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Earliest inhabitants of Himalayan region in Himachal
In ancient history, often hear of tribes like Nagas (now branded as serpents), Asurs, Dasyus and Rakshas (branded as monsters). Their very mention chill down the spine, because of the cruelty and ugliness attributed to them. In reality, the facts are, however, otherwise. There are enough evidence to indicate these tribes to be of normal nature, having a progressive society and numerous illustrious rulers. For example famous king Yayati married Sharmishta daughter of Varshverman, king of Danvas. Hidimba, Bhim's wife belonged to the powerful tribe of Rakshas, whose son Ghatotkach played an important role in the battle of Mahabharata. Anirudh, one of the Krishna's son married Banasurs daughter, who too belonged to Asur tribe. Stone implements discovered by archaeologists in Banganga Beas valley of Kangra, Sirsa-Sutlej valley of Nalagarh-Bilaspur and Markanda of Sirmaur in the year 1955 are sure evidence of the existence of pre-historic man in these regions of Himachal Pradesh. However, it can be said that aborigines of these hills are now represented by various scheduled castes and tribes which form a considerable part of the present population of the Pradesh.These people belong to castes like Kolis, Halis, Chamars, Rehars, Chanals, Lohars, Baris, Dagis and Turis. They form the lowest strata of the hill society. They are generally short in stature and dark in complexion.They are from the original stock of Kols and are possibly of non-Aryan origin. Many of the earliest known races flourished in this region, now extinct, some totally changed or still surviving are the following Dasas, Kinnars, Kiratas, Nagas, Khasas, Kunindas, Rajputs, Gaddis, Gujjars and the Bhotas. People of different ethnic stock, tribes, castes and religions living in Himachal Pradesh present a unique amalgam of human beings. Many of these races and tribes have metamorphosed beyond recognition due to interfusion of blood and intermingling. On the besis of the available material, we can conclude that, the following were the earliest inhabitants of the Himalayan region:
Dasas
Dasas, along with Asurs, Panis and Vratyas were the authors of Indus Valley civilization. The origin of Naga and Shiva cults in this region is also attributed to them. The archaeological findings at Ropar (in the Shivalik foot hills Punjab) support this idea. The Aryans conquered the Panis people the early inhabitants of the plains of five rivers who are responsible for the Mohanjodaro civilization. But the hill people gave a strong resistance to them under the leadership of Dasa King Sambra, the son of Kulitara. Divodasa had to destroy 99 forts before he could kill Sambra in the high region of Himachal Pradesh. Dhuni, Chamuri, Pipri, Shushna are other known Dasa heads. The Dasas originally hostile to Aryans were gradually accepted in to the Aryan culture due to the perpetual efforts of Vishvamittra, the famous Rig Vedic sage, in spite of the opposition of sage Vashishta. The Divodasa-Sambra war gives account of the Aryan Advancement on the Indian soil is the main source of information during the pre-Vedic period regarding the Shivalik hills having been inhabited by a race called Dasas. The Rigveda also alludes to the existence of some non-Aryan tribes, which is an evidence of human habitation in the Himachal Himalaya's prior to Aryan infiltration. The reference to Dasas the Proto-Austroloids of Himalayas who are presumed to have mixed origin, places them in Sindhu Basin (Sindhu Sanviras), covering the areas lying in the basin of the present Indus River System. These tribes had a nomadic feature of life and were divided in groups such- as Kols, Khasas, Dagis and Panis. By the advance of Aryans these tribes were compelled to shift to higher altitudes to further South.
Kinners
The natives of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh are traditionally referred to as kinners. Even today this tradition-loving community haspreserved its pristine heritage.The renowned poet Kalidasa, who belonged to Ujjain, has described kinners in many of his works. In his famous work "Meghdoota", he has mentioned the singing kinners who adorned the Kuber's royal court at Alkapuri . Describing the Kinners as worshippers of Lord Shiva and music lovers, he has portrayed them as aides and subjects of Kuber's kingdom. The Kinners have been described as delicate beauties with a melodious voice. They adorned themselves with flowers and wild fruits and their love tales also find a mention in the ancient folklore. The learned writer Rahul Sanskritayan in his famous book "Kinner Desh"has written about the live of Kinnaur. He wrote that this community resided on the Tibet border, towards the south west of Kailash Mansarovar. In the Ramayana, Kinners are described as natives of the area around the Shitoda river. Many other ancient texts describe them as dwellers of the Himalayan mountains like Himvaan and Mahaneel. With the passage of time, the Kinner tribes confined themselves to the inner Himalayan regions between the Sutlej and its tributaries. Epics like Markandey Puran describe Kinners as Shaivites residing in the exuberant Himalayan environs. Many other texts describe them as musicians in Lord Shiva's court. In fact, the abode of Kinners—located in the Kinner Kailash Mountain is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva. In our ancient literature, Kinners have been described as the dwellers of mountains living amidst Nagas,Yakshas, Gandharvas, Sidhas and many other such super-human beings. There is hardly any village in Kinnaur that is bereft of temples and village deities. The chief deity of a village is both an object of worship and has a multifarious role to play at the village level. People of this region believe that the spirits of those who-laid down their lives in the battle of Mahabharata were sent to this part of the Himalayas (Uttarakhand) by Lord Krishna after the great battle was over .They were made masters of tiny territories and are now worshipped by the people inhabiting these territories. The existence of Kinner society cannot be imagined without god and goddesses. At the village level, the entire socio-economic and religious activity revolves around the village deity. Locally called the 'Santhang', the temple of the village deity, is the place where most community activities are performed. The village devta exercises executive, judicial and legislative powers. The literature of other major Indian religions like, Buddhism and Jainism also acknowledge the existence of Kinners in the. Himalayan region. The Jataka stories make a mention of the Kinners in the Himalayas. There are vivid descriptions of the beauty and melody of 'Kinneri, who have been depicted as lovers of ornaments and skilled in decorating themselves with leaves and flowers. The word 'Kinney' is derived from Sanskrit words Kinand Nar. Festival and fairs celebrated throughout the year are the hallmarks of this community where both men and women worship their deity by performing traditional dances. The dance is not just a physical activity but a form of yoga. They use 18 instruments to compose their music. The present Kinners are, no doubt, the descendants of the ancient Kinners as is evident from the fundamental characteristics possessed by these natives. The natives are referred to as 'Kinnaura'or 'Kinnara'tribe in the Indian Constitution in A.D1956.
Kirats
In the Mahabharata, Kiraratas were mentioned as Girigehvaranivasina. They are known as low caste people. Kalhana describes them as primitive living in the jungles. Bhima is said to have defeated seven Kirata kings when he marched towards the Eastern region for victory. Arjuna while marching towards the North and Nakula, while conquering the West faced Kiratas. From these incidents it becomes clear that Kirata tribe was spread over most of the Himalayan terrain during the times of the Mahabharata. The Kiratas have been listed with other tribes like, Yakshas and Yavanas which inhabited the frontiers of India. The Kiratas lived on fruits and natural vegetation and used animal skin and long tresses for dress. Their unique shaped knife was considered most dreadful weapon.
Nagas
Inhabited the Himalayan region at one time in the history. They were worshippers of Serpents (Nagar). Adipary of Mahabharata states that, Nag tribe was subdivided into half a dozen other tribes. Chief being Takshak of Taxila, Shales of Shakaspuri (Shivalik Hills) Gonard Kakirat of Kashmir and Chitravahan Nags of Manipur. The same text states that, "on the Northern bank of Ganga there are many principalities dominated by Nags, who are worth praising. One of the Chief rulers is Airavt whose brother is Commander-in-Chief of Nag army. They live around Kurukshetra, Takshak and Ashavasen together'. In Chamba there are countless Nag shrines. Their presiding deity was the Panch Nag or five Nags. At Bacheru in Shimla hills the Nag is considered to be the controller of weather. The Naga cult of the Hills owes its origin to this tribe.
Khasas
The Khasas are considered to be Kshatriyas who spoke a language closely akin to Sanskrit. They are considered the second branch of Aryans, who preceded the Vedic Aryans in coming to India. From Kashmir to Nepal including Himachal Pradesh, Gharwal and Kumaon, they engulfed the whole of the cis-Himalayas and turned Kinnaur-Kirata and Naga areas into the Khasa land. In the course of time the Khasas, however, lost their claim as Aryans and because of their nonobservance of rules for eating and drinking as practised by Sanskrit speaking people of India, consequently became Mlechchhas or the Barbarians are known Khasias or Khund, who exchange invitations to dance and play the game of Thoda (archery) in the traditional fairs and festivals held in the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh even today. The Khasas, organized themselves into families and villages and elected Mavi or Mavana meaning a strong person among themselves to head their group. The stronger Mavana subdued the weaker one and used to annex his territory. Thus, in this process the whole region was split into small units called the Mavanas and later on these areas developed into tribal Republics known Janapadas in the Sanskrit literature.
Pishahas
They were consumer of raw flesh and inhabited the North frontier and the adjoining Himalayan tract. However according to Grierson, their character as demons or goblins was a later perversion of their original nature. Very much like this there was one more tribe known as Rakshasa along with Nagas, Kiratas and Yakshas.
Yakshas
In Mahabharta, there is reference to the encounter between Yudhishthra and his brothers with a Yaksha also known as Tree Gods. (But this Yaksha was actually Dharamraja). Probably Himachal Pradesh attained the title of a full State of independent India not much because of its size or population but more because of the need to preserve the distinctive cultural entity of its people. Definitely, the people of the hills differ from those of the plains. In modern Himachal Pradesh, Gujjars, Kannauras or Kinners, Lambas, Khampat, Bhots, Jads, Lauhlas, Pangwala and Swangla are famous tribes. Tribes occupy forty per cent of the total geographical area of the state, while they constitute only 4.0 percent of the total population according to 2001 Census. The tribal in Himachal Pradesh are mostly engaged in semi-agricultural activities; such as rearing of cows, sheep, goat, buffaloes etc. and ploughing small fields, which are the source of sustenance. Agriculture, supplemented by animal husbandry and trade, is the main occupation of the tribals.
Pangwals
The snow bound Pangi tribal belt of district Chamba inhabits Pangwal tribe in Himachal Pradesh. From their family history, one can infer that they have emigrated from various parts of hills especially from the Lahaul, Kullu, Ravi Valley and Chenab areas. As a race they are straightforward, honest, unassuming, religious and industrious. Their main occupation generally is agriculture, but some of them rear sheep and goats also. Their staple food is barley, elo (rye), Ghana, shit and wheat. The local tailors tick the local dresses such as woolen pyjama (Suthen),coarse woollen shirt, whitelong cap and Pulans (straw shoes) especially meant for severe cold. Besides this, male and females wear shirt, dark tight trousers, woollen shawls and a cap of cloth (jali). Marriage is considered an essential institution among the Pangwals. They do not marry kinsmen within five degrees (Posth). Jangi form of marriage is considered superior where boy's maternal uncle goes to the girl's house for fixing the day of marriage. Topilani is second type of marriage prevalent only in case of a widow-remarriage. Polygamy is not as common as monogamy. In death observances, lepers and children (below one years of age) are buried, rest are burnt. The Pangwals are superstitious and God fearing. Their main belief is in Shiva, Nag and Devi worshipping. There are some very important local temples famous from art and architectural point of view namely, Mirkula Devi at Udaipur, Bagi Devi at Mindhal, Sita Devi at Luj and Shiva temple of Triloknath.
The Jads
Most of the Jads are agriculturists, while others do business of wool. They are polyandrous and patrilineal tribe. In Jads also unmarried girls are known as jomo (the chronic bachelor).
Gaddi
The gaddis of Himachal Pradesh, a nomadic tribe of shepherds have zealously guarded their rich cultural heritage over the years. The life of trials and tribulations that these sentinels of the hills lead in an inhospitable terrain and harsh conditions is an enduring saga of their struggle. The gaddis are a semi-pastoral and semi-agriculturist tribe of nomads, who spend a fair share of their lifetime in migration. They are easily distinguishable from the traditional outfit chola-dora and the hand-woven woolen caps they don. Women wear the luanchari (choli), which is a little longer than that of their male partners' chola. Beside being their traditional wear, chola-dora and the snug woollen caps guard them against the snow and the chill. While the chola comes handy as a cosy shelter for the newborn lambs, they tuck their hubble-bubble, bansuri (flute) —the gaddisare excellent flute-players —and other items of necessity around the dora. The winds of change sweeping across the state have failed to cause any perceptible change in the Spartan life-style of the gaddis. This is vividly reflected in the way they have stuck to their age old customs, conventions, rituals, social and cultural characteristics and sartorial sensibilities since time immemorial. Their abiding love for their dress is depicted in the following gaddi folk song. Laal teri topi ho Bhoran, Moran teri kalgi ho, Chitta tera chola ho Bhoran, Kaala tera dora ho. Most of the gaddi population is concentrated in Chamba and Bharmaur where they have homes. The snowbound gadhern (where many of them live) at an altitude ranging between 4000 to 8000 ft., remain cut off from the rest of the world due to heavy snow and avalanches. Gaddis are believed to have migrated to. Bharmaur following the suppression of Rajputs by the Mughals. Circumstances forced them to flee and seek asylum in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Wandering in the wilderness, they came upon a place called Bharmaur, also called Brahmpura, and chose it as a peaceful, permanent abode. A popular saying "Ujariya Lahore, basya Bharmaur" (forced to leave Lahore, they settled at Bharmaur) sums up the story of these sturdy nomads. As winter approaches these hardy highlanders embark upon their migratory journey towards the foothills of the Shivaliks in search of food, fodder and greener pastures, along with herds of sheep and goats. After a couple of months gruelling journey, through the awe inspiring hills, these gaddis trudge into Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Bilaspur, Palampur and Dharamshala, where winter is less severe. They keep wandering in search of pastures for their cattle. A gaddi family is considered incomplete without a pair of mules it rears to transport luggage, during its migratory journey and sniffer dogs which dutifully guard their herds and unmanned belonging at night and during day when they are away grazing their herds. The gaddi dog is strong enough to repel an attack by a wolf or a leopard. They are also sharp-witted. If a goat or sheep strays into another flock, the dog escorts the animal back into its den. . The Rajputs and Brahmins entered very late from the Indian plains for a number of reasons, some time as adventurers or at times in search of security. The other reasons could have been the presence of number of holy places in Himachal Pradesh. The high caste Hindus like Khatris, Mahajans, Vohras, Kaisthas and Karars etc. migrated to the hills during the Muslim invasions in Northern India from 12th to 16th century.They had distinct cultural features like Indo-Aryan language, Vaishnavism, caste system, settled agriculture, trade and commerce.
By: Pooja Sharda ProfileResourcesReport error
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