Ajay Kumar at 14:45, 23 July 2023

2023-07-23T14:45:46Z

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{{short description|Hindu caste native to the Indian state of Maharashtra, where it is a sub-caste of Dhangar caste}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
'''Hatkar''', also known as [[Bargi]] [[Dhangar]] is the warrior caste and one of the sub-caste of the [[Dhangar]]s found in [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] region of India.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Landscapes in Conflict: Flocks, Hero-stones, and Cult in Early Medieval Maharashtra |first=Ajay |last=Dandekar |journal=Studies in History |date=August 1991 |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=301–324 |doi=10.1177/025764309100700207 |s2cid=162355452 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Patterns of Variation in a Caste-Cluster of Dhangars of Maharashtra, India| url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/44612 |first=K. C. |last=Malhotra |journal=Collegium Antropologicum |volume=25 |issue=2 |date=Dec 2001 |pages=425–42 |pmid=11811272}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Haptoglobin and acid phosphatase gene distributions in the Dhangars of Maharashtra, India| url=https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jgen/063/01/0039-0045 |first=K. C. |last=Malhotra |journal=Journal of Genetics |volume=63 |issue=1 |date=April 1977 |pages=39–45 |doi=10.1007/BF02984224| s2cid=25217479 }}</ref>{{sfnp|Enthoven |1990|p=321}} Their home language is [[Marathi language|Marathi]].{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=166}}{{sfnp|Enthoven |1990|p=312}} However, [[Bargi]] is a distinct sub-caste from Hatkar Dhangar.{{sfnp|Pathak|2009|p=52}}

==History==

===Etymology===
[[Shamba Joshi]] traced the origin of the name to the word "Hatakara", meaning cattle herder and a synonym of [[Dhangar]].<ref name="SBJ_1952">Joshi, S. B.. (1952). [https://www.jstor.org/stable/41784634 Etymology of place names paṭṭi-haṭṭi: Some observations on the History of Mahārāṣṭra & Karṇāṭaka]. Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 33(1/4), 41–56.</ref> He traced the ancestry of Hatkars (Hattikaras) to the "Patti-Jana" people who were settled to the south of [[Narmada river]] in the Middle Ages. He also traced the etymology of the word "[[Maratha]]" to "[[Marhatta (region)|Mara-hatta]]", and theorized that the region was originally known as "Hatta-desa".<ref name="SBJ_1952"/>There are total 32 kulis of the hatkars which are specified in the book called as Dhangar samajachi kule v gotre by Ganpatrao kolekar.

===Medieval Era===
The [[Ain-i-Akbari]] describes Hatkars as being "a proud, refractory and domineering race of [[Rajputs]], living in the Basim Sircar and, with numerous armed forces, occupying the forts and controlling the surrounding districts".{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=248}}{{sfnp|Guha|2006|p=48}} Furthermore, It mentions a Hatkar force of 1,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry.{{sfnp|Yazdani|1961|p=25}}{{sfnp|Government of Maharashtra|1977|p=Imad Shahi of Berar}}

Hatkars were in the army of [[Shivaji]] in large numbers and were known for their bravery in the [[Maratha Empire]]. "Naik" and "Rao" were the titles given to them.{{sfnp|Pathak|2009|p=52}}

Syed Siraj-ul-Hassan describes them as "strong built and vigorous frame, generally of dark complexion, with a bold and haughty demeanour and are the stuff of which good soldiers are made". Moreover, They show a marked difference from [[Maratha]] [[Kunbis]].{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=250}}

===The Hatkar Rebellion of 1819===
Under the leadership of Novsaji Naik, the community of Hatkars had captured a number of strongholds in [[Nanded]] and [[Berar Province|Berar]], which was under the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]]. They were a dread to the [[Nizam]] – they started a rebellion which was going on for 20 years. After the [[Third Anglo-Maratha war]], Nizam called on [[British Indian Army]] to retake the possessions. Novsaji put up a strong resistance with the assistance of 500 Arab soldiers and a siege ensued. The Siege of Nowah continued for 23 days before it was put down. British force consisted of 3782 soldiers and 252 artillery. The siege was of such considerable significance that the word Nowah was displayed on the badges of the regiments which participated in the siege.{{sfnp|Kate|1987|p=16}}{{sfnp|Guha|2006|p=48}}{{sfnp|Pathak|2009|p=52}}{{sfnp|Government of Maharashtra|1971|p=The Hatkar Rebellion 1819}}

==Social standing==
According to Hassan, In point of social standing the Hatkars rank with the [[Maratha (caste)|Maratha]] -[[Kunbis]], with whom they exchange ''kachi'' (uncooked) food. The Hatkar males and females dress and decorate themselves like the [[Kunbis]].{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=254}} The marriage ceremony of the Hatkars differs little from that in vogue among the [[Kunbis]]. [[Deshastha Brahmins]] are employed as priests in religious and ceremonial observances. Kulis of Hatkars are formed after the model common among the [[Maratha]] castes.{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=250}}

Primary occupation of Hatkars is farming.{{sfnp|Lukacs|2001|p=453}} In the past, the Hatkars were cultivators and held land-tenures of different grades. They were [[Patil (title)|patil]],Inamdars and [[Deshmukh]], [[Shepherd]] or occupancy and non-occupancy [[raiyat]]s and landless day-labourers.{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=254}}

==Culture==

There is an expression, "Dhangar's ram and Hatkar's flag". Meaning, the one who tends to ram and sheep is Dhangar, while one with a flag is Hatkar. The flag is sparrow tailed and is bi-coloured. The upper-half is yellow, and the second half is red.<ref>Parbhani Gazetteer</ref>{{full citation needed|date=September 2016}} The favorite object of worship is [[Khandoba]], to whom offerings of flowers and sweetmeats are made every Sunday. In addition to this, they also pay homage to [[Biroba]]. They observe all the Hindu festivals, among which the [[Holi]], or Shimga, in March and the Dussehra in October, are held in great importance.{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=254}}

Traditionally, the Hatkars are distinguished from other [[Dhangar]] by wearing a red turban, earring and a coarse blanket and carrying staff. Their women wear a considerable number of rings, necklaces, nose rings and ankle bangles.{{sfnp|Phillips|2001|p=369}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
=== Bibliography ===

* {{Cite book|first = Sumit |last=Guha|title=Environment and Ethnicity in India, 1200-1991| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GSa5blriOYcC&pg=PA47|year=2006| publisher = University of Cambridge|isbn=978-0-521-02870-7}}
* {{cite book|first=Syed Siraj ul|last=Hassan|title=The castes and tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's dominions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lYSd-3yL9h0C|accessdate=2011-07-25|year=1989|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0488-9}}
* {{cite book|first=R. E. |last=Enthoven |title=The Tribes and Castes of Bombay, Vol 1 |url=https://archive.org/details/bk616/page/n345/mode/1up?q=dhangar |year=1990 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=9788120606302}}
* {{cite book |first=Ghulam|last=Yazdani|title=The Early History of the Deccan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K1ZDAAAAYAAJ |publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1961}}
* {{cite book|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205223237/https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/land_and_people/Chapter%20II.html | title = Maharashtra: Land and its people |last=Pathak|first=A. S.| archive-date=2020-12-05 |agency= Government of Maharashtra |year=2009| url= https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/land_and_people/Chapter%20II.html|publisher = Maharashtra State Gazetteer}}

* {{cite book|first=David J.|last=Phillips|title=Peoples on the Move: Introducing the Nomads of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54gyRnhIugkC&pg=PA369|year=2001|publisher=William Carey Library|isbn=978-0-87808-352-7}}

* {{cite book|first=P. V.|last=Kate|title=Marathwada Under the Nizams, 1724-1948 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tjndiykddsIC&pg=PA16 |year=1987|publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-017-8}}
* {{cite report |last=Government of Maharashtra|title= Maharashtra History: Medieval Period|url=https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/AKOLA/his_mediaeval%20period.html |publisher=Maharashtra State Gazetteer: Akola District|archive-date=2020-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007235945/http://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/AKOLA/his_mediaeval%20period.html|year=1977}}
* {{cite report|last=Government of Maharashtra|author-link=Government of Maharashtra|year=1971|title=Maharashtra State Gazetteers: Nanded District |url=https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Nanded/his1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227164749/https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/Nanded/his1.html|archive-date=2020-12-27}}

* {{cite book|last=Lukacs|first=John|author-link=John Lukacs|year=2001|title=The People of South Asia: The Biological Anthropology of India, Pakistan, and Nepal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLTzBwAAQBAJ|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781489950031}}
[[Category:Social groups of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Social groups of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]

[[Category:Dhangar]]

Hatkar - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 14:45, 23 July 2023