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TheGaddi is a semi-pastoral tribe living mainly in theIndian states ofHimachal Pradesh andJammu and Kashmir. The Gaddi live mainly in theBharmour region of Himachal Pradesh andChenab Valley of Jammu.
According to the2011 Census of India, the Gaddi population was 1,78,130 in Himachal Pradesh and 46,489 in Jammu Kashmir. The Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh had an adult sex ratio of 1014 and literacy rate of 73.3, whereas those of Jammu and Kashmir had a sex ratio of 953 and literacy of 53.5.[1]
The Gaddi are traditionallyHindu, and contain four castes- GaddiBrahmins, GaddiRajputs, GaddiThakurs and GaddiKhatris.[2][3]
Singh, Rana, Thakur, Rathi And Rawat are common surname of Rajputs in the Gaddi community.[4]
TheGaddi live mainly in theIndian states ofHimachal Pradesh andJammu and Kashmir. The Gaddi live mainly in theBharmour,Chamba, andKangra region of Himachal Pradesh. Gaddis are devoted toShiva,Kelang, and Mata Marali.[citation needed]
The Gaddis descend fromHindu Punjabis of variouscastes who originate in theplains of thePunjab region and took refuge in theWestern Himalayan mountain ranges before theMughal period to escapereligious persecution byIslamic invaders.[2]
Gaddi Rajputs may also consider themselves descendants of Gadaria Rajputs, while some historians say that Gaddi Rajputs are descendants of the Garhwali rulers of Rajasthan. The couplet "Ujrya Lahore to Vashya Bharmour" indicates the immigration of Gaddis fromLahore to Bharmour.[citation needed]
The highest castes in the Gaddi community are the Brahmin, Rajput, Khatri, Rathi and Rana castes. The lower castes are Sippi,lohar, Rahadia, Kali, Hali, and Doom castes.[5]
The majority of Gaddis are now land owners and practiceagriculture as their primary means of livelihood. They may also be pastorals and own large flocks of sheep and goats as their traditional occupation.[6]
Chola and Dora are the traditional dress styles. Dora is the most important part of Gaddi dress. Chadru is used by Gaddis to cover their head.[7]
According to the2011 Census of India, the Gaddi population was 178,130 in Himachal Pradesh and 46,489 in Jammu Kashmir. The Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh had an adult sex ratio of 1014 and literacy rate of 73.3, whereas those of Jammu and Kashmir had a sex ratio of 953 and literacy of 53.5.reservation system.[8]
Gaddis' traditional practices and habits are changing rapidly with India's modernisation.[9] In 2024, an exhibit "Journey across the Himalayas" was held in New Delhi, sharing about Gaddis' way of life and modernity.[10][11][12][3]
The Gaddi community has a long and complex history. Their origin goes back to Hindus who took refuge in the Western Himalayan mountain ranges to protect themselves from invasions, war, and religious persecutions in the plains (Punjab) during and pre-Moghul period.
