Ahir Sorathia
Encyclopedia
The Sorathia in Hindi
अहीर सोराथिया are a sub-group of the Ahir caste
found in the state of Gujarat in India
.
region, their original homeland. It is believed that Caucasian Avar (Ahir) settled in the Sorath region and referred to their original homeland. Physically, their appearance is close to the Avar people. According to their traditions, they migrated from Mathura along with Lord Krishna
. Some Sorathia claim to be Rajput
, while others claim descent from the Soomra
Rajputs. The community left Junagadh
to escape prosecution at the hands of the Nawab
s and settled in Kutch District
. They are now found mainly in the Anjar
and Bhuj
talukas of Kutch District. The Sorathia speak Kutch
.
town is almost entirely in the hands of the Sorathia. Some of them earn a living as contractors and work as construction workers. Their looks quite vary compared to other castes like caucasian specially their straight nose, tall, thin lips, is believed to have scythian origin.
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
अहीर सोराथिया are a sub-group of the Ahir caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
found in the state of Gujarat in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Origin
The community is believed to have derived its name from the SorathSorath
Sorath is an India musical raga that appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India and is part of the Sikh holy scripture called Sri Guru Granth Sahib Every raga has a strict set of rules which govern the number of notes that can be used; which notes can be used; and their interplay that has...
region, their original homeland. It is believed that Caucasian Avar (Ahir) settled in the Sorath region and referred to their original homeland. Physically, their appearance is close to the Avar people. According to their traditions, they migrated from Mathura along with Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
. Some Sorathia claim to be Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
, while others claim descent from the Soomra
Soomro
Soomro or Soomra is a Sindhi tribe in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan, Pakistan.- History and origin :The Soomra Dynasty was established by the Soomro tribe of Sindh. The Soomra ruled Sindh from 750-1351. Following the 985 CE expulsion of the Qarmatian Muslim sect from Iraq and Egypt, the...
Rajputs. The community left Junagadh
Junagadh
Junagadh is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city is the 7th largest in Gujarat. The city is located at the foot of the Girnar hills, 355 km south west of state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. The city is in western India. Literally translated,...
to escape prosecution at the hands of the Nawab
Nawab
A Nawab or Nawaab is an honorific title given to Muslim rulers of princely states in South Asia. It is the Muslim equivalent of the term "maharaja" that was granted to Hindu rulers....
s and settled in Kutch District
Kutch District
Kutch district is a district of Gujarat state in western India. Covering an area of 45,652 km², it is the largest district of India....
. They are now found mainly in the Anjar
Anjar
Anjar may refer to:*Anjar, India, a town and municipality of India*Anjar, Lebanon, a town in the Bekaa valley of Lebanon...
and Bhuj
Bhuj
Bhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
talukas of Kutch District. The Sorathia speak Kutch
Kutchi language
Kachhi Kachhi Kachhi (also spelt Cutchi, Kutchhi or Kachchhi, is an Indo-Aryan Language spoken in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat as well as in Sindh.- Closely related languages :...
.
Present Circumstances
The Sorathia community consist of eight clans, the main ones being the Baldania, Bambhaniya, Hadia, Chotara, Gudasarania, Vaghamashi and Malsatar. Each of the clans are of equal status and intermarry. Like neighbouring Hindu communities, the community practice clan exogamy. The Sorathia are a community of small and medium sized farmers. They are involved mainly in the growing and selling of vegetables. The vegetable trade in AnjarAnjar
Anjar may refer to:*Anjar, India, a town and municipality of India*Anjar, Lebanon, a town in the Bekaa valley of Lebanon...
town is almost entirely in the hands of the Sorathia. Some of them earn a living as contractors and work as construction workers. Their looks quite vary compared to other castes like caucasian specially their straight nose, tall, thin lips, is believed to have scythian origin.