Context:
Lok Sabha speaker highlighted Banjara community’s role in protecting nature and tradition of the country.
Banjaras:
- Also known as – Bepari, Mukeai, Laban
- Nomadic tribes who arrived from Afghanistan to India
- Areas – Rajasthan (Mewar region), Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Language – Speak Gor Boli or Lambadi which belongs to the Indo-Aryan Group of Languages.
- Lambadi has no script.
- Religion – Primarily Hinduism
- Celebrates Teej festival
- Chari is their traditional dance form
- Economy – Acted as Trader Nomads between villages, towns, and even across regions.
- Travelled in large groups called Tandas.
- Each Tanda was led by a chief known as Nayaka
- Sultan Alauddin Khalji used Banjaras to transport grain to city markets.
- They supplied food grains to Mughal armies during military campaigns also.
- Emperor Jahangir mentioned in Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri that they carried grains on bullocks from villages to towns.
- Santh Sevalal Maharaj – Social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) agriculturists
(b) warriors
(c) weavers
(d) traders
Answer: (d)
