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Bhil

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Bhil
Bhils of Sindh
Total population
17 Million (2011,census)
Regions with significant populations
India16,908,907[1][2]
Madhya Pradesh5,993,921[2]
Gujarat4,215,603[2]
Rajasthan4,100,264[2]
Maharastra2,588,658[2]
Karnataka6,204[2]
Tripura3,105[2]
Andhra Pradesh604[2]
Chhattisgarh547[2]
Pakistan(Sindh)1,200,000 to 1,700,000 (2020)[3]
Languages
Religion
Animism

BhilorBheelrefer to variousindigenous groupsinhabiting westernIndia,including parts ofRajasthanandMadhya Pradeshand are also found in distant places such asBengalandTripura.[4]They speak various languages ofIndo-Aryan origin,owing tolanguage shift,collectively referred to as theBhil languages.[5]Bhils are divided into a number ofendogamousterritorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages.

Bhils are listed as tribal people in the states ofGujarat,Madhya Pradesh,Chhattisgarh,MaharashtraandRajasthan—all in the westernDeccanregions and central India—as well as inBengalandTripurain far-eastern India, on the border withBangladesh.Many Bhils now speak the dominant later language of the region they reside in, such asMarathi,Gujarati,Bengalior aBhili languagedialect.

Etymology[edit]

Some scholars suggest that the term Bhil is derived from the wordbillaorbilluwhich meansbowin theDravidian lexis.The term Bhil is used to refer to "various ethnic communities" living in the forests and hills ofRajasthan's southern parts and surrounding regions ofwestern India,highlighting the "popularity of the bow and arrow as a weapon among these groups". It is also used as a blanket term to refer to theaboriginalpeoples of these areas.[4]

History[edit]

According to John Samuel, as per legendary cum historical records, the Bhil tribals controlled large parts of Gujarat from 11th to 15th century before theRajputsconquered the territories from these locals.[6]

Rebellion against Mughal[edit]

Rana punja was grandson of Bhil Chief Harpal Bhil of Oghna Panarawa.[7]He was the king of Merpur and he supported Maharana Pratap against Akbar.

Bhil Rebellion[edit]

The rulers of Idar, Rajpipla, Mándvi Bánsda and Dharampur princely states in southern Gujarat were Bhils.[8]

The Bhils of what is now the state of Gujarat rebelled on several occasions during theBritish colonial era,notably in 1846, 1857–58 and 1868.[9]

Along with a number of other Indian social groups, the Bhils were designated as acriminal tribeby theBritish colonial governmentunder theCriminal Tribes Act 1871,which meant that a Bhil could be "randomly picked up, tortured, maimed or even killed" by the colonial authorities. Susan Abraham notes that many of the tribes characterized as criminal under the Act had earlier rebelled against theEast India Companyand participated in theIndian Rebellion of 1857.She claims that the British colonial government legislated the Act in 1871 in the wake of these autochthonic tribes' proclivity for rebellion.[10]

Mutiny against Mewar State[edit]

Bhil Women

According toRam Pande,in 1881, the Bhils protested against "the census classification, prohibition on alcohol manufacture, establishment of police and customs, and the ban on thekillingofwitches".Their campaigning was stepped up and given meaning by Govind Guru who was a social and political leader. Pande suggests that because of his long-termBrahminical Hinduismmissionarywork among the tribe, Govind was able to stop them consumingmeatand alcohol, and to pressurize the state for the formation of village councils which could administer their own affairs and for barring forced labor. In 1917,Mewar State'sGirasiasjoined the Bhils in the struggle to get the petty taxes and forced labour quashed, and to get the land revenues decreased. Taking note of these protests, thejagirdarsof Mewar had called on a British political agent to suppress the mutiny. Pande noted that 1,500 Bhils got shot in 1908. In 1921, the tribals and peasants united under the leadership ofMotilal Tejawatin the struggle against "forced labour, petty taxes, the disparity in taxes, high taxes and the tyrannical ways of thejagirdars".Tejawat's thoughts drew followers from the Bhils andGirasiasof theDanta,Idar,PalanpurandSirohiregions of Gujarat; and he "became a notorious offender against thestate".[11]

Demographics[edit]

The Bhils are inhabitants ofDhar,Jhabua,KhargoneandRatlamdistricts ofMadhya Pradesh.Bhilai(Bhil= Tribe, Aai= Came, meaning Bhils came), a city inDurg districtofChhattisgarhis named after this.[citation needed]A large number of Bhils live in the neighbouring states ofMaharashtra,GujaratandRajasthan.In Bengal, theBaurisrepresent the Bhil tribe.[12][better source needed]They constitute the largesttribeofIndia.According to Victoria R. Williams, the Bhils are India's "most widely dispersed tribal group". A small population of Bhils also resides in Pakistan'sSindhprovince, who are known as theSindhi Bhils.[13]

Present circumstances[edit]

The Bhil are classified as aScheduled TribeinAndhra Pradesh,Chhattisgarh,Gujarat,Karnataka,Madhya Pradesh,[14]Maharashtra,Rajasthan andTripuraunder theIndian government's reservation programofpositive discrimination.[1]

Subdivisions[edit]

The Bhil are divided into a number of endogamous territorial divisions, which in turn have a number of clans and lineages. InRajasthan,they exist asBhil Garasia,Dholi Bhil,Dungri Bhil,Dungri Garasia,Mewasi Bhil,Barda,Warli,Bagdi,[15]Dhodia,Bhillava or Billava,Barela, Khotil, Dangchai,[16]Dangehi,Nirdhi Bhil,Gamit,Rawal Bhil,Tadvi Bhil,Bhagalia,Bauris,Bhilala,Rathwa,[17]Pawra,Barda,Warli,Nayak,[18]Nahals,Mathvadi, Dorepis,[19]Dhanka,[20]VasavaandVasave.[21][a]

Language[edit]

Partial specimen of the Bhili language

The language commonly spoken by Bhils throughout their geographic distribution isBhili.[22]Bhili has about up to 36 identified dialects and pronunciation differs by region.[22][23]Bhili is based on Gujarati, but dialects of Bhili gradually merge into more widely spoken languages such as Marathi in the southeast and Rajasthani in the northwest. Around 10 million people recorded themselves as speaking a Bhili dialect in the census.[24]

Estimates of individuals speaking the language are often inaccurate as speakers of minor languages like Bhili have sometimes been treated as having major languages (such as Marathi or Gujarati) as their mother tongue.[25]

The Bhils in Sindh speakSindhi BhiliandDhatki.[26]

Culture[edit]

Bhils have a rich and unique culture. The Bhilala sub-division is known for itsPithora painting.[27]Ghoomaris a traditionalfolk danceof the Bhil tribe.[28][29]Ghoomar is the symbol of womanhood. Young girls take part in this dance and declare that they are stepping into the shoes of women.

Art[edit]

Bhil painting is characterised by the use of multi-coloured dots as in-filling.Bhuri Baiwas the first Bhil artist to paint using readymade colours and paper. Other known Bhil artists includeLado Bai,Sher Singh, Ram Singh and Dubu Bariya.[30]

Cuisine[edit]

Main foods of Bhils aremaize,onion,garlicandchiliwhich they cultivate in their small fields. They collect fruits and vegetables from the local forests.Wheatandriceare used at time of festivals and other special occasions only. They keep self-made bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc. with them as weapons for self-defense and hunting the wild fauna which also form the major part of their diet. They profusely use alcohol distilled by them from the flower of Mahua (Madhuca longifolia). On festive occasions, various special preparation from the dish rich, i.e. maize, wheat, barley, malt and rice. Bhils are traditionally non-vegetarian.[31]

Dress[edit]

A Bhil woman in gala dress

The traditional dresses of men are thePagri,Angarkha,DhotiandGamchha.Traditionally women wearSariandGhagra Choli.

There are many traditional ornaments of Bhils. Men wearKada,Bajuband, Chain, ear rings, Kardhani. Women wear variety of ornaments such as hansli (ring) Zele-zumke, earring in Bhil language, narniyan[what language is this?](bangle), nathni (nose-jewel) etc.Tattooingis traditional custom among them. Women folks do tattooing generally before marriage.[31]

Faith and worship[edit]

Every village has its own local deity (Gramdev) and families too have their Jatidev,Kuldevand Kuldevi (house hold deity) which is symbolised by stones. 'Bhati dev' and 'Bhilat dev' are their serpent-god. 'Baba dev' is their village god. Karkulia dev is their crop god, Gopal dev is their pastoral god, Bag dev is their Lion god, Bhairav dev is their dog god. Some of their other gods are Indel dev, Bada dev, Mahadevel, Tejaji, Lotha mai, Techma, Orka Chichma and Kajal dev.

They have extreme and staunch faith in superstitious beliefs andBhopasfor their physical, mental and psychological treatments.[31]

  • Bhensasaur - Bhil people worship buffalo as Bhensasaur[32]

According to Victoria R. Williams, the Bhils "identify largely as Hindu". The Dang Bhils follow Christianity, and theNirdhiandTadiviBhils followIslam.A number of other Bhils follow Sonatan (Sanskrit:Sanatan) which is their "own religion". Williams states that Sonatan "blends Hindu beliefs andanimistic philosophies".[13]

Festivals[edit]

There are a number of festivals, viz.Rakhi,Navratri,Dashera,Diwali,Holiwhich are celebrated by the Bhils. They also celebrate some traditional festivals viz. Akhatij, Navmi, Howan Mata ki Chalavani, Sawan Mata ki jatar, Diwasa, Nawai, Bhagoria, Gal, Gar, Dhobi, Sanja, Indel, Doha etc. with ceremonious zeal and enthusiasm.[citation needed]

During some festivals there are a number of tribal fairs held at different places of districts. Navratri mela,Bhagoriamela (during Holi festival) etc.[31]Bhil community ofUdaipurcelebrateGavarifestival each year after Holi.[33]

Communal dance and festivities[edit]

A performance by Bhil dancers in Delhi

The chief means of their recreation is folk songs and dances. Women dance at birth celebrations, marriage functions and on a few festivals in traditional Bhili style accompanied by a drum beat. Their dances include the Lathi (staff) dance, Dhol dance, marriage dance, Holi dance, Battle dance, Bhagoria dance, Deepawal dance, Sajoni dance and hunting dance. Musical instruments include theHarmonium,Sarangi,Kundi,Bansuri,Apang, Khajria,Tabla,Jhanjh,Mandaland Thali. They are usually made from local products.[31]

Local political structure[edit]

Traditional each Bhil village is led by a headman (gameti). Thegametihas authority and decision-making powers over most local disputes or issues.[34]

Bhil Pradesh Demand[edit]

There has been a demand for the establishment of a separate state of Bhil Pradesh by combining the tribal-dominated parts of Gujarat and neighbouring statesMadhya Pradesh,Rajasthan,andMaharashtra.[35]In 2014, when theTelanganastate was formed, it reignited hopes of statehood again.[36]In 2023,Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) MLA leaderChaitar Vasavaraised demand for separate state of Bhil Pradesh.[37]

Notable people[edit]

Artist[edit]

Freedom fighter[edit]

Politician[edit]

Players[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Notes

  1. ^TheVasavaandVasaveinRajasthanmay be alternate transliterations of the name for a single community. The sources are unclear regarding this.

Citations

  1. ^ab"List of notified Scheduled Tribes"(PDF).Census India. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 7 November 2013.Retrieved15 December2013.
  2. ^abcdefghi"A-11 Individual Scheduled Tribe Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix".Census of India 2011.Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.Retrieved24 March2017.
  3. ^Bhil of Pakistan, Hussain Ghulam (2020) Bielefeld Universityhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/343611243_Bhil_of_Pakistan#:~:text=Although%20official%20population%20figures%20are,million%20(as%20of%202020)
  4. ^abGall, Timothy L.; Hobby, Jeneen, eds. (2009).Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life.Vol. 3 (2, illustrated ed.). Farmington Hills, Michigan:Gale.p. 131.ISBN9781414448916.OCLC1112785346.The name Bhil identifies various ethnic communities inhabiting the hills and forests of southern Rajasthan and neighboring areas of western India. Some scholars argue that "Bhil" comes from the Dravidian word for bow (billaorbillu) and reflects the popularity of the bow and arrow as a weapon among these groups. The term is also used in a broader sense to refer to the aboriginal peoples of this region.
  5. ^Statistical Profile of Scheduled Tribes in India(PDF).New Delhi: Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 2013. p. 10.
  6. ^Samuel, John (2002).Struggles for Survival: A Resource Book on the Status and Rights of the Adivasi Communities in India.National Centre for Advocacy Studies.
  7. ^Maharana Pratap & His Times.Maharana Pratap Smarak Samiti. 1989. p. 37.
  8. ^Bombay (Presidency) (1901).Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency.Government Central Press.
  9. ^Ghosh, S. K. (1987).Law Enforcement in Tribal Areas.Ashish Publishing House. p. 124.ISBN9788170241003.
  10. ^Abraham, Susan (July 1999). "Steal or I'll Call You a Thief: 'Criminal' Tribes of India".Economic and Political Weekly.34(27). Economic and Political Weekly: 1751–1753.JSTOR4408149.
  11. ^Unnithan-Kumar, Maya (1997)."Class Resistance and Identity".Identity, Gender, and Poverty: New Perspectives on Caste and Tribe in Rajasthan(illustrated ed.). Oxford; Providence:Berghahn.p. 240.ISBN978-1571819185.OCLC1043247151.
  12. ^Chakraborty, Goutam; Pattrea, Madhumita (7 December 2020).Know Your State West Bengal.Arihant Publications India limited.ISBN978-93-252-9222-2.
  13. ^abWilliams, Victoria R. (2020)."Bhil".Indigenous Peoples: An Encyclopedia of Culture, History, and Threats to Survival [4 Volumes](illustrated ed.). Santa Barbara, California:ABC-Clio.p. 179.ISBN978-1440861185.OCLC1107833866.
  14. ^"MP के दूसरे दौरे में भी ट्राइबल पर फोकस; जानिए BJP के लिए आदिवासी क्यों जरूरी".Retrieved22 April2022.
  15. ^"Bagdi".www.google.com.Retrieved4 September2022.
  16. ^Singh, K. S. (1996).Communities, Segments, Synonyms, Surnames and Titles.Anthropological Survey of India.ISBN978-0-19-563357-3.
  17. ^Tilche, Alice (19 February 2022).Adivasi Art and Activism: Curation in a Nationalist Age.University of Washington Press.ISBN978-0-295-74972-3.
  18. ^Fisher, R. J. (1997).If Rain Doesn't Come: An Anthropological Study of Drought and Human Ecology in Western Rajasthan.Manohar.ISBN978-81-7304-184-6.
  19. ^Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Khandesh.Printed at the Government Central Press. 1880.
  20. ^Srivastava, Ashirbadi Lal (1966).The Sultanate of Delhi, 711-1526 A.D.: Including the Arab Invasion of Sindh, Hindu Rule in Afghanistan and Causes of the Defeat of the Hindus in Early Medieval Age.Shiva Lal Agarwala.
  21. ^"List of Scheduled Tribes".Census of India: Government of India. 7 March 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 5 June 2010.Retrieved27 November2012.
  22. ^abMehta, Sonu (2004). "Bhils - I". In Mehta, Prakash Chandra (ed.).Ethnographic Atlas of Indian Tribes.New Delhi: Discovery Publishing House. p. 191.ISBN9788171418527.
  23. ^Phillips, Maxwell P. (2012).Dialect Continuum in the Bhil Tribal Belt: Grammatical Aspects(phd). University of London. p. 23.
  24. ^Ratnagar, Shereen (2010).Being Tribal.Delhi: Primus Books.ISBN9789380607023.
  25. ^"Paper No. I - Languages".Census of India 1951.1954. pp.61.
  26. ^"Sindhi Bhil: Sindhi Meghwar language".
  27. ^Pachauri, Swasti (26 June 2014)."Pithora art depicts different hues of tribal life".The Indian Express.Retrieved13 February2015.
  28. ^Kumar, Ashok Kiran (2014).Inquisitive Social Sciences.Republic of India: S. Chand Publishing. p. 93.ISBN9789352831098.
  29. ^Danver, Steven L. (28 June 2014).Native People of The World.United States of America: Routledge. p. 522.ISBN978-0765682949.
  30. ^"Bhil Art - How A Tribe Uses Dots To Make Their Story Come Alive".Artisera.Retrieved18 March2019.
  31. ^abcdeSingh, V. P.; Jadhav, Dinesh (January 2011).Ethnobotany of Bhil Tribe.Scientific Publishers.ISBN9789387307360.
  32. ^Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency...Printed at the Government Central Press. 1901.
  33. ^"GAVARI: A tribal dance drama by the Bhil community of Udaipur".mediaindia.eu.Retrieved4 September2019.
  34. ^Winston, Robert, ed. (2004).Human: The Definitive Visual Guide.New York:Dorling Kindersley.p. 439.ISBN0-7566-0520-2.
  35. ^"Explained: Why are tribals of Rajasthan and Gujarat demanding a separate state of Bhil Pradesh?".The Indian Express.25 May 2022.Retrieved6 April2023.
  36. ^"Clamour for separate Saurashtra, Bhilistan to get louder – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis".1 August 2013.Retrieved6 April2023.
  37. ^"Gujarat AAP MLA demands separate state of 'Bhil Pradesh' for tribals".India Today.Retrieved6 April2023.
  38. ^"Bhuri Bai | Paintings by Bhuri Bai | Bhuri Bai Painting - Saffronart.com".Saffronart.
  39. ^"Lado Bai".Bhil Art.
  40. ^Ramaṇikā Guptā; Anup Beniwal (1 January 2007).Tribal Contemporary Issues: Appraisal and Intervention.Concept Publishing Company. pp. 18–.ISBN978-81-8069-475-2.
  41. ^"Ahmed Patel saviour Chhotubhai Vasava puts Congress in bind".dnaindia.
  42. ^"Champion archer Dinesh Bhil to train civil services officers".The Indian Express.2 October 2020.Retrieved1 December2023.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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