Mestri (community)
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Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya (also known as Mistri or Mestri) are a minority
Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
community of
Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes declared by Gujarat State
/ref> in India, who claim to be
Kshatriya Kshatriya () (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority"; also called Rajanya) is one of the four varnas (social orders) of Hindu society and is associated with the warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the con ...
. They are an artisan community related with masonry, artistic carvings, sculpting and building and construction works. They are also known as the Mistris of Kutch adopting word
Mistri Mistri, or Mistry, is a term for a master-craftsman, foreman or supervisor of manual workers in India. Mistri is being replaced with terms "supervisor" and master craftsman with "Senior Technician" by the Indian Railway who replaced the designati ...
, a term used in
British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...
for master-craftsman, thekedar, foreman or supervisor or for those who were expert in building and construction.Mistri
Encyclopaedia of Backward Castes By Neelam Yadav Page 316.


History

The community is believed to be from Kota. These warrior community first entered into
Saurashtra Saurashtra, Sourashtra, or variants may refer to: ** Kathiawar, also called Saurashtra Peninsula, a peninsula in western India ** Saurashtra (state), alias United State of Kathiawar, a former Indian state, merged into Bombay State and since its d ...
and founded 36 villages in the area, while others moved further into Kutch. Around 1177–78 AD ( VS 1234), a major group migrated to Kutch from Saurashtra under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru. They settled in the village of
Dhaneti Dhaneti or Dhanetee is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat State of India. It is about 26 km from Bhuj the Taluka and district headquarters of Kutch. History About the history of Dhaneti, the village holds a special pla ...
.Kumar Ganti Itihass (History of Kumar Gnati) Published in year 1896. There are several Parias of the community, located near village pond of Dhaneti, standing as memorials of the war that was fought in 1178 AD. The community members still go once every year to offer pooja and their respects to their fore-fathers. This group, later, for survival changed their occupation from warrior to builders and made their distinct identity not only by building historical forts, palaces, temples and architects not only in Kutch but also all over
British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...
, primarily in the fields of laying railways, bridges and also in coal mining. The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas left Dhaneti and went on to establish eighteen villages in Kutch which were granted to them by the King: Anjar, Sinugra, Khambhra, Nagalpar,
Khedoi Khedoi is large village located 14 km from the town of Anjar and the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The village is sub-divided into Nani-Khedoi and Moti-Khedoi. It has a primary health centre and a major electri ...
,
Madhapar Madhapar is a village located in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the richest village in India in terms of bank deposits. The village has around 20,000 households and Indian rupee of bank deposits. Madhapar Madhapar is ...
,
Hajapar Hajapar is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kachchh District of Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 18 km from Bhuj. the village suffered major loss of properties and infrastructure in 2001 Kutch earthquake, major rehabi ...
, Kukma,
Galpadar Galpadar is a village in the Gandhidham Municipal Corporation, within the Kutch District of the Gujarat State of India. It is located at a distance of about 3 km from Gandhidham, 11 km from Anjar and 51 km from Bhuj Bhuj ( ...
, Reha, Vidi, Jambudi, Devaliya, Lovaria,
Nagor Nagor is a village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch at a distance of about 8 km from Bhuj town, the capital of Kachchh District of Gujarat in India. Notable people * Rai Bahadur Jagmal Raja Chauhan (1887–1974), railway contractor References ...
, Meghpar, Chandiya and Kumbharia. Over the centuries, they have been known or identified by some other names like Kadias, Kadia Kshatriyas and Kumar Gnati.


Culture

They are a Hindu community. Some are followers of
Swaminarayan Swaminarayan (IAST: '; 3 April 1781 – 1 June 1830), also known as Sahajanand Swami, was a yogi and Asceticism, ascetic believed by followers to be a manifestation of Krishna or the highest Theophany, manifestation of Purushottama, around wh ...
and
Pranami Pranami () is a sect of Indian origin and also from part of Nepal and Bhutan that worships Krishna as the Supreme God. Adherents follow the teachings of Mahamati Prannath and Devchandra and their holy book, the Tartam Sagar. History The ...
sect of Hinduism, They are vegetarian in diet and avoid consumption of alcohol. The staple food is
khichdi ''Khichdi'' or ''khichri'' (, , , , Odia: ଖେଚୁଡି) is a dish in South Asian cuisine made of rice and lentils (''dal'') with numerous variations. Variations include ''bajra'' and mung ''dal'' ''khichri''. In Indian culture, in ...
, vegetables, pulses and butter-milk.


Clans

The community consists of clans like
Rathod Rathore or Rathod may refer * Rathore dynasty, a dynasty of India * Rathore (Rajput clan), a clan of Rajput caste * Rathore (surname), an Indian surname * Rathod (surname), an Indian surname See also * Rath (disambiguation) * Rather (disambiguat ...
, Chauhan, Chawda,
Jethwa Jethwa (Jethva, Jaitwa or Jethi) is a clan of Rajputs and caste of Gujarat. Jethwa surname is also found amongst the Koli Darji, Mistris of Kutch, and Gurjar Kshatriya Kadias castes of Gujarat. Origin It has been suggested that the Sain ...
,
Yadav Yadavs are a grouping of non-elite, peasant-pastoral Quote: "The Yadavs were traditionally a low-to-middle-ranking cluster of pastoral-peasant castes that have become a significant political force in Uttar Pradesh (and other northern states l ...
, Chudasama,
Parmar Parmar may refer to: * Parmar (clan) * Parmar (surname), an Indian surname See also * Panwar (disambiguation) * Parihar (disambiguation) * Pawar (disambiguation) *Paramara dynasty The Paramara Dynasty (IAST: Paramāra) was an Indian dynasty ...
, Taunk,
Solanki Solanki may refer to: *Solanki dynasty, alternate name for the Chaulukya dynasty The Chaulukya dynasty (), also Solanki dynasty, was a dynasty that ruled parts of what are now Gujarat and Rajasthan in north-western India, between and . Their ...
, Sawaria, Vaghela,
Vegad Vegad is a surname found in India, mainly in Gujarat. The surname is found among Kolis, Mestri, Kadia Kshatriya clans of Gujarat. Notable Notable members include: *Amritlal Vegad Amritlal Vegad (3 October 1928 – 6 July 2018) was a noted ...
, Varu, Maru,
Gohil Gohil may refer to: * Gohil dynasty, 12th-century rulers of Saurashtra in modern Gujarat * Guhila, alt ''Gohil'' a clan of Rajput caste People

* Dinita Gohil, British actress * Gigabhai Gohil (died 2020), Indian politician * Manav Gohil (born ...
, Padhiyar, Bhalsod, who enjoy same status. However, earlier till decade of 1950, independence of India, most of people of the community preferred to
prefix A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word. Particularly in the study of languages, a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the word to which it is affixed. Prefixes, like other affixes, can b ...
Mistri (Mesteri) to their name as a mark of identification of their caste and profession (contractor).


Marriage

The community are an
endogamous Endogamy is the cultural practice of marrying within a specific social group, religious denomination, caste, or ethnic group, rejecting any from outside of the group or belief structure as unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relatio ...
community who practice the principle of clan
exogamy Exogamy is the social norm of mating or marrying outside one's social group. The group defines the scope and extent of exogamy, and the rules and enforcement mechanisms that ensure its continuity. One form of exogamy is dual exogamy, in which tw ...
.
Dowry A dowry is a payment such as land, property, money, livestock, or a commercial asset that is paid by the bride's (woman's) family to the groom (man) or his family at the time of marriage. Dowry contrasts with the related concepts of bride price ...
is generally not asked for, neither practice of
bride price Bride price, bride-dowry, bride-wealth, bride service or bride token, is money, property, or other form of wealth paid by a groom or his family to the woman or the family of the woman he will be married to or is just about to marry. Bride dowry ...
is there in the ''Mistri'' community. Divorce is generally not encouraged; however, divorce can be claimed in certain cases. Betrothal ceremony generally precedes marriage, which is held usually within one year of engagement and marriage is observed as per
Hindu Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
rites by taking seven circumambulation of fire. Widow remarriage (''ghargenu'') is allowed, where the women is usually married outside husband's family.


In Kutch

The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas were master craftsmen, architects and contractors and have played a major role in erection and construction of the majority of forts, palaces and architecture of Kutch. It was because of this they came to be known as Mistri in Kutch.


Indian railways

It was during 1850 to 1930 AD that the KGK migrated outside Kutch and were involved in the construction of major rail-bridges and the laying down of railway tracks in almost all major rail routes of undivided British India doing the "Railway Thekedari" (
Railway Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport using wheeled vehicles running in railway track, tracks, which usually consist of two parallel steel railway track, rails. Rail transport is one of the two primary means of ...
Contractors A contractor (North American English) or builder (British English), is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and the communication of information to all involved parties throughout the c ...
also ''Thikadari'') and as Thekedar (or Thikadar) in
Irrigation Irrigation (also referred to as watering of plants) is the practice of applying controlled amounts of water to land to help grow crops, landscape plants, and lawns. Irrigation has been a key aspect of agriculture for over 5,000 years and has bee ...
projects and Forest Department and Public Works Department. They have also done major roadway, road bridges, canal works, irrigation dams and barrage work throughout
British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...
from 1850 to 1980. The communities largest contribution is in the building of the early railway lines and bridges throughout British India. Their works in Railway construction span from 1850 to 1980 for more than one and a quarter of century.''Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-Pothi'' published from Vadaroda in Gujarati (1999). Nanji Govindji's recorded diary of railway line opening and contracts done by community (era 1870-1950) compiled by Dharshi J. Tank. The book was awarded ''Aank Sidhhi Award'' by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in 2000.


Docks, dams and canals in British India

The KGK contributed to the building of docks, dams, barrages and irrigation canals between 1850 and 1980, and they in the eighteenth century had been among the communities who built the first ports of Bombay and
Hornby Vellard The Hornby Vellard was a project to build a causeway uniting all seven islands of Bombay into a single island with a deep natural harbour. The project was started by the governor William Hornby in 1782 and all islands were linked by 1838. The wo ...
. Other docks were developed in Bombay during 1870–1895 (Prince's Docks built in 1885 and Victoria Docks built in 1891) in which many Mistris of Kutch and Kadia Kshatriyas of Saurashtra worked. The Mandavi Docks, bridge over Rukhmavati at
Mandvi Mandvi is a beach town with municipality in the Kutch district, Kachchh district (Kutch) in the States and territories of India, Indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao (king) of the Cutch ...
and many road bridges across territories of British India are built by the community using their mason's skills.


Mining

In the regions of
British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance in South Asia. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one form or another ...
known as
Bengal Bengal ( ) is a Historical geography, historical geographical, ethnolinguistic and cultural term referring to a region in the Eastern South Asia, eastern part of the Indian subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. The region of Benga ...
,
Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...
and
Orissa Odisha (), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is a state located in Eastern India. It is the eighth-largest state by area, and the eleventh-largest by population, with over 41 million inhabitants. The state also has the thir ...
, the ''Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas'' pioneered Indian involvement in coal mining from 1894. They broke the previous monopolies held by British and other Europeans, establishing many collieries at Jharia coalfields and Ranigunj coalfield.''Diary of Golden Days at Jharia – A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya community of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia'' – written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa, co-author Raja Pawan Jethwa of Calcutta (1998). Seth Khora Ramji of Sinugra was the first Indian to break the British monopoly in the Jharia Coalfields.Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa by British Authority (1920) Natwarlal Devram Jethwa says that


Present status


Distribution in India

The community members are found scattered throughout India and Community's associations exist in the states of
Gujarat Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
,
Maharashtra Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...
,
Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu,
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
,
Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...
, Uttar Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar. Madhya Pradesh is the List of states and union te ...
, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and
West Bengal West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...
.


Present day identity

They are marked as one of the Socially and Educationally Backward community by Government. The community on national level is referred as "Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya" mostly in present-day India. However, the "Mistri", which was mostly used during the last century and before is nowadays only used in Kutch and Gujarat. The term Mestri/Mistry is used to refer to community by the Government of Gujarat and the Other Backward Class Certificate as per the ''Bakshi Panch'' report.''Kutch Gurjar Kshatriys : A brief History & Glory: by Raja Pawan Jethwa. (2007) Calcutta.'' The Book has separate sections: INTRODUCTION : Gives an overview of Kutch Gurjar Kshtriya community and its ancient history (I) KGK and Architect built by them mainly in Princely State of Cutch. (II) KGK and Railway : Gives details of some major Railway work with mileage wise details (III) KGK Surnames & History : Section gives details of various Kshatriya clan's history and origin of their surnames. (IV) Section deals with Kuldevi names various clans of KGK worship.


References


Notes

{{Reflist, group=nb Tribes of Kutch Kutch district Hindu communities