Bhavsar

Bhavsar From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search Source provided by www.bhavsarsamaj.com for more details write to [email protected] Bhavsar (or Bhawsar, Bhavsar Kshatriya Samaj) is an ancient Indian community that originated from Saurashtra. The word Bhavsar stands for Bhavsingh and Sarsingh, the root originators of the Community called as "Bhavsar Kshatriya Samaj" who were warrior princes from Saurashtra (India). The community is not limited to a specific region of people following particular language or culture -- rather it covers people speaking various languages in India. Few of them belong to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan etc. Bhavnagar and surrounding region is supposed to be the core origin of the Bhavsar community. Gujarat where the community originated from, has several breakups. The Kutch region has Bhavsars as the Priest or "Brahmins" of some temples. So it is unclear as to how the community became "Kshatriya". Legend has it that after Mughals attacked Gujarat, stringent terms were set for the Bhavsar community for their profession of colouring and dyeing clothes. As a result, many members left Saurashtra and migrated south-east towards Maharashtra, a state controlled by Peshwas who were "Brahmins". The Peshwas refused to accept the migratory team into the state as "Brahmins" and hence the Bhavsars were given the status of "Kshatriya". Bhavsar is an ancient community originating from the North Western part of India, stretching towards the South Indian Territories. However this community isn’t enclosed by the Indian border, rather its members have been successfully flourishing in different countries. The main profession of this community was related to clothing and textiles. Bhavsar Kshatriyas are also known in some parts of Andhra Pradesh as "Rangrez" by their profession of dyeing textiles or "Rangaari" in Maharashtra and other parts. This profession led the community members to travel at a long distance crossing barriers and flourishing as successful business personnel. As time passed, the community started adapting itself to the situations and need of time. Apart from Clothing Industry it started developing skills in other industrial activities. Today Bhavsar comprises business personnel and professionals from a varied work culture. From clothing industry to medical and electrical to Information Technology.

[edit] History According to the epics the legendary Parshuram who was said to be an Avatar of Lord Vishnu, had vowed a vengeance against a community of warriors, where in the war he had wiped most of the warriors, off the earth. This scenario had worried two young princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh from Saurashtra who had foreseen their dynasty meeting its end. They had been directed to appeal Hindu Goddess Hinglaj (Durga/Ambaji/Bhavani/Mataji/Kali) at the holy shrine situated on the bank of Hingol River in Baluchistan near Sindh which is now at Pakistan, where the Hindu Goddess assured protection of their dynasty by compelling Parshuram to leave them alone, on the condition that none from their community would confront Parshuram as he too was a son for her. The community Bhavsar was named after these two Princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh.

In the mean time apart from being at the royal service, few members from the community started developing skills in stitching and dyeing clothes. These skills enabled them to grow as professional artisans and in turn Royal Tailors & Dress Designers. These artisans had to travel a lot as their skills were well known throughout the nation.

[edit] External links • • • •

Hingalaj Mata The Official Website of The Community Hingol River & Hinglaj Mata Photos List of surnames belonging to the Bhavsar community.

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