The Batwal are a suryavanshi rajput clan found in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.[1][2]

History

In Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra the Batwal are agricultural landlords. Batwal of Jammu were tax collectors of Dogras.[3]

The Batwal are mainly found in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu districts in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab and the Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh.[2]

Present Circumstances

Like other neighbouring Hindu communities, the Batwals are strictly exogamous, never marrying within the clan. The major clans include the Kaith originated from Sialkot, Jhanjhotra and Mottan from Zafarwal, Basae from Hyphasis, Chariya from Shimla, etc.[4] They marry girls at young age but divorce and widow remarriage is permissible. Their marriage is officiated by Brahmin or Megh priest. They either burn or bury the dead bodies and take the ashes to Devika river at Purmandal village in Samba district.[5]

Notable Batwals

References

  1. ↑ People of India Punjab Volume XXXVII edited by I.J.S Bansal & Swaran Singh page 82 to 89 Manohar Publications
  2. 1 2 People of India Jammu and Kashmir Volume XXV edited by K.N Pandita, S.D.S Charak & B.R. Rizvi page 115 to 120 Manohar Publications
  3. ↑ Das, K. C. (2007). Global Encyclopaedia of the North Indian Dalits Ethnography (2 Vols. Set). Global Vision Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8220-238-2.
  4. ↑ Excelsior, Daily (9 November 2013). "History of Batwal Community". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Ibbetson, Sir Denzil; Maclagan (1990). Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0505-3.
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