Overview
The Gurjar (also spelt Gujjar, Gujar or Gurjara) are an agricultural ethnic community residing mainly in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The community is internally divided into a number of clan groups and has historically been associated with agriculture, pastoralism and nomadic livelihoods, forming a large and heterogeneous social group.
The historical role of Gurjars in the subcontinent has been diverse. At one end they have been linked with several kingdoms, while at the other end some sections have continued as nomads without land of their own. A pivotal point in the history of Gurjar identity is often traced to the emergence of a Gurjara kingdom in present-day Rajasthan and Gujarat during the early medieval period, around 570 CE. It is believed that the Gurjars migrated from the Gurjaratra region to different parts of the Indian subcontinent.
The Gurjaras began receding from the forefront of recorded history after the 10th century CE. Subsequent records mention several Gurjar chieftains and warriors, though as comparatively minor rulers in contrast to their predecessors. References to Gujars are also common in Mughal-era documents, where they are described as a 'turbulent' people. The present-day Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan were known as Gurjaradesa and Gurjaratra for centuries before the arrival of the British. The Gujrat and Gujranwala districts of Pakistani Punjab have likewise been associated with Gurjars from as early as the 8th century CE, when a Gurjara kingdom existed in that area. The Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh was earlier known as Gurjargadh, owing to the presence of many Gurjar zamindars there.
Gurjars are linguistically and religiously diverse. While they typically speak the language of the region and country in which they live, the community also has its own language, known as Gujari. In terms of religion, Gurjars predominantly follow Islam, with a significant section adhering to Hinduism. According to a 1988 estimate, of the total Gurjar population in the Indian subcontinent, around 53% were followers of Islam and about 46.8% were adherents of Hinduism.
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