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{{Short description|Minority Hindu community of India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{infobox ethnic group|
| group = Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya
| population = 51,000{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}
| popplace = India
| langs = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Kutchi language|Kutchi]]
| rels = Hindu
| related = [[Mistri (caste)|Mistri]], [[Gurjar Kshatriya Kadia]]
}}
'''Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya'''<ref name=e>{{cite news|title=મહારાષ્ટ્રના નાગપુર ખાતે કચ્છ ગુર્જર ક્ષત્રિય સમાજ રાષ્ટ્રીય મહાસભાનું અધિવેશન (Election of President of Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj held at Nagpur, Maharashtra)|url=http://www.gujaratsamachar.com/20110607/gujarat/kutch4.html|access-date=20 July 2012|newspaper=Gujarat Samachar|date=7 June 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516162804/http://gujaratsamachar.com/20110607/gujarat/kutch4.html|archive-date=16 May 2012}}</ref><ref name=db>{{cite news|title=સમૂહ લગ્નોથી સમાજ ગિઠત થાય / 38th Mass community marriage Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya held at Anjar|url=http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/KUT-1188171-1833300.html|access-date=31 July 2012|newspaper=Divya Bhaskar|date=9 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=HC raps mgmt of Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj-Gondia|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/nagpur/29698752_1_writ-petition-court-receiver-appeal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928034254/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-24/nagpur/29698752_1_writ-petition-court-receiver-appeal|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2013|access-date=20 July 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=24 June 2011}}</ref><ref name=db1>{{cite news|title=कर्मठ है कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज (Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya Samaj people are hardworking)|url=http://www.bhaskar.com/article/CHH-OTH-1645943-2618166.html|access-date=2 August 2013|newspaper=Dainik Bhaskar|date=6 December 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011142039/http://www.bhaskar.com/article/CHH-OTH-1645943-2618166.html|archive-date=11 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=सम्मेलन ने खत्म की झिझक, अब बस्तर में भी ब्याह करके आएंगी गुजराती बेटियां (कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय गुजराती समाज का अखिल भारतीय महासभा ) |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/chhatisgarh/raipur/news/latest-jagdalpur-news-024002-1861843.html |access-date=28 February 2019 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |date=3 June 2018 |language=hi}}</ref> (also known as '''Mistri'''<ref>{{cite news|title=મંદિર પ્રકરણમાં ખોટા કેસ થાય તેવો મિસ્ત્રી સમાજને ભય Barla Mandir case – Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya / Mistri Samaj of Madhapar afraid of false implication|url=https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/100206041820_mandir_case.html|access-date=27 April 2019|newspaper=Divya Bhaskar|date=6 February 2010}}</ref><ref name=Shambles/> or '''Mestri'''<ref name=ks/><ref name=gj1>{{cite book|title=Gujarat, Part 1 By Kumar Suresh Singh, Rajendra Behari Lal|year=2003|pages=912–915|isbn=9788179911044|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4Cy_-FXW9BQC&q=Mestri+KUTCH&pg=PA912|last1=Lal|first1=R. B.|publisher=Popular Prakashan }}</ref>) are a minority [[Hindu]] community of [[Gujarat]]<ref name=gjs>[http://sje.gujarat.gov.in/ddcw/showpage.aspx?contentid=1736&lang=english List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes declared by Gujarat State]</ref> in India, who claim to be [[Kshatriya]].<ref name=gj1/><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bqWENSsOIAIC&q=kutch+gurjar+kshatriya |title=Indian Anthropologist: Journal of the Indian Anthropological Association |date=1998 |publisher=Indian Anthropological Association |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Panigrahi |first1=Nilakantha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CwpuAAAAMAAJ&q=kutch+gurjar+kshatriya |title=Trading Community of India: An Anthropological Study of Ethnicity |last2=Panda (Anthropologist) |first2=Premananda |date=2000 |publisher=Rawat Publications |isbn=978-81-7033-563-4 |language=en}}</ref> They are an artisan community related with masonry, artistic carvings, sculpting and building and construction works. They are also known as the '''Mistris of Kutch''' adopting word '''[[Mistri]]''', a term used in [[British India]] for master-craftsman, [[contractors|thekedar]], foreman or supervisor or for those who were expert in building and construction.<ref name=Shambles/><ref name=ks>{{cite book|title=India's communities by Kumar Suresh Singh|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=2287|isbn=9780195633542|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lZuAAAAMAAJ&q=MISTRI++KUTCH|quote=MESTRI: They are also known as Mistri. Kota in Rajasthan is believed to be their native place from where they came to Kutch in vs 1234 in search of livelihood. In Gujarat, the community is distributed in about eighteen villages of the Bhuj and Anjar}}</ref><ref name=M>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZzbkTbqgGEoC&q=mistri&pg=PA316 Mistri] Encyclopaedia of Backward Castes By Neelam Yadav Page 316.</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZzbkTbqgGEoC&q=kadia&pg=PA316 Kadia, Gurjar Ksahtriya Kadia, Gurjar Kadia] Encyclopaedia of Backward Castes By Neelam Yadav Page 264, 316</ref>

==History==
[[File:Paliyas belonging to Mistris of Kutch at Dhaneti.jpg|thumb|''[[Paliya]]''s belonging to war heroes of Mistris of Kutch, standing at [[Dhaneti]] dating back to 1178 AD]]

The community is believed to be from [[Kota, Rajasthan|Kota]].<ref name=ks/> These warrior community first entered into [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] and founded 36 villages in the area, while others moved further into Kutch. Around 1177–78 AD ([[Vikram Samvant|VS]] 1234), a major group migrated to Kutch from Saurashtra<ref name=ks/> under the leadership of Patel Ganga Maru.<ref name=kgk/> They settled in the village of [[Dhaneti]].<ref name=D>Kumar Ganti Itihass (History of Kumar Gnati) Published in year 1896.</ref><ref name=kgk/> There are several [[Paliya|Paria]]s of the community, located near village pond of Dhaneti, standing as memorials of the war that was fought in 1178 AD. The community members still go once every year to offer [[Puja (Hinduism)|pooja]] and their respects to their fore-fathers.<ref name=dh>{{cite news|title=ધાણેટી ખાતે કચ્છ ગુ.ક્ષ. સમાજ...(Pooja held at Dhaneti by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya for their Shurapura & Dada)|url=http://www.kutchmitradaily.com/article.aspx?site_id=3&news_id=17476|access-date=9 July 2013|newspaper=Kutch Mitra Daily|date=23 June 2012|archive-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129144742/http://www.kutchmitradaily.com/article.aspx?site_id=3&news_id=17476|url-status=dead}}</ref>

This group, later, for survival changed their occupation from warrior to builders and made their distinct identity not only by building historical forts, palaces, temples and architects not only in [[Kutch, Gujarat|Kutch]] but also all over [[British India]], primarily in the fields of laying railways, bridges and also in coal mining.<ref name=Shambles>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20010312/ina12017.html |title=In the shambles of Pride of Kutch lies priceless art |publisher=Expressindia.com |date=2001-03-12 |access-date=2013-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220074425/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20010312/ina12017.html |archive-date=20 December 2012 }}</ref><ref name=o>{{cite web |title=Gurjar Kshatriyas in India |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223215843/https://www.india9.com/i9show/Gurjar-Kshatriyas-36231.htm |website=www.india9.com/i9show/Gurjar-Kshatriyas-36231.htm |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas left Dhaneti and went on to establish eighteen villages in Kutch<ref name=ks/><ref name=o/> which were granted to them by the King: [[Anjar, India|Anjar]], [[Sinugra]], [[Khambhra]], [[Nagalpar]], [[Khedoi]], [[Madhapar]], [[Hajapar]], [[Kukma]], [[Galpadar]], [[Reha Mota|Reha]], [[Vidi, Kutch|Vidi]], [[Jambudi]], [[Devaliya]], [[Lovaria]], [[Nagor]], [[Meghpar (Anjar)|Meghpar]], [[Chandiya]] and [[Kumbharia, Kutch District, Gujarat|Kumbharia]].<ref name=kgk/>

Over the centuries, they have been known or identified by some other names like [[Kadia (term)|Kadia]]s, [[Kadia Kshatriyas]] and Kumar Gnati.<ref name=M/><ref name=kgk/>

==Culture==
They are a Hindu community. Some are followers of [[Swaminarayan]] and [[Pranami]] sub-sects of Hinduism. They are vegetarian in diet and avoid consumption of alcohol. The staple food is [[khichdi]], vegetables, pulses and [[Butter milk|butter-milk]].<ref name=gj1/>

=== Clans ===
The community consists of clans like [[Rathore (Rajput clan)|Rathod]], [[Chauhan (surname)|Chauhan]], [[Chavda (Gurjar clan)|Chawda]], [[Jethwa]], [[Yadav]], [[Chudasama (Rajput clan)|Chudasama]], [[Parmar (Rajput clan)|Parmar]], [[Taunk]], [[Solanki (clan)|Solanki]], [[Sarvaiya|Sawaria]], [[Vaghela (Gurjar clan)|Vaghela]], [[Vegad]], [[Varu (surname)|Varu]], [[Maru (surname)|Maru]], [[Gahlot|Gohil]], [[Parihar (clan)|Padhiyar]], [[Bhalsod]], who enjoy same status. However, earlier till decade of 1950, independence of India, most of people of the community preferred to [[prefix]] Mistri (Mesteri) to their name as a mark of identification of their caste and profession (contractor).<ref name=gj1/>

=== Marriage ===
The community are an [[endogamy|endogamous]] community who practice the principle of clan [[exogamy]]. [[Dowry]] is generally not asked for, neither practice of [[bride price]] is there in the ''Mistri'' community. Divorce is generally not encouraged; however, divorce can be claimed in certain cases.<ref name=gj1/>

Betrothal ceremony generally precedes marriage, which is held usually within one year of engagement and marriage is observed as per [[Hindus|Hindu]] rites by [[Saptapadi|taking seven circumambulation of fire]].<ref name=gj1/>

Widow remarriage (''ghargenu'') is allowed, where the women is usually married outside husband's family.<ref name=kgk/><ref name=gj1/>

==In Kutch==
[[File:Chabutro Sinugra.jpg|thumb|A [[Chabutro]] built by Seth Khora Ramji Chawda in year 1900 standing at village Sinugra, shows the unique architect and skill of Mistris of Kutch.]]
The Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas were master craftsmen, architects and contractors and have played a major role in erection and construction of the majority of forts, palaces and architecture of Kutch. It was because of this they came to be known as Mistri in Kutch.<ref name=ks/>

==Indian railways==
It was during 1850 to 1930 AD that the KGK migrated outside Kutch and were involved in the construction of major rail-bridges and the laying down of railway tracks in almost all major rail routes of undivided British India doing the "Railway Thekedari" ([[Railway]] [[Contractors]] also ''Thikadari'') and as [[Contractors|Thekedar]] (or Thikadar) in [[Irrigation]] projects and Forest Department and Public Works Department.<ref name=kgk/> They have also done major roadway, road bridges, canal works, irrigation dams and barrage work throughout [[British India]] from 1850 to 1980. The communities largest contribution is in the building of the early railway lines and bridges throughout British India. Their works in Railway construction span from 1850 to 1980 for more than one and a quarter of century.<ref name=xxx/><ref name=nnn>''Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-Pothi'' published from Vadaroda in Gujarati (1999). Nanji Govindji's recorded diary of railway line opening and contracts done by community (era 1870-1950) compiled by Dharshi J. Tank. The book was awarded ''Aank Sidhhi Award'' by Kutch Shakti at Mumbai in 2000.</ref><ref name=kgk/><ref name=gj1/><ref name=o/><ref>{{cite news |title=જ્યાં જેસલ જાડેજા પોઢે છે તે અંજારનો વિકાસ પણ પોઢી ગયો |url=https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/kut-buj-anjar-city-the-village-of-kutchs-jesal-jadeja-2279286.html |access-date=16 July 2025 |date=2021}}</ref>

==Docks, dams and canals in British India==

The KGK contributed to the building of docks, dams, barrages and irrigation canals between 1850 and 1980,<ref name=nnn/> and they in the eighteenth century had been among the communities who built the first [[Bombay Port Trust|ports of Bombay]] and [[Hornby Vellard]]. Other docks were developed in Bombay during 1870–1895 (Prince's Docks built in 1885 and Victoria Docks built in 1891<ref>{{cite web|author=Thomas Gatten|agency=TNN|date=13 December 2008|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Princes-and-Victoria-docks-in-state-of-decay/articleshow/3830373.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509204411/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-13/mumbai/27945763_1_victoria-docks-port-cities-harbour |url-status=live |archive-date=2012-05-09 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=Prince's and Victoria docks in state of decay |access-date=2013-09-30}}</ref>) in which many Mistris of Kutch and Kadia Kshatriyas of Saurashtra worked. The Mandavi Docks, bridge over Rukhmavati at [[Mandvi]] and many road bridges across territories of British India are built by the community using their mason's skills.<ref name=kgk/>

==Mining==

In the regions of [[British India]] known as [[Bengal]], [[Bihar]] and [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], the ''Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas'' pioneered Indian involvement in coal mining from 1894. They broke the previous monopolies held by British and other Europeans, establishing many collieries at Jharia coalfields and Ranigunj coalfield.<ref name=Y>''Diary of Golden Days at Jharia – A Memoir and History of Gurjar Kashtriya community of Kutch in Coalfields of Jharia'' – written by Natwarlal Devram Jethwa, co-author Raja
Pawan Jethwa of Calcutta (1998).</ref><ref name=xxx>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rbNHAAAAYAAJ&q=expert+contractor|title=Census of India, 1981: Bihar. Series 4|publisher=Controller of Publications – Bihar|year=1981|page=22}}</ref>

[[Seth Khora Ramji]] of Sinugra was the first Indian to break the British monopoly in the Jharia Coalfields.<ref name=Y/><ref name=K>Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa by British Authority (1920)</ref> Natwarlal Devram Jethwa<ref name=Y/> says that {{blockquote|The East Indian Railway in 1894-95 extended its line from [[Barakar]] to [[Dhanbad]] via [[Katras]] and [[Jharia]]. Messrs. Khora Ramji in 1894 was working on railway lines contract of Jharia branch line and with his brother Jetha Lira and was also building Jharia Railway Station, when he discovered coal in Jharia belt. The location of his three collieries named [[Jharia Khas|Khas Jherria]], [[Jeenagora]], Gareria is mentioned also in 1917 Gazetteers of Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/bengalassambehar00playuoft/bengalassambehar00playuoft_djvu.txt |title=Gazetteers of Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Orissa 1917 Khora Ramji Colliries |access-date=2013-09-30}}</ref>}}

==Present status==

===Distribution in India===
The community members are found scattered throughout India and Community's associations exist in the states of [[Gujarat]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Karnataka]], Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, [[Rajasthan]], [[Delhi]], Uttar Pradesh, [[Madhya Pradesh]], Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and [[West Bengal]].<ref name=kgk/><ref>{{cite news |title=कच्छ गुर्जर समाज का परिचय सम्मेलन 20 को |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/news/chh-rai-hmu-mat-latest-raipur-news-031506-2626010-nor.html |access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=श्री कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज (KGK) के महासभा प्रमुख हुए पदाधिकारियों से रूबरू {{!}} खबरगली |url=https://khabargali.com/index.php/Article/sarai-kacacha-gaurajara-kasataraiya-samaaja-kgk-kae-mahaasabhaa-paramaukha-haue |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=khabargali.com |agency=Khabargali}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज की सदभावना यात्रा पहुंची धनबाद |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/jharkhand/dhanbad/story-sadbhavna-yatra-of-kutch-gurjar-kshatriya-samaj-reached-dhanbad-8325017.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=Hindustan |language=hi-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज चाईबासा के कल्याण मंडप का मंत्री दीपक बिरूवा ने किया शिलान्यास |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/jharkhand/chaibasa/news/minister-deepak-biruwa-laid-the-foundation-stone-of-the-kalyan-mandap-of-kutch-gurjar-kshatriya-samaj-chaibasa-134572583.html |access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ranchi: लालजी हीरजी रोड स्थित गुजराती स्कूल भवन में श्री कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज ने कच्छी नववर्ष मनाया |url=https://jantaserishta.com/local/jharkhand/ranchi-shri-kutch-gurjar-kshatriya-samaj-celebrated-kutchhi-new-year-in-gujarati-school-bhawan-located-on-lalji-hirji-road-ranchi--3377772 |access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Panigrahi |first1=Nilakantha |last2=Panda (Anthropologist) |first2=Premananda |title=Trading Community of India: An Anthropological Study of Ethnicity |date=2000 |publisher=Rawat Publications |isbn=978-81-7033-563-4 |pages=186–188 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CwpuAAAAMAAJ&q=kutch+gurjar+kshatriya |access-date=16 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tradition takes centre stage as Gujaratis plan grand dandiya nights to celebrate Navratri |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/tradition-takes-centre-stage-as-gujaratis-plan-grand-dandiya-nights-to-celebrate-navratri/articleshow/104271112.cms |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=9 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय ट्रस्ट भवन में नवरात्रि उत्सव |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/jharkhand/dhanbad/story-navratri-celebration-at-kutch-gurjar-kshatriya-trust-bhavan-8854154.html |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=www.livehindustan.com |date=16 October 2023 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Automation |first1=Bhaskar |title=कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज ने दी पुलवामा के शहीदों को श्रद्धांजलि |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/chhattisgarh/korba/news/chhattisgarh-news-kutch-gurjar-kshatriya-samaj-paid-tribute-to-the-martyrs-of-pulwama-071044-6633503.html |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dhanbad News: कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय महिला मंडल ने मनाया सावनोत्सव |url=https://www.prabhatkhabar.com/state/jharkhand/dhanbad/kutch-gurjar-womens-association-celebrated-sawan-festival |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=Prabhat Khabar |date=27 July 2025 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज ने की सामूहिक पूजा - |url=https://www.jagran.com/odisha/rourkela-kachh-gurjar-samaj-16581944.html |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=Jagran |date=22 August 2017 |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=CM Vishnudev Sai Walks to Garba Pandal |url=https://english.dainikjagranmpcg.com/states/chhattisgarh/68db778fd59e1/article-5709 |access-date=8 October 2025 |work=english.dainikjagranmpcg.com |date=30 September 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

===Present day identity===
They are marked as one of the [[Socially and Educationally Backward Class|Socially and Educationally Backward]] community by Government. The community on national level is referred as "Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya" mostly in present-day India. However, the "Mistri", which was mostly used during the last century and before is nowadays only used in Kutch and Gujarat. The term Mestri/Mistry is used to refer to community by the Government of Gujarat and the [[Other Backward Class]] Certificate as per the ''Bakshi Panch'' report.<ref name=gjs/><ref name=M/><ref name=kgk>''Kutch Gurjar Kshatriys : A brief History & Glory: by Raja Pawan Jethwa. (2007) Calcutta.''  The Book has separate sections: INTRODUCTION : Gives an overview of Kutch Gurjar Kshtriya community and its ancient history (I) KGK and Architect built by them mainly in Princely State of Cutch. (II) KGK and Railway : Gives details of some major Railway work with mileage wise details (III) KGK Surnames & History : Section gives details of various Kshatriya clan's history and origin of their surnames. (IV) Section deals with Kuldevi names various clans of KGK worship.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=कच्छ गुर्जर क्षत्रिय समाज ने की सामूहिक पूजा - |url=https://www.jagran.com/odisha/rourkela-kachh-gurjar-samaj-16581944.html |access-date=23 August 2025 |work=Jagran |date=2023 |language=hi}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

[[Category:Tribes of Kutch]]
[[Category:Kutch district]]
[[Category:Hindu communities]]

Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya - Revision history

VaughnBrooks3 at 04:36, 1 May 2026