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| Bhanushali | |
|---|---|
| Languages | Gujarati,Kutchhi,Marathi,Hindi,Sindhi |
| Populated states | Gujarat,Maharashtra |
| Subdivisions | Khaniya,Gori,Gajra,Bhadra,Joisar,Gajra,Mange,Shethia,Katarmal,Kataria,Chunda,Hurbada,Vador,Samasuya,Dabbha,Nakhua,Mengar,Harvara[citation needed] |
Bhanushali is a Suryavanshi KshtriyaHindu community. The majority reside inKutch district of the Indian state ofGujarat. Some are also found in theSaurashtra region and other parts ofGujarat.[1] Some have also moved to Thane and Mumbai region ofMaharashtra. They speakKutchi language.
Bhanushali is a descendant of Lord Rama's son Lav. The name "Bhanushali", translates to "Radiant sun" or "Bearers of the Sun ". Bhanushali is derived from the mythological king Bhanusal. The community was also known as Vegusor/Vagar after the place of Vegukot or Vegugad inRann of Kutch.[2]
Bhanushalis are mainly divided in to three sections, i.e Kutchi Bhanushalis and halari Bhanushali and Sindhi Bhanushalis. The Caste is vegetarian. Bhanushalis have 96 exogamous sub divisions, some of them are: Mangey, Vadore, Gajra, Gori, Bhadra, Nanda, Harbala etc.[2]
The Bhanushalis are of suryavanshi Kshatriya descent. And they were warriors before the rule of the british empire came to an end, most Bhanushalis began to enter the field of trade. They were known for their expertise in maritime trade and were involved in seafaring activities, particularly in coastal regions. They traded goods and commodities along the coasts of Gujarat and Maharashtra, contributing significantly to the region's economy.
Historically, the Bhanushalis had a strong presence in coastal trade and were known for their navigation skills. They were involved in transporting goods, spices, and other merchandise through sea routes, which contributed to the cultural exchange and economic prosperity of the regions they operated in.[3] Jyotindra Jain theorized that the Bhanushalis migrated to Gujarat from Balochistan, based on their worship ofHinglaj Mata. He also believed that theLohanas and Bhanushalis shared their early home inSindh before their migration to Gujarat.
Bhanushalis are at present divided in to two subgroups, according to where they live. The Kutchhi Bhanushali Community (have ancestry inKutch region) and Halari Bhanushali Community (have ancestry in Halari (Jamnagar) region).[4]
Bhanushali belongs to the Suryavanshi Kshatriya clan and fought as a warrior Bhanushalis are mainly involved in agriculture and farming and others who migrated are mainly involved in big businesses.[3]
Bhanushalis worship differentkuldevis as per their clan names / surnames.[5] They follow Hindu customs and beliefs.[6] They also worshipVeer Dada Jashraj and claim, likeLohanas, that he belonged to their community. Bhanushalis chiefly worshipHinglaj, whose main temple,Hinglaj Mata mandir is inBaluchistan, their ancestral home.[3] They workship Karan from Mahabharta as Karan Dada.
Bhanushalis shared their early home inSindh with Lohanas and seem to share history.[3] LikeLohanas, Bhanushalis are involved in trading and gained visibility in business. Like Lohanas they worshipDada Jashraj as theirkuladevata andHarkor, asKuldevi. Many Bhanushalis surnames are also found amongLohana community.[citation needed]
