Garhwali people
Encyclopedia
Garhwali people are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group who primarily live in the Garhwal
Himalayas
of the north-western
Indian state
of Uttarakhand
. Any person who has ancestral Garhwali roots or lives in Garhwal and has a Garhwali heritage
is called a Garhwali.
They include all those who speak the Garhwali language or any of its numerous dialects, living in Dehradun
, Haridwar
, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal
, Uttarkashi
, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Bageshwar
districts of Uttarakhand
, India.
There is documented evidence that the Garhwal region has been inhabited by mankind at least since the Vedic period
, and the people of Garhwal today are the descendants of different waves of migration of Indo-Aryan and Indo-Iranian people to these hills which took place over several centuries.
Significant communities of Garhwalis are present in the surrounding Indian states
of Uttar Pradesh
, Himachal Pradesh
, Haryana
, Delhi
, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh
and Maharashtra
along with a sizeable population overseas. According to various estimates, there are at least 25 lakh
Garhwali migrants living in Delhi
and the National Capital Region
.
Khas
/Khasas
tribes that arrived from the northwest by the Vedic period
.
The Khas are typically thought to be descendants of the ancient Kamboj
people who were of eastern Iranian origin. The Khasas
are also believed to have arrived from Tajikistan
and share some physical traits with the Tajik population.
Historians of Kumaun and Garhwal say that in the beginning there were only three castes: Khas Rajput
, Khas Brahmin
and Shilpkar. Main occupation of Khas Rajputs was of Zamindar
i and law enforcement. Occupation of Khas Brahmins was to perform religious rituals in temples and education of the elite. Shipkar were mainly working for Rajputs, in their lands and were expert in handicrafts.
We can still see that surnames of these Khas origin people are associated with the name of villages they belonged to e.g. Bahuguna
from Bughani and Uniyal
from Uni. However, one's surname doesn't neccessarily indicate the cast of the Uttarakhandi people. For example, famous surnames Bisht
and Bhandari
are used by both Rajputs and Brahmins.
These people of Garhwal were later joined by others through several waves of migration, mainly due to pilgrimages, which took place over centuries from various parts of India. The immigrants brought in their own cultures which blended in with the existing local traditions over time.
The Kingdom of Garhwal
was founded by Rajput
s nearly 700 years ago, one of these chiefs, Ajai Pal, reduced all the minor principalities under his own sway, and founded the Garhwal Kingdom. He and his ancestors ruled over Garhwal and the adjacent state of Tehri-Garhwal, in an uninterrupted line till 1803, when the Gurkhas invaded Kumaon and Garhwal, driving the Garhwal chief into the plains. For twelve years the Gurkhas ruled the country with a rod of iron, until a series of encroachments by them on British territory led to the Anglo–Nepalese War in 1814. At the termination of the campaign, Garhwal and Kumaon were converted into British districts, while the Tehri principality was restored to a son of the former chief. The British district of Garhwal was in the Kumaon Division of the United Provinces
, and had an area of 5,629 sq mi (14,580 km2). After annexation, Garhwal rapidly advanced in material prosperity. Two battalions of the Indian army (the 39th Garhwal Rifles
) were recruited in the district, which also contained the military cantonment of Lansdowne
. Grain
and coarse cloth were exported, and salt
, borax
, livestock
and wool
were imported, and the trade with Tibet
was considerable. The administrative headquarters were at the village of Pauri
, but Srinagar
was the largest city. It was an important mart, as was Kotdwara
, the terminus of a branch of the Oudh and Rohilkhand
railway from Najibabad
. Later it was part of the Punjab Hill States Agency
of British India, consisting of the present day Tehri Garhwal district
and most of the Uttarkashi district and acceded to the Union of India in 1949.
and is native to Garhwal
.
Garhwali is one of the 325 recognized languages of India spoken by over 2,267,314 people in Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal
, Uttarkashi, Chamoli
, Dehradun
, Haridwar
and Rudraprayag
districts of Uttarakhand
. Garhwali is also spoken by people in other parts of India
including Himachal Pradesh
, Delhi
, Haryana
, Punjab
, Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar
.
Almost all people who can speak and understand Garhwali can also speak and understand Hindi
, the official language of India
. However, due to a number of reasons, Garhwali is one of the languages which is shrinking very rapidly. UNESCO’s Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger designates Garhwali as a language which is in the unsafe category and requires consistent conservation efforts.
Garhwali people follow Hinduism along with a mix of traditional Garhwali Animism. As per Hinduism, Garhwalis relate every peak, lake or mountain range somehow or the other to God and Goddess, ranging from those associated with the Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava traditions, to local Gods like Narsingh, Khetrapal, Ghandiyal, Aachris, Dainkinis, Sainkinis etc. The protagonists of the epic Mahabharat, the Pandavas, are said to have ended their life on earth by ascending the slopes of a peak in Western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'. They are worshipped at in Garhwal and just like the epic unfolds that the five Pandava brothers had a common wife similar tradition have been reported in some areas like Jaunsaar, Bhabar and Ranwain. Temples are dedicated to the nine famous Goddesses, other local Goddesses, Bhairava, Surya, Ganesh, Kandar devta, Bhagwati, Ghandiyal. The Char Dham or the four pilgrimage which are auspicious to the Hindus are all located in the Garhwal region
of Uttarakhand. There are many famous temples in and around various areas of Garhwal but most temples are dedicated to Kalbhairav, Bhagwati, Ghandiyal, Narhsingh and Khetrapal.
. Garhwali ladies are therefore very laborious working right from dawn to dusk. They are bound to do this as most of the men are out for earning a living for their families. There is also widespread migration to urban areas due to lack of employment opportunities in the state, especially in rural and remote areas.people work hard for their livelihood.
and the Paramilitary forces of India have been the major source of employment for the Garhwali population. Designated as a "Martial Race
" under British India, recruits from Uttarakhand are still over-represented in the armed forces compared to other states. The nineteen battalions of the Garhwal Rifles
together with the Kumaon Regiment
of the Indian Army
clearly reflects the participation of the Garhwali people in defending and safe-guarding the frontiers of India.
, Diwali
(Bagwali), Vijaydashmi, Bikhot, Maun etc. During festivals, Garhwalis perform various folk dances like Raaso, Harul, Jhumeilo, Taandi, Pandav Nritya, Thadya, Chauphula etc.
Nandadevi Raj Jat is an important religious event of Garhwal region of Uttrakhand It involves a long trekking for taking the areas reigning deity Goddess Nanda to her divine destination of Gaungati peak which is believed to be the abode of her consort, Lord Shiva. The Raj Jat is taken up every 12 years, after elaborate preparations by the descendants of the royal priests now living at village Nauti and royal class of Kunwars living in Kansuwar. The purpose of the 280 km. long arduous trek undertaken by thousands of devotees is to escort the Goddess to her in-laws place. The Jat resembles the postnuptial rite of ceremonially seeing off a daughter as she leaves for her husbands home with all her personal effects and dowry.
Surkunda Devi: is a Hindu temple situated close to the small resort hamlet of Dhanaulti in Tehri District. It is at an altitude of about 2,757m metres, or 9500 ft; lies close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 km) and Chamba (22 km). It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the north, and certain cities to the south (e.g., Dehradun, Rishikesh) The Ganga Dussera festival is celebrated every year between May and June.
Chandrabadni Devi Temple: this place is in Pauri garhwal and one can reach the temple either from Kandikhal en route Srinagar-Tehri, from where it is a 8 km walk to the temple or from Janikhal en route Dev Prayag-Tehri via a link road up to Jurana (9 km) and then take a bridle path (1.5 km) up to the temple. A big fair is held in April every year. Adding to the various religious and culture performances, the view of the snowcapped Himalayas is soul lifting. A visit to the shrine is an experience to cherish.
Jaagar Spirit Worship: Jaagar (जागर) falls in the category of ghost and spiritual worship, in the form of a folk song or at times combined with dances. Sometimes, Jaagar may also be in the form of Puja folk songs and are sung in honour of the various gods and goddesses. There are more than 500 ballads on indigenous spirits, gods and goddesses, fairies and ghosts. It can be termed as a mast hysteria. The chief priest, Jagariya, fixes the time on which a jagar is to be performed. Around the burning fire, in a circle, are members of the village or family-suddenly the Dangariya or medium, slowly, and with measured drum beats, starts to invoke the spirit. Coupled with his singing, punctuated by the exotic drum-beats, and the shrill sound of the thali', the crescendo, builds up and drives the listeners into a trance. In a fit of ectasy they leap, shout, tremble and jump. As they move around the fire, the Das starts to address them by the name of the spirit or spirits involved and asks the spirits, the questions that are sought by some families and the remedies. Usually the spirit demands a sacrifice of a goat or a chicken. The spirit is sent back to its Himalayan abode and the spell breaks-the dance and the ceremony is over. While in a state of trance the dancers lick red-hot pokers, or shove their hands into the blazing fire without being harmed. The instruments used are a big Drum (Dhol), a smaller Drum (Damau), Hurka and Thali. There are evidences that this all started as a means of entertainment in old age Garhwal same as enactment of Ramayana but subsequently got coupled with superstitions of ghosts and was transformed into present form.
According to a 2007 study, Uttarakhand
has the highest percentage of brahmins of any community in India, with approximately 20% of the population being brahmin. Garhwal
, in particular, has a very high percentage of Brahmins (30-40%).
Many Brahmins settled in the hill state through various waves of migration from the rest of the Indian subcontinent
(mainly from the northern and western areas) due to the many holy temples and cities found throughout the region which includes the auspicious Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and the holy cities of Haridwar
and Rishikesh. The Garhwali Brahmins are mostly of Khas-Aryan descent. The following are some of the Garhwali Brahmin clans:
Garhwali Rajputs have many more surnames based on their village origins but most people prefer their professional surnames like Rawat, Negi, Bisht, Bhandari,Miyan etc.
Garhwal Division
Garhwal is the north-western region and administrative division of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand which is home to the Garhwali people. Lying in the Himalayas, It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state, and on the north-west by...
Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
of the north-western
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
Indian state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
. Any person who has ancestral Garhwali roots or lives in Garhwal and has a Garhwali heritage
Kinship
Kinship is a relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin, through either biological, cultural, or historical descent. And descent groups, lineages, etc. are treated in their own subsections....
is called a Garhwali.
They include all those who speak the Garhwali language or any of its numerous dialects, living in Dehradun
Dehradun
- Geography :The Dehradun district has various types of physical geography from Himalayan mountains to Plains. Raiwala is the lowest point at 315 meters above sea level, and the highest points are within the Tiuni hills, rising to 3700 m above sea level...
, Haridwar
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal
Pauri Garhwal
Pauri Garhwal is a district in Uttarakhand state of India. Its headquarters is at Pauri. Pauri Garhwal district is ringed by Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora and Nainital districts from three sides. The southern boundary of Pauri Garhwal district touches with the...
, Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi, meaning Kashi of the north, is a holy town in Uttarakhand, India. It is the district headquarter of Uttarkashi district. Uttarkashi is situated on the banks of river Bhagirathi at an altitude of 1352 m above sea level. Uttarkashi is home to a number of ashrams and temples and also to...
, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Bageshwar
Bageshwar
Bageshwar is a city and a municipal board in Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is also the administrative headquarters of Bageshwar district....
districts of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
, India.
There is documented evidence that the Garhwal region has been inhabited by mankind at least since the Vedic period
Vedic period
The Vedic period was a period in history during which the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed. The time span of the period is uncertain. Philological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, was composed roughly between 1700–1100 BCE, also...
, and the people of Garhwal today are the descendants of different waves of migration of Indo-Aryan and Indo-Iranian people to these hills which took place over several centuries.
Significant communities of Garhwalis are present in the surrounding Indian states
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
along with a sizeable population overseas. According to various estimates, there are at least 25 lakh
Lakh
A lakh is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand . It is widely used both in official and other contexts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and is often used in Indian English.-Usage:...
Garhwali migrants living in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
and the National Capital Region
National Capital Region (India)
The National Capital Region in India is a name for the conurbation or metropolitan area which encompasses the entire National Capital Territory of Delhi as well as urban areas ringing it in neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan...
.
Origin
The region was originally settled by Kols, an aboriginal people of the Austro- Asiatic physical type who were later joined by Indo-AryanIndo-Aryans
Indo-Aryan is an ethno-linguistic term referring to the wide collection of peoples united as native speakers of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-Iranian family of Indo-European languages...
Khas
Khas
Originally the Khas / Khasas or Khasiyas are the mountain dwellers living in the southern shadow of the Himalayan range from Kashmir to Bhutan, but mostly in Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, North Bengal, Sikkim and Bhutan,...
/Khasas
Khasas
The Khasas / Khas or Khasiyas are an ancient people, believed to be a section of the Indo-Iranians who originally belonged to Central Asia from where they had penetrated, in remote antiquity, the Himalayas through Kashgar and Kashmir and dominated the whole hilly region...
tribes that arrived from the northwest by the Vedic period
Vedic period
The Vedic period was a period in history during which the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, were composed. The time span of the period is uncertain. Philological and linguistic evidence indicates that the Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, was composed roughly between 1700–1100 BCE, also...
.
The Khas are typically thought to be descendants of the ancient Kamboj
Kambojas
The Kambojas were a kshatriya tribe of Iron Age India, frequently mentioned in Sanskrit and Pali literature.They were an Indo-Iranian tribe situated at the boundary of the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians, and appear to have moved from the Iranian into the Indo-Aryan sphere over time.The Kambojas...
people who were of eastern Iranian origin. The Khasas
Khasas
The Khasas / Khas or Khasiyas are an ancient people, believed to be a section of the Indo-Iranians who originally belonged to Central Asia from where they had penetrated, in remote antiquity, the Himalayas through Kashgar and Kashmir and dominated the whole hilly region...
are also believed to have arrived from Tajikistan
Tajikistan
Tajikistan , officially the Republic of Tajikistan , is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia. Afghanistan borders it to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east....
and share some physical traits with the Tajik population.
Historians of Kumaun and Garhwal say that in the beginning there were only three castes: Khas 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...
, Khas Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
and Shilpkar. Main occupation of Khas Rajputs was of Zamindar
Zamindar
A Zamindar or zemindar , was an aristocrat, typically hereditary, who held enormous tracts of land and ruled over and taxed the bhikaaris who lived on batavaslam. Over time, they took princely and royal titles such as Maharaja , Raja , Nawab , and Mirza , Chowdhury , among others...
i and law enforcement. Occupation of Khas Brahmins was to perform religious rituals in temples and education of the elite. Shipkar were mainly working for Rajputs, in their lands and were expert in handicrafts.
We can still see that surnames of these Khas origin people are associated with the name of villages they belonged to e.g. Bahuguna
Bahuguna
Bahuguna is an Indian surname common in Uttrakhand in northern India.According to the family history, the land of Odali village was purchased by ancestors from a lady of Dungri Village. According to the book Bahuguna Vansh Charit written by Dr...
from Bughani and Uniyal
Uniyal
Uniyal is a North Indian garhwali brahmin surname, mostly used in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. In Yamunotri ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad and the supervision of pujas are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris...
from Uni. However, one's surname doesn't neccessarily indicate the cast of the Uttarakhandi people. For example, famous surnames Bisht
Bisht
The Bisht are a Rajput community living primarily in the Central Himmalayas, such as the Indian state of Uttarakhand.Bisht Rajputs refers to the title of Rajputs in Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand...
and Bhandari
Bhandari
For other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
are used by both Rajputs and Brahmins.
These people of Garhwal were later joined by others through several waves of migration, mainly due to pilgrimages, which took place over centuries from various parts of India. The immigrants brought in their own cultures which blended in with the existing local traditions over time.
Garhwal Kingdom
The Kingdom of Garhwal
Garhwal Kingdom
Garhwal Kingdom was a princely state in north-western Uttarakhand, India, ruled by the Panwar dynasty. It was founded in 888 AD and existed until it was annexed by the Gorkhas in 1803...
was founded by 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...
s nearly 700 years ago, one of these chiefs, Ajai Pal, reduced all the minor principalities under his own sway, and founded the Garhwal Kingdom. He and his ancestors ruled over Garhwal and the adjacent state of Tehri-Garhwal, in an uninterrupted line till 1803, when the Gurkhas invaded Kumaon and Garhwal, driving the Garhwal chief into the plains. For twelve years the Gurkhas ruled the country with a rod of iron, until a series of encroachments by them on British territory led to the Anglo–Nepalese War in 1814. At the termination of the campaign, Garhwal and Kumaon were converted into British districts, while the Tehri principality was restored to a son of the former chief. The British district of Garhwal was in the Kumaon Division of the United Provinces
United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh was a province of India under the British Raj, which existed from 1902 to 1947; the official name was shortened by the Government of India Act 1935 to United Provinces, by which the province had been commonly known, and by which name it was also a province of...
, and had an area of 5,629 sq mi (14,580 km2). After annexation, Garhwal rapidly advanced in material prosperity. Two battalions of the Indian army (the 39th Garhwal Rifles
Garhwal Rifles
The Garhwal Rifles is a light infantry or 'rifle' regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised as the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Bengal Army, became part of the old Indian Army, and received its present name on Indian independence...
) were recruited in the district, which also contained the military cantonment of Lansdowne
Lansdowne, Garhwal
Lansdowne is a cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.-History:Originally known as, Kaludanda, after Kalun and Danda in local language, Lansdowne was founded and named after then Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne in 1887, and by 1901 it had a population of 3943...
. Grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
and coarse cloth were exported, and salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
, borax
Borax
Borax, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, is an important boron compound, a mineral, and a salt of boric acid. It is usually a white powder consisting of soft colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.Borax has a wide variety of uses...
, livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
and wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
were imported, and the trade with Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
was considerable. The administrative headquarters were at the village of Pauri
Pauri
Pauri is a city and a municipal board in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.-Geography:Pauri is located at...
, but Srinagar
Srinagar, Uttarakhand
For other uses, see Srinagar .Srinagar is the biggest town in garhwal and a municipal board in Pauri Garhwal District in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.-Geography:...
was the largest city. It was an important mart, as was Kotdwara
Kotdwara
Kotdwara is a town and district headquarter in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.-Geography:Kotdwara is one of the district of Uttarakhand, situated at the border of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, on the foothills of the Shivalik Range of Himalayan Mountains. It is locked in by hills from three sides...
, the terminus of a branch of the Oudh and Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand
Rohilkhand is a region of northwestern Uttar Pradesh state of India.Rohilkhand lies on the upper Ganges alluvial plain and has an area of about 25,000 km²/10,000 square miles...
railway from Najibabad
Najibabad
Najibabad is a pleasant city / partially hill station and a municipal board in Bijnor district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It has a railway junction and is one of the administrative blocks of the Bijnor district...
. Later it was part of the Punjab Hill States Agency
Punjab Hill States
The Punjab Hill States Agency was an administrative unit of British India. The agency was created in 1936, and was composed of a number of princely states in the present-day Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand...
of British India, consisting of the present day Tehri Garhwal district
Tehri Garhwal District
Tehri Garhwal is one of the largest districts in the hill state of Uttarakhand, India. Its administrative headquarters is at New Tehri. The district has a population of 604,747 , a 16.15% increase over the previous decade...
and most of the Uttarkashi district and acceded to the Union of India in 1949.
Language
The Garhwali language (गढ़वळि भाख/भासा)is a Central Pahari language belonging to the Northern Zone of Indo-Aryan languagesIndo-Aryan languages
The Indo-Aryan languages constitutes a branch of the Indo-Iranian languages, itself a branch of the Indo-European language family...
and is native to Garhwal
Garhwal Division
Garhwal is the north-western region and administrative division of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand which is home to the Garhwali people. Lying in the Himalayas, It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state, and on the north-west by...
.
Garhwali is one of the 325 recognized languages of India spoken by over 2,267,314 people in Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal
Pauri Garhwal
Pauri Garhwal is a district in Uttarakhand state of India. Its headquarters is at Pauri. Pauri Garhwal district is ringed by Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Almora and Nainital districts from three sides. The southern boundary of Pauri Garhwal district touches with the...
, Uttarkashi, Chamoli
Chamoli District
Chamoli district is a district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is bounded by the Tibet region to the north, and by the Uttarakhand districts of Pithoragarh and Bageshwar to the east, Almora to the south, Garhwal to the southwest, Rudraprayag to the west, and Uttarkashi to the northwest...
, Dehradun
Dehradun district
There are five railway stations in Dehradun:* Raiwala* Rishikesh* Doiwala* Harrawala* DehradunAirport...
, Haridwar
Haridwar District
Haridwar district is a district in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is headquartered at Haridwar which is also its largest city. The district is ringed by the districts Dehradun in the north and east, Pauri Garhwal in the east and the Uttar Pradesh districts of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor in the...
and Rudraprayag
Rudraprayag District
Rudraprayag district, is a district of Uttarakhand state of northern India. The district occupies an area of 2439 km². Rudraprayag town is the administrative headquarters of the district....
districts of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
. Garhwali is also spoken by people in other parts of 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...
including Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in Northern India. It is spread over , and is bordered by the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west and south-west, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh on the south, Uttarakhand on the south-east and by the Tibet Autonomous Region on the east...
, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
, Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
and Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
.
Almost all people who can speak and understand Garhwali can also speak and understand Hindi
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...
, the official language of 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...
. However, due to a number of reasons, Garhwali is one of the languages which is shrinking very rapidly. UNESCO’s Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger designates Garhwali as a language which is in the unsafe category and requires consistent conservation efforts.
Culture
The culture of the present Garhwal is an amalgamation of influences from the indigenous population coupled with traditions superimposed by various immigrants, especially the Khas-Aryans, who settled in the region from time to time. And thus due to this the myths, dialects, languages, folk literature, festivals, fairs and forms of artistic expression, arts form the basis and the general essence of the character that Garhwali people generally possess.Garhwali people follow Hinduism along with a mix of traditional Garhwali Animism. As per Hinduism, Garhwalis relate every peak, lake or mountain range somehow or the other to God and Goddess, ranging from those associated with the Shaiva, Shakta and Vaishnava traditions, to local Gods like Narsingh, Khetrapal, Ghandiyal, Aachris, Dainkinis, Sainkinis etc. The protagonists of the epic Mahabharat, the Pandavas, are said to have ended their life on earth by ascending the slopes of a peak in Western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'. They are worshipped at in Garhwal and just like the epic unfolds that the five Pandava brothers had a common wife similar tradition have been reported in some areas like Jaunsaar, Bhabar and Ranwain. Temples are dedicated to the nine famous Goddesses, other local Goddesses, Bhairava, Surya, Ganesh, Kandar devta, Bhagwati, Ghandiyal. The Char Dham or the four pilgrimage which are auspicious to the Hindus are all located in the Garhwal region
Garhwal Division
Garhwal is the north-western region and administrative division of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand which is home to the Garhwali people. Lying in the Himalayas, It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state, and on the north-west by...
of Uttarakhand. There are many famous temples in and around various areas of Garhwal but most temples are dedicated to Kalbhairav, Bhagwati, Ghandiyal, Narhsingh and Khetrapal.
Lifestyle
As Uttarakhand is a major source of recruits for the Indian ArmyIndian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. Garhwali ladies are therefore very laborious working right from dawn to dusk. They are bound to do this as most of the men are out for earning a living for their families. There is also widespread migration to urban areas due to lack of employment opportunities in the state, especially in rural and remote areas.people work hard for their livelihood.
Armed forces
The Indian Armed ForcesIndian Armed Forces
The Indian Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of India. They consist of the Army, Navy and Air Force, supported by three paramilitary forces and various inter-service institutions such as the Strategic Forces Command.The President of India is...
and the Paramilitary forces of India have been the major source of employment for the Garhwali population. Designated as a "Martial Race
Martial Race
Martial Race was a designation created by Army officials of British India, where they classified each ethnic group into one of two categories: 'Martial' and 'Non-Martial'. A 'martial race' was typically considered brave and well built for fighting. The 'non-martial races' were those whom the...
" under British India, recruits from Uttarakhand are still over-represented in the armed forces compared to other states. The nineteen battalions of the Garhwal Rifles
Garhwal Rifles
The Garhwal Rifles is a light infantry or 'rifle' regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised as the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Bengal Army, became part of the old Indian Army, and received its present name on Indian independence...
together with the Kumaon Regiment
Kumaon Regiment
The Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars...
of the Indian Army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
clearly reflects the participation of the Garhwali people in defending and safe-guarding the frontiers of India.
Festivals
Garhwali people enjoy a variety of festivals ranging from Makraini Sangraand (Makar Sankranti), Basant Panchmi, HoliHoli
Holi , is a religious spring festival celebrated by Hindus. Holi is also known as festival of Colours. It is primarily observed in India, Nepal, Pakistan, and countries with large Indic diaspora populations following Hinduism, such as Suriname, Malaysia, Guyana, South Africa, Trinidad, United...
, Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
(Bagwali), Vijaydashmi, Bikhot, Maun etc. During festivals, Garhwalis perform various folk dances like Raaso, Harul, Jhumeilo, Taandi, Pandav Nritya, Thadya, Chauphula etc.
Cuisine
Garhwali food is very simple but very nutritious completely suits the hard environment. Pulses like Gehet are fashioned into different preparations like ras-bhaat, chainsu, faana and thatwaani all are unique preparations from the same pulse. Jholi or curry seasoned with curd. Chudkani and jol made from bhatt pulses. Cereals like Koda with rice and wheat are popular. Kaaphli which is the same as saag of Punjab is also popular.Local Deities
Nanda Devi (Raj Jat): is an ancient tradition, which has been in vogue in the region for a long time. The genesis of Nanda worship is wrapped in mystery. However, most scholars agree that its genesis dates back to the 9th century or even before. According to the folk songs sung at Nauti during this Jat, King Shalipal of Chandpur Garhi is said to have laid the foundation of this tradition. He directed his royal priests to worship the Goddess according to his instructions.Nandadevi Raj Jat is an important religious event of Garhwal region of Uttrakhand It involves a long trekking for taking the areas reigning deity Goddess Nanda to her divine destination of Gaungati peak which is believed to be the abode of her consort, Lord Shiva. The Raj Jat is taken up every 12 years, after elaborate preparations by the descendants of the royal priests now living at village Nauti and royal class of Kunwars living in Kansuwar. The purpose of the 280 km. long arduous trek undertaken by thousands of devotees is to escort the Goddess to her in-laws place. The Jat resembles the postnuptial rite of ceremonially seeing off a daughter as she leaves for her husbands home with all her personal effects and dowry.
Surkunda Devi: is a Hindu temple situated close to the small resort hamlet of Dhanaulti in Tehri District. It is at an altitude of about 2,757m metres, or 9500 ft; lies close to nearby hill stations of Dhanaulti (8 km) and Chamba (22 km). It is surrounded by dense forests and affords a scenic view of the surrounding region including the Himalayas to the north, and certain cities to the south (e.g., Dehradun, Rishikesh) The Ganga Dussera festival is celebrated every year between May and June.
Chandrabadni Devi Temple: this place is in Pauri garhwal and one can reach the temple either from Kandikhal en route Srinagar-Tehri, from where it is a 8 km walk to the temple or from Janikhal en route Dev Prayag-Tehri via a link road up to Jurana (9 km) and then take a bridle path (1.5 km) up to the temple. A big fair is held in April every year. Adding to the various religious and culture performances, the view of the snowcapped Himalayas is soul lifting. A visit to the shrine is an experience to cherish.
Jaagar Spirit Worship: Jaagar (जागर) falls in the category of ghost and spiritual worship, in the form of a folk song or at times combined with dances. Sometimes, Jaagar may also be in the form of Puja folk songs and are sung in honour of the various gods and goddesses. There are more than 500 ballads on indigenous spirits, gods and goddesses, fairies and ghosts. It can be termed as a mast hysteria. The chief priest, Jagariya, fixes the time on which a jagar is to be performed. Around the burning fire, in a circle, are members of the village or family-suddenly the Dangariya or medium, slowly, and with measured drum beats, starts to invoke the spirit. Coupled with his singing, punctuated by the exotic drum-beats, and the shrill sound of the thali', the crescendo, builds up and drives the listeners into a trance. In a fit of ectasy they leap, shout, tremble and jump. As they move around the fire, the Das starts to address them by the name of the spirit or spirits involved and asks the spirits, the questions that are sought by some families and the remedies. Usually the spirit demands a sacrifice of a goat or a chicken. The spirit is sent back to its Himalayan abode and the spell breaks-the dance and the ceremony is over. While in a state of trance the dancers lick red-hot pokers, or shove their hands into the blazing fire without being harmed. The instruments used are a big Drum (Dhol), a smaller Drum (Damau), Hurka and Thali. There are evidences that this all started as a means of entertainment in old age Garhwal same as enactment of Ramayana but subsequently got coupled with superstitions of ghosts and was transformed into present form.
Garwali Brahmin Clans
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
has the highest percentage of brahmins of any community in India, with approximately 20% of the population being brahmin. Garhwal
Garhwal Division
Garhwal is the north-western region and administrative division of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand which is home to the Garhwali people. Lying in the Himalayas, It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state, and on the north-west by...
, in particular, has a very high percentage of Brahmins (30-40%).
Many Brahmins settled in the hill state through various waves of migration from the rest of the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
(mainly from the northern and western areas) due to the many holy temples and cities found throughout the region which includes the auspicious Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and the holy cities of Haridwar
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
and Rishikesh. The Garhwali Brahmins are mostly of Khas-Aryan descent. The following are some of the Garhwali Brahmin clans:
- Kandwal,HatwalHatwalHatwal is a Garhwali Brahmin family name from the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Hatwals were primarily a priestly class who served as pandits at the many Hindu temples in the Himalayan Kingdom of Garhwal, including Badrinath which is part of the auspicious Hindu pilgrimage circuit...
, LakheraLakheraThe Lakhera is a Hindu caste found in North India. They are a community traditionally associated with bangle making.-Origin:The Lakhera get their name from the Sanskrit laksha kuru meaning a worker in lac. According to their mythologies, the community was created by the dirt washed from the body of...
, Dangwal, Dabral, Gairola, Jakhmola,Rudola, Jamloki, Dhyani, Sati, Kimothi, Dimri, Nawani, BahugunaBahugunaBahuguna is an Indian surname common in Uttrakhand in northern India.According to the family history, the land of Odali village was purchased by ancestors from a lady of Dungri Village. According to the book Bahuguna Vansh Charit written by Dr...
, Khanduri, Godiyal, PandeyPandeyPandey Sanskrit is a surname of the Hindu Brahmins communities of Northern and Central India .-Derivation:Pandey's : Well known for the the Superior Castes in Brahmin's...
, TiwariTiwariTiwari Sanskrit | तिवारी, is a Hindu Brahmin surname found mostly in the northern and central parts of India and Nepal.-About the surname Tiwari:Its other forms are Tewari, Tewary, Tiwary, Tewaree, and Tewarey...
, Semwal, JoshiJoshiJoshi is a family name common in India and Nepal. Whereas the Joshi's of India are of Brahmin origin, the Joshi's of Nepal are either Newars or Khas-Brahmin...
, Nautiyal, Badoni, Raturi, Badola, Barthwal, Mamgain, ChandolaChandolaChandola is a North Indian surname, frequent among brahmins and mostly used in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. They are said to have come to Uttarakhand from Gujarat/Punjab and first settled in chandok Bijnor and then moved to Raii village in District Pauri Garhwal. In the present generation...
, Upreti / Uprety, BhattBhattBhatt, meaning a priest or scribe in Sanskrit, is a surname common in most parts of India. A predominantly Hindu last name, it is found most commonly in the states of Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Kumaon and Garhwal in Uttarakhand, Doti, Karnataka, Kerala,...
, PathakPathakPathak is a community of Brahmins. Pathaks have served as the Chief Justice of India and as Vice President of India. Usually a surname, Pathak is a Sanskrit word and means Reader or person who is anxious to learn and acquire knowledge...
, SarolaSarola brahminSarola brahmin is the highest Garhwali Brahmin subcaste from Uttarakhand, India. Sarola Brahmins were the earliest authenticated Brahmin casts in the then small Garhwal Kingdom of 1200 years ago. The capital of this kingdom was Chandpur Garhi and 12 casts of Brahmins were settled in 12 villages...
, Khantwal, Kukreti, Balooni, Budakoti, Kotnala, Naithani, Dhasmana, Juyal, Kala, Thapliyal, Dobhal, Duklan, Bijalwan, Binjola, UniyalUniyalUniyal is a North Indian garhwali brahmin surname, mostly used in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. In Yamunotri ritual duties such as the making and distribution of prasad and the supervision of pujas are performed by the Uniyal family of pujaris...
, Maithani, Sundriyal, Dandriyal, Maikhuri, Kothari, Sareera, Baukhandi, Kapruwan, Pokhriyal, Todariya, Babulkar, Karnatak, Dobriyal, Ghildiyal, Saklani,Deorari, Kulasari/Kulashri, Balodi, Gaur, Belwal.
Garhwali Rajput Clans
- ,Parmar, Panwar, Kunwar, KandariKandari (community)Kandari are a community from the Indian state of Uttarakhand. They are a part of the Rajput clan. Kandari name is mostly used in the State of Uttarakhand....
RawatRawat RajputsRawat Rajputs are a group of people who reside in Ajmer, Ballabgarh, Faridabad, Palwal Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Pali districts of Rajasthan, the area known as Magra-Merwara and the Kumaon division and Garhwal Divisions of Uttarakhand, India....
, KhatriKhatriKhatri is a caste from the northern Indian subcontinent. Khatris in India are mostly from Punjab, region but later they migrated to regions like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu, Uttarkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber...
, Patwal, NegiNegi (caste)Negi which means "negchari" and perfect rajputs their ancester mainly are the kings of northern india and refers to the title given to nobles by the kings. Negi is a title given to people serving in Army and Administration and fully devoted to their State...
, ChauhanChauhanChauhan, Chouhan or Chohan , , - is a clan who ruled parts of northern India in the Middle Ages. The clan is most famous for Rajput King Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan...
, RanaRana (clan)Rana is a family name, originally a Hindu ancestry now found in all religions such as Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism etc. Rana is a surname used by the Rajputs of India, Pakistan and Nepal...
, Pundir, BishtBishtThe Bisht are a Rajput community living primarily in the Central Himmalayas, such as the Indian state of Uttarakhand.Bisht Rajputs refers to the title of Rajputs in Kumaon and Garhwal regions of Uttarakhand...
, BhandariBhandariFor other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
, BartwalBartwalBartwal is a North Indian Garhwali Rajput surname.Bartwal name is mostly used in the State of Uttarakhand. Most of them hails from Rudraprayag District. It is believed to be originally derived from Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat-.Men of Bartwal clan often use "Singh", in a traditional way, by...
, Gusain, AswalAswalThe Aswal tribe is spread in many parts of India. Many Aswals belong to the Rajput clan, with Gotras like Bharadwaja, etc. The Pahadi Aswals are Rajputs and belong to the Garhwali and Kumaoni tribes in the mountain ranges of Uttarakhand...
, Ramola, Khati, Jayara, Gunsola, Pokhriyal, Uniyal, Shah.
Garhwali Rajputs have many more surnames based on their village origins but most people prefer their professional surnames like Rawat, Negi, Bisht, Bhandari,Miyan etc.
Garhwali personalities
- Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
- Narendra Singh NegiNarendra Singh NegiNarendra Singh Negi is one of the most prominent folk singers of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.In Uttarkhand it is a famous saying that if you want to know about Uttarakhnd, its people, society, life, culture, traditions and politics then either refer to books of scholars or listen to the...
- Bachan Singh Negi
- Veer Chandra Singh Gadhwali
- Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna
- Maj. Gen. Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri
- Madho Singh Bhandari
- Shridev Suman
- Bachendri PalBachendri Pal-Early life:Bachendri Pal was born into a family of very moderate means, in 1954, in a village named Nakuri in kashi District of Garhwal Hari k govind hill at NIM, she climbed Gangotri I and Rudugaria...
- Jaspal RanaJaspal RanaJaspal Rana is an Indian shooter. He contested mainly in the 25 m Centre Fire Pistol category. He was a gold medallist at the 1994 Asian Games, 2006 Commonwealth Games, and 2006 Asian Games. At present, Rana coaches at the Jaspal Rana Institute of Education and Technology in Dehradun.- Early days...
- Deepak DobriyalDeepak DobriyalDeepak Dobriyal is an Indian film and theatre actor.He worked in many films like Not a Love Story, Teen Thay Bhai, Gulaal, Delhi 6, Omkara, Maqbool, Daayen Ya Baayen, Shaurya, 1971, 13B, The Blue Umbrella, Tanu Weds Manu and Mumbai Cutting.-Ealy life and education:Deepak's parents belong to Kabra...
- Anushka SharmaAnushka SharmaAnushka Sharma is an Indian actress and former model who appears in Hindi films. In 2008, she was signed by Aditya Chopra for a three-film contract and made her screen debut in Chopra's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She later received acclaim for her role as Shruti Kakkar in Band Baaja Baaraat...
- Varun BadolaVarun BadolaVarun Badola is an Indian actor, known largely for his roles on television.His father is a known artist, Vishwa Mohan Badola. He has 2 sisters — Alka who is married and has appeared in KumKum, and Kalindi , who is a radio jockey.He did his schooling from Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in New Delhi....
- Shivanand Nautiyal
- Bhagat Darhshan
- Gabbar Singh
- Satpal MaharajSatpal MaharajSatpal Maharaj is a member of the lower house of the Parliament of India for the Indian National Congress party....
- Prempal Singh Rawat
- Mangla Rawat
- Bhola Maharaj
- Gaura Devi
- Pandit. Satyeshwar Prasad Raturi
- Sunderlal Bahuguna
- Thakur Surveer Singh
- Vidya Sagar Nautiyal
- Surjan Singh BhandariSurjan Singh BhandariSurjan Singh Bhandari was a commando of the elite National Security Guards of the Indian armed forces. Bhandari hailed from Gochar, North Indian state of Uttarakhand...
- Parimarjan Negi
- Chandra Kunwar Bartwal
- Arjun singh gusain pauri garhwal
- Sakshi Rawat Dhoni
See also
- Sarola brahminSarola brahminSarola brahmin is the highest Garhwali Brahmin subcaste from Uttarakhand, India. Sarola Brahmins were the earliest authenticated Brahmin casts in the then small Garhwal Kingdom of 1200 years ago. The capital of this kingdom was Chandpur Garhi and 12 casts of Brahmins were settled in 12 villages...
- Garhwal divisionGarhwal DivisionGarhwal is the north-western region and administrative division of the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand which is home to the Garhwali people. Lying in the Himalayas, It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east by Kumaon region, on the south by Uttar Pradesh state, and on the north-west by...
- Garhwal RiflesGarhwal RiflesThe Garhwal Rifles is a light infantry or 'rifle' regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised as the 39th Garhwal Rifles of the Bengal Army, became part of the old Indian Army, and received its present name on Indian independence...
- Garhwali language
- Kumaon RegimentKumaon RegimentThe Kumaon Regiment is one of the most decorated regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its origins to the 18th century and has fought in every major campaign of the British Indian Army and the Indian Army, including the two world wars...
- Kumaoni people
- Martial RaceMartial RaceMartial Race was a designation created by Army officials of British India, where they classified each ethnic group into one of two categories: 'Martial' and 'Non-Martial'. A 'martial race' was typically considered brave and well built for fighting. The 'non-martial races' were those whom the...
- UttarakhandUttarakhandUttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...