Mythological origin of Kumhars/Prajapatis :
A section of Hindu Kumhars honorifically call themselves
Prajapati, claiming descent from the
Prajapati (the sons of the Hindu deity
Brahma).
[1]
The Kumhars derive their name from the
Sanskrit word
Kumbhakar meaning earthen pot maker.
[2]
In Hindu mythology, the Kumhars are the descendants of Lord
Prajapati. Therefore, they are also known as Prajapati.
According to a Hindu mythology, the first Kumbh (earthen pot) was a gift from the Gods. When the gods and the demons were
churning the ocean
for nectar, there was no vessel to collect the ambrosia. Some other
Kumhar myths claim this to be their first creation. Another mythological
story says that when Lord
Shiva was about to marry
Parvati, he realised he had forgotten the water pot integral for the ceremony. Therefore, he gave a part of his skin for clay to
Prajapati, the god of creativity, to make a pot. And
Parvati gave her blood to decorate the pot. That is when the first
kumbh[3] (earthen pot) was created and
Prajapati became the first Kumhar (
potter)
Traditional tools of Kumhars :
- CHAKK (चाक): wheel (Manual/Automatic/Semiautomatic)
- GHIRNIYAN (घिरनीयां): Designing tools
- SOOT/Brahm SOOTRA (सूत्र): To cut the made pot from the chak
- THATTHU (थत्थू): External support to the raw material
- THAPI (थापी): Internal supporting organ
- MOOLI (मूल़ी): Refining tool for soil (by beating it into small pieces)
- CHALLAKAD (चलक्कड़): To rotate the wheel using a rod; the rod is called Challakad
- SANCHA (सांचा): A dye to make Handis
- AAWA (भट्ठी-आवा): A hearth/kiln for raw material finalizing
Kumhar/Kumbhar/Prajapati across World
kumhar in Nepal :
In Nepal ,kumhar exist in different categories like Maghaiya, Tirautiya, Kanoujiya etc. some have surname pandit , kumhar , prajapati etc.
Kumhars of Gujarat and different parts of India
There are sub-caste in Gujarati Kumbhar like Prajapati kumbhar, Variya
kumbhar, Vataliya kumbhar, Kadiya kumbhar, Sorathiya kumbhar.
Besides, there are Rajput Kumhars,Rao Kumhars, Yadav(Ahir)
Kumhars,Rana Kumhars,Maratha Kumhars, Roy Kumhars, Kanet(Thakur)
Kumhars,Wodeyar(means Lord) Kumhars ,Pal or Paul Kumhars, Gurjar
Kumhars, Jaat Kumhars, Santhalian Kumhars,Nair Kumhars also in different
parts of India.
Kumhars of Maharashtra(Maratha Kumbhar)
Maratha(kshatriya) kumbhar is the sub cast of Maratha clan. They are
prominently found in western Maharshtra and konkan part of Maharashtra
state. In western maharashtra they are situated in districts pune,
solapur, satara, sangali, kolhapur, ahamadnagar and In konkan districts
mainly raigad, ratnagiri. They are also present in Goa state in
significant numbers. They were served for creation of maratha nation in
the era of shivaji maharaj. They were given jahangiri (award given by
king in the form of Land) for their bravery. After foundation of Maratha
state later on their families have started business like bricks
industries, making idols, farming and pottery.
Most of the Maratha kumbhar have their surname as kumbhar. In western
maharastra their surnames are kumbhar, raje, shirke, patil, jadhav,kale
etc. while in konkan side their surnames are mostly derived from their
village name. In konkan side their surnames are kumbhar, salvi and
derived from village name. In Goa state and konkan side most of Maratha
kumbhar are having their surname as Shet indicating Rich family.In some
families men proudly use Rav after their name which is indication of
Maratha clan. Their family businesses differ in different districts of
maharashtra. Like in Raigad, some part of navi Mumbai Maratha kumbhar
make ganesh idols as "Ganesh Ustav" is the big festivel celebrated in
Raigad and Mumbai, also in konkan side. Pen a Taluka in Raigad District
is famous for making of Ganesh idols. Apart from this konkani Maratha
kumbhar also involved in farming and most of them are having brick
industries. In western maharasthra district Maratha kumbhar are usually
having brick industries and do farming. Maratha kumbhar made matrimonial
alliances with other maratha clans. They are khstriya community so
prefer maratha clan for marriages. There are other kumbhars which are
not belonged to Maratha clan lives in maharashtra and have occupation of
making idols and pots.
Kumhars of Punjab and Haryana
The Hindu Kumhars of the south-east Punjab are divided into two main groups: Gola and Mahar; traditionally
[6] Some Mahars in Jind claim to be the pure descendants of the sage Kuba (or Kubha) Bhagat. The
Punjabi Kumhars have the following surnames (many of these surnames are also found among other castes): ,
[7][8]
Kumhar or Kumbhar (Punjabi: ਕà©à¨®à¨¹à¨¾à¨°, Urdu:
کتعÛؕد),Hindi: कà¥à¥à¤®à¥à¤¹à¤¾à¤°; also known as Prajapati,
is an caste or community of India, mainly belonging to the Hindu
religion. The word "Kumhar" literally means "potter", making pottery
being the traditional occupati...ons of the Kumhars since ancient times.
In Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati languages, Kumbhar or Kumhar literally
means a potter. K

- Chaulia : colouring and pattern the ceramic plates.
- Channi :ਚਹਉਨਨਿ prominent protector of preserver king
- Chahal:Chahlan Gotra of sikh parjapati's mainly from Joga and Ralla village in Mansa District.
- Kubbe: Gotra of prajapati's some belongs to Sikhism,Hinduism and also from Muslisim.
- Khosla :ਕਹੋਸਲਉ who makes ceramic plates on chuck( wheel) progress is success hold the ceramic plate for proper of water
- Doal :ਡੋਲ colouring and pattern the ceramic plates
- Dubb :ਡੱਬ
- Jhalli :ਝੱਲੀ ( حہ`لۓ)(ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਚਾਲਕ)(Chalhi) who plys the Chuck (wheel) {many Jhalli/Jhally's write themselves 'Jolly' nowadays.}
- Bhopal :ਭੋਪਾਲ (ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੇ ਭਾਲ਼ੂ ਜਾਂ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਿਸਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਣੂ) (bhoo-bhaal) who searches for the proper type of earth
- TalePhear:ਤਲ਼ੇਫਿਆਰ/ਤਲਵਾੜ colouring the raw material. This clan is
often confused with the Talwar clan and now the two clan names are used
interchangeably but have distinct roots.
- Talwar (ਰੰਗਰੇਜ਼) (curved Indian sword)- distinct Prajapati clan with
Jatairaay (historic site of religious and historic significance) in the
Doaba region of Punjab.This is shared faith site, both Sikh and Hindu
Talwar clans pay their respects. However the Sikh holy scriptures (Sri
Guru Granth Sahib), is no longer kept at the site.
- Gohal/Gohil :ਗੋਹਲ/ਗੋਹਿਲ
- Kashav :ਕਸ਼ਵ
- Malhi :ਮੱਲ੍ਹੀ
- Khokhars:ਖੋਖਰ
- Ladania लदानीआ - ਲਦਾਨੀਆ
- Sokhal सोख़ल - ਸੋਖ਼ਲ
- Nokwal
- Ahitan
- Chaand (used to be called chond)
- Sohal
- Salganiya
- Tank
- Sidhu
- Rindi
- Blaggan
- dharan
- Ratniya
Apart from Mahars and Golas, there are also other minor Kumhar
groups. For example, Hanslin, Tannr, Mali and Raj Kumhar. The Raj
Kumhars traditionally worked as the masons and thus held a superior
position in the caste hierarchy.
In Gurdaspur, the Hindu Ghumars are divided into two groups, one
claiming descent from Punj Phulan Rani, a Kumhar, who had seven
daughters:
[6]
- Paminder
- Pawinder
- Paninder
- Pashinder
- Papreet
- Padeep
- Paneet
Kumhar of Haryana The descendants of Paminder and Pawinder don't marry within themselves because they were true daughters.
Kumhars of Haryana
The Kumhars of Sirsa are divided into the
Jodhpuria, from
Jodhpur,
who use the furnace or bhathi and are generally mere potters, and the
Bikaneri or Desi, from Bikaner who use kilns (pajawas), but are chiefly
agricultural and look down upon the potter's occupation as degrading.The
Kumhars of Kurukshetra are known as Guliyaan(gotra), Sangroye and
Gejwals. Now the days also they are in their traditional Pottery
business and some are in agriculture. In Hissar there are four
nondescript groups, the
Bidawati,
Magrochi,
Nagori and
Bhandia
and others. All those appear to be really different tribes and not
separate clans of one and the same tribe or caste. Other groups
mentioned in accounts from this District are the
Gola, Maru and
Mula, all three distinct and will not intermarry. But the other accounts make the
Gola the same as Maru and
Bidwati identical with the
Megrechi. Several of the Kumhar tribes have abandoned
pottery and taken to
agriculture as an occupation.
Occupationally, the Bagri group is also sub-divided into Khapmarus or
agriculturists and Khapbandas or potters. The Marwariss of Bagar use
camels at a wedding. Besides Guga, they also affect Jin Devi, whose
surine is on a hill near Jaipur. Fairs are held there on the 8th and 9th
sudi of Chaitra and Ashad. The Marwari-Desi groups appear to be found
only in Jind, and in Sialkot. Kumhar in Haryana - Mohinder Garh -
Khudana village - Chhapolia Gotra,and in Haryana following Gotra Kumhar
are available Bawalia, Jalwal, Dahmiwal, Luhaniwal, Dabodia, Beewal,
Sukharawalia, etc., also known as Bhagat ji because of Durga Mata/ Jai
Ambe pooja, Brijeshwari(Kagra), Jawala ji (Jawalapur) Chintpurni Maa,
Arti/pooja are completed by Kumhar in Pooja Sthal. The caste of Kumhar
are praying complete process in Pooja. They are nevr ingore any step in
Pooja Smaroh.
In Hisar area gotra of kumhars are dhuraan(doharan),ghorla, beehwal,ranoliya,kiroriwal, khowal, taak,baasniwal.
Dhuraan gotra families stay in Hisar, matrashyam village, in
Kharkari(Hisar)with Poonias families, Siswal, Dhand(Adampur),
Gangwa(Hisar), Ladwa, Sisay(Hansi), Mada-Majra, Bhujhasar(near Bhadra),
Baasraa(Bhadra), Beegar village in Fatehabad,Chhani(Bhadra) Prabhuwala
near Uklana Mandi and in Hisar city,Chandigarh in Sirsa district and in
Gohana Sonipat also. this dhuraan gotra/surname got from Guru
Dronaacharyaa, in Hindi literature Drona means shreshth(best). the
kumhar community who belongs to family of Guru Dronaachaaryaa(Guru
Dronaachaaryaa was aacharya and expert in archery and in other weapons
also) and who got their education and shiksha and whose koolaguru was
Guru Dronaachaaryaa, they got this surname. some of these surname found
in sirsa rajasthan touch area like Nohar.
Kumhars of Madhya Pradesh
Hathretie and Chakretie (or Challakad) Kumhars are found in
Madhya Pradesh
and refer to themselves as Prajapati. Hathretie Kumhars are called so
because they traditionally moved the "chak" (potter's wheel) by hands
("hath"). Gola is a common surnames among Kumhars in Madhya Pradesh
[9]
Prajapti of Rajasthan
The Prajapti community in Gujarat, Rajasthan are further divided:
- Pandit
- Marwara
- Timiria
- Mawalia
- Mathera
- Sighatiya
- sihota
- Sunkdiwal
- Shardiwal
- Kirodiwal
- kudal
Each of these groups specialize in a particular form of earthwork.
[10]
Kumhars of North India
The Kumhars of Kangra (Jammu & Kashmir) appear richest, however,
to be also known as Desi, and only their women wear gold nose-rings
which is now a long tradition followed by many women in India. Their
gots are Danial, Gan-gotra and Sonal. In Maler Kotla the Pajawagars are
said to be Desi, there being no Marwaris in the State, and this Desi
group is further sub-divided into Mahars and Golas. In Jind (Haryana)
these two sub-divisions of the Desi group are also found, the Mahar
being also called Maru. In Himachal Pradesh in some places the people of
Kumhar community are the priest/pujaris of holy swarna Hindu Devtas
Temples and are considered at par with Brahmin and make matrimonial
alliances with Kanet(Thakurs) mainly in upper Solan,Shimla and Kullu
Distt. Higher caste Brahmins accept Kachha & Pakka food only from
Kumhar community members. Kumhars are considered swarna and are of
Kshatriya origin in Hindu Verna Hierarchy. There are Lamberdars and
Jaminders are also in some places. Moreover, in some places, the head of
the family is worshiped like Thakur (God) by vaish community in some
holy occasions. The verma/verman surname is commonly used by Kumhar
community members. In Delhi Gotra of Kumhars are Gola, Tandewal,
Sarotia, Beriwal, Dubaldhania.
Kumhars of Pakistan
The Kumhar caste is found in Pakistan, are muslim by religion and are known as Rehami.
Listed
below are Gotra/clans of kumhar's
- Ahetan अहीतान - ਅਹੀਤਾਨ
- Akku अक्कू - ਅੱਕੂ
- Baaj बाज - ਬਾਜ
- Behgal बहगल-ਬਹਗਲ
- Baiwal
- Benipal बेणीपाल - ਬੇਣੀਪਾਲ
- Bharapadhriya
- Bhopal :ਭੋਪਾਲ (ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੇ ਭਾਲ਼ੂ ਜਾਂ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਿਸਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਣੂ) (bhoo-bhaal) who searches for the proper type of earth.
- Bhalerao भालेराउ - ਭਾਲੇਰਾਓ - بہالےراو
- Bhardwaj भारद्वाज - ਭਾਰਦਵਾਜ -
- Bijotra बिजोत्रI - ਬਿਜੋਤ੍ਰਾ
- Blaggan बलग्गण - ਬਲੱਗਣ - (Blagan / Ballagan)
- Chahal ਚਹਿਲ
- Chakretia चकरेटिया - ਚਕਰੇਟੀਆ (MP-INDIA)
- Chammchandol चम्चंदोल - ਚੰਮਚੰਦੋਲ
- Channi चन्नी - ਚਹਉਨਨਿ
- Chandla चांदला - ਚਾੰਦਲਾ
- Chandrani चंद्राणी - ਚੰਦਰਾਣੀ
- chaulia (cholia)
- Charchaulie चरचौलीये - ਚਰਚੌਲੀਏ
- Chhapola छापोला - ਛਾਪੋਾਲਾ
- Chidimaar चिड़ीमार - ਚਿੜੀਮਾਰ
- Chind चिंद - ਚਿੰਦ
- Chond चोंड - ਚੋਂਡ
- Dehmiwal : Builders/ Merchandisers (profusely used in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan)
- Deshavaria ;देशावरीया saharanpur/up
- Doal दोअल - ਦੋਉਲ
- Dona : डोना - ਡੋਨਾ
- Dodia : डोडीआ - ਡੋਡੀਆ
- Dubb :ਡੱਬ (ਮਾਲ ਪਕਾਉਣ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ) packers/driers
- Gola : गोला - ਗੋਲ਼ਾ (mainly used by Kumhars in Madhya Pradesh)
- Gohal :ਗੋਹਲ/ਗੋਹਿਲ (ਆਵੇ ਦੇ ਚੈਕਰ) Earthen walls makers
- Ghadiyal घड़ियाल - ਘੜਿਆਲ
- Ghurail घुड़ैल - ਘੁੜੈਲ
- Guleria गुलेरिआ - ਗੁਲੇਰੀਆ
- Guliyaan
- Hampal हम्पाल - ਹਮਪਾਲ
- Hathretia हथरेटिया - ਹਥਰੇਟੀਆ (MP INDIA)
- Jabali जबालिआ - ਜਬਾਲੀਆ
- Jhalli :ਝੱਲੀ ( حہ`لۓ)(ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਚਾਲਕ)(Chalhi) who runs the chuck (wheel) {many Jhalli/Jhallys write themselves to be Jolly nowadays}
- Jamba जम्बा - ਜੰਬਾ
- Jamwal जम्वाल - ਜਮਵਾਲ਼
- Jariyal/Jarial जरियाल-ਜਰਿਯਾਲ
- Jeed जीड़ - ਜੀੜ
- Kaundal कौंडल - ਕੌਂਡਲ
- Karari : ਕਰਾੜੀ(ਕਰਾੜੀਏ)- Makers of su in older times.
- Khambh खम्भ - ਖੰਭ
- Kharodi - in Kurukshetra(Umri)
- Kashav :ਕਸ਼ਵ (ਵਪਾਰੀ) Businessmen in Ghumars
- Khokhars:ਖੋਖਰ (ਜੰਗੀ ਲੜਾਕੇ/ਮੁਹੰਮਦ ਗ਼ੌਰੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਤਲ)
- Karari : ਕਰਾੜੀ(ਕਰਾੜੀਏ)- Makers of surahis (earthen product for cold water) on large scale in older times.
- Khiva : खीवा - ਖੀਵਾ
- Khosla खोसला - ਕਹੋਸਲਉ
- Krari/Krarie कराड़ी - ਕਰਾੜੀਏ
- kudal
- Kubbe ਕੱਬੇ
- Ladwa लाडवा - ਲਾਡਵਾ
- Lakhanpal लखनपाल - ਲਖਨਪਾਲ
- Langdi लांगड़ी - ਲਾੰਗੜੀ
- Lehra/Lehri : ਲੈਹਰਾ, ਲੈਹਰੀ - pot basement fillers.
- Lidder लिड्डर - ਲਿੱਢਰ
- Lola लोला - ਲੋਲਾ
- Wodeyar(means Lord): In south India
- Mahar माहर, ਮਾਹਰ - Prominent agriculturists in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- Mangalav
- Nazar नज़र - ਨਜ਼ਰ
- Nizran निज़रान - ਨਿਜ਼ਰਾਨ
- Nokhwal नोखवाल - ਨੋਖਵਾਲ
- Pankhania पांखानिया - ਪਾਂਖਾਨਿਯਾ
- Pansotra पंसोत्रा - ਪੰਸੋਤ੍ਰਾ
- Pensia पेंसिया - ਪੇੰਸਿਆ
- Pal or Paul(means Protector): In west Bengal & others pasts of India.
- Rattan रत्न - ਰਤਨ
- Rana: Rana Tribes (Potters)in Orissa and other parts of India.
- Raven
- Roy
- Sakhi ਸੱਖੀ
- Sattani सत्तानी - ਸੱਤਾਨੀ
- Sokhal सोख़ल - ਸੋਖ਼ਲ
- Singathia सिंगाठिया - ਸਿੰਗਾਠਿਆ
- Sogi सोगी - ਸੋਗੀ
- Suetti/Sutti सुत्ती - ਸੁੱਤੀ
- Taddi टाडी-ढाडी - ਟਾਡੀ-ਢਾਡੀ (Dhadi)
- Tak/Taak टाक - ਟਾਕ
- TalePhear :ਤਲ਼ੇਫਿਆਰ/ਤਲਵਾੜ(Talwar) (ਰੰਗਰੇਜ਼) colouring the raw material
- Verma वर्मा ਵਰਮਾ : Commonly used with Kumhar community members throughout India and also Gold business/ Ornament dealers (Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan)
Present circumstances
The Kumhars have almost shun their castly business(Soil work) but
some have kept it alive. there are Kumhars in the Indian continent that
export their items around world.The Kumhar traditional occupation
remains
pottery, but many are
farmers also. The community are Hindus of the
Shaivite sect.
[1
References
1. Kumhar (Wikipedia, free encyclopedia)
2.Prajapati clans
3.Vataliya prajapati