also impressed upon the state government to take up the matter with [[Delhi]] for inclusion of [[Gojri]] in the list of [[official languages of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=128044|title=Meri News |publisher=Meri News |date= |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showarticles.php?subaction=showfull&id=1223720396&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3&var0news=value0news|title=Kashmir Watch |publisher=Kashmir Watch |date= |accessdate=2009-04-16}}</ref>

In 2002, some Gurjars and Bakarwals in J&K demanded a separate state (Gujaristan) for Gurjar and Bakarwal communities, under the banner of All India Gurjar Parishad.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=13233
|title=Gujjars, Bakerwals demand Gujaristan in J&K
|publisher=[[Indian Express]]
|date=29 July 2002
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref>

====Van Gujjars====
The [[Muslim Gujjar (Uttar Pradesh)|Van Gujjars]] ("forest Gujjars") are found in the Shivalik hills area of North India. The Van Gujjars follow Islam, and they have their own clans, similar to the Hindu [[gotra]]s.<ref name="businessline_outside_jungle">{{Cite web
|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/2000/09/04/stories/100444m8.htm
|title=Outside the jungle book
|author=Radhakrishna Rao
|work=[[Business Line]]
|publisher=[[The Hindu]]
|date=4 September 2000
|accessdate=2007-05-31
}}</ref> They are a pastoral semi-nomadic community, practising [[transhumance]]. In the winter season, the Van Gujjars migrate with their herds to the Shiwalik foothills, and in summer, they migrate to pastures high up in the mountains. The Van Gujjars have had conflicts with the forest authorities, who prohibited human and livestock populations inside a reserved park, and blamed the Van Gujjar community for poaching and timber smuggling.<ref name="businessline_outside_jungle"/> After the creation of the [[Rajaji National Park]] (RNP), the [[Muslim Gujjar (Uttar Pradesh)|Van Gujjars]] in Deharadun were asked to shift to a resettlement colony at Pathari near Hardwar. In 1992, when the Van Gujjars returned to the foothills, the RNP authorities tried to block them from the park area. The community fought back and finally the forest authorities had to relent.<ref>{{Cite book
| last =Gooch
| first =Pernille
| title =At the Tail of the Buffalo: Van Gujjar pastoralists between the forest and the world arena
| year =1998
| publisher=Dept. of Sociology, [[Lund University]]
| isbn =91-89078-53-5
}}</ref> Later, a community forest management (CFM) programme aiming to involve the Van Gujjars in forest management was launched.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}}

===Pakistan===
<!-- http://books.google.co.in/books?id=KSluAAAAMAAJ&dq=rehmat+ali+gujjar&q=gujjar#search_anchor -->
The Muslim Gurjars are considered to be a major tribe in Pakistan; in fact, they compromise as much as twenty percent of the country's entire populaion.<ref name="Hindustan Times-Gujjar Population">{{Cite web|url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=cf47c3b7-311e-4a6f-9ce1-a19f9052d911Desertstorm_Special&&Headline=Who%2Bare%2Bthe%2BGujjars%3F%2B| title = Who are the Gujjars?|publisher = Hindustan Times|accessdate = 2009-06-29}}</ref>

===Afghanistan===
[[File:Bakitar Gujar, 1984.jpg|thumb|right|Gujar kids in Afghanistan, 1984]]
A significant number of Gurjars are found in eastern [[Kunar province]] of Afghanistan,<ref>[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?id=cf47c3b7-311e-4a6f-9ce1-a19f9052d911Desertstorm_Special&&Headline=Who%2Bare%2Bthe%2BGujjars%3F%2B Who are the Gujjars?]</ref>{{Dead link|date=November 2012}} with smaller minorities in [[Laghman province|Laghman]] and Nurestan provinces.<ref>https://ronna-afghan.harmonieweb.org/PDP/PublicDocuments/Laghman%20PDP.pdf</ref>

==See also==
* [[Gujjars in Pakistan]]
* [[List of Gurjars]]
* [[List of Gurjar clans]]
* [[Kingdom of Khotan]]
* [[History of Gujarat]]
* [[36 royal races]]

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=biEsAAAAIAAJ&q Ratanlala Varma, ''Bhāratīya saṃskr̥ti ke rakshaka'', Bharatiya Gurjara Parishad, 1987]
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=M07HPgAACAAJ&dq Rana Ali Hasan Chauhan, ''A short history of the Gurjars: (past and present)'', Begum Akbar Jahan Foundation of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust, 2001]
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=p38tAAAAMAAJ&q Jayasimha, ''Gurjara aura Unakā Itihāsa meṃ Yogadāna Vishaya para Prathama Itihāsa Sammelana, Volume 1'',Bharatiya Gurjara Parishad, 1993]
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=lxn6YOZYidgC&q Ganapati Simha, ''1857 ke Gūjara śahīda: Bhāratīya itihāsa kā śānadāra adhyāya'', Cau. Jñānendra Siṃha Bhaḍānā, 1984]
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=RyMbAAAAMAAJ&q Mulatānasiṃha Varmā, ''Deśa, videśa meṃ Gurjara kyā haiṃ tathā kyā the?: Gurjara itihāsa'', Akhila Bhāratīya Gurjara Samāja Sudhāra Sabhā, 1984]


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 22:58, 4 October 2013

Gurjar
Regions with significant populations
India • Pakistan
Languages
Gujari • Punjabi • Urdu • Hindi • English

The Gurjar are an ethnic group in India and Pakistan.[1] Alternative spellings include Gurjara, Gojar, Goojar, Gujjar, Gurjjara and Gūrjara.They are traditionally a pastoral community.[2][3]Nowadys they have taken to different professions – be it agriculture or animal husbandry, teaching or mining, law or transport.[4]

History

Origin

Statue of Samraat Mihir Bhoj in the Bharat Upvan (Garden of India) of Akshardham Mandir, New Delhi

The origin of the Gurjars is uncertain.[5] Many Gurjars claim descent from Suryavanshi Kshatriyas (Sun Dynasty) and connect themselves with the Hindu deity Rama.[6] Historically, the Gurjars were Sun-worshipers and are described as devoted to the feet of the Sun-god (God Surya). Their copper-plate grants bear an emblem of the Sun and on their seals too, this symbol is depicted.[7] Also the Gurjar title of honor is Mihir which means Sun.[8][9] Ancient Sanskrit Poet Rajasekhara in his plays styled Gurjar rulers as Raghu-kula-tilaka (Ornament of the race of Raghu), Raghu-gramani (the leader of the Raghus) and so forth.[10]

The Gurjar clan appeared in northern India about the time of the Huna invasions of northern India. Some scholars, such as V. A. Smith, believed that the Gurjars were foreign immigrants, possibly a branch of Hephthalites ("White Huns").[11] In the past, Gurjars have also been hypothesized to be descended from the nomadic Khazar tribes, although the history of Khazars shows an entirely different politico-cultural ethos[12] It has also been suggested that the Gurjars along with population from northwestern India, merged with the Hephthalites and formed Rajputs.[13] Scott Cameron Levi, in his The Indian Diaspora in Central Asia and its Trade, 1550-1900, mentions Kazar (Khazar, could also refer to Kassar) and Kujar (Gujar) as two different tribes with links to Central Asia.[full citation needed]

Linguistic theories

Some others claim that the Gurjar caste is related to the Chechens and the Georgians, and argue that Georgia was traditionally called "Gujaristan" (actually Gorjestan).[14][15] However, there is little evidence for such claims. The word "Georgia" derived from the Arabic and Persian word Gurj, and not Gojar or Gurjar.[16][17]

A 2009 study conducted by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, under the supervision of Gurjar scholar Javaid Rahi, claimed that the word "Gojar" has a Central Asian Turkic origin, written in romanized Turkish as Göçer. Study claimed that according to the new research, the Gurjar race "remained one of the most vibrant identity of Central Asia in BC era and later ruled over many princely states in northern India for hundred of years".[18]

According to Scholars such as Baij Nath Puri, the Mount Abu (ancient Arbuda Mountain) region of present day Rajasthan had been abode of the Gurjars during medieval period.[19] The association of the Gurjars with the mountain is noticed in many inscriptions and epigraphs including Tilakamanjari of Dhanpala.[20] These Gurjars migrated from the Arbuda mountain region and as early as in the sixth century A.D., they set up one or more principalities in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Whole or a larger part of Rajasthan and Gujarat had been long known as Gurjaratra (country ruled or protected by the Gurjars) or Gurjarabhumi (land of the Gurjars) for centuries prior to the Mughal period.[21]

The sociologist G. S. Ghurye believes that the name Gurjar is derived from the principal profession followed by the tribe: cattle-Destroyer (the Sanskrit word for cow is gau and the old Hindi word for sheep is gadar).[22] though "Gojar" has come from "Gurjar" which is a Sanskrit word which according to Sanskrit Dictionary (Shakabada1181), has been explained thus: Gur+jar; 'Gur' means 'enemy' and 'jar' means 'destroyer'. The word means "Destroyer of the enemy" .[23][24]

In its survey of The People of India, the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI) - a government-sponsored organisation - noted that

The Gurjars/Gujjars were no doubt a remarkable people spread from Kashmir to Gujarat and Maharashtra, who gave an identity to Gujarat, established kingdoms, entered the Rajput groups as the dominant lineage of Badgujar, and survive today as a pastoral and a tribal group with both Hindu and Muslim segments.[25]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gurjar.
  1. ^ [1][dead link]
  2. ^ Jean-Philippe Platteau (2010). Culture, Institutions, and Development: New Insights Into an Old Debate. Taylor & Francis.
  3. ^ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/may/29/india.randeepramesh
  4. ^ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-05-25/jaipur/27780977_1_meenas-gujjars-st-tag
  5. ^ "Gurjara-Pratihara Dynastyrv". Britannica Concise. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  6. ^ Kamal Prashad Sharma (1997). Costumes and ornaments of Chamba. ISBN 978-81-7387-067-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Lālatā Prasāda Pāṇḍeya (1971). Sun-worship in ancient India. Motilal Banarasidass. p. 245.
  8. ^ Bombay (India : State) (1901). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Volume 9, Part 1. Govt. Central Press. p. 479.
  9. ^ Chandrasekharendra Saraswati (Jagatguru Sankaracharya of Kamakoti) (2001). Śri Śaṅkara Bhagavatpādācārya's Saundaryalaharī. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 339. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Devadatta Ramakrishna Bhandarkar (1989). Some aspects of ancient Indian culture. Asian Educational Services. p. 64. ISBN 8120604571, ISBN 978-81-206-0457-5.
  11. ^ Smith, Vincent Arthur (1999) [1904]. The Early History of India; From 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest Including The Invasion of Alexander The Great. Atlantic Publishers and Distributors. pp. 166–174. ISBN 81-7156-618-9.
  12. ^ Parishad, Bharatiya Gurjar (1996). Gurjara aura Unakā Itihāsa meṃ Yogadāna Vishaya para Prathama Itihāsa Sammelana. The Packard Humanities Institute. pp. 34–65. Retrieved 31 May 2007. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Kurbanov, Aydogdy (2010). "The Hephthalites: Archaeological and Historican Analysis" (PDF). p. 243. Retrieved 11 January 2013. As a result of the merging of the Hephthalites and the Gujars with population from northwestern India, the Rajputs (from Sanskrit "rajputra" – "son of the rajah") formed.
  14. ^ Stephen M. Lyon. "Gujars and Gujarism: simple quaum versus network activism". University of Kent at Canterbury. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  15. ^ "Gujjars from Georgia: seminar". The Tribune. 12 May 1999. Retrieved 31 May 2007.
  16. ^ Curtis, Glenn E. (2004). Georgia a Country Study. Kessinger Publishing. p. 89. ISBN 1-4191-2165-0.
  17. ^ Nasmyth, Peter (2001). Georgia: In the Mountains of Poetry. Routledge. p. 9. ISBN 0-7007-1395-6.
  18. ^ "www.dailyexcelsior.com". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  19. ^ Kulbhushan Warikoo. Gurjars of Jammu and Kashmir. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya. Dr. B. N. Puri who wrote a thesis Gurjar Pratihar at oxford university states that the Gurjars were local people .. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Sudarśana Śarmā (2002). Tilakamañjarī of Dhanapāla: a critical and cultural study. Parimal Publications. p. 214.
  21. ^ Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (1977). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The classical age. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 153. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Caste And Race In India by G. S. Ghurye. Popular Prakashan 2004 reprint; page: 31, 32, 33.
  23. ^ Indirā Gāndhī Rāshṭrīya Mānava Saṅgrahālaya, Kulbhushan Warikoo, Sujit Som (2000*). Gurjars of Jammu and Kashmir. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya. p. 4. "Gurjar" is a sanskrit word which has been explained thus: Gur+Ujjar;'Gur' means 'enemy' and 'ujjar' means 'destroyer'.The word means "Destroyer of the enemy". {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); line feed character in |quote= at position 59 (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Bhāratīya Gurjara Parishada (1993). Gurjara aura Unakā Itihāsa meṃ Yogadāna Vishaya para Prathama ..., Volume 2. Bharatiya Gurjar Parisha. p. 27. Sanskrit Dictionary Compiled by Pandit Radha Kant (Shakabada 1181) explains: Gurjar=Gur (enemy)+Ujar(destroyer) {{cite book}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 77 (help)
  25. ^ Kumar Suresh Singh (2004). People of India: Maharashtra. Popular Prakashan. p. xxviii. ISBN 81-7991-101-2, ISBN 978-81-7991-101-3. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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