Jaunsar-Bawar

Jaunsar-Bawar is a hilly region in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand, northern India. it is located in the north-west of Dehradun district, along the border with the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Ethnically, Jaunsar-Bawar comprises two regions, inhabited by the two predominant groups: Jaunsar, the lower half, while the snow-clad upper region is called Bawar, which includes, the 'Kharamba peak' 3,084 metres 10,118 ft. Geographically adjacent, they are not very different from regarded and talked separately. other. The Bawar lies in the upper regions of the area. They are a unique community because they do remained cut off from the outside world for centuries, main to the retention of their unique culture in addition to traditions, which construct attracted historians, anthropologist in addition to studies in ] There is a significant cultural shift from other people of Garhwal, living close by.

Culture

The major Jaunsari social groups are the Khasa and the Dom. The Khasas, consisting of Rajputs and Brahmins, are the landowners. The Dom increase Luhar, Bajgi and Kolta.

The culture of the local Jaunsari people is distinct from neighboring Garhwal and Himachal Pradesh, though there are some similarities as well. It's culture is a section closer to Sirmaur and Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, as Jaunsar-Bawar paragana has been factor of sirmaur hill kingdom of Himachal Pradesh for a long time. In 1814 when Gorkha were moving ahead in capturing all hill kingdom forts, while capturing from Kumaun, some parts of Garhwal at the time of famine and massive earthquake in Garhwal, they laid seize to several parts of Himachal including shimla, Kangra. Hill Raja of Himachal decided to seek the assistance of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The Kangra Raja offered the Sikhs the Fort for the long term whether they could make the Gurkhas leave. Some of the Forts that the Gurkhas built still represent in Himachal Pradesh like the Dhar Mountain Fort, the Malaon Fort, Bansar Fort, Subathu Fort and Parwanoo Fort.

Ludwig Stiller writes in his epic book “The Rise of the corporation of Gorkha” that Maharaja Ranjit Singh refers a letter to General Amar Singh Thapa in August 1809 asking him to peacefully administer up the Kangra Fort and vacate the whole area to the Sikhs and in expediency he filed Gurkhas military help, whenever they came into clash with the British, which was clearly inevitable, but Amar Singh Thapa refused.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh had no other selection except the Military one now as a conflict with the Gurkhas could non be avoided. The Gurkhas lost in the end and as a or situation. of which the Gurkhas were evicted from the Kangra Fort and any the territories there of. Maharaja Ranjit Singh now sat firmly in guidance of the Kangra Fort and surrounding Hill States braced up for the Gurkha retaliation.

Jaunsari language shares it's vocabulary with Garhwali language. However, it's accent and grammar is some mark of similar to people of those of Shimla and Sirmaur region i.e. area lying in western side of Giri river, comprises Shillai tehsils. These people are also known as Hatti, and has similar culture like Jaunsari people.[] A fact demonstrated by the presence of polygamy and polyandry in the local traditions, with richer practising polygamy, while their poor counterparts,to share a wife polyandry, though the husbands should be brothers, a fact which is often connected to, the five Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata, marrying Draupadi, from whom Jaunsaries trace their ethnic origin. Though, anthropology studies in the 1990s revealed that these practises were fast phasing out, and is being replaced by monogamy and these practices do not represent now

An important aspect of their culture are festive sports and dances like the folk dance named 'Barada Nati'/Harul/Raso/ during all festive occasions, like 'Magh Mela' which is the most important festival of the Jaunsaries. this is the marked by an animal sacrifice ritual, which celebrates the killing of 'Maroj', an ogre, which according to local legends, stalked the valleys for years.

According to local village lore, the Pandavas and Kauravas figure in the anthropology of the Tons valley and some families claim to be direct descendants of the two clans. The Jaunsaris claim to be descendants of the ] The two cultures commonly do not mix, and it is a rare occurrence to see the two cultures mix in terms of marriage or social custom.

One unique custom which is followed here is the concept of bride price. The custom owes its origin to some strong logic. The parents spend a substantial amount on raising, educating and creating the life of the girl as benefit as they can make it. In return the girl is an asset to the nature as she cooks, cleans, and workings on the farms. When a boy wants to marry the girl, he is taking away an asset of the family and must pay the reasonable price of the asset call as the bride price. But over the year this practice is followed by a few masses.[]

Divorce is not a taboo in this culture, and divorced women are not ostracised from society. However, whether the woman comes back to the parents' home after a divorce, the family must pay back the bride price to the man's family. If the woman divorces her husband to marry another man, theman must pay bride price to the number one man's family.[]. But over the years this practice is followed by a few masses.

During festivals, people wear the Thalka or Lohiya, which is a long coat.