Bhanushali

2023-02-07T14:14:25Z

2402:3A80:1275:9CDA:866F:EECF:1FD5:915E:

{{short description|Hindu agrarian community}}
{{multiple issues|{{page numbers needed|date=May 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2018}}}}
{{Infobox caste
|caste_name= Bhanushali
|populated_states= [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]]
|languages= [[Kutchi language|Kutchhi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Hindi]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]
|subdivisions= [[Mav]] , [[Bhadra]], [[Joisar]], [[Gajra]], [[Gori]]
|guru=Sant Odhavramji Maharaj|official_website=www.bhanusamaj.org}}

'''Bhanushali''' ([[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] : / '''Bhānshali''' / '''Bhansali''')<ref name=jain>{{cite book|last1=Jain|first1=Jyotindra|title=Folk art and culture of Gujarat: guide to the collection of the Shreyas Folk Museum of Gujarat|date=1980|publisher=University of Michigan|language=English|oclc=499443714}}</ref> is a [[Hindu]] [[Agriculture|agrarian]] community of [[Vaishya]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]]. The majority reside in [[Kutch district]] of the Indian state of [[Gujarat]]. Some are also found in the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra region]] and other parts of [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Gillow|first=John|title=Indian Textiles|publisher=Thames & Hudson|year=2008|pages=221}}</ref>

==History==
The Bhanushali are chiefly farmers and traders.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Fischer-Tiné|first=Harald|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Shyamji_Krishnavarma/OKbbCgAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Bhanushali+kshatriya&pg=PA3&printsec=frontcover|title=Shyamji Krishnavarma: Sanskrit, Sociology, Anti-Imperialism|year=2015|pages=3}}</ref> Although they claim to be of [[Kshatriya]] descent, but are recognized as [[Vaishya]].<ref name=jain/> Jyotindra Jain theorized that the Bhanushalis migrated to Gujarat from, based on their worship of [[Hinglaj Mata]]. He also believed that the [[Lohana]]s and Bhanushalis shared a common home in Sindh before their migration to Gujarat.<ref name=jain/>

Colonial sources noted that the Bhanushalis were subordinate to [[Lohana (caste)|Lohana]] and [[Bhatia caste|Bhatias]].<ref name=":0" />

== Communities ==
Bhanushalis are at present divided in to two subgroups, according to where they live. The Kutchhi Bhanushali Community (have ancestry in [[Kutch district|Kutch]] region) and Halai Bhanushali Community (have ancestry in Halar ([[Jamnagar]]) region).

Surname

Bhanushalis often use their community name also as their surname and as such you can find many people using Bhanushali surname. However, other surnames among this community are Shethia, Amal, Kataria, Hemani, Damani, etc. etc. It is said that Bhanushali's had 96 surnames. Few others are Katarmal ,Nanda, Gori, Bhadra, Hurabada, Joisher, Joisar, Mithiya, Gajra, Mange, Fuliya, Visariya, Nakhva, Chandra, Dhabha, Chunada, Mengar, Khichda, Vador, Maajania, Mav, Motani, Ratda, Dama, Gajra, Dama. Kanakhara, Nanda, joisar, And Bhadra are said to be most largely used surnames.<ref>Bhanushalis Samaj (2018). "[http://www.bhanushalisamaj.in/ About Bhanushalis Community]".</ref>

== Occupation ==
Bhanushalis are mainly involved in agriculture and farming. Now in 21st century Bhanushali community diversified in various fields of construction, manufacturers of various products based in Mandvi, Ahmedabad, Vapi, Valsad, Mumbai & various cities.<ref name=jain/>

== Religion ==
Bhanushalis worship different [[kuldevi]]s as per their clan names / surnames.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Berger|first1=Peter|title=The anthropology of values: essays in honour of Georg Pfeffer|date=2010|publisher=Longman|isbn=9788131728208|page=366|oclc=695854817|language=English}}</ref> They follow Hindu customs and beliefs.<ref>Urmi Chanda-Vaz (January 20, 2018). "[https://scroll.in/magazine/863405/indian-millennials-are-embracing-religious-and-spiritual-tattoos-as-indigenous-cultures-reject-them Indian millennials are embracing religious and spiritual tattoos, as indigenous cultures reject them]".</ref> They also worship [[Veer Dada Jashraj]] and claim, like [[Lohana]]s, that he belonged to their community. Bhanushalis chiefly worship [[Hinglaj]], whose main temple [[Hinglaj Mata mandir]] is in [[Baluchistan]], Pakistan, their ancestral home.some people are convert to ismaili aga khani community.. <ref name="jain" />

== Main places ==
Purandham, Bhanushali Dwaro Mandvi.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Purandham – Bhanu Samaj – Jan Seva Te Prabhu Seva|url=https://www.bhanusamaj.org/purandham/|access-date=2021-05-01|language=en-US}}</ref>

Kutchi Lal rameshwar Ashram.Haridwar

Kranti Teerth, Shyamji Krishna Verma Memorial, Mandvi.

Rata Talav Mandir (Shri Kutchi Bhanushali Sant Shri Odhavram Maharaj Sarvajanik Seva Mandal).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-19|title=Rata Talav Mandir (Shri Kutchi Bhanushali Sant Shri Odhavram Maharaj Sarvajanik Seva Mandal),Rato talav, Kachchh, gujarat, India|url=https://indiasthan.com/place/gujarat/137219/rata-talav-mandir-shri-kutchi-bhanushali-sant-shri-odhavram-maharaj-sarvajanik-seva-mandalrato-talav|access-date=2021-05-01|website=indiasthan.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

Sant Odhavramji Jakhau Dham , Jakhau.

==Lohanas==
Bhanushalis shared their early home in [[Sind]] with Lohanas and seem to share history.<ref name="jain" /> Like [[Lohana]]s, Bhanushalis are involved in trading and gained visibility in business. Like Lohanas they worship [[Rana Jashraj|Dada Jashraj]] as their [[kuladevata]] and [[Harkor]], as [[Kuldevi]]. Many Bhanushalis surnames are also found among [[Lohana]] community.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Shyamji Krishna Varma|Shyamji Krishna Verma]], Indian revolutionary fighter of Bhanushali community from Mandvi Kutch
*[[Odhavram]], Torch bearer for educating Bhanushali Clan
*[[Dhvani Bhanushali]], Indian Singer
* [[Jay Bhanushali]], Indian television actor
* [[Kishore Bhanushali]], Indian actor and stand-up comedian

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Vaishya community]]

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Bhanushali