Difference between revisions 5237739 and 5237741 on simplewiki

'''Kushwaha''' (sometimes, '''Kushvaha''', '''Kachwaha''')<ref name=Pinch1996p91>{{cite book |title=Peasants and monks in British India |first=William R. |last=Pinch |publisher=University of California Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-520-20061-6 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uEP-ceGYsnYC |page=91 |accessdate=18 October 2015}}</ref>  is a community of the Indian subcontinent, which has traditionally been involved in agriculture (including beekeeping).<ref>{{cite book|last=Harper|first=Malcolm|title=Inclusive Value Chains: A Pathway Out of Poverty|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=VODZCM5qblYC&pg=PA182|year=2010|publisher=World Scientific|isbn=978-981-4293-89-1|pages=182, 297|accessdate=18 October 2015}}</ref>   The term has been used to represent at least four subcastes in North India, being those of the Kachwahas,kachwaha thakurs,Shekhawats and Bhadorias. They are the real Suryavanshi.They claim descent from the mythological Suryavansh (Solar) dynasty via Kusha, who was one of the twin sons of Rama and Sita. Previously, they had worshipped Shiva and Shakta.

== Demographics ==
The Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) notes the presence of Kachhi communities in Maharashtra and that those communities are also referred to as Kushwaha. The ASI also records Kachawah rajput communities in Rajasthan and speculates on their mythological origins. William Pinch notes their presence in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.<ref name=Pinch1996pp91-92 />

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== Origins ==
Today, the Kushwaha generally claim descent from Kusha, a son of the mythological Rama, himself an avatar of Vishnu.
This enables their claim to be of the Suryavansh dynasty but it is a 
myth of origin developed in the twentieth century. Prior to that time, 
the various branches that form the Kushwaha community - the Kachhis, 
Kachwahas,Shekhawat, and Bhadoriya - favoured a connection with Shiva 
(contracted; show full)caste. ... [C]laims to personal and community dignity appeared to be 
part of a longer discourse that did not require European political and 
administrative structures."<sup>[21]</sup>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian people]]