International Journal of Multidisciplinary Education and Research

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Education and Research

ISSN: 2455-4588; Impact Factor: RJIF 5.12
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Volume 1; Issue 3; May 2016; Page No. 103-107

A study of the Major tribes of Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh

Sandeep Kumar
TGT Arts, Government High School, Harer, Baijnath, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract
The Tribes of Himachal Pradesh are scattered in different parts of the state and the tribal communities residing in different parts of
Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh are sociable and by their own culture and tradition, they have marked their position in the
Indian subcontinent also. Dancing, musical melodies, festivals, fairs etc. bore evidence to it. They are by nature nomadic people and
their customs and social structure make them identifiable from each other. As far as the occupations are concerned, the tribes of
Chamba have taken up the occupations including rearing of cattle and also raising of wool. Dresses that these tribes of Chamba wear
also are quite exquisite to look at. Thus, in this paper, the researcher highlights the tribal people and the culture of Chamba District
of Himachal Pradesh.

Keywords: major tribes, dancing, musical melodies, festivals

Introduction grown are wild olive, pomegranate and fig trees mingling with
The Chamba is placed on the higher hilly parts of Himalayas. the acacia, shisham, pipal and some other trees. On the mountain
Lying mostly astride the main Himalayas and touching on the slopes, the fields are usually small in size and are arranged in
fringes at one corner of a bit of the Shivalik, the plains commerce terraces, the lower boarder of each being formed by a rough wall
on the other side of the border and the territory is wholly to make the ground more level for ploughing. The Tribes of
mountainous with altitudes varying from about 2,000 feet (610 Chamba are scattered in different parts of the state and the tribal
meters) to about 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) above the mean sea- communities residing in different parts of Chamba District of
level. The scenery is picturesque and varied character presenting Himachal Pradesh are sociable and by their own culture and
many delightful sights. The Chamba valley is famous for tradition. The figure no. 1 & 2 show the Chamba District Map
medicinal herbs and varieties of flowers. The land is covered of Himachal Pradesh.
with vastly fragrant Champaka trees. In the lower parts, the trees

Source: 1. The maps for image of Indian States, Himachal Pradesh and Chamba District are
retrieved from http://www.google.co.in/#sclient=psy-ab&q=loc on dated 12/02/2012.
2. The maps for image of Indian States, Himachal Pradesh and Chamba District are retrieved
from http://www.google.co.in/#sclient=psy-ab&q=loc on 20/11/2011.
Fig 1: Himachal Pradesh District Map: Chamba District
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Source: Images of Chamba District Map. Retrieved from

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=chamba+district+map&qpvt=chamba+district+map
&qpvt=chamba+district+map&qpvt=chamba+district+map&FORM=IGRE
on dated 13/07/2013.
Fig 2: Chamba District Map

Chamba comprises of a number of valleys inhabited by different valley, fewer than 2,500 mts only two crops are reaped per year.
trades. The people here are called Chambyals, Brahmauris, The people here are very hardworking, handsome and honest.
Pangwals, Bhattiyats and Chaurahis etc., according to the area This valley is fairly populated. The Gujjar Tribes of Chamba has
they belong to. Chamba has mainly two tribal areas, Pangi and developed the practice of carrying on conversation in numerous
Bharmour. There is a sizeable population of the Bhots of Tibetan languages namely, Urdu and Hindi. They have also adapted
origin known as Bhatoris living in upper reaches of Pangi. The religion like Islam. According to the studies conducted by the
tribes of Chamba belong to the famous Indo- Aryan family numerous anthropologists, the Gujjar tribes arrived in India most
group. The major tribes of this region include Gaddi and Gujjar probably in 6th century. Gujjars are mainly residing here and
Tribe. Two nomadic tribes i.e., Gaddis and Gujjars inhabit some they are known as tribes and minority groups of Chamba
parts of the district. Gaddis inhabit Bharmour and upper parts of (http://www.indianetzone.com/10/tribes_himachal_pradesh.ht
Bhattiyat, the Gujjars mainly reside in Chamba, Chaurah and m retrieved on dated 12/03/2012).
Saluni tehsils and the pangwalas reside in Pangi valley of the The origins of the Gujjars are still shrouded in mystery, the
district. majority of the scholars are of the view that these people
The tribes of Chamba are mostly engaged in agricultural and migrated to India during the Sixth Century from Central Asia,
allied activities; such as rearing of cows, sheep, goat, Buffaloes from where communication with India was a regular feature
and ploughing small fields, which are their source of sustenance. along well- established trade routes. It is also said that they
Agriculture is supplemented by animal husbandry and trade and inhabited the western part of India, where province Gujrat exists
is the main occupation of these tribes. Chamba comprises of a after their name. The Gujjar rulers founded the city Gujraat in
number of valleys inhabited by different tribes. Akbar’s reign. Most of the historians have the faith that the
Gujjars are from Rajput community. In Himachal Pradesh, there
Chamba Valley: Gujjars are two communities of Gujjars, one is Hindu Gujjar
Chamba valley is basically known as Ravi Valley. The scenery Community and second is Muslim Gujjar Community. The
is of a picturesque and varied character presenting many Hindu Gujjars are residing mostly in the districts named Mandi,
delightful sights. In the lower parts, the trees grown are wild Kangra, Sirmour, Solan and Bilaspur whereas; the Muslim
olive, pomegranate and fig trees mingling with the Acacia, Gujjars are dispersed in the districts named Chamba, Mandi,
Shisam, Pipal and some other trees. On the mountain slopes the Bilaspur, Solan and Sirmaur of Himachal Pradesh.
fields are usually small in size and are arranged in terraces, the The Muslim Gujjars in Chamba district are mostly non-
lower border of each being formed by a rough wall to make the vegetarian but they do not eat beef or buffalo meat. Their staple
ground more level for ploughing. In most parts of the Chamba food consists of maize, chapatti, pulses of urad; mah etc. and
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milk products like lassi and dahi also form a part of their daily Elopement/ Jhind Phuk/ Brar Phuk marriage (if girl elopes with
diet. The majority of Gujjars are pastorals and they eke out their her lover without the consent of the parents they solemnize the
livelihood through the sale of milk and milk products. Smoking marriage by burning a bush wood and going round the fire eight
is common habit among them. Muslim Gujjars have two groups, times), Jhanjrara (this marriage is by elopement, consent,
Bhatariye and Bhanariye. These groups do not intermarry and agreement and mutual understanding among the relatives), Ghar
they further segmented into exogamous gotras (i.e., Bhatti, Jawantri, Batta-Satta (marriage by exchange-the boy gets his
Chandel, Khatana and Padha) which indicate their Rajput clans. partner in exchange of his real or cousin sister) and Dan-Pun
The distinctive feature of Muslim Gujjars marriage is that marriage (the girl is given as a ‘Dan’ to her husband and this
consanguineous marriages take place i.e., a boy can marry his type of marriage has social, religious and administrative
cousin. The traditional joint family system still exists in Gujjar sanction). Gaddis are monogamous and they never favour
communities. The elders in the family are given respect and polygamy unless the wife is barren or dead. Dowry system is
regard. Purdah system is prevalent. A daughter can claim the prevalent but dowry is never demanded and insisted. The fairs
property of the father in the absence of son. The role of Gujjar and festivals celebrated by Gaddis are Baishakhi, Minjar, Holi,
women is very significant and they are hard-working. They are Dushehra, Sair, Patroru Sagrand and Mani Mahesh Yatra.
known as Gujjaris in local language. They are tall with attractive Singing has an important place in their lives. ‘Chola’ and ‘Dora’
personality. They are skilled in embroidery with coloured thread are their popular traditional dresses in which Dora is the most
on caps and jawahar jackets. The Gujjars have their traditional important part of the dress of Gaddi men, women and children.
‘bhaichara’ panchayat. The members of this panchayat are ‘Bushahri’ cap which is made of woolen piece of cloth and
elected on the basis of age, experience and knowledge. turban are used by Male Gaddis to cover their head and
‘Chaddru’ is used by Gaddans to cover their head. The women
Bharmour Valley: Gaddis prefer silver ornaments are more common than golden ones.
This valley is fairly populated. The people are very handsome, Gaddis are also not very particular about their bath, sometimes
hardworking and honest. The society here is a unique blend of once a month or twice a month, the bath is taken. The Gaddis are
tribal and non tribal; semi-civilized and civilized; backward and very simple, honest and hardworking, stick to their words, good
modernized and identity of hills and plains culture. The Gaddi friends, cheerful, healthy, stout and hospitable. The Gaddi
Tribes dwell in numerous places of Chamba. The people of this women are famous for their modesty and chastity and some of
tribal group are not nomadic in nature and they have their own them really look like queens of the mountains. In spite of all
villages where they reside in a cluster. The notable thing about above mentioned qualities it is difficult to convince Gaddis for
the Gaddi tribe is their costumes. Most of the people of this a change.
community are shepherds but some are engaged in other
occupations too. They are world famous including Brahmins, Pangi Valley: Pangwalas
Rajputs, Khatris, Thakurs and Rathis. The word ‘Gaddi’ has The Pangi valley is a remote, rugged and poorly developed tribal
been derived from ‘Gadar’ a Sanskrit word 'gadhern' where area in Himachal Pradesh but the most beautiful valley in the
Gaddis are inhabited, Bharmour is called the adobe of Gaddis upper part of Chamba district i.e., full of grandeur and tribal
and the entire sub-tehsil is named as 'gadhern'/ ‘gadiyar’ region. majesty. It is placed in the middle of Jammu and Kashmir,
The Gaddis own large flocks of sheep and goat; with them they Chaurah, Lahual and Spiti and the Greater Himalayas. Pangi
spend the summer in the higher mountains of Pangi and Lahaul valley is divided into the Sural, Saichu, Hudan, Bhatori and
and the winters in the low hills bordering on the plains. There is Kumar-Parmar valleys. All these valleys are connected with
no unanimity of the views from where Gaddis migrated to this Zanskar rang. These are inhabited at elevations of 7,000 feet
hilly state. The Gaddi Brahmins have a tradition that their (2,100 mts) to 11,000 feet (3,400 mts) above sea level. Roads
ancestors came from Delhi to Bharmour in the region of Raja are poor, with few of them surfaced. It is one of the sub-division
Ajia Varman 780-800 A.D. The Gaddi Rajputs have the same of Chamba district surrounded by the Peer Panjal and Zanskar
tradition as the Gaddi Brahmins as to their original home. While ranges. Sural have thick woods of peeling‐birch (bhoj‐patra) too.
the Gaddi Khatris' ancestors fled from Lahore to escape These woodlands support a variety of wild life including ibex,
persecution, probably at the time of the early Mohammedan snow leopard, Himalayan thar, musk deer, black bear, brown
invasions. The couplet ‘ujrya Lahore te basya Bharmour’ bear and bharal. The bird includes the monal and koklas
(ransack of the city of Lahore resulted in influx to Brahmaur) pheasants, himalayan dragoman, snow peacock, snow pigeon
indicates the place of migration. The dialect used by Gaddis is and the chukor. The river Chanderbhaga (also called the Chenab
‘Western Pahari’ language of the Sanskrit Aryan families of downstream) flows from Lahaul, divides Pangi into two unequal
Nothern group. There is no script for this dialect. They can parts and cliffs sometimes vertically to a height of a couple of
understand Hindi well but it is not spoken by them normally. thousand feet. The mountains surrounded the valley range
They are ‘Shaiv’ and the Lord Shiva is the principal God of the between 5,400 to 6,700 meters. The tiny villages of this verdant
Gaddis. They believe that Shiva’s blessings can remove mental pocket lie between 2,100 to 3,000 meters. On the right bank of
illness, ailments, misfortunes and natural calamities and cast the river Chanderbhaga, the growing settlement of Kilar (2,590
away ancestral punishments. Beside Shiva, they also believe in mtrs) is the administrative sub-divisional headquarter of Pangi
so many other Gods which include 'Autar ' (the spirit of an valley. Beyond the reach of tropical monsoon rains, the valley is
issueless person), 'Kelong' (the king of all snakes) and 'Gugga' one of the off-beat challenging tourism destinations in the state.
(the protector of cattle). They believe in superstitions, whether Approach to the Pangi valley is across the high mountain passes
good or bad. The birth of male child is considered necessary and like Sach, Chehni and Rohtang Pass. The Valley is remained
considers girls as property of some other house. Marriages are land locked forabout six months due to heavy snow fall. During
celebrated in Gaddi community with great enthusiasm. Five winter and spring, this valley is completely cut off. The Pangi
types of marriages are prevalent among Gaddis. These are tehsil covers 1,601 square kilometres (618 sq meters). It has 16
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panchayats and 54 inhabited villages. With recent improvements identified in 1981-82. These two pockets cover an area of 881.47
to the roads, the villagers have started to grow cash crops such square Kilometer and population of 29455 (7.51%) STs as per
as peas, apples and other fruits. Attempts are being made to 2011 Census. The Dispersed Tribes Population, till February,
develop the area for tourism, trekking through the dramatic 1987, Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub- Plan
scenery. Language spoken by Pangi people is called as (TSP) Strategy was applicable to the Scheduled Areas and
Pangwali. MADA. During the Seventh Five Year Plan, the strategy of SCA
The valley is mostly inhabited by Pangwal and Bhoti people to TSP was further extended to cover all tribal living outside the
(Hindu with some Buddhists). Some people live in higher Scheduled Area and MADA for beneficiary originated
reaches of the valley called Bhatoris such as Sural Bhatori, programme out of funds released by the Union Ministry of
Hundan Bhatori, Parmar Bhatori, Chasak Bhatori and Hilu- Tribal Affairs under SCA. For the socio- economic development
Twan. Pangwalas are notified under the nomenclature of STs residing outside Scheduled Areas of the district, besides
Pangwala. The term Pangwal has territorial connotation and General Plan allocations, funds are being provided under SCA
denotes the inhabitants of the Pangi valley of Chamba district in to TSP. The Tribal Development Department facilitates the
Himachal Pradesh. They are also distributed in other areas of implementing departments for planning and preparing the
Himachal Pradesh i.e., outside the Pangi valley. The generic schemes for the welfare of STs residing outside the Scheduled
term Pangwal is particularly applied to the Brahman and the Areas of Chamba. For infrastructural development, the villages
Rajput, while the lower castes are generally referred to by their having tribal population are taken up in the following priority.
specific castes names. The Pangwal Brahman and Rajput are (i) First priority has been given to villages having substantial
immigrants from the neight-bouring Lahaul valley. Pangwal and tribal population in that village i.e., more than 40% population
Rajput of the Pangwal group of Chamba are divided into three or more of the village comprises of STs.
segments and it is arranged in a hierarchical order. The Gaur (ii) Next priority has been given to the villages where tribal
who were traditionally lived on alms are now agriculturists, the population is less than 40% of the total population but having
Sungaria who were the performers of sacerdotal services are more than 100 tribal people in such villages
now doing agriculture and the Kalia are officiating at death rites. (http://admis.hp.nic.in/himachal/tribal/DirectoryofSTVillages2
The community is further divided into a number of clans (gotras) 015.pdf on dated 24/06/2011).
among which some are Atri, Bhardwaj, Gautam, Jamdagni,
Kashyap, Vashista and Vishwamitra. Pangwal and Rajput of the References
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9. Government of India. The Fifth Five year Plan (1974-79).

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