User talk:Navratna mandusiya surera mandha

meghwal history
The Megh (Hindi:मेघ), Meghwal (Hindi:मेघवाल) or Meghwar (Hindi:मेघवार, Urdu:میگھواڑ, Sindhi:ميگھواڙ) people live primarily in northwest India, with a small population in Pakistan. As of 2008, their total population was estimated at 2,807,000, of whom 2,760,000 lived in India. They speak Marwari (659,000), Hindi (663,000), Dogri (230,000), Punjabi (175,000) and various other regional languages. As a scheduled caste, their traditional occupation was weaving. Most are Hindu by religion, with Rishi Megh, Kabir,[2] Ram Devji and Bankar Mataji their chief gods.[3][4][5] Megh lineage is considered to have originated from Rajarishi Vritra, also known as Megh Rishi OriginsAlexander Cunningham in his 1871 book Archaeological Survey of India propounded that Meghs were Pre-Aryans who came to Punjab from Assyria and settled in Sapta Sindhu (the land of seven rivers). Under Aryan pressure, they may have migrated to the Maharashtra and Vindhyachal region during the Megalithic period (1400–1200 BCE) and later to Bihar and Orissa.[7] They belong to Indus Valley Civilization.[8] They claim to have descended from Rishi Megh,[3] a saint who had the power to bring rain from the clouds (Megh) through his prayer.[9] The word Meghwar is derived from the Sanskrit word, megh, meaning clouds and rain, and war (Hindi: वार), meaning a group, son and child. (Sanskrit: वार:)[10][11] Literally, then, the words Meghwal and Meghwar connote a people who belong to Megh lineage.[12] It is also said that the Meghs lived in mountaineous regions of Jammu and Kashmir where lot of cloud activity is experienced. People living there were naturally given the name Megh (clouds).[13] In folk lore told by Mirasis (traditional folk artists) Meghs are linked to Suryavansh to which Lord Rama belonged.[13]

[edit] Mythical tracesIn Indian mythology Rajarishi Vritra was the religious head and also the king of Sapta Sindhu region. He was progenitor of Nagavansha which ruled over entire India. They were known for godly qualities in their behavior, style, qualification and quality. They were experts in architecture. They worshipped dragon. Meghwals are identified with Hiranyakasipu, Prahlada, Hiranyaksha, Virochana, Maveli, Ban etc. [14]

[edit] Historical tracesDuring Maurya period Chedi kings of Meghavansha ruled over Kalinga. They used to add Mahameghavahana with their names and identified themselves with Mahameghavansha.[15] Kalinga king Kharvel defeated Pushyamitra of Magadh and won over the regions of southern India (presently Tamil Nadu). Kalinga kings followed Jain religion.[16] After the fall of Mauryas, kings of Meghavansha regained their power and independence. Rulers of Chedi, Vatsa, Matsya etc. were called Meghs. At the dawn of Gupta Vansh Kaushambhi was an independent state. The ruler Meghraj was from Meghavansha and followed Buddhism.[17]

[edit] Geographical distributionThe Meghwal are from Marwar in Rajasthan. In the 1981 Census for Rajasthan, the combined population of people notified as Megh, Meghwal, Menghvar was 889,300.[18][19] They also live in western Gujarat near the Pakistan border and in other parts of India such as Maharashtra, Punjab and Haryana. The Meghs are from Jammu and Kashmir,[20] and Himachal Pradesh and known as Megh, Arya Megh and Bhagat. In some places they are known as Ganeshia, Meghbansi, Mihagh, Rakhesar, Rakhia, Rikhia, Rishia and other names.[5] Some of the Mahashas also claim to be belonging to Meghs.[21] After Partition of India in the year 1947, the Meghs who had become converts to the Hinduism, had to migrate to Indian territory.[22] Most of them migrated from Sialkot and settled in camps established for them in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.[citation needed]

In Pakistan the word Meghwar is used in place of Meghwal. As of 1991, the population of Meghs in Punjab (India) was estimated at 105,157.[23] In 2000, about 226,600 Meghwar lived in Pakistan, principally in the Punjab northeast of the cities of Dadu and Nawabshah,[24] and in Sindh, mostly in the Badin, Mirpur Khas, Tharparkar, and Umerkot districts.[citation needed]

[edit] Caste statusMany of the Kashmiri Muslims settled in plains of erstwhile Punjab and Gujarat states who were weavers and like Meghs have descended from Brahmins. Rituals observed by Meghs match with that of Brahmins.[13] The word Megh does not denote any particular work attached to this community as had been the case with many other communities. They have been categorized as scheduled castes in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Punjab etc.[25] That is, they are among the castes of India that are specified in a schedule of the Indian constitution for special treatment to overcome disadvantages due to caste prejudice. Hindus do not treat them as Hindus the way they treat other castes within the Hindu fold. There is thinking in Meghs that they are counted as Hindus for political purpose.[26]

[edit] Alternate names of MeghsMegh, Meghwal, Meghwar, Meghbansi, Kabirpanthi, Mihagh, Bhagat, Balai, Ganeshia, Rakhesar, Rakhia, Rikhia, Rishia[27]

[edit] LifestyleMeghvanshis had weaving and agriculture as their profession. They used to take two crops a year. Rest of the time they were busy with allied activities.[28] In the countryside of Rajasthan, many of the people of this community still reside in small hamlets of round, mud-brick huts painted on the outside with colourful geometric designs and decorated with detailed mirror inlays.[29] In earlier days the main occupation of the Meghwal community was agricultural labor, weaving, specially Khadi and woodcarving, and these are still the main occupations. The women are famous for their embroidery work and are master wool and cotton weavers.[30][31]

Some of them have migrated from villages of Rajasthan to large cities such as Bombay. In a 1936 study by B.H. Mehta, the researcher noted that most had migrated to the city to escape from a wretched rural life, and felt that city conditions were an improvement despite their crowded and insanitary conditions.[32] Increasing numbers of the Meghwal today are educated and are obtaining government jobs. In Punjab, especially in the cities like Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana a good number of them is engaged as workers in factories producing sports, hosiery, surgical and metal goods. Very few of them have their own business or a small scale industry. Tiny business and service units are their main support for livelihood.[33] Many of them became petty agriculturists after successful implementation of land reforms in J&K.[citation needed] On migration from Pakistan Meghs were also given barren lands in Alwar (Rajasthan). It is now fertile land. Babu Gopi Chand helped them in the process.[citation needed]

Their staple diet includes rice, wheat and maize, and pulses such as moong, urad and channa. They are not vegetarian but eat egg, fish, chicken and mutton when available, although they abstain from pork, beef and buffalo meat.[9] In Jammu, a Megh religious leader Bhagata Sadh (of Keran) lead a very big group of them to vegetarianism.[citation needed]

Women have low status in traditional Meghwal society. Marriages are arranged through negotiation between the families before puberty. After marriage, the wife moves to the husband's house, except for the period of childbirth. However, divorce is allowed, with the father retaining liability for the children and compensation paid to the wife.[9] Meghs have a social evil in the form of a system called 'ex-communication' (Hindi:हुक्का पानी बंद करना) of persons they do not like. This is practiced even in the cases of trivial matters. It has further increased social hardships for their women.[13]

[edit] ReligionLittle is known of the early history of the Meghwal or their religion. There are traces that Meghs were worshipers of Shiva and Nāga (dragon).[34] Meghwals worship King Bali in the form of God and pray for his return.[35] In Kerala these prayers, since centuries, have assumed magnanimity of a festival called Onam. They believed in an atheist and egalitarian Rishi Cārvāka. Aryans were opposed to it. The pressure continued and entire literature of Charvak religion was burnt.[36] There is evidence that in the 13th century CE many of the Meghwal became followers of the Nizari branch of Shia Islam, and that traces of Nazari belief remain in their ritual and myth.[37] However, most of the Megh are now considered Hindu, although some follow other religions such as Islam or Christianity.

During the Medieval Hindu Renaissance, known as the Bhakti Era, Karta Ram Maharaj, a Meghwal from Rajasthan became the spiritual guru of Meghwals.[38] During the 19th Century, it was said that the Meghs were generally Kabirpanthi, followers of Saint Satguru (Hindi:संत सत्गुरु) Kabir (1488 - 1512 AD), the founder of Sant Mat.[39] Many Meghwal today follow Sant Mat, a loosely associated group of religious leaders whose teachings are distinguished by an inward, loving devotion to a divine principle, and by an egalitarianism opposed to the qualitative distinctions of the Hindu caste system, and to those between Hindus and Muslims.[40] By the year 1910, around 36000 Meghs from Sialkot had become Arya Samajis.[41] After realizing the trap they were in, they joined Ad Dharm society in the year 1925 which recognized Rishi Ravi Das, Kabir and Nam Dev (all legendary figures in low caste religious traditions) as their revered deities.[42] Baba Faqir Chand, a radical sage of India and a guru of Radhasoami Mat, nominated Bhagat Munshi Ram to work as Satguru in his place. Bhagat belonged to Megh community.[13]

In Rajasthan their chief deity is Baba Ramdevji who is worshiped during the vedwa punam (August - September). Meghwal religious leader Swami Gokuldas claims that Ramdev was himself a Meghwal in his 1982 book Meghwal Itehas, which constructs a history of the Meghwal community in an attempt to gain respect and improve their social status.[43] Daily offerings are made to Chamunda mata in the village temples. Bankar mata is worshiped at weddings.[9] Dalibai is a Meghwal female deity who is worshiped along with Ramdev.[19] In J&K, Punjab, Himachal and Haryana states of India ancestor worship (a sort of Veneration of the dead :Hindi:श्राद्ध) is performed and annual worship at encampment (Hindi:डेरा, डेरी) is prevalent in Meghs of J&K.[citation needed] Some Meghwars worship Pir Pithoro, whose shrine is near Mirpur Khas in Pithoro village.[44] Baba Bhagata Sadh of Keran, a religious leader and revered deity of Meghs in Jammu and Kashmir worked for the spiritual welfare of Megh community.[45] Baba Manmohan Dass, successor to Baba Bhagta Sadh took over Guru's position after demise of Baba Jagdish ji Maharaj.

A Meghwal woman in the Kaloi village, Tharparkhar district, Sindh, Pakistan.[edit] ArtsThe Meghwal women in Rajasthan are renowned for their exuberantly detailed costumes and jewellery. Married women are often spotted wearing gold nose ring, earrings and neckpieces. They were given to the bride as a "bride wealth" dowry by her soon-to-be husband's mother. Nose rings and earrings are often decorated with precious stones of ruby, sapphire and emerald. The Meghwal women's embroidery is avidly sought after. Their work is distinguished by their primary use of red, which comes from a local pigment produced from crushed insects. The Meghwal women artisans of Thar desert in Sindh and Balochistan, and in Gujarat are considered master of the traditional embroidery and Ralli making. Exotic hand-embroidered items form part of dowry of Meghwal woman.[46][47][48]

[edit] Prominent people This list of "famous" or "notable" persons has no clear inclusion or exclusion criteria. Please help to define clear inclusion criteria and edit the list to contain only appropriate entries. (February 2011)

Milkhi Ram Bhagat was first amongst all scheduled castes of Punjab state to be selected in the first batch of the Punjab Civil Service (PCS). He served as a Magistrate and in other administrative posts.[citation needed] He worked for inclusion of Meghs in Scheduled Castes.[49] Ms. Suman Bhagat rose to the level of Minister for Health and Medical Education in the government of Jammu and Kashmir.[50] Roshan Lal Bhagat was first among Meghs in Punjab who contested MLA election from Jalandhar South on Janta Party Ticket in 1977. He remained Municipal Commissioner in Jalandhar Chuni Lal Bhagat was first Megh to be elected as Member of Punjab Legislative Assembly. He contested on Bharatiya Janata Party's ticket.[51]• Dr. Sandeep Bhagat is the first Megh Doctor from Punjab who successfully passed the Australian Medical Council exams and achieved the Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Also, He is the first Bhagat and the only Punjabi Doctor who was commissioned in the Royal Australian Army as a Captain in 2010. He works as a General Practitioner, a Palliative Consultant and a Captain in the Australian Army. Mr. Jatinder Kumar was the first Megh from Punjab who was appointed as an Assistant Commandant as a Directly Appointed Gazzetted Officer in the CRPF. He left CRPF and migrated to Australia in 2001 and studied Health Sciences in Australia. He was rewarded with Golden Disc for being high achiever in the University in 2007. After doing his post-graduation, now he works as a Health Practitioner in a well reputed public hospital in Melbourne. Choudhary Nathu Ram won MLA seat from Malout, Punjab in 2002 as CPI candidate and later joined Congress. He contested as congress candidate in 2007 from Malout reserve constituency. Girdhari Lal Bhagat IRS is first IAS from Jammu region selected in 1978 and currently posted at mumbai as Chief Comm Income Tax. Ms. Sneh Lata Kumar Bhagat daughter of Milkhi Ram Bhagat PCS was the first lady who became direct IAS (Indian Administrative Services) officer from Meghs in Punjab. She came into the limelight when she bagged two silver medals in swimming events during the All India Civil Services competition at Chennai.[52] Ms. Vimla Bhagat was the first Megh lady to be elevated as Class-I officer in the Indian Administrative Services (Chairperson of the Himachel Pradesh Public Service Commission).[53] Freedom fighter Mr. Dhanpat Ray kalla Kalera Bass churu was born in a Meghwal family Bhanwar Lal Meghwal became the education minister of Rajasthan.[54] Surendar Valasai Meghwar is a famous journalist and Media coordinator of Media Cell, Bilawal House is the most prominent and influence man within the Meghwar community in Pakistan. He is the founder president of Scheduled Castes Federation of Pakistan (SCFP). Mangi Lal became a recipient of Vishvakarma Rashtriya Puraskar (1998) and Shram Sri Puraskar (2003) awards[55] Prof. Raj Kumar, National President, Bhagat Mahasabha [56] has worked a lot to unite Meghs in India. He has established state units of Bhagat Mahasabha in Punjab, Haryana, J&K, Rajasthan etc. He is also running social networking to create awareness among Meghs. Jagmohan Bhagat,[57] IPS posted as DIG in West Bengal. Harish Kashyup, IPS posted as DIG in Uttar pradesh. Saurabh Bhagat,[58] IAS Posted as Deputy Commissioner, Samba, J&K. Kadambari Bhagat,[59] IAS got 239 rank in 2010 Indian Administrative Examination. Guldev Raj Bhagat,[60] IAS Posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar. Moola Ram Bhagat former Cabinet Minister, Jammu & Kashmir. Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat,[61] MLA R.S. Pura, Jammu. Krishan Chander Bhagat,[61] MLA Chanani, Jammu. Ravi Bhagat IAS, Varun Roojam IAS and Manisha Targathia IAS, Punjab. [edit] Megh singersRanjan Romy[62] Ashu Koti Bhagat[63] Ramesh Kasim Bhagat[64] Kimti Lal Bhagat [edit] Meghs as caste in IndiaList of notified Scheduled Castes:[65] Meghs[66] Registered as scheduled caste in India Census Report 2001.

Jammu & Kashmir : Megh Or Kabirpanthi (Serial No.10) Himachal Pradesh : Megh, Julaha, Julahe, Kabirpanthi, Keer Serial No.(31,39) Punjab : Megh, Serial No.(19,24) Chandigarh  Megh, Kabirpanthi (Serial No.(18,23) Utteranchal  : Kori Kabirpanthi (Serial No.(50) Delhi : Meghwal, Kabirpanthi (Serial No.(18,27) Haryana  : Megh, Meghwal, Kabirpanthi, Kori (Serial No.(19,21,24)[67] Rajasthan : Balai, Koli, Kori, Megh, Meghval, Meghwal, Menghvar (Serial No.(7,37,46) Uttar Pradesh  : Kori Kabirpanthi, Balai (Serial No.(10,50) Chhatisgarh : Meghwal, Koli, Kori (Serial No.(30,35) Madhya Pradesh  : Koli, Kori, Meghwal (Serial No.(31,38) Gujrat : Meghval, Meghwal, Menghvar (Serial No.(31) Maharashtra  : Meghval, Menghvar (Serial No.(50) Karnataka : Meghwal, Menghvar (Serial No.(77)