# Dhangar

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{{Short description|Shepherd caste in India}}
{{About|the pastoral community in Maharashtra and Goa|the similarly-named tribe and language found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh - [Dhangad](/source/Oraon_people) (tribe) and [Dhangar](/source/Kurukh_language) (Kurukh language dialect)||the town in Sagar district, India|Dhangar, Madhya Pradesh}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2014}}

The '''Dhangars''' is a caste or clan whose members are found in the [India](/source/India)n states of [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra), northern [Karnataka](/source/Karnataka), [Goa](/source/Goa), and [Madhya Pradesh](/source/Madhya_Pradesh). They are referred to as '''Gavli Dhangars''' in northern Maharashtra ([Khandesh region](/source/Khandesh)) and the forested hill tracts of India's [Western Ghats](/source/Western_Ghats).<ref name="Malhotra 1982">{{cite journal |last=Malhotra |first=K. C. |date=March 1982 |title=Ecology of a pastoral caste: Gavli Dhangars of peninsular India |url=http://library.isical.ac.in:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10263/1447/HE-10-1-1982-P107-143.pdf |journal=Human Ecology |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=107–143 |doi=10.1007/BF01531107 |s2cid=154253698}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Govt gives another push to get ST tag for Dhangar-Gouly |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/78005762.cms |work=The Times of India |via=Associated Press |date=2020-09-09 |access-date=2020-09-09}}</ref><ref name="Malhotra 2001" />{{sfnp|Shashi|2011|p=47}} There are many distinct [Gavli](/source/Gavli) castes in [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra), and [Dhangar Gavli](/source/Gavli) is one of them.{{sfnp|Rao|1979|p=129}}{{sfnp|Enthoven|1990|p=368}}{{sfnp|Feldhaus|1989|p=101}}

==History==

===Etymology===
The word "''Dhangar''" is inscribed in a Buddhist cave in [Pune district](/source/Pune_district) of Maharashtra. It is believed that this inscription has its origin between the first and the third century AD. Multiple theories have been proposed for the origin of the word Dhangar. It may be associated with a term for "cattle wealth". [Bhagwan Lal Indraji](/source/Bhagwan_Lal_Indraji) maintains that it is derived from the Sanskrit word ''Dhang'' which means 'hill'.{{sfnp|Shashi|2006|p=183}} Syed Siraj-Ul-Hassan noted that some people of his time believed the term to come from the Sanskrit "''dhenugar''" ("cattle herder") but dismissed that etymology as being "fictitious".{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=166}} In [Kannada](/source/Kannada), the word ''Danagãra'' means 'cowherd' and is derived from ''Dana'' which means 'cattle'. Dana is the [tadbhava](/source/tadbhava) of ''Dhana'', which comes from ''Go-dhana'', meaning 'cattle' in [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit).<ref name="Joshi">{{cite journal |last1= Joshi |first1= S. B.|date=1952 |title=ETYMOLOGY OF PLACE-NAMES PAṬṬI-HAṬṬI: Some observations on the History of Mahārāṣṭra & Karṇāṭaka  |url= http://www.jstor.org/stable/41784634|journal= Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute|volume=33 |issue=1/4 |pages=41–56 |jstor= 41784634|issn=0378-1143}}</ref>

According to [Shamba Joshi](/source/Shamba_Joshi), Hatakara-Dhanagara ([Hatkar](/source/Hatkar)-Dhangar) is a compound of two words of the same meaning.<ref name="Joshi Ramdas">{{cite journal|last1= Joshi |first1= S. B.|date=1952 |title=ETYMOLOGY OF PLACE-NAMES PAṬṬI-HAṬṬI: Some observations on the History of Mahārāṣṭra & Karṇāṭaka  |url= http://www.jstor.org/stable/41784634|journal= Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute|volume=33 |issue=1/4 |pages=41–56|jstor= 41784634| quote=जयदेवी जयदेवी जयवेद माते, हाटक कर्नाटक करुणा कल्लोळी |issn=0378-1143}}</ref>

===Subdivisions===

Initially there were twelve tribes of Dhangar, and they had a [division of labour](/source/division_of_labour) amongst brothers of one family. The nation around [Hingoli](/source/Hingoli_district) was called Bara-Hatti which means country of twelve Hatkar-Dhangars. These twelve tribes later formed three sub-divisions and one half-division. These three being [Hatkar](/source/Hatkar) (shepherd), [Gavli](/source/Gavli) or Dange (cowherd) and [Khutekar](/source/Khutekar) (wool and blanket weaver)/Sangar. All sub-castes fall in either of these divisions.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Landscapes in Conflict: Flocks, Hero-stones, and Cult in Early Medieval Maharashtra |first=Ajay |last=Dandekar |journal=Studies in History |date=August 1991 |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=301–324 |doi=10.1177/025764309100700207 |s2cid=162355452 }}</ref>{{sfnp|Sontheimer|1975|p=140}}

===Historical migrations===

The archaeological evidence and ethnographic data suggest that the contemporary Dhangar castes are the result of more than one migration from North-West [India](/source/India), between 4000 and 10000 BC.<ref name="Malhotra 2001"/> The density and distribution patterns of the different groups of Dhangars seem to have been guided by the suitability of the region for the sustenance of the animals that they traditionally maintained and the products of those animals on which the specific groups subsisted. Ethno-historic investigations among the Dhangars suggest that the Kannade, [Unnikankan](/source/Kuruba) and [Kurmar](/source/Kuruba) who speak [Kannada](/source/Kannada) were originally from [Karnataka](/source/Karnataka) and might have migrated to the present habitats in [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra) at different points of time. Whereas [Hatkar](/source/Hatkar), Zende, Thellari and Dange trace their origin to a single caste in the remote past, Shegars or [Sagar Rajput](/source/Sagar_Rajput)s claim that they have nothing to do with the Dhangars and are descendants from [Rajputs](/source/Rajputs) of [Rajasthan](/source/Rajasthan). [Ahirs](/source/Ahirs) speak "[Ahrani](/source/Khandeshi)", also known as [Gavli boli](/source/Gawali_Dialect_of_Melghat),<ref>Critical Enquiry Vol.VI Issue IV. Oct.- Dec. 2014</ref> a mixed dialect of [Gujarati](/source/Gujarati_language) and [Marathi](/source/Marathi_language) and are closely related to the Ladshe and Dange who have supposedly come from [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat). On the other hand, [Gadhari](/source/Gadaria)-Nikhar and [Gadhari](/source/Gadaria)-Dhangar, having migrated from [North India](/source/North_India), speak [Sanskrit and Hindi](/source/Sanskrit_and_Hindi). Telangi speaks [Telugu](/source/Telugu_language) and probably migrated from [Andhra Pradesh](/source/Andhra_Pradesh), the remaining groups speak [Marathi](/source/Marathi_language).<ref name="Malhotra 2001">{{cite journal |title=Patterns of Variation in a Caste-Cluster of Dhangars of Maharashtra, India| url=https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/44612 |first=K. C. |last=Malhotra |journal=Collegium Antropologicum |volume=25 |issue=2 |date=Dec 2001 |pages=425–42 |pmid=11811272}}</ref><ref name="Maha OBC"/>

===Past occupation===

The Gavli or Dange Dhangars found in the coastal strip practiced cattle/buffalo/sheep herding and [shifting cultivation](/source/shifting_cultivation).<ref name="Malhotra 1982"/> [ahir](/source/ahir), Halmat, Khutekar, [Kurmar-Unnikankan](/source/Kuruba), Mendhe, [Shegar](/source/Sagar_Rajput), Telangi, [Unnikankan](/source/Kuruba) and Zade herded sheep and wove woolen blankets. Dhangar, Hande, [Hatkar](/source/Hatkar), [Hattikankan](/source/Kuruba), Kannade, [Kurmar-hattikankan](/source/Kuruba) and Zende reared only Sheep. However, Hatkars in Sangli district also maintained cattle and some Zendes used to maintain ponies. Thellaris herded both sheep and cattle. Sangars were weavers of woolen blankets.<ref name="Malhotra 1977">{{cite journal |title=Haptoglobin and acid phosphatase gene distributions in the Dhangars of Maharashtra, India| url=https://www.ias.ac.in/article/fulltext/jgen/063/01/0039-0045 |first=K. C. |last=Malhotra |journal=Journal of Genetics |volume=63 |issue=1 |date=April 1977 |pages=39–45 |doi=10.1007/BF02984224| s2cid=25217479 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gadgil |first1=Madhav |last2=Malhotra |first2=K. C. |year=1981 |title=The ecological basis of the geographical distribution of the Dhangars a pastoral caste cluster of Maharashtra |url=http://repository.ias.ac.in/64217/1/28-pub-ocr.pdf |journal=South Asian Anthropologist |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=49–59}}</ref>{{sfnp|Guha|1993|p=84}} In the past, some Dhangars were [Inamdar](/source/Inamdar_(feudal_title))s and some were tenure-holders, holding lands either by a share or by paying a lump sum for a certain period.{{sfnp|Enthoven |1990|p=321}}

[[Image:Ponies used by Dhangar tribe of Maharashtra IMG 1795 (5).JPG|thumb|[Ponies](/source/Ponies) used by Dhangar tribe of [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra)]]

Dhangars were also known for producing fine breeds of cattle and ponies. [Khillari cattle](/source/Khillari_cattle), a mixture with a breed of [Mysore](/source/Mysore), was pioneered by a Dhangar of [Nashik](/source/Nashik) named Gowdia who owned cattle in [Mysore state](/source/Mysore_state).{{sfnp|Mehta|1984|p=747}} Similarly, Dhangar or Khilari [pony](/source/pony) is considered the best breed of ponies in Deccan. It is believed that their superior excellence is due to the Dhangar's practice of castrating them.{{sfnp|Watt|2014|p=295}}

===Role in the Maratha Empire===

Dhangars are noted for their martial qualities. A large number of [Shivaji](/source/Shivaji)'s most trusted [Mawalas](/source/Mawalas) or [Maratha](/source/Maratha) footmen were West-[Pune](/source/Pune) Dhangars.{{sfnp|Singh|2004|p=498}} On the other hand, [Hatkar](/source/Hatkar) Dhangars, who are found mainly in the former [Nizam state](/source/Nizam_state), especially in [Nanded](/source/Nanded), [Parbhani](/source/Parbhani) and [Vidarbha](/source/Vidarbha), are known as [Bargi](/source/Bargi) Dhangars or "shepherds with the spears" and were perhaps [Bargi](/source/Bargi)rs or mounted troopers during the time of the [Maratha Empire](/source/Maratha_Empire). However, [Bargi](/source/Bargi) or Bande Dhangar is a distinct sub-caste from them.{{sfnp|Singh|2004|p=498}}{{sfnp|Pathak|2009|p=52}} Hatkars were in the army of [Shivaji](/source/Shivaji) in large numbers and were known for their bravery in the [Maratha Empire](/source/Maratha_Empire). "Naik" and "Rao" were the titles given to them. [Hatkar](/source/Hatkar)s were a dread to others and even [Nizam](/source/Nizam) was afraid of them. It is on the historical record that for restraining the Hatkars, Nizam had sought help from the [British Indian army](/source/British_Indian_army).{{sfnp|Pathak|2009|p=52}} While some sources claim [Malhar Rao Holkar](/source/Malhar_Rao_Holkar), Founder of the [Maratha Indore state](/source/Indore_State), belonged to the Hatkar Dhangar sub-caste, the [bakhar](/source/bakhar)s of [Holkar dynasty](/source/House_of_Holkar) say that he was a Khutekar Dhangar.{{sfnp|Sontheimer|1975|p=139}} {{Blockquote|text="The three great tribes which compose the [Maratha](/source/Maratha) caste are the [Kunbi](/source/Kunbi) or farmer, The Dhangar or shepherd, and the [Goala](/source/Gavli) or cowherd. To this original cause may perhaps be ascribed that great simplicity of manner which distinguishes the [Maratha](/source/Maratha) people".<ref>{{cite book |last=Russell |first=Robert Vane |author-link= Robert Vane Russell |date=2020-09-28 |title= The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume IV of IV |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T59oDwAAQBAJ&q=dhangar |publisher=Library of Alexandria |isbn=9781465583024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Constable |first1=Philip |access-date=2020-11-28 |title=The Marginalization of a Dalit Martial Race in Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Western India. |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages= 439–478|year=2001|doi=10.2307/2659700|jstor=2659700 |pmid=18268829 |s2cid=40219522 |quote=While the bulk of Shivaji's men were naturally Marathas, they included not only the allied castes of Dhangars and Gowalas, shepherds and herdsmen, but many who had no claim to kinship. For example Shivaji's famous infantry was composed largely of Bhandaris and Kolis. The Ramoshis... who afterwards formed the infantry of Haidar and Tipu in Mysore, were relied an for the capture of the hill forts, while the outcaste Mahars and Mangs served in his artillery, and in the garrisons of these forts -  Patrick Cadell|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2659700|url-access=subscription }}</ref>|author=Colonel Tone, Commander of a regiment in the [Peshwa](/source/Peshwa)'s army in 1798}} {{Blockquote|text=
In fact, the word "[Maratha](/source/Maratha)" in its narrower use is applied to a society in which Rajputs or quasi-[Rajput](/source/Rajput)s, at the top, with [Kunbi](/source/Kunbi)s (farmers), Dhangars (shepherds), and [Goalas](/source/Gavli) (cowherds) practise hypergamy,  each group taking wives from the one below, causing a superfluity of women at the top and a scarcity at the bottom of the social scale.{{sfnp|Hutton|1961|p=19}}|author=[John Henry Hutton](/source/John_Henry_Hutton), former chair of [William Wyse Professor of Social Anthropology](/source/William_Wyse_Professor_of_Social_Anthropology) at the [University of Cambridge](/source/University_of_Cambridge)}}

===Relationship with Yadavs===
According to the [1891 Census of India](/source/1891_Census_of_India), the pastoral class of Indian population was divided into two groups. First group was called cattle graziers which included [Ahirs](/source/Ahirs), [Gopas](/source/Gopas), [Gawali](/source/Gavli) and [Golla](/source/Golla_(caste)). The second group was called shepherds which included [Gadaria](/source/Gadaria), Dhangars, [Kuruba](/source/Kuruba), [Idaiyan](/source/Konar_(caste)), [Bharwad](/source/Bharwad) and [Rabari](/source/Rabari).<ref>{{cite report |author=Presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of her majesty |date= 1893-07-10|title=General Report on Census of India, 1891.|url=http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideologie/data/CensusIndia/CensusIndia1891/CensusIndia1891GeneralReport.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201028033412/http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideologie/data/CensusIndia/CensusIndia1891/CensusIndia1891GeneralReport.pdf|archive-date= 28 October 2020}}</ref>

In the early 1920s, the leaders from the North Indian [Ahir](/source/Ahir) and the Maharashtrian [Gavli](/source/Gavli) which were ritually considered as lower castes and formed the bulk of landless peasants in Gangetic plains, founded [All India Yadav Mahasabha](/source/All_India_Yadav_Mahasabha) (AIYM) in order to lay claims to Yadava identity through sanskritisation of their constituents and by re-imagining a glorified past based on a fabricated descent from the mythical [Yadu](/source/Yadava). Many castes across India adopted Yadav as the last name, illustrating claimed descent from Yadu. They also started practicing vegetarianism and teetotalism. Various communities, all over India, who were traditionally involved in cattle related occupations enthusiastically followed these recommendations.{{sfnp|Rao|1979|p=141}} This effort was part of the process of [Sanskritization](/source/Sanskritization) and Aryanization.{{sfnp|Jaffrelot|2003|p=189-196}}{{sfnp|Gooptu|2001|p=205–210}}{{sfnp|Rao|1979|p=141}}

Dhangar society in India includes Dhangars in Maharashtra and [Goa](/source/Goa), Gadaria in North India, Bharwad in [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat), and Kuruba both in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. However, [Dhangar Gavli](/source/Gavli) is a distinct caste from [Yadav Gavli](/source/Gavli) in [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra) and [Goa](/source/Goa).<ref name="Malhotra 1982" /><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Govt gives another push to get ST tag for Dhangar-Gouly |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/78005762.cms |work=The Times of India |via=Associated Press |date=2020-09-09 |access-date=2020-09-09}}</ref>{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=166}} Moreover, [Ahirs](/source/Ahirs) of Maharashtra prefer to be known as Ahir Dhangars and [Maratha](/source/Maratha)s of [Indore](/source/Indore) (Madhya Pradesh), like [Holkar](/source/House_of_Holkar)s, call themselves Dhangar gadaria. In North India the gadaria, who call themselves dhangar, were at one time a wing of Dhangar society. Ahir is one of the [gotra](/source/gotra) of Dhangars.{{sfnp|Shashi |2011|p=29,44,47}}

==Rajputisation attempt==

The Shegar Dhangars, also known as [Sagar Rajput](/source/Sagar_Rajput)s, were previously identified as shepherd by occupation and Shudra by Varna but later they changed their surname to [Rajput](/source/Rajput) and started  wearing [sacred thread](/source/sacred_thread).<ref>{{cite book|first=Robert Eric |last=Frykenberg|title=Land Tenure and Peasant in South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gOLSAAAAMAAJ|year=1984|publisher=Manohar|page=197|quote=Another example of castes' successful efforts to raise their sacred status to twice-born are the Sagar Rajputs of Poona district. Previously they were considered to be Dhangars—shepherds by occupation and Shudras by traditional varna. However, when their economic strength increased and they began to acquire land, they found a genealogist to trace their ancestry back to a leading officer in Shivaji's army, changed their names from Dhangars to Sagar Rajputs, and donned the sacred thread.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first1=B. S. | last1=Baviskar|first2=D. W. |last2=Attwood|title=Inside-Outside: Two Views of Social Change in Rural India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVQtBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA389|date=2013-10-30|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=9788132118657|page=389|quote= As one example among thousands, a small caste living partly in the Nira Valley was formerly known as Shegar Dhangar and more recently as Sagar Rajput}}</ref>

==Culture==
[Khandoba](/source/Khandoba) (literally "father swordsman"), the guardian deity of the [Deccan](/source/Deccan_Plateau) is the favorite god of the caste and is worshiped every Sunday and on Saturday – the light sixth of [Margashirsha](/source/Margashirsha) day – with offerings of sweetmeats. [Vithoba](/source/Vithoba) of [Pandharpur](/source/Pandharpur) is worshiped daily in every household.{{sfnp|Cashman|1975|p=11}}{{sfnp|Hassan|1989|p=169}} [Biroba](/source/Biroba) and [Mhaskoba](/source/Veer_Mhaskoba) are other popular gods amongst Dhangars.{{sfnp|Dhere |2011|p=246,247}}{{sfnp|Zelliot|1988|p=117}}

Gaja Nach, which literally means the dance of elephant, is a traditional dance of the Dhangars. Since it is considered auspicious, the dance is also performed at the time of temple festivals. The dancers also hold colorful scarves which when moved in a swaying manner suggest the fanning of elephant's ears.{{sfnp|Jiwan |2000|p=63}}

Dhangari Ovi is a type of folk singing, which is about women's work songs and the epic-length performances of Dhangars, in which sung verses alternate with narrative passages in prose.{{sfnp|Dhere |2011|p=292}}

==Current situation==
Traditionally being shepherds, cowherds, buffalo keepers, blanket and wool weavers, butchers and farmers, the Dhangars were late to take up modern-day education. In [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra), the Dhangars are classified as a [Nomadic Tribe](/source/Nomadic_tribes_in_India) but in 2014 were seeking to be reclassified as a [Scheduled Tribe](/source/Scheduled_Tribe) in India's [system of reservation](/source/Reservation_in_India).<ref name=quota>{{cite news |title=Demands for quotas from new groups add to Maharashtra govt's woes|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-demands-for-quotas-from-new-groups-add-to-maharashtra-govt-s-woes-1960607 |date=10 February 2014 |first=Dhaval |last=Kulkarni |work=DNA |access-date=2014-06-17}}</ref> The Dhangar community's population in Maharashtra is around 1.5 crore, which is 13% of the total 11.25 crore (112.5 million) population of the state. [Devendra Fadnavis](/source/Devendra_Fadnavis), former [Chief Minister of Maharashtra](/source/Chief_Minister_of_Maharashtra), had said that "The situation of the Dhangars in some areas of the state was worse than that of [Scheduled Tribe](/source/Scheduled_Tribe)s, and the government was committed to providing them reservation under the [ST](/source/Scheduled_Tribe) category".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promises quota for Dhangar community |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/maharashtra-chief-minister-devendra-fadnavis-promises-quota-for-dhangar-community/articleshow/45755174.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-09-20}}</ref>

===Reservation===

As per India's [system of reservation](/source/Reservation_in_India), Dhangars are classified as [Other Backward Class](/source/Other_Backward_Class) in Goa,<ref name="Goa OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Goa|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLv%2BpzkDbfVwy7KkMoLIvvaceTAbtkdOdl%2F2XEmG8ajygAg6ldNVbPZ9|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020162529/http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLv%2BpzkDbfVwy7KkMoLIvvaceTAbtkdOdl%2F2XEmG8ajygAg6ldNVbPZ9|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref> Karnataka,<ref name="Karnataka OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Karnataka|url= http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsThxqt53NPf0ggPwu7BzPqq3bdU2%2bMS4jCYieqRNO1XcIozUEJpyYh|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181222014246/http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsThxqt53NPf0ggPwu7BzPqq3bdU2%2bMS4jCYieqRNO1XcIozUEJpyYh|archive-date= 22 December 2018}}</ref> Gujarat,<ref name="Gujarat OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Gujarat|url= http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuo5Ww%2FEcQPqeqoATXAB7p%2FQEBF7wOoZVUZeNdA4Fs5xoHN3KPmF8ST|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020030745/http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuo5Ww%2FEcQPqeqoATXAB7p%2FQEBF7wOoZVUZeNdA4Fs5xoHN3KPmF8ST|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref> Madhya Pradesh,<ref name="MP OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Madhya Pradesh|url= http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuPAiTDwaBMRTkcitPtwFoYM%2FvPkOo88fWK%2Fs%2FLWkaxMKHeos%2Fc%2FKys|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020030327/http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuPAiTDwaBMRTkcitPtwFoYM%2FvPkOo88fWK%2Fs%2FLWkaxMKHeos%2Fc%2FKys|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref> Chhattisgarh,<ref name="Chhattisgarh OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Chattisgarh|url= http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvU0s0yRV7aeb13aoM90cT9ioOuR4xIGRL%2FPpW8Y55aF3GqmP%2B6qk0h|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020030536/http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvU0s0yRV7aeb13aoM90cT9ioOuR4xIGRL%2FPpW8Y55aF3GqmP%2B6qk0h|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref> Uttar Pradesh,<ref name="UP OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Uttar Pradesh|url= http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvxbegUDuc3MN4eB5E3Ecc1drRPAf1qXQ%2Bl0IqIfhjN1xHrf4i2h5g0|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020162131/http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvxbegUDuc3MN4eB5E3Ecc1drRPAf1qXQ%2Bl0IqIfhjN1xHrf4i2h5g0|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="firstpost">{{cite news |last=Nangal |first=Preeti |date=2019-08-29 |title=Adivasis and the Indian State: Deliberately misclassified as SC, Dhangar tribe in UP is being deprived of its constitutional rights| quote=As recent as on 17 January 2019, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) wrote a letter to the Principal Secretary to the Government of Uttar Pradesh stating the difference between Dhangar and Gaderia, and that the Hindi version of the word Dhangar is धंगड़ as per the Gazette notification issued in 1950 by the President/Indian Government. Therefore, the Gadaria community’s धनगर cannot be included in the SC category since they are not a sub-caste in Dhangar and rather belong to the OBC category in the state of Uttar Pradesh. |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/adivasis-and-the-indian-state-deliberately-misclassified-as-sc-dhangar-tribe-in-up-is-being-deprived-of-its-constitutional-rights-7249071.html |work= Firstpost.com |location= Mumbai| access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> Uttarakhand<ref name="UK OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Uttarakhand|url= http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsuCb9GxzA3FUXPNZAkS8Kj%2BVqdHT8iuedaGzNgriEQksoNWttsla2n|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020162328/http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsuCb9GxzA3FUXPNZAkS8Kj%2BVqdHT8iuedaGzNgriEQksoNWttsla2n|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref> and Delhi.<ref name="Delhi OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Delhi|url= http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvYWWarIfsJpAU09izbLPYElcezG29yU0iGiE06dFe%2F6LJkoytsMWec|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020030522/http://ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLvYWWarIfsJpAU09izbLPYElcezG29yU0iGiE06dFe%2F6LJkoytsMWec|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref> In Maharashtra, they are classified as a [Nomadic Tribe](/source/Nomadic_tribes_in_India), which comes under [Other Backward Class](/source/Other_Backward_Class) category.<ref name="Maha OBC">{{cite report |author=Central Commission for Backward Classes |date= 2020-10-20|title=Central List of OBCs Maharashtra|url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsN%2BCCWgSsv8%2BuAyaBuDqnRoSLrvXbEEJTY%2By0eazrlMjhC5BUvBdUU|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201110054503/http://www.ncbc.nic.in/user_panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLsN%2BCCWgSsv8%2BuAyaBuDqnRoSLrvXbEEJTY%2By0eazrlMjhC5BUvBdUU|archive-date= 10 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="Ghoge">{{cite news |last=Ghoge |first=Ketaki |date=2019-06-28 |title=Maharashtra's OBC communities not happy with HC ruling on Maratha quota|archive-date=2020-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110054828/https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-s-obc-communities-not-happy-with-hc-ruling-on-maratha-quota/story-pq34ilhSwQwNS4z0ZlWaqO.html|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-s-obc-communities-not-happy-with-hc-ruling-on-maratha-quota/story-pq34ilhSwQwNS4z0ZlWaqO.html|quote=The Dhangars come under nomadic tribe category within the larger OBC quota in Maharashtra, but were promised reservation under scheduled tribes in 2014}}</ref><ref name="Jog">{{cite news |last=Jog |first=Sanjay |date=2020-09-21 |title=Maharashtra Dhangar community to launch statewide agitation to press for quota under ST category|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110055210/https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-dhangar-community-to-launch-statewide-agitation-to-press-for-quota-under-st-category#bypass-sw|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-dhangar-community-to-launch-statewide-agitation-to-press-for-quota-under-st-category#bypass-sw|quote=At present, the Dhangar community gets 3.5 per cent quota in government jobs and education under Nomadic Tribe (C) category, which comes under OBC category.|archive-date=2020-11-10}}</ref>

===Dhangar vs Dhangad issue in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra===
Dhangar (shepherds) is a sub-caste of the [Gadaria](/source/Gadaria) caste in [Delhi](/source/Delhi), [Madhya Pradesh](/source/Madhya_Pradesh) and [Chhattisgarh](/source/Chhattisgarh), the [Kuruba](/source/Kuruba) caste in Karnataka and the [Bharwad](/source/Bharwad) caste in [Gujarat](/source/Gujarat).<ref name="MP OBC"/><ref name="Delhi OBC"/><ref name="Chhattisgarh OBC"/><ref name="Karnataka OBC"/><ref name="Gujarat OBC"/> Gadaria, Kuruba are classified as [Other Backward Class](/source/Other_Backward_Class) in those respective states while Bharwad is classified as [Scheduled Tribe](/source/Scheduled_Tribe) in Gujarat, in India's [system of reservation](/source/Reservation_in_India).<ref name="UK OBC"/><ref name="UP OBC"/> In [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra), the Dhangars come under [Nomadic Tribe](/source/Nomadic_tribes_in_India) category within the larger [Other Backward Class](/source/Other_Backward_Class) category.<ref name="Maha OBC"/><ref name="Ghoge"/><ref name="Jog"/>
On the other hand, Dhangad (cultivators), also known as [Oraon](/source/Oraon_people), Dhanka and Dom, are listed as [Scheduled Tribes](/source/Scheduled_Tribes) in the states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and [Orissa](/source/Orissa). In [Bihar](/source/Bihar), [Jharkhand](/source/Jharkhand) and [West Bengal](/source/West_Bengal) Dhangad or Dom is listed as [Scheduled Caste](/source/Scheduled_Caste) whereas Oraon as [Scheduled Tribe](/source/Scheduled_Tribe).<ref>{{cite report |author=Government of India |date= 2020-03-31|title=2011 Census of India Scheduled Caste |url= https://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/SC%20Lists.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201020025118/https://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/SC%20Lists.pdf|archive-date= 20 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |author=Government of India |date= 2020-03-31|title=2011 Census of India Scheduled Tribe|url= http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf|archive-date= 7 November 2013}}</ref>

According to the 27th report of Standing Committee on Labour and Welfare with regards to SCs and STs order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2002:<ref>{{cite report |author=Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India |date= December 2002|title=27th report of Standing Committee on Labour and Welfare with regards to SCs and STs order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2002|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/65979/1/13_Labour_27.pdf|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201024014153/https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/65979/1/13_Labour_27.pdf|archive-date= 24 October 2020}}</ref>{{Blockquote|text= There are two distinct communities having similar nomenclature, one is Dhangad which is a sub-group of Oraon, a Scheduled Tribe appearing at S.No..36 of the List of Scheduled Tribes. The traditional occupation of this community is cultivation. There is another community known as 'Dhangar' whose traditional occupation is cattle rearing and weaving of woolens. The 'Dhangad' and the 'Dhangar' are two distinct communities having no ethnic affinity at all. The Dhangars who are shepherds have been notified as Nomadic tribe in the State of Maharashtra. Therefore, there is no printing mistake in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Amendment) Act, 1976 through which the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 was amended.}}

On 17 January 2019, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) wrote a letter to the Principal Secretary to the [Government of Uttar Pradesh](/source/Government_of_Uttar_Pradesh) stating the difference between Dhangar and [Gadaria](/source/Gadaria), and that the [Hindi](/source/Hindi_Language) version of the word Dhangar is धंगड़ (Dhangad), which is classified as [Scheduled Caste](/source/Scheduled_Caste) in [Uttar Pradesh](/source/Uttar_Pradesh), as per the Gazette notification issued in 1950 by the [President](/source/President_of_India)/[Indian Government](/source/Indian_Government). They recommended that the [Gadaria](/source/Gadaria) community's धनगर (Dhangar) should not be included in the [Scheduled Caste](/source/Scheduled_Caste) category and rather belong to the [Other Backward Class](/source/Other_Backward_Class) category in the state of Uttar Pradesh.<ref name="firstpost"/>

==Notable people==

* [Malhar Rao Holkar](/source/Malhar_Rao_Holkar) (1694-1766), Maratha founder of the [Holkar](/source/Holkar) [Indore State](/source/Indore_State).<ref>{{cite book |last=Ramusack |first=Barbara N. |author-link=Barbara Ramusack |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kz1-mtazYqEC&pg=PA35 |title=The Indian Princes and their States |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=9781139449083 |series=The New Cambridge History of India |page=35}}</ref><ref name="Jones">{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Rodney W. |url=https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone |title=Urban Politics in India: Area, Power, and Policy in a Penetrated System |publisher=University of California Press |year=1974 |page=[https://archive.org/details/urbanpoliticsini0000jone/page/25 25] |isbn=978-0-520-02545-5 |url-access=registration}}</ref>
* [Ahilyabai Holkar](/source/Ahilyabai_Holkar) (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795), Queen of the Indore State.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Khanolkar |first=D.D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6aU4AAAAIAAJ&q=Mankoji+Sindhia,+a+scion+of+a+respectable+Dhangar |title=Marathwada University Journal - Volumes 17-18 |date=1979 |publisher=Marathwada University |page=67 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=Sabyasachi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f-jBIp3iWdEC&dq=ahilyabai+holkar+dhangar&pg=PA40 |title=Education and the Disprivileged Nineteenth and Twentieth Century India |date=2002 |publisher=Orient BlackSwan |isbn=9788125021926 |page=40 |language=en}}</ref>
* [Yashwant Rao Holkar](/source/Yashwant_Rao_Holkar) (1797-1811), King of the Indore State.<ref>{{cite news |last=Deshpande |first=Devidas |date=August 2019 |title=They'd like you to caste your vote |url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/cover-story/theyd-like-you-to-caste-your-vote/articleshow/31976070.cms}}</ref>
* [Anna Dange](/source/Anna_Dange), former minister in [Maharashtra](/source/Maharashtra) government.<ref>{{cite news |date=2006-09-30 |title=Former BJP minister Dange joins NCP |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-former-bjp-minister-dange-joins-ncp-1055981 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002124327/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-former-bjp-minister-dange-joins-ncp-1055981 |archive-date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
* [Anil Anna Gote](/source/Anil_Anna_Gote), current member of [Maharashtra Legislative Assembly](/source/Maharashtra_Legislative_Assembly).<ref>{{cite news |title=Government positive about the reservation of Dhangar community: Uddhav Thackeray |url=https://www.mumbailive.com/en/politics/maharashtra-government-positive-on-dhangar-reservation-says-cm-uddhav-thackeray-56499 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114175808/https://www.mumbailive.com/en/politics/maharashtra-government-positive-on-dhangar-reservation-says-cm-uddhav-thackeray-56499 |archive-date=14 November 2020}}</ref>
* [Chandrakant Kavlekar](/source/Chandrakant_Kavlekar), current [Deputy Chief Minister of Goa](/source/List_of_deputy_chief_ministers_of_Goa).<ref>{{cite news |last=Goa |first=HCN |date=August 2019 |title=Dy CM Babu Kavlekar on appointment of Shri N. D. Agrawal (G.C.S) as Advisor for Dhangars community |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEy697JXQCs}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=July 2019 |title=Goa Gets Four New Ministers in Cabinet Reshuffle, Chandrakant Kavlekar to Become New Deputy CM |url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/goa-gets-4-new-ministers-in-cabinet-rejig-chandrakant-kavlekar-sworn-in-as-new-dy-cm-2228587.html}}</ref>
* [Dattatray Vithoba Bharne](/source/Dattatray_Vithoba_Bharne), current state minister in Maharashtra government.<ref>{{cite news |date=2019-11-02 |title=Vidhansabhet Dhangar samajachi sankhya pachavarun ekvar |url=https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/thane-kokan-news/navi-mumbai/dhangar-community-numbers-one-to-five-in-the-assembly/articleshow/71858273.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113024152/https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/thane-kokan-news/navi-mumbai/dhangar-community-numbers-one-to-five-in-the-assembly/articleshow/71858273.cms |archive-date=13 November 2020}}</ref>
* [Ganpatrao Deshmukh](/source/Ganpatrao_Deshmukh), former cabinet minister and current [MLA](/source/Member_of_Legislative_Assembly) from [Sangola](/source/Sangola), holds record for longest serving MLA (1962 to present).<ref>{{cite news |last=Mhaske |first=Pandurang |date=October 2014 |title=At 94, Deshmukh ready for 11th term |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/at-94-deshmukh-ready-for-11th-term/articleshow/44882071.cms}}</ref>
* [Gopichand Padalkar](/source/Gopichand_Padalkar), current member of [Maharashtra Legislative Council](/source/Maharashtra_Legislative_Council) from Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite news |author=Alok Deshpande |date=2019-10-01 |title=BJP poaches Dhangar leader to take on Ajit Pawar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bjp-poaches-dhangar-leader-to-take-on-ajit-pawar/article29560332.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201113022937/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bjp-poaches-dhangar-leader-to-take-on-ajit-pawar/article29560332.ece |archive-date=2020-11-13}}</ref>
* [Mahadev Jankar](/source/Mahadev_Jankar), founder of the Rashtriya Samaj Party, former cabinet minister and current member of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maharashtra Cabinet expansion: 11 ministers sworn in, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray skips ceremony |date=8 July 2016 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maharshtra-cabinet-expansion-shiv-sena-uddhav-thackeray-skips-ceremony-327985-2016-07-08 |access-date=2016-07-09}}</ref>
* [Ram Shinde](/source/Ram_Shinde), former minister in Maharashtra government.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mrityunjay Bose |date=2019-10-18 |title=Pawar vs Ram Shinde, an eyeball to eyeball conflict |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/assembly-election-2019/man-found-dead-in-greater-noida-family-claims-he-was-mentally-unstable-880438.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201113023320/https://www.deccanherald.com/assembly-election-2019/man-found-dead-in-greater-noida-family-claims-he-was-mentally-unstable-880438.html |archive-date=2020-11-13}}</ref>
* [Vikas Mahatme](/source/Vikas_Mahatme), [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament%2C_Rajya_Sabha) in [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha) for Maharashtra. He has been awarded [Padma Shri](/source/Padma_Shri) for his contribution to ophthalmology and social work.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dr Vikas Mahatme raises Dhangar reservation demand in Rajya Sabha - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/mahatme-raises-dhangar-reservation-demand-in-rajya-sabha/articleshow/65155847.cms |access-date=2018-09-16 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===

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* {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BsBEgVa804IC | title = People of India: Maharashtra, Volume 2 |author-link2=Singh Kumar Suresh |last=Bhanu|first=B. V. |via= Anthropological Survey of India |year=2004 | isbn = 9788179911013 | publisher = Popular Prakashan}} 
* {{cite book|author-link=Reginald Edward Enthoven|first=R. E.|last=Enthoven|title=The Tribes and Castes of Bombay, Vol 1 |url=https://archive.org/details/bk616/page/n345/mode/1up?q=dhangar |year=1990|publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=9788120606302}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Shyam Singh Shashi
|first=Shyam Singh |last=Shashi |title=The Shepherds of India |url=http://ignca.gov.in/Asi_data/68789.pdf |year=2011 |publisher=Sundeep Prakashan, 1978 |asin=B003UD017Q }}
* {{cite book|author-link=Ramchandra Chintaman Dhere
|first=Ramchandra |last=Dhere |title=Rise of a Folk God: Vitthal of Pandharpur South Asia Research |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jUeeAgAAQBAJ |year=2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press, 2011 |isbn=9780199777648}}
* {{cite book|author-link=Shyam Singh Shashi|first=Shyam Singh |last=Shashi|title=The World of Nomads|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Otppyf6MbxgC&pg=PA183|access-date=2011-11-15|year=2006|publisher=Lotus Press|isbn=978-81-8382-051-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Erdosy |first=George |year=1995 |title= The Indo-Aryans of Ancient South Asia Language, Material Culture and Ethnicity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A6ZRShEIFwMC |publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=9783110144475}}
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==Further reading==

* Baviskar, B.S., "Co-operatives and caste in Maharashtra: A case study". ''Sociological Bulletin'', XVIII:2:1969:148-166.
* Chaubey Ganesh, "The Dhangar Songs", ''Folklore'', Vol. I No 4, Calcutta, 1958, pp.&nbsp;22–25.
* Malhotra, K., 1980a, "Inbreeding among the four Dhangar castes of Maharashtra. India". Collegium antropologicum, 3.
* Malhotra, K., 1980b, "Matrimonial distances among four Dhangar castes of Maharashtra", ''South Asian Anthropology'', 1.
* Malhotra, K., 1984, "Population structure among the Dhangar caste cluster of Maharashtra", in J.R. Lukacs (ed.), ''The People of South Asia''.
* Prasad Satyanarain. "Modern education among the tribals of Bihar in the second half of the 19th century". ''Man in India'', LI:4:1971:365-393.
* Saksena, R.N., and Chinchalkar, "Dhangars and Gadariyas: The Most backward divisions of Indian tribes and caste". ''Vanyajati'', XXV:2: 1977:14–17.
* Prof. Prabhu N Kokane,"Socio-Legal" Identification of Scheduled Castes/Tribes & Backward Classes (2007). Nanded, Maharashtra.

==External links==
* [https://www.dhangar.org/dhangar_gotra_list.php Dhangar gotra list]
* [http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/Y2647E/y2647e17.htm Pastoral People Worldwide] at [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations](/source/Food_and_Agriculture_Organization_of_the_United_Nations)
{{Social groups of Maharashtra}}{{Ethnic and social groups of Goa and the Konkan| state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:Herding castes
Category:Dhangar
Category:Social groups of Maharashtra
Category:Social groups of Goa
Category:Ahir

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dhangar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhangar) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhangar?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.