Gurjar facts for kids

Gurjar children, in Afghanistan

The Gurjar (also spelled Gojri, Gojari, or Gujjari) are a large group of people, or an ethnic group, who mostly live in parts of India and Pakistan. You can find them in places like Jammu and Kashmir in India, and in northern and central Pakistan. They are also connected to the Rajput tribe.

Who are the Gurjars?

The Gurjars are a community with a rich history. They are known for their unique culture and traditions. Many Gurjars traditionally lived as pastoralists, meaning they moved around with their animals, like cows and buffaloes, looking for good places to graze.

Their Language

The Gurjars speak a language called Gurjari. This language is quite similar to other languages spoken in India, such as Rajasthani and Marwari.

A Look at Their History

Long ago, before the Mughal Empire ruled India, some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat were known as Gurjar-bhumi or Gurjaratra. This means "land of the Gurjars."

The Gurjar Pratiharas were powerful rulers. They acted like a strong wall, protecting their lands from invaders for about 300 years. This was a very important time in their history.

However, around the 14th century AD, their power started to decrease. They began to rule over smaller areas, known as principalities. By the 15th and 16th centuries, there were still Gurjar kings in places like Meerut and Dadri.

After this time, their power continued to decline. Many Gurjars became nomads, meaning they traveled from place to place. They often lived in jungles and forests, adapting to a simpler way of life.

Images for kids

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  Fairs of Shri Devnarayan Bhagwan are organized two times in a year at Demali, Maalasheri, Asind and Jodhpuriya

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  Statue of Sri Sawai Bhoj Bagaravat, one of the 24 Gurjar brothers collectively known as Bagaravats, at Dev Dham Jodhpuriya temple.

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  Gujjar male from Jammu

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  Gujjar girl

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  Image depicting a scene of combat between a Goojur and a British soldier during the 1824 Gurjar rebellion in Saharanpur district

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  Goojur zamindar from Saharanpur, 1868

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  Two Goojur men and a woman in Delhi, c. 1859-1869

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  Goojurs zamindars from Rajputana