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KATIYA SAMAJ
KATIYA SAMAJ is located in Center of INDIA (Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Maharastra, ..etc) Katiya Samaj is listed in Madhya Pradesh Government [http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/subord/rule3a.htm Scheduled Caste section  Part IX. - Madhya Pradesh '  Sr. No. 29. Katia, Patharia''']. Total Population of Katiya Samaj as per Indian Census 2011 is 180265 (Approx Data as per Census Website).

The origin
During 500-400 BC Indian peninsula was continuously invaded for hundreds of years together. The continual invasion led people to leave their place and flee towards central part of Indian subcontinent. One of such community opted for threading-yarning and weaving clothes, which was known as “kattiya”, “Kutuba” or “Katiya”. As per the first census of then Indian Govt. in 1876 ‘Katiya’ community resides in Buldhana, Akola, Amarawati, Yavatmal, Vardha, Nagpur, Bhandhara, Chanda districts of Maharashtra, Niwad of Mahakaushal, Betul, Chhindwara, Hoshangabad, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Bhopal, Sehore, Raisen, Sagar, Damoh, Balaghat, Mandla, Seoni and Sidhi, Shahdol, Saguja, Raigarh, Bilaspur, Bastar, Durg & Rajnandgaon of (then) Chattishgrah division.

Some sub-casts in the community are known by their place of origin like people who lived in Pathar area of Chhindwara were called Pathariya, who were from Garha of Jabalpur were called Garhwal etc. As per census 1911 katiya community had a population of 41000 and by Census 2011 Approx 1,80,225 mostly based around Hoshangabad, Seoni, Chhindwara and Narmada valley. As per famous historian Mr. Cook the community originated from Bais Rajputs, the warrior tribe. The rajputs were taken into custody after they opposed against other than rulers (invaders) and were released only when they promised that they will never practice their traditional occupation rather their women will take up weaving as occupation. In some parts of Madhya Pradesh these are better known as Rehta Rajpoots.

History
History As per vedic literature Kath (Kathiya) was the highest and best disciple of sage Vashyampayan. Dr. Buddha Prakash in his famous book Ancient Punjab has highlighted same. “During Patanjali’s era, he was very famous as conservator and elucidator of vedic literature.” Padini in his book “Astaadhyayi” has described about Kath kshtriya caste. Kathiya people are not only discussed in Vedic literature but also in “Upnishads”. There was a separate upnishand named “Kathopanishad” was written on Kaths. Geek Historian Srabo writes Kaths gave a great deal of importance to beauty or looks. They used to elect most beautiful person as their king. Kath kingdom was also described in the Greek historical write-ups belonging to invasion phase of Alexander the great. Kath kingdom was situated in sangam in river Indus during 326 B.C. and its capital was “Saankal”.

Dr. Vimalchandra Pandey in his famous historical book “Pracheen Bharat Ka Rajnaitik evam Sanskritik Itihaas” (Political & Cultural History of Ancient India has written that – After crossing river Ravi Alexander III of Macedon battled with Kaths, who were famous warriors. Kaths along with some friend states resisted it to protect their capital of “Saankal”. Kaths faced Alexander the great with tact and bravery so much that at one point of time the knights in Alexander’s army failed to defeat them. At last Alexander with great difficulty was able to win the battle with the help of his infantry and forced the kaths to take shelter in boundary walls of their capital. His friend Porus arrived with military to help at that time. The same night Kath warriors tried to escape via a water way of a big lake but Alexander destroyed their fortress including capital & fort by killing many kath people. This win cost a lot to Alexander the great because as per the Greek historians large numbers of solder were killed and thousands were severely injured in the battle.

Dr. Omprakash in Ancient History has written about Kaths. He writes that Kath caste was famous for its courage and warriorship. They used to choose the best good looking man as their king. Women used to do sati (ritual of committing suicide after husband’s death generally killing self by jumping in husband’s funeral pyre) after death of their husbands. Kaths faced Alexander the great with bravery. It has been said that this brave act of Kaths irked A Alexander to so much that he totally rampaged fort Saangal. In this battle 17,000 kath soldiers received martyrdom and 70,000 of them were kept as war prisoners. In this way we get knowhow about kath caste from vedic literature and brief history of kath kingdom. It is concluded that initial origin and expansion of kaths has been associated with Aryan invasion in India.

Colonel James Tand in his book “Journey of Western India” accepted that Kathies (kath) migrated from somewhere in central Asia to different places. He agreed that kathies belonged to two different Rajput groups which were very famous for their prestige, courage and good height. These people used to worship swords and plough alike. He also accepted that during Alexander’s invasion time this caste was based at Saangal in western India which was somewhere near Gurdaspur, Punjab. This courageous and fighter caste almost defeated Alexander the great heavily. Yet, later on this caste was totally destroyed by him with the help of Porous. Probably this was the reason that afterwards this caste migrated to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan & Gujrat from Punjab. We don’t have any historical facts about this caste’s entry in Kathiyawad area of Gujrat but there is ample of evidence to prove that due to this caste only Saurashtra was later known as Kathiyawad. Probably later with Malwa’s they migrated to southern Sourashra via Rajsthan. According to Bhatt Scriptures of Rajputana these people had a war with Yadavas.

There is some evidence that this brave caste used to work as knights in army of King Jai Chand and Maharaja Prithviraj Chouhan. These people also worked as feudal lords under King of Anhilwada Patan. It seems that these people further extended from Kathiyawad to Madhya Pradesh. They proceeded along with banks of Narmada River from west to east.

There are few gotras among kathis specially those who reside in Narmadaanchal in Madhya Pradesh like nag, Nagwanshi, Nagotra, Nagesh etc. having God Shiva as their clan deity. This brings unusual question among us. Was there any marital relation among kathis and Nags? Nagvansh had established their own vast kingdom before rise of Gupta Empire and during Samudragupta’s time (325 – 375 AD) in northern-west and central India like King Achyut’s kingdom in modern Bareliy, Ganpati Nag’s Kingdom in Vidisha, etc. Nagdutt, Nagsen etc. Nag Kings challenged Samudragupta in leadership of Ganpatinag by forming a big sangha. It seems that Kathiya kashtriyas may be derived towards these powerful and prosperous kings and both of the communities must be culturally connected.

Historical facts and legends have ample of evidence that cultural coordination and relations between these two, as Kuntee who was a nag Kanya but became wife of Pandu, Mohini – a Nag Kanya who later became wife of King janmyejaya, Ulupi who married Arjun was again from nagvansh etc. Ancient evidence from Bhatgaon, which is located in Sohagpur tehsil of Hoshangabad District, indicates that it was capital of Nagrajas during 13th – 14th century. Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh has been the centre for Kathiyas. Many western & Indian historians have the idea that kath, kathi, katiya all are same and they originated from Kastriyas. Colonel James Tand had affirmed that Katiyas were among twenty six rajput kulas of Rajasthan. Kathiya caste comes on 16th Place in his classification. He divided this caste into four Garhwal, Mandilwal, Pathariya and Dulbuha. This is very much evident in present gotra & family titles of kathiyas like Garhwal, Pathariya etc. It shows that kathi or katiya later on changed into kattiya. In some pockets of madhya Pradesh these people are called as Rehta Rajpoots. Pundit Jwala Prasad even today this caste can be seen in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh and call themselves kashtriya.

On the basis of above historical events we can conclude that earlier known Kath or Kathi or Kathiya caste is nowdays “Katiya” caste of Madhya Pradesh. Their Kath ancestors were later known as Kathi, Kathiya and presently they became katiya of Narmadanachal of Madhya Pradesh.

Sometimes some of the people directly think and connect the caste with spinning yarn. Let’s face history and historical evidence and legends. Friends, we have a prestigious history of our caste. We need to take it to the people so that they can be proud of being katiya. Let’s conclude that naming caste only on the basis of spinning yarn, itself is not our identity. Rather Katiya word is modified version of kath or kathi which later on became katiya. Kattiya (kathiya) is symbol of religion, it means to protect others, cooperate, altruism, affection are its core values. These values are cherished & lived by katiyas since ages for its mother land and will be done too.

Surname of Katiya Samaj
Katiya Gotras - at a Glance

History of Katiyas is very old. In katiya society gotras and second names are generally based on area of origin, aradhya dev (family deity) and ancestral clans. The Gotra list is as following (Below gotra's are based on Record Available with KATIYA WELFARE SOCIETY, BHOPAL ).

St. Bhurabhagat
St. Bhurabhat

As per the legend, Sage Bhurabhagat belonged to a pious family and was devotee of lord Shiva since childhood. As per Akhil Bhartiya katiya Anusuchit Jati Sangh, Seoni, Sage Bhurabhagat was born on ninth day of shukla Paksha in Baishak month. Once there was a bhajan mandi in his village, child Bhurabhagat was so much engrossed into bhjans that, only next day his concentration was broken. Since that day he devoted himself into worship of lord Shiva by leaving his home. It has been said that lard Shiva himself came to him and blessed him. Sage Bhurabhagat gave this unique message to society that if a person puts his best efforts in God’s devotion then irrespective of caste or creed that person can be brahma. He showed new way to society and said if a selfless person devotes to god, he himself transforms into god.

Sage Bhurabhagat is said to be worshipped alongside lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s worship is considered incomplete without Sage Bhurabhagat’s worship. Since Lord Shiva resides in mountainous regions, the pilgrimage to such areas becomes very challenging. Sage Bhurabhagat is worshipped in the beginning of journey to ease out the challenges ahead. This is the reason that on their way to Chouragarh, Panchmarhi; pilgrims while carrying trishul in their hands loud “Jai Bhurabhagat”, har Har Mahadev”. Chouragarh is situated at 4316 foot above sea level in Sapura range of mountains. Here Sage Bhurabhagat’s place is developed as a religious place and is very famous. Direct buses to Bhurabhagat are avaibale from Chiindwara & Junnardev. Sometimes pilgrims arrive by bus till Junnardev and then theyr cover rest of the distance of 40 kms by foot to reach Bhurabhagat. It is considred pious to go by foot as one can not only worship Sage bhurabhagat on but also other sages like Junnardev, Gorakhnath, Narayandeo and Macchindradev as well. In Chouragarh there is deity of Lord Bholenath and Sant Bhurabhagat alongwith number of trishuls. People visit this place to specially take magnificent and most charismatic view the place during dusk & down. Sant Bhurabhagat Jayanti has been celebrated as per Hindu calendar on 9th day of Shukla Paksha in Baishakh month.

Wedding Tradition
In Katiya Samaj, peoples not marry in SAME SURNAME, in this community peoples think same surname (last name) is a brother-sister, that is why they not marry in same surnames.

Reference

 * Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Caste List - Madhya Pradesh Scheduled Caste List
 * Surnames in Katiya Saamaj - Surnames
 * Katiya Kshatriya