Demographics of the State of Gujarat

Its official and primary language is Gujarati. The religion of the majority of its residents is Hinduism, in addition to significant percentages following Islam, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity. Most of the Gujarati people are strict vegetarians. Amongst Hindus the deity of Krishna is famously worshipped in His form of Sri Nathji throughout Gujarat. Gujarat is birthplace of Ghandhiji. Gujarat is also the birthplace of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism.

People of the State of Gujarat

Ethnically there are four groups of people who came to inhabit this land at different points of time and now form the majority here. These are Jats, Ahi, Raris and Meval.The Banaskantha district, Mehsana, SabarKantha, Kheda, and Kutch have many villages where a sizable population of Jats live.

Jats in Gujarat

The Jats in Gujarat have come from (Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. Chaudhary's of Gujarat are either Jat or Rajput. Some of these people have also given up their clan names and adopted titles as their surname, the most common being Patel or another occupation based names. Most Patels in Gujarat are not Jats, but many of the Jats are Patels. The Patel Jats of Gujarat are wealthy and landlords. They are settled mainly in Mehsana district and surrounding districts. The Sagar Milk Dairy is their creation. The clans of Jats in Gujarat are similar to those of Jats of North India. They have following clans, as given in list below. (Gujarati pronunciation is given between parenthesis)

The Meghwals are masters of weaving cotton and wool as also embroidery and appliqué work.
The Ahirs came with Lord Krishna from Gokul in Uttar Pradesh. Most of the communities of Ahirs began with selling ghee and milk and are now spread all over the state.

The Rabaris are a nomadic tribe always wandering with their herds. The origin of this tribe has been traced back to Sind and Afghanistan though many aspects of this tribe still remain a puzzle for anthropologists. They have been classified into three distinct groups, namely Vagadia, Dhabaria, and Kachhi. Women of this tribe engage themselves in making elaborate embroidery pieces while the men spend their time tending to their camels and sheep.

Moreover Gujarat being a heavily industrialized state of India, attracts lots of outsiders from various parts of India.

Gujarati.com

Demographics of Gujarat

Gujarati Dress jewellery

Geography of Gujarat

Gujarati people

History of Gujarati language

History of Gujarat

Perso-Arabic influence on the Gujarati language

Gujarati Rulers

Tourism in Gujarat

List of Jat clans

Antal - Utpal (Uplana) Atwal (Ant) Bhatti (Bhatiya) Chauhan, Chawan, Chahar (Chauhan) Dal, Dhal, Dudee (Del) Dhaliwal, Dhariwal (Dholiya) Gaur, Goru (Gaur, Gor) Godara-Godha (Goda) Gulia (Galia) Henga, Haga (Hun) Kshatriya (Katotariya) Maan (Manar) Mahla, Mahlawat (Mahiya) Nauhwar (Nauwar) Pallwal (Pilatar) Parihar (Parihar, Padhiyar) Pauniya (Paun) Pawar (Parmar) Punia (Pooliya) Rathor (Rathor, Rathod) Rawat (Rawat) Sikarwar, Sakarwar (Sakariya) Singhmar (Singh) Sirohi, Saroha (Siroha) Solanki, Solgi (Solanki)