Kharwa caste - Revision history

LauriTym702628: typo fix

2026-01-06T04:10:09Z

typo fix

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:40, 6 January 2026
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			{{pp\|small=yes}}
			{{Short description\|Costal community of Gujarat, India}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2018}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2018}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=June 2018}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=June 2018}}
	~~[[File:Lord Dariyalal-- Dariyalal Temple, Mandvi 2014-03-15 15-32.jpg\|thumb\|Dariyalal Temple, [[Mandvi]]]]~~
	'''Kharwa,''' or '''Kharva''', ([[Gujarati language\|Gujarati]]: [[ISO 15919]]: ''Khārvā'') are a [[~~Jāti~~\|~~jati~~]] from [[Gujarat]], India.<ref>People of India Gujarat ~~Volume~~ XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen ~~pages~~ 652-657</ref>		'''Kharwa,''' or '''Kharva''', ([[Gujarati language\|Gujarati]]: [[ISO 15919]]: ''Khārvā'') are a [[Hinduism\|Hindu]] [[Community]] from [[Gujarat]], India.<ref>People of India Gujarat Vol. XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pp. 652-657</ref>

	==History==		==History==
	The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district\|Kutch]]. ~~Some~~ Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique\|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal\|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Roxo \|first=Pedro \|date=2018 \|title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' \|journal=[[South Asian Studies]] \|doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 \|volume=34 \|issue=1 \|pages=57–69\|s2cid=194999206 }}</ref> ~~The~~ [[Maratha Empire]] ~~recruited~~ Kharwas along with [[~~Bhandari (caste)\|~~Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people\|Kolis]] in large numbers ~~for their [[Maratha Navy\|~~navy~~]] in the mid-1600s~~. Kharwas were skilled ~~fishermen~~ and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. They were also experienced ~~with~~ building ships.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Pendse\|first=Sachin\|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World\|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]\|year=2017\|isbn=9781783271603\|editor-last=Buchet\|editor-first=Christian\|location=\|pages=635–48\|chapter=Maratha Sea Power\|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec\|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>		The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district\|Kutch]]. Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique\|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal\|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Roxo \|first=Pedro \|date=2018 \|title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' \|journal=[[South Asian Studies]] \|doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 \|volume=34 \|issue=1 \|pages=57–69\|s2cid=194999206 }}</ref> Shivaji I- king of [[Maratha Empire]] requested to recruit Kharwas from Gujarat port like diu khambat etc along with [[Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people\|Kolis]] in large numbers of maratha navy. Kharwas were skilled sailors and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. Australia. They were also experienced in building ships.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Pendse\|first=Sachin\|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World\|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]\|year=2017\|isbn=9781783271603\|editor-last=Buchet\|editor-first=Christian\|location=\|pages=635–48\|chapter=Maratha Sea Power\|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec\|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>

	== Society and culture ==		== Society and culture==
	~~Cross-cousin~~ marriage is practised amongst the Kharwas.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Karve\|first=I.\|date=1943\|title=~~KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY AND KINSHIP USAGES IN GUJARĀT AND KATHIĀWĀD~~\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317\|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute\|volume=4\|issue=3\|pages=208–226\|jstor=42929317 \|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>		Mama fui marriage is practised amongst the Kharwas.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Karve\|first=I.\|date=1943\|title=Kinship Terminology and Usages in Gujarāt Hajarat and Kathiāwād \|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317\|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute\|volume=4\|issue=3\|pages=208–226\|jstor=42929317 \|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>

	== Religion ==		== Religion ==

	=== Beliefs and practices ===		=== Beliefs and practices ===
	~~Kharwas~~ are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)\|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata\|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi\|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir\|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''~~Veravani~~'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)\|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring communities, including Muslim communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnavs]], while those of ~~Somnath and~~ Veraval are [[Shaivism\|Shaivites]].{{Sfn\|Varadarajan\|1983\|p=5-8}}		Kharwa are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)\|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata\|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi\|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir\|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''Veravali'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)\|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring communities, including Muslim communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnavs]], while those of [[Veraval]] are [[Shaivism\|Shaivites]].{{Sfn\|Varadarajan\|1983\|p=5-8}}

	=== Festivals ===		=== Festivals ===
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	=== Sources ===		=== Sources ===
			* {{Cite journal\|last=Varadarajan\|first=Lotika\|date=1983\|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya\|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422\|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History\|The Great Circle]]\|volume=5\|issue=1\|pages=1–12\|jstor=41562422 }}

	* {{Cite journal\|last=Varadarajan\|first=Lotika\|date=1983\|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya\|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422\|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History\|The Great Circle]]\|volume=5\|issue=1\|pages=1–12\|jstor=41562422 \|via=JSTOR}}
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharwa (Caste)}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharwa (Caste)}}
	[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]		[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
	[[Category:Indian castes]]		[[Category:Indian castes]]

Ajay Kumar: Added citation to support the statement.

2023-07-23T14:53:39Z

Added citation to support the statement.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:23, 23 July 2023
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	==History==		==History==
	The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district\|Kutch]]. Some Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique\|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal\|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Roxo \|first=Pedro \|date=2018 \|title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' \|journal=[[South Asian Studies]] \|doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 \|volume=34 \|issue=1 \|pages=57–69}}</ref> The [[Maratha Empire]] recruited Kharwas along with [[Bhandari (caste)\|Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people\|Kolis]] in large numbers for their [[Maratha Navy\|navy]] in the mid-1600s. Kharwas were skilled fishermen and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. They were also experienced with building ships.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Pendse\|first=Sachin\|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World\|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]\|year=\|isbn=9781783271603\|editor-last=Buchet\|editor-first=Christian\|location=\|pages=635–48\|chapter=Maratha Sea Power\|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec\|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>		The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district\|Kutch]]. Some Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique\|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal\|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Roxo \|first=Pedro \|date=2018 \|title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' \|journal=[[South Asian Studies]] \|doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 \|volume=34 \|issue=1 \|pages=57–69\|s2cid=194999206 }}</ref> The [[Maratha Empire]] recruited Kharwas along with [[Bhandari (caste)\|Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people\|Kolis]] in large numbers for their [[Maratha Navy\|navy]] in the mid-1600s. Kharwas were skilled fishermen and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. They were also experienced with building ships.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Pendse\|first=Sachin\|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World\|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]\|year=2017\|isbn=9781783271603\|editor-last=Buchet\|editor-first=Christian\|location=\|pages=635–48\|chapter=Maratha Sea Power\|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec\|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>

	== .<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Karve\|first=I.\|date=1943\|title=KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY AND KINSHIP USAGES IN GUJARĀT AND KATHIĀWĀD\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317\|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute\|volume=4\|issue=3\|pages=208–226\|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>		== Society and culture ==
			Cross-cousin marriage is practised amongst the Kharwas.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Karve\|first=I.\|date=1943\|title=KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY AND KINSHIP USAGES IN GUJARĀT AND KATHIĀWĀD\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317\|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute\|volume=4\|issue=3\|pages=208–226\|jstor=42929317 \|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>

	== Religion ==		== Religion ==

	=== Beliefs and practices ===		=== Beliefs and practices ===
	Kharwas are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)\|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata\|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi\|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir\|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''Veravani'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)\|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnavs]], while those of Somnath and Veraval are [[Shaivism\|Shaivites]].{{Sfn\|Varadarajan\|1983\|p=5-8}}		Kharwas are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)\|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata\|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi\|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir\|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''Veravani'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)\|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring communities, including Muslim communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnavs]], while those of Somnath and Veraval are [[Shaivism\|Shaivites]].{{Sfn\|Varadarajan\|1983\|p=5-8}}

	=== Festivals ===		=== Festivals ===
Line 18:		Line 19:

	==Present circumstances==		==Present circumstances==
	Importing and exporting goods by ship remains the traditional occupation of the community. They trade in many countries, including ~~Europe, china, Japan,~~ Oman, U.A.E, Somalia, and also other parts of Africa. Many Kharwa now have their own ships for exporting goods and have set up different cooperative societies.		Importing and exporting goods by ship remains the traditional occupation of the community. They trade in many countries, including Oman, U.A.E, Somalia, and also other parts of Africa. Many Kharwa now have their own ships for exporting goods and have set up different cooperative societies.

	==References==		==References==
Line 25:		Line 26:
	=== Sources ===		=== Sources ===

	* {{Cite journal\|last=Varadarajan\|first=Lotika\|date=1983\|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya\|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422\|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History\|The Great Circle]]\|volume=5\|issue=1\|pages=~~1-12~~\|via=JSTOR}}		* {{Cite journal\|last=Varadarajan\|first=Lotika\|date=1983\|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya\|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422\|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History\|The Great Circle]]\|volume=5\|issue=1\|pages=1–12\|jstor=41562422 \|via=JSTOR}}
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharwa (Caste)}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharwa (Caste)}}
	[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]		[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
	[[Category:Indian castes]]		[[Category:Indian castes]]

103.228.145.54: robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

2022-05-31T15:51:17Z

robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:21, 31 May 2022
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	==History==		==History==
	The ~~Kharva~~ community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of Saurashtra and ~~in Mandvi, Mundra, and Ghandhidham, which are~~ Kutch~~'s Coastal region~~. ~~It is believed that the Kharwa originated~~ from ~~Rajasthan and~~ migrated to ~~the coast during the tenth century, where they took up fishing as well,~~ and ~~imported and exported goods on ships. They are a royal family~~ in ~~Rajput~~ . ~~They are descendants of~~ '''~~Pruthviraj Chauhan~~'''. ~~There are two castes~~ in ~~kharva~~, ~~mainly raghuvanshi~~ and ~~suryavanshi~~. ~~Raghuvanshi kharvas are the one who washed Lord Ram's feet before letting him sit~~ in ~~his boat before crossing the river .~~		The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district\|Kutch]]. Some Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique\|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal\|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Roxo \|first=Pedro \|date=2018 \|title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' \|journal=[[South Asian Studies]] \|doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 \|volume=34 \|issue=1 \|pages=57–69}}</ref> The [[Maratha Empire]] recruited Kharwas along with [[Bhandari (caste)\|Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people\|Kolis]] in large numbers for their [[Maratha Navy\|navy]] in the mid-1600s. Kharwas were skilled fishermen and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. They were also experienced with building ships.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Pendse\|first=Sachin\|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World\|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]\|year=\|isbn=9781783271603\|editor-last=Buchet\|editor-first=Christian\|location=\|pages=635–48\|chapter=Maratha Sea Power\|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec\|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>

	It has been said that Kharva caste comes under a Rajputana Community . In the early ages of the caste It's said that the people of Kharva caste were Landlords and Guarantors .<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://zims-en.kiwix.campusafrica.gos.orange.com/wikipedia_en_all_nopic/A/Kharwa_caste\|title=Kharwa caste}}</ref>		== .<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Karve\|first=I.\|date=1943\|title=KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY AND KINSHIP USAGES IN GUJARĀT AND KATHIĀWĀD\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317\|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute\|volume=4\|issue=3\|pages=208–226\|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>

	The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)\|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district\|Kutch]]. Some Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique\|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal\|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Roxo \|first=Pedro \|date=2018 \|title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' \|journal=[[South Asian Studies]] \|doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 \|volume=34 \|issue=1 \|pages=57–69\|s2cid=194999206 }}</ref> The [[Maratha Empire]] recruited Kharwas along with [[Bhandari (caste)\|Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people\|Kolis]] in large numbers for their [[Maratha Navy\|navy]] in the mid-1600s. Kharwas were skilled fishermen and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. They were also experienced with building ships.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=Pendse\|first=Sachin\|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World\|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]\|year=~~\|isbn~~=~~9781783271603\|editor-last=Buchet\|editor-first=Christian\|location=\|pages=635–48\|chapter=Maratha Sea Power\|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec\|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>~~

	~~== Society and culture ==~~
	~~Cross-cousin marriage is practised amongst the Kharwas shows they were of [[Dravidian]] origin in ancient times~~.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Karve\|first=I.\|date=1943\|title=KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY AND KINSHIP USAGES IN GUJARĀT AND KATHIĀWĀD\|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317\|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute\|volume=4\|issue=3\|pages=208–226~~\|jstor=42929317~~\|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>

	== Religion ==		== Religion ==

	=== Beliefs and practices ===		=== Beliefs and practices ===
	Kharwas are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)\|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata\|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi\|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir\|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''Veravani'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)\|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring ~~communities, including Muslim~~ communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnavs]], while those of Somnath and Veraval are [[Shaivism\|Shaivites]].{{Sfn\|Varadarajan\|1983\|p=5-8}}		Kharwas are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)\|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata\|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi\|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir\|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''Veravani'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)\|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism\|Vaishnavs]], while those of Somnath and Veraval are [[Shaivism\|Shaivites]].{{Sfn\|Varadarajan\|1983\|p=5-8}}

	=== Festivals ===		=== Festivals ===
Line 23:		Line 18:

	==Present circumstances==		==Present circumstances==
	Importing and exporting goods by ship remains the traditional occupation of the community. They trade in many countries, including Oman, U.A.E, Somalia, and also other parts of Africa. Many Kharwa now have their own ships for exporting goods and have set up different cooperative societies.		Importing and exporting goods by ship remains the traditional occupation of the community. They trade in many countries, including Europe, china, Japan, Oman, U.A.E, Somalia, and also other parts of Africa. Many Kharwa now have their own ships for exporting goods and have set up different cooperative societies.

	==References==		==References==
Line 30:		Line 25:
	=== Sources ===		=== Sources ===

	* {{Cite journal\|last=Varadarajan\|first=Lotika\|date=1983\|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya\|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422\|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History\|The Great Circle]]\|volume=5\|issue=1\|pages=~~1–12\|jstor=41562422~~\|via=JSTOR}}		* {{Cite journal\|last=Varadarajan\|first=Lotika\|date=1983\|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya\|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422\|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History\|The Great Circle]]\|volume=5\|issue=1\|pages=1-12\|via=JSTOR}}
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharwa (Caste)}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Kharwa (Caste)}}
	[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]		[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
	[[Category:Indian castes]]		[[Category:Indian castes]]

2607:9880:2148:11F:A0CF:2B66:C943:FDF4 at 03:14, 14 November 2021

2021-11-14T03:14:15Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
[[File:Lord Dariyalal-- Dariyalal Temple, Mandvi 2014-03-15 15-32.jpg|thumb|Dariyalal Temple, [[Mandvi]]]]
'''Kharwa,''' or '''Kharva''', ([[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]: [[ISO 15919]]: ''Khārvā'') are a [[Jāti|jati]] from [[Gujarat]], India.<ref>People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 652-657</ref>

==History==
The Kharva community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of Saurashtra and in Mandvi, Mundra, and Ghandhidham, which are Kutch's Coastal region. It is believed that the Kharwa originated from Rajasthan and migrated to the coast during the tenth century, where they took up fishing as well, and imported and exported goods on ships. They are a royal family in Rajput . They are descendants of '''Pruthviraj Chauhan'''. There are two castes in kharva, mainly raghuvanshi and suryavanshi. Raghuvanshi kharvas are the one who washed Lord Ram's feet before letting him sit in his boat before crossing the river .

It has been said that Kharva caste comes under a Rajputana Community . In the early ages of the caste It's said that the people of Kharva caste were Landlords and Guarantors .<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zims-en.kiwix.campusafrica.gos.orange.com/wikipedia_en_all_nopic/A/Kharwa_caste|title=Kharwa caste}}</ref>

The Kharwa community is distributed throughout the coastal areas of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch district|Kutch]]. Some Kharwas from Diu also migrated to [[Indians in Mozambique|Mozambique]] and later from there to [[Indians in Portugal|Lisbon]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Roxo |first=Pedro |date=2018 |title=Hindu ''Jati'' (Castes) from Diu Island and the Reproduction of Religious Expressive Culture in the Hindu-Gujarati Diaspora in Mozambique and in Portugal: The ''Kathiyawadi Bhajan'' |journal=[[South Asian Studies]] |doi=10.1080/02666030.2018.1440061 |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=57–69|s2cid=194999206 }}</ref> The [[Maratha Empire]] recruited Kharwas along with [[Bhandari (caste)|Bhandaris]] and [[Koli people|Kolis]] in large numbers for their [[Maratha Navy|navy]] in the mid-1600s. Kharwas were skilled fishermen and seamen who had experience on the seas having traveled to places as far away as Aden, Zanzibar and Singapore. They were also experienced with building ships.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pendse|first=Sachin|title=The Sea in History - The Early Modern World|publisher=[[Boydell and Brewer]]|year=|isbn=9781783271603|editor-last=Buchet|editor-first=Christian|location=|pages=635–48|chapter=Maratha Sea Power|editor-last2=Le Bouëdec|editor-first2=Gérard}}</ref>

== Society and culture ==
Cross-cousin marriage is practised amongst the Kharwas shows they were of [[Dravidian]] origin in ancient times.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Karve|first=I.|date=1943|title=KINSHIP TERMINOLOGY AND KINSHIP USAGES IN GUJARĀT AND KATHIĀWĀD|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42929317|journal=Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute|volume=4|issue=3|pages=208–226|jstor=42929317|issn=0045-9801}}</ref>

== Religion ==

=== Beliefs and practices ===
Kharwas are [[Hindu]] and worship various forms of [[Devi]], including [[Ambika (goddess)|Ambaji]], [[Bhadrakali]], [[Bahuchara Mata|Bahuchara]] and [[Chamunda]] in Porbandar. Other ''Mātās'' worshiped include ''Samudrī, [[Harsidhhi|Sikotarī]]'' and ''[[Hinglaj Mata mandir|Hinglāj]].'' In Kutch ''Khojī, Dilvadī, Mamai, Padmani, Poravel'' and ''Veravani'' ''Mātās'' are also worshiped. [[Jhulelal (Hinduism)|Dariyalal]] is another important deity worshipped by Kharwas and other seafaring communities, including Muslim communities. The Kharwas of [[Mandvi]] tend to be [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnavs]], while those of Somnath and Veraval are [[Shaivism|Shaivites]].{{Sfn|Varadarajan|1983|p=5-8}}

=== Festivals ===
Like other marine communities, Kharwas celebrate the opening of the seafaring season, after the passage of the Monsoon on [[Coconut day|Narial Purnima]] which falls on the full moon in the month of [[Shraavana|Śravaṇ]]. Various offerings, including flowers, coconuts and incense sticks are offered to the deity of the sea, [[Samudra]]. Shravan Purnnima is celebrated with [[Shiva]], [[Varuna]], [[Maruts|Marut]], [[Parjanya]] and ''Ratnākar'' are worshiped, with Ganesha to remove any obstacles from their upcoming journeys into the sea. On Bhadravi Amavasya, a fair is held to propitiate Shiva. A lingam is installed along the coast and as the water level rises around it, it is believed that the spirit of Samudra has entered. Another fair is held on the birthday of Dariyalal on the second day of [[Chaitra]], where sweet rice is eaten as [[Prasāda|prasad]]. {{Sfn|Varadarajan|1983|p=5-8}}

==Present circumstances==
Importing and exporting goods by ship remains the traditional occupation of the community. They trade in many countries, including Oman, U.A.E, Somalia, and also other parts of Africa. Many Kharwa now have their own ships for exporting goods and have set up different cooperative societies.

==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Sources ===

* {{Cite journal|last=Varadarajan|first=Lotika|date=1983|title=Indian Seafaring: The Precept and Reality of Kalivarjya|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41562422|journal=[[Australian Association for Maritime History|The Great Circle]]|volume=5|issue=1|pages=1–12|jstor=41562422|via=JSTOR}}
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[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]