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“Savji” (also written as Saoji, Souji[1] or Sauji) or “Somavanshi Sahastrarjun Kshatriyas” are people who belong to the Kshatriya community within the Hindu caste system in India. They claim their linage to legendary puranic king Sri Sahasrārjuna also called Kartavirya Arjuna or Sahastrabahu of the Haihaya [2] vansha. The savji community is also referred with other names like Pategar, Pattegar[3], Patkar, Patvegar, Patvekar and Khatris[4] in different regions of India where they reside. They traditionally follow the patrilineal system of descent and kinship. Savji community is spread in different parts of India.

File:Sahasrarjun Image.jpg
Sahasrarjun Image

Etymology

The origin of the word savji is much speculated. According to one belief the word has its root in the word “Sau” , “Sav”, “Sao” or “Sahu” used for merchants and money lenders [5] in the Malwa region (east Gujarat and West Madhya Pradesh) of India during medieval times. Modern words Savkar, Sahukar, Saukar or Saokar used primarily in North and Western India is derived from the same root words. Traditionally, savjis have been a business community from several centuries; as such it is possible that they derived this name from their occupation. Within the savji community, the word by itself is used by other people in the community to designate elders with respect. For example to refer someone respected in the community the word “savji” is post fixed with the person’s name example Ram savji, Gopal savji etc. Also, it is used to refer to brother in law in the community.

Savjis are also called with different names in some parts of the country like Pategar[6] / Patkars (mostly in Karnataka / Andhra / Tamilnadu), Shas’ (some parts of Tamilnadu) and Khatris (mostly in Andhra and some other states). The name Pategar[7] / Patkar has its root in Tamil language and comes from the word “Pattu”. Pattu in Tamil means “Silk”. When savjis from the north central India migrated to the southern states, many of them were involved in silk cleaning and weaving business. Because of this occupation they came to be known as “Pattu Velu” (meaning “Silk Cleaners “in Tamil. “Velu” in Tamil means “cleaning”) [8] or “Pattu garu” or “Pattu kar”, meaning “Silk makers” in Telugu[9] which eventually became “Pategar” or “Patkar”. Even today, there are many savji families in Karnataka , Andhra and Tamil nadu who are in silk cleaning and weaving business[10]. They are called as Khatris in parts of Andhra Pradesh.

History

According to ancient history, Somvanshi Sahasrārjuna Kshatriyas were once the rulers of the north central India. They belong to the lunar dynasty of the Arya race.Savjis are staunch martial Hindus with strong lineage of Emperors, Kings and renowned warriors. In puranic times the illustrious king Sri Rajarajeshwar Sahasrārjuna[11] or Kartavirya Arjuna or Sahastrabahu of the Haihaya dynasty ruled his ancient kingdom and had his capital in Maheshwar[12], Madhya Pradesh. Written accounts of Kartavirya Arjuna can be found in Mahabharata [13], Ramayana and the Puranas. Sahastrarjun[14] [15] is also mentioned as one of the chakravartin kings in puran and Mahabharata. There's a temple of Sri Somavamsha Sahasrārjuna[16] in Maheshwar, MP, dating back to the early 2nd century. The temple was rebuilt in 13th century after withstanding Muslim attacks. This temple is also called as Sahastrabahu temple[17] and is a major tourist attraction. It is also referred to as Sas – bahu temple (which is mispronunciation of Sahastrabahu not to be confused with Mother in law – Daughter in law)[18]

Later, medieval history (8th century to 13th century) is attributed to the Savji kings and dynasties who were the direct descendants of Sri Sahastrarjun, who ruled in north central India, notable among them being the Kalchuri dynasties. They bravely withstood the constant threats from the Muslim invasions. However with the fall of the Kalchuri rulers and the threat of rising conversions by the Islamic rulers , whose kingdoms were expanding from north, the community started migrating slowly from their original homeland to other parts of India during the 12th and 13th century AD.

Origin and connections with other similar communities

Customs, traditions and the language spoken by savjis suggests that the community has its origin in North Central part of India or Malwa region (between west Madhya Pradesh and East Gujarat) [19]where such customs are followed and languages similar to the savji language are spoken. Close resemblance in physical features, traditions and believes of other kshatriya communities like the kalchuri[20][21] in north central India, and the common history that these communities share, also establishes the fact that savjis were part of a larger community that lived in north-central part of India during 6th century till 13th century before the advent of Islam in northern part of India. Based on historic facts, it can be seen that the Kalchuri people (Also called Khatris, Jaiswals, Kallars and Kalwars) share the same history and believes as savjis. Like savjis, Kalchuris (Khatris, Jaiswals, Kalwars, Kallars) also worship Sahastrarjun as their Adi purush[22] and the most revered person in the community. Shakti pooja (in the form of Hinglaj mata, Bhawani mata or Jagdamba mata etc) is common in both the communities. Savjis as well as khatris, kalwars, kallars and Jaiswals[23] believe their descent from Haihaya dynasty (dynasty of Sri Sahasrārjuna). Even Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu claim to be descendants of King Sahastrarjuna and the Haihaya dynasty[24]. All of these communities were once the same and part of the dynasty that ruled the region of Malwa. Once powerful, the Kalchuri dynasty fell gradually to the rising Islamic rule in northern India. Constant threat of Islamic invasions and a fear of loosing their cultural identity to the forced religious conversions by the Islamic rulers compelled the community to gradually disintegrate, and disperse from their homeland to different parts of India.

Savji community now as it is known thus broke from the larger community and migrated down south during that time. During the course of several centuries the link between these disintegrated communities was lost. The people who migrated to whichever parts of India adopted the regional traditions and languages. The places where they migrated as one big integrated group, retained their culture and tradition with little influence from the regional communities whereas places where they are in small numbers adopted the regional cultures and languages of the state where they are residing for example, people in Madhya Pradesh speak Hindi and follow Malwa culture, people in Gujarat speak Gujarati and follow Gujarati culture, many people in Maharashtra speak Marathi and follow Marathi culture etc.

Religion

Savjis follow Hinduism with emphasis on Shakti pooja. As such the family deities of the savjis are manifestations of the goddess Shakti like Jagadamba mata, Durga Mata, Hinglaj Mata and Bhawani Mata. All religious ceremonies are performed as per Vedic rituals. Being Kshatriyas and as prescribed by ancient Hindu scriptures, savjis perform thread ceremony (Upanayana) for boys. Men are only supposed to marry after their upanayan. Dasara or Dusshera is the main festival in the community and forms the period of Shakti worship and is observed for nine days or navaratri.

Culture and Festivals

Dasara or Dusshera is the main festival in savji community during which goddess of power or Shakti is worshiped. Special culinary dishes like "Edimi" (prepared of wheat flour, gram flour), "Arithi" (prepared of wheat flour in shape of Diyas) and offer Lalpani" (intoxicants) to the Goddess Bhavani. On every Kartika month Sapthami tithi in Shravana Nakshatra Savjis celebrate the birthday of Sri Sahastrarjun called “Sahastrarjuna Jayanti”[25] with much pomp and gaiety. Procession of Sahastrarjun’s idol is taken out in many places on the Sahastrarjuna Jayanti[26]. Other festivals that are celebrated are Diwali, Holi and other traditional Hindu festivals. Every year communities in some places organize social gathering and deity prayer called “Bhandara”. The function is preceded with prayer, bhajan and aarti of the deity , followed by meals in the form of Prasad. The meal served during the function is mostly vegetarian food.

Like Brahmins, Savjis perform the thread ceremony (Upanayana). Marriages follow the traditional Vedic wedding and happens for three days with all the rituals like deity pooja, engagement, “Gandh”, “Haldi” etc. Offering dowry in any form is strictly forbidden in the community. This is a notable feature of Savji community which they take lot of pride in. Moreover, the marriage ceremony is performed by the bride groom’s side. In many places mass marriages and upanayanas are conducted for the welfare of poor samaj people [27][28]. During marriage the bride and groom side look for the Lagna and Janma Kundli to match between the boy and the girl, and also for the matching Gotra. Wedding date is fixed based on the Panchangfor auspicious day. Inter caste marriages are not very common in the community. Marriages mostly happen within the community and in some cases between far relatives. Because of this close association, the community has also managed to preserve its distinct culture and tradition.

Traditionally men in the community appended “sa” and women “bai” to their names, for example: Yellosa, Pitambarsa, Ambubai etc. It is also considered respectful among elders to call someone of their age with the “sa” or “bai” appended to their name when referring or addressing them.

Most places have a committee called the “Punch” formed with elders in the community. The “Punch” committee takes care of organizing social events, gatherings and functions in those places, finances for the welfare of the community etc. Most marriages are registered with the “Punch” for record. The “Punch” also helps to resolve community issues, family issues when required. Before going to court or legal system, the members of the community discuss the matter with the “Punch” and take their advice and try to resolve the issue within themselves. Because of these social works, the “Punch” committee is highly respected in the community. Most of the community functions happen in community center or in temple halls after taking the blessings of the deity.

Cuisine

Savji community is known for its hot and spicy non vegeterian delicacies and savji masala in places where savjis are concentrated in large numbers. Majority of the savji people are non vegetarian and hence preparation of variety of meat dishes is very common in the community. Goat meat, chicken and fish forms major component of savji cuisine along with other vegetarian dishes. Alcohol consumption is not restricted in the community. Some of the common recipes include edmi (puris made of wheat flour, gram flour, chilies and other spices), khaimo or kheema (minced goat meat), shakanu chaknu (goat and chicken curry) prepared in special savji spcies[29]. Savji food is famous for its very hot and spicy flavor in many cities (where they are in large number) served in small family style restaurants called Savji khanavali[30] or Savji Hotel / Bhojanalaya [1], found in large numbers in places like Hubli, Bangalore, Belgaum in Karnataka, Nagpur and Solapur in Maharashtra etc. There are a line of savji bhojanalays [31][32]in Nagpur that are very popular in Maharashtra so much so that, the famous Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor had once featured Savji mutton on one of his shows and it’s recipe is also listed on his website [33]. Besides the non vegetarian cuisines savji sweets like Malido (made of coarsely ground wheat chapatis) sweetened with jaggery with a good dash of roasted gram, roasted pea nuts, grated coconut and other condiments like nutmeg, cardamom, poppy seeds etc. Chonga, Chakkole, Labshi, Shervo, Pure, Kanola, Puran Poli and Mithi Dal are also most commonly cooked sweets. The influence of other communities can be seen from these cuisines, e.g. Puran Poli is typically a Maharashtrian cuisine, Mithi Dal is nothing but Hygru made by the North Karnataka Brahmins, Chonga and Malido are made by the Muslim community in Hyderabad, Labshi is a sweet commonly prepared by the Saurashtrians in Gujarat.

Demographics and Distribution

It is hard to estimate the exact number of people in the community because of its wide dispersion. However it is estimated that the total strength of the community could be somewhere between 4-5 lakhs in India. The community has never had an official caste census. Maximum population of the community resides in Karnataka(majority of them in Hubli/ Dharwad/Gadag(around 2-3 lakhs) and others in Bangalore/Harihar/Belgaum/Gudur/Gajendragad/Gulbarga) and in Maharashtra(majority of them in Solapur/Nagpur and others in Nasik, Pune, Mumbai, Kolhapur, Sinnar, Sangamnere, Yeola, Vasmat (Basmath)) , Andhra(majority in Hyderabad / Secunderabad and other in Kurnool, Nandyala, Gudur (knl dist), Gadval, Armoor, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Koratla, Sangareddy, Rayalseema areas like Kodumur, Rajoli, Gadval, Mahabub Nagar, Gudur, Kurnool and Nandyala where they are called Khatris), Tamilnadu(majority in Chennai , Kanchipuram and others in Tanjore, Vellore, Madurai), Madhya Pradesh(majority in Indore, Burhanpur,Jabalpur, Gwalior) , Gujarat(majority in Ahmedabad/Vadodara/Surat). They are also found in Rajasthan (Jaipur, Ajmer) and Delhi in small numbers. In recent years some of the savji families have settled in foreign countries with most of them in USA and others in UK, Canada etc.

Language

Savji people speak a language that belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and appears to be an amalgamation of Indic languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, Sindhi, Gujarati, Marwari. It originated as the prototypical languages that existed in the Maheshwar region at time of their migration in early 11th century from that region. The language is very similar to Gujarati which forms fifty percent of the words and sounds very much like a dialect of Gujarati with some words of Marathi, Hindi, and Marwari etc. In the course of their migration from their original homeland, the language of the people got influenced by other languages that were prevalent in the regions through which they migrated and settled. The language spoken by savji people in Hubli/Dharwad/Gadag area in Karnataka where they settled in large number after their long migration seems to be the closest to the original language since it is less influenced by regional language. Whereas in places where they scattered in small numbers, the language got heavily influenced by other regional languages like Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Telgu etc. Close resemblance to Gujarati and Marwari languages also suggests that savji people were part of communities that lived in the region of eastern Madhya Pradesh and western Gujarat , which eventually got separated and migrated to settle in different parts of India. Savji language does not have its own script, as such, the language is written in other regional language scripts like Devanagari, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, Telgu, and Tamil etc. Most savji families living in Madhya Pradesh mostly speak Hindi, savjis in some parts of Maharashtra speak in Marathi, savjis in some parts of Gujarat speak Gujarati. Savjis in Tamil Nadu, Andhra and some parts of Karnataka speak a variation of the savji language influenced with urdu and other deccani languages and call it Khatri bhasha. It is interesting to note that Nimadi Dialect spoken commonly in the whole of Malwa District, East Nimad, West Nimad and a part of Dhar Districts of Madhya Pradesh has very close resemblance to the Dialect spoken by the Savji Community.

Common phrases in the savji language

Words / phrases Transliteration Meaning
नमस्कार Namaskaar Hi / Hello
परत भेटा Parat Bheta See you again/Bye Bye
धन्यवाद Dhanyavaad Thank you
व्है Vhai / Whai Yes (Konkani = vhai)
नै Nai No
नको Nako / Na Don't
कौडा Kauda / Ketla How much/many
कौ Kau How
कवा Kavaa When
कोण Kon Who (Marathi = Kon)
काय Kaay What (Marathi = kaay)
कसान Kasaan Why
हौ Hau I (Konkani = Hav,Gujarati = hun)
तू Tu You (singular)
हमिः Hamee(h) We
तुमिः Tumee(h) You (plural)Konkani = tumee
छोगोट Chogot Good (Marwari = chokhu)
जुमन Juman Meal (Marwari = zhiman)
शाका Shaka Meat (especially mutton)
चाकनू Chaknoo Curry (Vegetarian or Meat)
पासल Paasal Behind (Gujarati = Paachal)

Comparison of Savji language with Gujarati

Words / Phrase Transliteration English Gujarati
तुमिः कौ छे  ? Tumeeh kau che? How are you? Tame kem Cho?
तुमी जुमन कर्या ? Tumee juman karya? Did you eat? Tame jaman kariyu?
तू कटला वास्ता आई ? 'Tu katla vasta aai? What time did you come? Tu katla vagey avi?
त्यो गयोतो Tyo gayo toe He had gone Te gayo hato
त्यो आयो Tyo aai gayo He came Te avi gayo
हौऊ तूने प्रेम करूच Hau tuney prem karuch I love you Hun tamane prem karu chhu
तुमी खा सूरआई गयाता? Tumi kha sur aii gayata? Where did you sleep Tame kya sui gaya hata?
तुमारू नाव काय छे? Taru naav kai chey? What is your name? Taru naam shu chey?
तुम्ने भेटिकन आनंद हि Tumne bhetikan anand hee Pleased to meet you Tamane maline anand thaiyo

Common last names of savjis

Afre, Ahir, Arsiddha, Akhnoor, Akola, Alaspure, Aljapur, Ambala, Ambekar, Ambadkar, Anthalamara, Aparya, Arawatagi, Athani, Avadhuta, Auji, Bhagat, Bhumkar, Baddi, Badam, Badachi, Bachawal, Bagalkot, Bagewadi, Bagdane, Bahekar, Bande, Baji,Bakale, Bakde, Bakhave, Bakle, Balid, Bankapur, Barad, Basude, Baswa, Bawale, Benglorkar, Bevinakatti, Bhandage, Bhandari, Bharatkhane, Bharatwaj, Bhoomraddi, Bhure, Bhupat, Bhute, Bidri, Bobde, Boriwale, Borgaonkar, Bichawe, Bojagiri, Bochkari, Billade, Burbure, Cettiyar, Chauhan, Chandu, Chamakura , Chavan, Chaute, Chawande, Chawadimani, Chawla, Chede, Chennapatnam, Chinagi, Choudhari, Dagudu, Dalbhanjan, Danej, Dani, Damam, Damji, Daulatabad, Dharamdhas, Dhinge, Darbi, Dariya, Dashpute, Dassu, Dhadange, Dhalkari, Dhondale, Dhongadi, Dhondi, Diwan, Dumane, Gathadi, Gantedi, Ganbhava, Gangji, Garg, GemanjyothI, Golconda, Gaul, Ghatadi, Gorak, Gorale, Gudas, Gujarathi, Habib, Hadgal, Haadimani, Hamsagar, Hanumasagar, Harihar, Hazari, Hazare, Hublikar, Irkal, Jadi, Jadhav, Jaiswal, Jalnapure, Jartarghar,

Organizations and Associations

There are several organizations that work for the welfare of the community. Some of them are:

  • The Vidhyavardhak Sangh of Gadag, Karnataka which sponsors prizes and donations to meritorious students.
  • SSK Sports and Cultural Association of Bangalore, Karnataka
  • Sahasrarjun Seva Samiti in Bangalore, Karnataka registered as a charitable trust to serve the economically challenged section of the community.
  • SSK Samaj of Solapur, Maharashtra.

References

  1. ^ a b Gopa Sabharwal (March 23, 2006) “Ethnicity and class: social divisions in an Indian city”, Oxford University Press, USA, ISBN-10: 0195678303, p.134 Cite error: The named reference "”gopa1”" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ Thapar, Romila (1978, reprint 1996). Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations, New Delhi: Orient Longman, ISBN 81 250 0808 X, p.223
  3. ^ Kumar Suresh Singh, People of India, Delhi, Oxford University Press, Volume 26, ISBN 9788185938981, Part 3, p. 1200, p.1202, p.1203
  4. ^ Gazetteer, Volume 5 By Bombay (India : State), ASIN: B003AVNEVS
  5. ^ People of India: Maharashtra, Volume 1 By Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India, ISBN: 8179911012,ISBN-13:9788179911013,Publishing Date:2004,Publisher:Popular Prakashan, p. 1948
  6. ^ Shankar Mokashi-Punekar, Mohenjodaro seals, read and identified, Publisher: Caxton Publications (1984),ASIN: B0000CQDFE, p.37
  7. ^ Shankar Mokashi-Punekar, Mohenjodaro seals, read and identified, Publisher: Caxton Publications (1984),ASIN: B0000CQDFE, p.37
  8. ^ http://www.tamildictionary.org/tamil_english.php?id=18641
  9. ^ http://www.dictionary.tamilcube.com/telugu-dictionary.aspx?term=Silk
  10. ^ Waltraud Ernst, Biswamoy Pati, India's princely states: people, princes and colonialism, Publisher: Routledge (November 28, 2007),ISBN-10: 0415415411,ISBN-13: 78-0415415415, p. 210
  11. ^ Adrian C Mayer(1960) “Caste and Kinship in Central India” , ISBN 13: 9780520017474, University of California Press p. 62
  12. ^ http://www.mptourandtravels.com/Meheshwar_Genreal_Info.aspx
  13. ^ Chander Kant Suri , Characters from the Mahabharata: Vishwamitra, Parashuram,, and Vashishtha p.14, p.25, p.26
  14. ^ Kalpurush Sahasrārjuna, Mahendra Mittal (Year 2008, ISBN 8190483681)
  15. ^ http://www.haihaivansh.in/jivan_parichay.php
  16. ^ Land and people of Indian states and union territories. 33. Daman & Diu edited by Gopal K. Bhargava, Shankarlal C. Bhatt, Publisher: Gyan Publishing House, Published Date: 2006, ISBN-10: 8178353741, ISBN-13: 9788178353746 p. 138
  17. ^ http://www.timescontent.com/tss/showcase/preview-buy/15194/Travel/Sas-Bahu-Mandir-Sahastrabahu-temple.html
  18. ^ https://fbcdn-photos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/217517_2242843038906_1482996169_2537406_1523419_s.jpg
  19. ^ Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteers: Indore By Madhya Pradesh (India) p.143
  20. ^ http://bharatiyakalchuries.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=54
  21. ^ http://kalchuri.com/
  22. ^ http://bharatiyakalchuries.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=54
  23. ^ http://jaiswalyuvamunch.com/cmspage.php
  24. ^ People of India: Maharashtra, Volume 1 By Kumar Suresh Singh, B. V. Bhanu, Anthropological Survey of India, ISBN: 8179911012,ISBN-13:9788179911013,Publishing Date:2004,Publisher:Popular Prakashan, p. 398
  25. ^ http://www.festivalsindia.com/sahastrarjun-jayanti-celebration-in-india/
  26. ^ http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/30/stories/2006103004360300.htm
  27. ^ http://www.ssksamajvadhuvar.com
  28. ^ K. G. Joshi, Mass marriages in Karnataka: a sociological study, Publisher: Minerva Associates (April 1998), Language: English, ISBN-10: 8185195528, ISBN-13: 978-8185195520, p. 46, p.49
  29. ^ http://spiceflair.com/weaving-a-spicy-cult/
  30. ^ http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/02/stories/2002090201410400.htm
  31. ^ http://nagpur.joiye.com/restaurants/saoji/
  32. ^ http://www.nagpuronline.co.in/dining.php
  33. ^ http://sanjeevkapoor.com/saoji-mutton.aspx
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