The Gihar are a Hindu caste found in various states of India. They belong to the Gipsy clan. They are considered to be among the nomadic[1] or partially-settled communities.[2]
History and origin
Gihara people are immigrants from Rajasthan, who went into diaspora after the war in Haldighati. This gave birth to their modern name, as "we lost in war" (Ghar harna or Greh hara in their language) slowly corrupted into Gihara. Their language is derived from Farsi. The traditional trades of the people are clothing trading, artisan work like broom making and wood carving.
Present circumstances
The Gihara are strictly endogamous and are divided into many exogamous clans. These are: the Vaid , Soda, Sankat, Bhainsh, Otwar, Gohar, Sani, Marriayyah, and Khatabiya.
Many Gihara are still involved in their traditional occupation of stone sculpting. Some in ancient times were involved in rope making and bamboo fencing. Many people still engage in traditional occupations such as kuchbandiya and sirkibandiya. Some engage themselves in cottage industries (small industries occupations).