Raghuvanshi (caste)

Raghuvanshi (or Raghvi) is a Hindu caste primarily settled in the Hoshangabad, Chhindwara, Betul, and Nagpur districts of Central Province. They are descended from a band of Raghuvanshi Rajputs of Northern India, which is said to have migrated to the Central province.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}

Etymology[edit]

The name 'Raghuvanshi' is believed to originate from Raja Raghu, the king of Ayodhya and ancestor of the revered Rama, the central figure of the Hindu religious epic, the Ramayana. Additionally, it is noted that in Nagpur, the name has been abbreviated to 'Raghvi'.^[9]

History[edit]

A small group of Raghuvanshis is said to have migrated to Hoshangabad from Northern India, and from Hoshangabad, they spread to Chhindwara, Betul, and Nagpur districts. After migrating to the Central Province, Rajputs from other clans declined to give their daughters to the Raghuvanshis. As a result, the Raghuvanshis began marrying within themselves, leading to the formation of a distinct caste with multiple exogamous sections for marriage. However, this degraded their status and they were considered inferior and impure by other Rajputs. They are even considered inferior in status compared to the Raghuvanshi Rajputs of North India, who are pure-blooded Rajputs. Sir C. Elliott states, "They are a queer class, all professing to be Rajputs from Ayodhya, though on cross-examination they are obliged to confess that they did not come here straight from Ayodhya but stopped in Bundelkhand and the Gwalior territory by the way." ^{[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]}

The legend behind the migration of the Raghvi/Raghuvansi community is steeped in historical turmoil and resilience. According to oral tradition, a group of Raghuvansi Rajputs embarked on their journey from their ancestral homeland, prompted by the tumultuous period marked by Muslim campaigns, notably during the reign of Aurangzeb. Faced with religious persecution and the looming threat of forced conversion from Hinduism to Islam, the Raghuvansi Rajputs sought sanctuary beyond their native lands. In their quest for safety and freedom, they found refuge in the tranquil haven of Hoshangabad, fleeing from the once sacred grounds of Ayodhya. This migration was not merely a physical journey but a testament to the enduring spirit and determination of a community striving to preserve their cultural identity and beliefs amidst adversity.^{[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}

Culture and traditions[edit]

The Raghuvanshi (Raghvi) community is divided into two subgroups known as Badafad and Chotafad. Before settling in the Nagpur district, meat and wine held significant importance in their diet. In the Saoner tahsil of Nagpur district, a revered sadhu named Bua Saheb was engaged in tapasya near the Tapni area in Katol taluka. Many members of this community were deeply influenced by this guru, leading to significant changes among them. Due to their strict adherence to abstaining from alcohol, they relinquished their swords and cutters (Katari), which they had kept out of fear of Muslim rulers. They also adopted a purely vegetarian diet, abandoning their previous non-vegetarian food habits.^{[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]}

After the passing of Bua Saheb, the primary religious leader of the Raghvi community, his disciples engaged in disputes over religious matters. One faction sought guidance from Rao Bua Saheb, the son of the esteemed Bua Saheb, who then became the religious leader of their group. The second faction came under the influence of Dhamada Mata (also known as dhamda mata), the mother-in-law of the revered Bua Saheb. The group led by Rao Bua Saheb is known as the Badafad, while Dhamda Mata and her followers are referred to as the Chotafad. They are primarily concentrated in the Saoner and Katol tahsils of Nagpur district in Maharashtra, as well as in villages like Sausar in the Chhindwara district and the Pandhurna region. Both groups coexist in an intermingled manner, with some villages predominantly inhabited by the Badafad and others by the Chotafad. As per the records in the "Caste and Tribes of Central Province" book, when they achieve wealth and influence, they adopt the janeu (sacred thread), discontinue all interactions with Gurjars and Kirars (with whom they previously socialized by smoking the hookah and sharing water), and claim to be esteemed Rajputs of high caste. ^{[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]}

The community communicates in the Raghvi dialect and employs the Devanagari script for writing. They are able to converse with outsiders in Marathi, Hindi, and English. Elderly Raghvi men attire themselves in a barakashi, dhoti, and pagri. Barakashi refers to a specific manner of draping the dhoti. Women of the community dress in a lugra (nine-yard saree) paired with a blouse. They maintain a vegetarian diet, incorporating cereals such as jowar, wheat, and rice, along with pulses like tur, moong, masoor, and chana dal. Linseed oil and groundnut oil serve as their primary cooking mediums, while they also consume ghee (clarified butter). They embrace all seasonal vegetables in their meals. Additionally, the men occasionally indulge in local liquors like mahua and deshi daru, as well as wine. Despite their previous non-vegetarian practices, they have transitioned completely to vegetarianism.^{[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]}

Sub-Clans[edit]

Adingar, Arel, Bagheriya, Bader, Bahoriya, Baladiya, Balecha, Bamoriya, Barkhariya, Bijoriya, Bhaursiya, Chahaoriya, Chirentiya, Chuniya, Dandir, Devraniya, Dhamdheriya, Dingar, Dodiya, Dudiyar, Gangel, Gohiya, Hada, Hardiya, Hud, Jhara, Jhirwar, Kandoiya, Kadholiya, Kairwar, Kandh, Karaeya, Kaerya, Karanjiya, Karele, Karkuda, Karjhariya, Khadya, Khatri, Kuch, Maina, Maiyar, Maholiya, Mangraniya, Masodiya, Mathneriya, Mudyar, Nagdaeya, Nathele, Nidhoniya, Nikhar, Pachlaeya, Paloriya, Pateriya, Piriya, Raunya, Rijaudiya, Sagad, Siranjiya, Solanki, Sondiya, Songar, Sudiyad, Tateriya, Tamak, Tank, Tarvariya, Turiya. ^{[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57]}

• These are the sub-clans (gotras) of the Raghuvanshi (Raghvi) caste. They only marry within these sub-clans and avoid intercaste marriages.

• Most of the people use 'Raghuvanshi' or 'Raghvi' as their surnames instead of these sub-clans (gotras).

Classification[edit]

The Raghuvanshi (Raghvi) caste is classified as OBC (Other backward class) in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.^[58][59]

References[edit]