The Prajapati Gnati population in India alone is approximately 7
million, in Gujarat; the whole Gnati is divided mostly in
under-mentioned groups:
1) Gurjar - live all over Gujarat
2) Varia - live in Panchmahal, Kalol, Charotar, Ahmedvad, Sabarkantha, Jamnagar, and Bhavnagar, Botad
3) Lad - live mainly in Surat and Mumbai also overseas
4) Vatalia - live mainly in Ahmedavad, Dholka,Dhandhuka, Bhavnagar and Mahuva
6) Ajmeri - live mainly in Bharuch and Vadodara and on the shores of River Narmada
7) Maru - They originally came from Marvad and Jodhpur and settled in Gujarat
8) Khambati - live near Petlad and Khambhat area
9) Kutchi - live near the area of Kutch
The population of Gujarati Prajapati is estimated approximately 300,000
We are the family of Daksa Prajapati. It is mentioned in our Purans.
Daksa Prajapati was the son of Lord Brahma. Daksa Prajapati was a great
scholar of
Yajur-Ved. One day, Brahma was pleased with him, and he gave Daksa
Prajapati a prestigious rank, by given this rank, he became very proud
of it, and he
decided to make Maha Yagna. He invited Rishis, Muniyos, Devos
(Demi-God), and Brahmins. All of those came to Maha-Yagna and set at
the Mandap.
Daksa Prajapati entered the Mandap, on his arrival, everybody stood up
except Brahma and Shankar, and they remained seated. After observing
this, Daksa
Prajapati said," This Shankar is my son-in-law, but he doesn't know how
to respect me, so I would not allow him to take part in Maha-Yagna".
Hearing this,
Shankar remained calm, but Nandi, could not bear it, and he told Daksa
Prajapati, "Hey Daksa, you're very proud and conceited, and don't
consider Shankar
as your son-in-law, but as you have insulted Shankar, and did not give
respect to him in this Mandap, in return, I give you a curse that your
entire lineage,
in-spite of being of a high and holy Brahmin, in Kali Yug, they'll be
known as non-Brahmins".
Thus, we are being Daksa Prajapati's succession, yet by the curse by
Nandi, our rank went down in Kali Yug. From this, it will be known that
the Prajapati
Gnati is the rank of Daksa Prajapati, and Brahmin heritage, high and
prestigious community and we also know, now, the root of our Gnati. To
support this,
there are many stories in Shrimad Bhagwad, and Purans.
Ancient Arya Samaj was divided in four castes, such as
Brahmin
Ksatriyas
Vaishyas
Shudra
The person of Shudra also could be a Brahman, such as Valmiki Rushi, was
Shudra by birth, however, he was able to become Brahmin. Current
castes and
sub-castes are based on their particular skills. In ancient times,
Prajapati was very high up on the rank, and during that time, the higher
caste used to come
to Prajapati's home to stay with him.
In Dwapar Yug, the Pandavas stayed at Prajapati's home. The Prajapati
community was very consecrated, and of refined culture. After a long
time, the name
of Prajapati went through a significant downfall. But, its ancient,
high, consecrated values can still be noticed in hidden adage.
To prove that belief, in Prajapati community today, there are so many
sants in our community. In Satyug, the guru of Bhakta Pralad, was
Shreebai Mataji,
who was Prajapati Bhakta. Gora Kumbhar, was also saint from
Maharashtra. In 15th century, Padamnath Prabhu, who was in Patan, in
Gujrat, and also a
Prajapati. In Kheda district of Gujrat, and Borsad, Sant Shree Gopaldas
also was Prajapati, in Rajasthan, Bhakta Koobaji in Kankaviti, Bhakta
Ranka Vanka,
in Saurashatra, Dhhanga Bhagat, and Mepa Bhagat in Tikar, near Hadavad
in Gujrat Kara Bhagat in Godhra, Sant Shree Purshotam Dasji, all were
Prajapati.
Also, in Saurastra, Chindal Bhagat, and Ramji Bhagat. In Vanthali Heera
Bhagat in, Gadhaka, Jiva Bhagat, Rana Bordi, Bogha Bhagat (Mahant Shree
Balak Dasji),
at Navadra, Jina Bhagat, at Bagavadar, Jiva Bhagat (Sant Hans Dasji),
All these were also Prajapati's. Besides, these in Junagadh district,
at Satadhar, at the
sight of Shree Aapa Giga, there was Shamji Bhagat, and at the sight of
Sat Devivas, or Parab was Sat Sevadas. All these were Prajapatis.
From these, it can be proved that the high, consecrated values, and
morals, by the mercy of our ancestors have remained for all the time in
the Prajapati
community. Due to the high morals of our ancestors, many Bhaktos have
taken birth, these Bhaktos, by doing pottery work, artwork, or carpentry
work,
and either being poor or rich, were able to provide accommodation to the
higher caste, had true knowledge of religion, and the understanding of
their
holy duty. This is the proof of holiness and ancient high values and
morals of Prajapati community.
Just as Brahma, the maker of humanity, used the five elements: fire,
water, wind, earth and air, so did the descendant's of the son of
Brahma, Daksa
Prajapati, also uses the five elements: fire, water, wind, earth, and
air, to create different types of utensils and artwork. These items are
mainly used for the
basic use for the general public uses, by providing for eating,
drinking, living and worshipping. These art items are handy and useful
for the poor and the
rich alike. These valuable artistes and their rank of art has persevered
and preserved for generations.
So the present, castes and sub-castes are mainly based on the skill
levels. The art of pottery is very ancient and in the old days the basic
existence
depended on these earthenware utensils and deities. These handy-works
have been recovered by digging in some of the old cities and from that
it is
known that the art of pottery has continued yug to yug and is very
ancient.
At present time the whole Hindu Samaj has been divided into different
castes and sub castes, due to the skill levels expanding. And therefore,
the
marriages can be taken place in their own castes and also for this
reason the whole community is further divided in different
languages/dialects according
to provinces/districts, not only that, the speaker of the same languages
are also divided into small groups and it was restricted to mingle and
socialize, let
alone marry outside of that community.
At present, the pottery work is considered low because there is a higher
demand for iron, steel and copper materials. Things like stainless
steel and other
bright materials have taken place of earthen -ware.
Thus, Prajapati community has been divided a long time ago and dispersed
in different parts of India. Today, there is evidence of these
fragmentations.
There are so many reasons for falling down the rank of the community and
one of the main reasons for this fall down is the lack of education.
Due to the
lack of education mobility upward is restricted. There is also a
reluctance to move away from the customs. For these reasons, in the past
the Prajapati
community has been considered a low community from educated community.
The second reason is that these artisans had to depend on farmers for
their
living and therefore the Prajapati community was called, "Vasvaya", and
considered as dependent on other communities. By good luck, Prajapati
community
slowly went towards education, and some people went to foreign
countries, and they formed alliances with other communities. Slowly the
barrier of sitting
and eating was broken down.
In past, from Prajapati community some people came in touch with the
Ksatriyas, and they started to work like them, so people who mixed with
Shatriyas
and attained a similar surname. For example Saurastra and Kutch, in
Prajapati community there is a surname like Chavda, Vaghela, Solanki,
Gohil, Parmar, and
these surnames are recognized as such even at present. The following
surnames in the Shree Sorathia Prajapati community are being used and
obtained
through heritage for centuries:
Bhalsod, Bharadwa, Bharadwaj, Buhecha, Chandegra, Chavda, Chhaya,
Chitroda, Chohan, Dabhi, Devalia, Dhokia, Dodia, Fatania, Gadher,
Gadhia, Ghadhvana,
Ghedia, Girnara, Gohil, Gola, Jagatia, Jethwa, Jogia, Kamalia, Kansara,
Kataria, Kholia, Koria, Kukadia, Ladva, Majevadia, Mandora, Mavadia,
Maru, Nena, Oza,
Pankhania, Parmar, Pithia, Poria, Rathod, Ravat, Sarvaiya, Savania,
Shingadia, Solanki, Taank, Vadher, Vadukul, Vara, Vegad, Visavadia, and
Yadav…. I t should
be noted that some of these family names are often spelt in a variation
for example, Gohil is spelt Gohel and Ladwa is spelt Ladva, etc.
The people who were working in the masonry or carpentry occupations were
given the title of a mason, carpenter, or masonry etc., and they are
known by
these names even at present. The people who worked as potters, making
utensils, tiles or any related products from earth were called,
"Kumbhkar."
Kumbh - means clay utensils and kar - means maker. Therefore, Kumbhkar
was later called,"Kumbhar." Due to the increase use of their trade and
that
became well known as, one "Jati" people of Prajapati community it
appears that their geographical location determined their title such as
Sorathia, Lad, and
Varia. Therefore, people who stayed and lived in Sorath were known as
"Sorathia Prajapati."
During the wedding ceremony, the presence of Demi-god was considered
necessary and in Indian community at the time of all weddings in the
Mandap, in
all four corners the clay pots made by Kumbhar were necessary due to the
fact that the presence of the Demi-god Prajapati was essential and it
is a custom
to bind such " Chori."(Chori- means that several clay pots are erected
upright by each pillar of the Mandap.) This type of Chori is not used in
the marriage of
Kumbhar/Prajapati community and this proves that Prajapati community
originated from a high rank and therefore it is considered unnecessary
to use
"Chori" because the presence of Demi-gods in the Prajapati community is
already there.
Higher castes of Indian community such as Brahmins, Banyas, etc. do not
consider it an offense to drink water at a Prajapatis home and when they
travel
whether in a village or a city, even though there were other facilities
available these travelers preferred to stay at Prajapatis house.
Therefore its established
that by preferring to spend the night at the home of a Prajapati over
any other facility available it proves that the Prajapati Gnati is pure
and holy and high in
rank, since time immemorable. Looking at the history of the Prajapati
community the nature of Prajapati is to provide hospitality, shelter,
and politeness to
their guests.
In Sinhaldip, the daughter of King Bojraj named Ranakdevi born in "Mood"
constellation and by telling of astrologers, the King abandoned her.
She survived
and who was responsible for bringing her up, giving her shelter, and
being a dutiful wife and having high morals? He was Prajapati Hadmat,
there are so
many such shelter givers, and this is one example. This is proved by our
past history. The Kings of Gujrat, took advantage of the Prajapati
community, to do
free work as "Vasvaya" without paying anything. The potter had to give
his services free of charge when officers came and stayed in their town
or village,
the potter was called to give free service for bringing the water during
the stay. Some of the potters left making pottery and became
carpenters, but even
then they could not escape "Vethna Vara." For generations, these Vethna
Vara continued and Prajapati community suffered this heavy task. Only
after
India gained independence did the Prajapati community received a relief
from this task. Many prajapati's became artists, and many of them have
received
accolades, prizes, and badges, etc for their artwork.
Looking at the present time, the people of Prajapati community in
comparison to other communities are poor yet their ancient morales are
at a high place.
The emphasis on education is a low priority a rare few have expanded the
business of pottery and erected big factories to make bricks and other
items.
They're making so many utensils, clay toys, housewares, and different
types of artwork from clay and in doing so they have advanced. In other
business,
they are doing farming, building, making furniture, and other old crafts
and they are promoting artisans. Today, there are some that are
educated and have
become barristers, lawyers, doctors, engineers, politicians,
magistrates, and the government also employs some of them. The whole
community is
advancing and giving these types of services at different places. They
have also established provincial, worldwide Prajapati mandals, Prajapati
Samaj,
Prajapati youth mandals and some of these publish monthly news letters
and give educational advice, suggestions, etc. to advance higher.
Adventurous members of the Prajapati community have traveled and settled
in foreign countries and they are trying hard to give education to
Prajapati
brethren. The majority of these people abroad are engaged as carpenters,
masonry, and building work , some of these people have started their
own
businesses, and also managing small and large businesses. In comparison
of other communities the standard of education is very low in our
community.
A possible reason for this can be lack of financial support, for there
maybe so many families who wish to give their children higher education
of university,
but this wish can not be fulfilled due to lack of money and financial
support for this reason the bright children of the future are denied
higher education
and the vicious cycle of poverty continues, because they can not get
advantages of the benefits of education which is able to further or
advance their
lifestyle.
To avoid the difficulties of our community the provincial mandals should
set up an educational fund, to help the children of the community and
establish a
scholarship for such funds it is really necessary to establish this
scholarship if we want our children to progress
