The Gihar are a Hindu

caste Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultura ...

found in various states of India. They belong to the Gipsy clan. They are considered to be among the nomadic or partially-settled communities.

History and origin

Gihara people are migrants from Rajasthan, who went into diaspora after the war in

Haldighati Haldighati is a historical mountain pass between Khamnore and Balicha village situated at Aravalli Range of Rajasthan in western India which connects Rajsamand and Udaipur districts. The pass is located at a distance of 44 kilometres from Udai ...

. This gave birth to their modern name in their language, ''Ghar harna'' or ''Greh hara'' ("we lost in war") slowly corrupted into Gihara. Their language is derived from Persian. The traditional trades of the people are clothing trading, artisan work like broom making and wood carving.

Present circumstances

The Gihara are strictly endogamous and are divided into many exogamous clans. These are the Vaid , Soda, Sankat, Bhainsh, Otwar, Gohar, Sani, Marriayyah and Khatabiya. Many Gihara are still involved in their traditional occupation of stone sculpting. Some in ancient times were involved in rope making and bamboo fencing. Many people still engage in traditional occupations such as ''kuchbandiya'' and ''sirkibandiya''. Some are engaged in cottage industries.

References

{{reflist Indian castes Nomadic groups in Eurasia