Bhavsar

Bhavasar, Bhaosar, Bhawsar, Bhawasar, Rangrez, Bhavsar Kshatriya
Classification	Kshatriya varna
Religions	Hinduism, Jainism
Languages	Gujarati, Marathi, Bagri
Populated States	Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Subdivisions	Bhavasar

The Bhavasar (Gujarati: ભાવસાર, Marathi: भावसार) are an ethnic group in India. Bhavsar Kshatriya Samaj, as the name suggests is a community of Kshatriyas ( warriors).

According to the epic stories, the legendary Parshuram, who was said to be an Avatar of Lord Vishnu, had vowed avengance against a community of warriors, who, in the war, had wiped most of the warriors off the earth. This scenario had worried two young princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh from Saurashtra who had foreseen their dynasty meeting its end.

The princes had been directed to appeal to Goddess Hinglaj at the holy shrine on the bank of the river Hinghol in Baluchistan near Sindh, which is now in Pakistan, where the goddess assured protection to their dynasty by compelling Parshuram to leave them alone, on one condition: that none from their community would confront Parshuram as he too was a son for her. The Bhavsar community was named after these two Princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh.

But as the historical period ended, there was a phase of civilization wherein there was a cultural and economic stability in ancient India.

In the meantime, apart from being at the royal service, few members of the community started developing skills in stitching and dyeing clothes. These skills enabled them to grow as professional artisans and in turn Royal Tailors & Dress Designers. These artisans traveled widely, as their skills were well known throughout the nation. They spread across the country, adapting to the culture of each area where they settled down, yet maintaining their own culture. They flourished, because they could adapt to any kind of situation and adopt the profession that was needed at the time.

They are from the traditional Kshatriya varna in Hinduism.

Origin and legends

The Bhavasar's legendary origin dates back to the Saurashtra. Tradition holds the community was formed by Bhavsingh and Sarsingh, two young princes from north-western India. The princes prayed to the goddess Hinglaj (kuldevi, clan goddess of Bhavsars) for protection from Parashuram, who had vowed to destroy all Kshatriyas. The shrine where Bhavsingh and Sarsingh had prayed to the goddess is located near Karachi in present-day Pakistan. The Bhavsar samaj has negotiated with the Pakistani government for regular pilgrimage to Hinglaj.

The Bhavsar community appears to have originated in the Sindh area which came under Pakistan after the partition at independence. From there the community migrated and spread all over India. The community settled in Gujrat and Maharashtra. The Marathi Bhavsars moved to the South of India up to Tamil Nadu, settling along the way in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Another branch moved West to Vidharbha and Madhya Pradesh.

The Bhavsars identify themselves as Kshatriyas. However, historical evidence is available to support the Warrior heritage. Initially, the community was not advanced educationally. But in last few decades the advancement and a number of educated professionals and entrepreneurs have risen and have spread overseas.

Culture and demographics

Bhavsars are found mostly in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. All have adapted to their local culture and traditions to varying degrees. However, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the primary regions from where the more recent migrations have occurred. Though Bhavsars are Kshatriya, most of Gujarati Bhavsars follow Vaishnavism. Few others follow Jainism. The Maharashtrian Bhavsars have migrated to South India since medieval period. They have settled in the South for several generations. However, they have maintained their Maharashtrian cultural ties to this date.

Bhavsars are known for their simple, tolerant and integrating lifestyle. This community has been engaged in trade and merchandise activities for generations and with time they have also made a mark in higher education.

Diet

Traditionally, The Bhavsars are non-vegetarians except the Gujrati Bhavsars. The community have their local cuisines developed with the strong influence of Maharashtrian cuisine. Normally, in this community the older women of the family is given importance stating she is the Gruhalakshmi of the family (Blessing for the prosperity of the family) and She decides what has to be cooked on daily basis and in different occasions. Every family gives importance to the dinner and sits on the floor together and enjoy the meal with their hands.

Languages

All the Bhavsars have their Mother tongue as either Gujrati for those who live in Gujarat region or Marathi for rest of the community. The Bhavsars speak Marathi irrespective of their location in any southern state of India. The dialect varies from place to place but it is always some form of Marathi.

Surnames

Some families from the Bhavsar community apply Bhavsar as their last name, for the purpose of identity. However, the Bhavsars from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have surnames in the Maharashtian tradition.

Weddings

The weddings among Bhavsars are given lot of importance. The wedding takes place as a Hindu Wedding Ceremony which has number of rituals and customs. The community follows the system of arranged marriages and are usually decided by the parents or an older family member. The match could be selected by parents, or by the elder member of the family. However, the modern practice is to choose from a matchmaking agent, matrimonial site, or a trusted third party. The community has their own way of performing the marriage.

Worship and Deity

Traditionally, Bhavsars are very religious and spiritualistic people. They worship Hinglaj Mata or Hingulambika is claimed by all Bhavsars as their original deity. The oldest temple dedicated to this deity is in the Sindh province which is currently situated in Pakistan. It should be noted that the Hinglaj temple is an important place of pilgrimage to other Hindus of that area and is maintained by a small Hindu community that remains there. Bhavsars may be one of the communities that resided in that area and worshipped the same goddess. There is no other older temple or deity in any other part of India that is commonly worshipped by the Bhavsars. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the Bhavsar community had its origin in the western part of undivided India.

Bhavsar Samaj

The caste system in Indian society has been in existence for thousands of years. The laws of Manu going back 1500 BC describe the caste system, its hierarchy and laws governing social interaction. Originally only four major castes have been described among the Hindus: the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. Among which The Bhavsars are belong to the Kshatriyas.

Bhavsars have their traditional caste council known as the Bhavsar samaj or Bhavasar Kshatriya samaj. The main function of the jati panchayat is to settle inter-family feud, quarrels, etc. The office bearers of these panchayats are elected.

Notables

• Chunilal Asharam Bhavsar "Pujya Mota", a Hindu saint (1898–1976)
• Raj Bhavsar, (1980-) : Olympic 2008 bronze medal winner
• Shashikala Jawalkar, Bollywood actress

See also

• Hinglaj mata
• Raj Bhavsar
• Pujya Mota
• Sonali Bendre

Further reading

• Advanced communities among the Kshatriyas of Malwa and Western India - Shankar Patwardhan, Arvind Vyas Paper no. AS056/2007 submitted to Anthropological Survey Of India

External references

• Bhavasar Kshatriya Samaj - Community Portal
• Bhavasar Kshatriya Samaj