Alaratan Tripura at 12:13, 11 February 2026

2026-02-11T12:13:46Z

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{{Short description|Tribe and caste of India}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2010}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Vaghari
| native_name =
| image = Vaghari.png
| caption = A photograph of a Vaghari man, 1911
| population =
| region1 = {{flag|India}}
| pop1 = 566,000
| ref1 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Devipujak Vaghri in India |url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18290/IN |website=Joshua Project |access-date=11 February 2026}}</ref>
| region2 = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| pop2 = 43,000
| ref2 = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Devipujak Vaghri in Pakistan |url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18290/PK |website=Joshua Project |access-date=11 February 2026}}</ref>
| languages = [[Vaghri language|Vaghri]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Rajasthani languages]]
| religions = [[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]]<br/> [[File:Star and Crescent.svg|15px]] [[Islam]]
| related = [[Gujarati people]], [[Rajasthani people]], [[Indo-Aryan peoples]]}}
The '''Vaghari''' ('''Vaghri''', '''Waghri''' or '''Baghri''') ([[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]: {{Lang|gu|Vāgharī}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=વાઘરી |url=http://www.bhagavadgomandal.com/index.php?action=dictionary&sitem=%E0%AA%B5%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%98%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%80&type=1&key=false&page=0 |website=Bhagvadgomandal |publisher=GujaratiLexicon}}</ref> {{Lang|gu|Bāgharī}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=બાઘરી |url=http://www.bhagavadgomandal.com/index.php?action=dictionary&sitem=%E0%AA%AC%E0%AA%BE%E0%AA%98%E0%AA%B0%E0%AB%80&type=1&page=0 |website=Bhagvadgomandal |publisher=GujaratiLexicon}}</ref>) are a [[tribe]] found in the [[States and union territories of India|states]] of [[Rajasthan]] and [[Gujarat]] in [[India]], and in the [[Provinces of Pakistan|province]] of [[Sindh]] in [[Pakistan]].<ref name="Lavania">People of India Rajasthan Volume XXXVIII Part Two edited by B.K Lavania, D. K Samanta, S K Mandal & N.N Vyas pp. 975 to 979 Popular Prakashan</ref>

The Vaghari community, named after “Vagh Ari” (tiger hunter), has a rich legacy of fearlessness, hunting, and warrior spirit. Originally settled in the South Aravalli region and most part of Gujarat, they lived near dense forests and remote villages, thriving in the wilderness.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

Known as skilled hunters, they specialized in tracking and hunting wild animals, especially tigers, using arrows, spears, and swords. Their expertise also extended to guerrilla warfare, using stealth and deep knowledge of the terrain in battles. The men and women were physically robust, built for survival and strength in harsh conditions.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

Their diet was mainly non-vegetarian, rich in meat from hunting, which contributed to their strength and endurance.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} Spiritually, the Vagharis are devoted followers of Vihat Mata, Meladi Mata, and Kali Ma—powerful forms of Goddess Durga-Parvati. As followers of Shaktism, they worship the divine feminine as a source of protection and power.

Today, their legacy continues as a symbol of bravery, physical strength, cultural pride, and spiritual devotion.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

During the [[British Raj]], the Vagri were listed under the [[Criminal Tribes Act]] of 1871 as a [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|tribe]] "addicted to the systematic commission of [[non-bailable]] offences."<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V18_373.gif Nanta Village] ''[[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]]'', 1908, v. 18, ''p. 367.''</ref> In 1952, they were "[[Denotified Tribes|denotified]]", meaning that they were no longer listed as criminals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Denotified Tribes {{!}} Ashraya Initiative for Children|url=http://www.ashrayainitiative.org/what-we-do/context/denotified-tribes/|access-date=2021-02-24|language=en-US|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307091354/http://www.ashrayainitiative.org/what-we-do/context/denotified-tribes/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Origin ==
'''Ancient Origins:'''

Waghri word originally derived from sankrit word 'Wagh' (which means tiger) + 'Ari' (which means to hunt). Basically, Waghri means hunter of tiger or who are dexter in hunting.

The Waghri community, also known as Devipujak/ Devi-Poojak (Worshippers of Goddesses/ Deities), is historically rooted in the worship of Goddess Shakti and has preserved rich cultural traditions tied to religious rituals and community service.

Devipujaks are deeply spiritual and renowned for their devotion to local deities, particularly Devi(Goddess), symbolizing feminine strength and resilience. Their religious festivals and rituals continue to be vital elements of their cultural identity.

==Present circumstances==
=== In India===
In India, the Waghri are mainly located in the Gujarat District. Like many other [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Hindu]] communities, they are [[endogamous]] but maintain [[gotra]] [[exogamy]]. Their main clans are the '''Devipujak''', [https://www.google.com/search?q=dantani+caste&rlz=1CDGOYI_enIN878IN878&oq=Dantani+Ca&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBggBEEUYOTIHCAIQABiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMgcIBRAhGKABMgoIBhAAGIAEGKIEMgoIBxAAGIAEGKIEMgoICBAAGIAEGKIE0gEINTA5MGoxajeoAgawAgHiAwQYASBf8QVZJk8dhcJ9hvEFWSZPHYXCfYbxBVkmTx2Fwn2G&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&sei=04rgZ6zzHqWG4-EP-fWkyAo Dantani], [[Badgujar]], [[Vaghela (Gurjar clan)|Vaghela]], [[Solanki (clan)|Solanki]], Kharwa, [[Godara]], etc. They were landless community in the [[British Raj]] but now many are well settled, well educated and participating in the growth of the country [[India]]. They have an effective [[caste]] council, which acts as a [[quasi-judicial body]] and deals with intra-community disputes. They are a [[Hindu]] community, with their main tribal deities being [[Bahuchara Mata]], Charbayu Mata (Chandika Mata), Shitla Mata, Hadak Mata, Khodiyar Mata, Mogal Mata, and Meldi Mata. Also, follow Pavani (Maa Kali), Mata Shakti, Runvali Mata (Devi of desert), Bhutdi Maa.

In [[Gujarat]], the Waghri are found mainly in the districts of [[Sabarkantha district|Sabarkantha]], [[Banaskantha district|Banaskantha]], [[Panchmahal district|Panchmahal]], [[Kheda district|Kheda]], and [[Ahmedabad]]. They speak Gujarati language among themselves and normal language with outsiders.

'''Economic Shifts:'''

Traditionally involved in occupations like trading and crafts, modern Devipujaks have gradually transitioned into various business sectors, with many pursuing education and professional careers to improve socio-economic standing.

Currently, several members of the community are highly educated and hold prestigious professional positions, including that of [[Chartered Accountants Act, 1949|Chartered Accountants]] and participating in the growth of nation [[India]].

'''Commitment to Education:'''

In recent decades, members of the Waghri community have made significant strides in education, breaking barriers to seek better employment opportunities and societal participation. For the higher education few of the community youth have been heading towards countries like USA, Canada, Uk, Australia and New Zealand.

===In Pakistan===
The Vagri in [[Pakistan]] are found mainly in the districts of [[Umerkot District|Umerkot]] and [[Tharparkar District|Tharparkar]]. They are landless, and have been subject to [[discrimination]] at the hands of the locally powerful Sodha [[Rajput]] community.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Meghwar |first1=Malji |title=Dalits in Pakistan |url=http://www.dalitindia.com/guest/DalitsPak.htm |website=dalitindia.com |access-date=20 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708221903/http://www.dalitindia.com/guest/DalitsPak.htm |archive-date=8 July 2011}}</ref>

A recent study showed that the majority of [[scheduled caste]] population of [[Pakistan]], which includes the Vagri, are practically landless. The survey conducted showed that in [[Tharparkar]], [[Umerkot District|Umerkot]], [[Rahimyar Khan District|Rahim Yar Khan]], and [[Bahawalpur District|Bahawalpur]] districts revealed that an overwhelming majority of 83 per cent Scheduled Caste population did not own even a small piece of land. The land ownership by the remaining 17 per cent is also very small as 90 per cent of the Scheduled Caste land owners have a very small piece of land between one and five acres. Like those in [[India]], the [[Pakistan]] Vagri are [[Hindu]], and speak both [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] and their own language, [[Bagri language|Bagri]], which is distantly related to [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]].<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.academia.edu/43868493|title=RR Pakistan|first=Andrew|last=Willington|access-date=4 December 2021|website=Academia.edu|archive-date=3 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303094430/https://www.academia.edu/43868493|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Dalit communities]]
[[Category:Sindhi tribes]]
[[Category:Hindu communities of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Denotified tribes of India]]
[[Category:Sindhi tribes in India]]

Vaghri people - Revision history

Alaratan Tripura at 12:13, 11 February 2026