Nepal prajapati (kumbhakar) sangh

Nepal prajapati (kumbhakar) sangh

This is institution of kumhar(kumbhkar) that co-ordinate and communicate all the person who belong to this caste. The status of this caste before few decades are not so good but after some decades and till now condition is  some what better due to literacy rate. I think after again few decades the condition is much more better. The reason is that everyone among illiterate think to educate there  following generation. Only way to develop is education so every people must gain education.

History of kumhars

 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: ਕੁਮਹਾਰ, Urdu: کتعہؕد),Hindi: कु्म्हार; 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

1. Chaulia : colouring and pattern the ceramic plates.
2. Channi :ਚਹਉਨਨ‌ਿ prominent protector of preserver king
3. Chahal:Chahlan Gotra of sikh parjapati's mainly from Joga and Ralla village in Mansa District.
4. Kubbe: Gotra of prajapati's some belongs to Sikhism,Hinduism and also from Muslisim.
5. Khosla :ਕਹੋਸਲਉ who makes ceramic plates on chuck( wheel) progress is success hold the ceramic plate for proper of water
6. Doal :ਡੋਲ colouring and pattern the ceramic plates
7. Dubb :ਡੱਬ
8. Jhalli  :ਝੱਲੀ ( حہ`لۓ)(ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਚਾਲਕ)(Chalhi) who plys the Chuck (wheel) {many Jhalli/Jhally's write themselves 'Jolly' nowadays.}
9. Bhopal  :ਭੋਪਾਲ (ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੇ ਭਾਲ਼ੂ ਜਾਂ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਿਸਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਣੂ) (bhoo-bhaal) who searches for the proper type of earth
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Gohal/Gohil  :ਗੋਹਲ/ਗੋਹਿਲ
13. Kashav  :ਕਸ਼ਵ
14. Malhi :ਮੱਲ੍ਹੀ
15. Khokhars:ਖੋਖਰ
16. Ladania लदानीआ - ਲਦਾਨੀਆ
17. Sokhal सोख़ल - ਸੋਖ਼ਲ
18. Nokwal
19. Ahitan
20. Chaand (used to be called chond)
21. Sohal
22. Salganiya
23. Tank
24. Sidhu
25. Rindi
26. Blaggan
27. dharan
28. 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]

1. Paminder
2. Pawinder
3. Paninder
4. Pashinder
5. Papreet
6. Padeep
7. 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:

1. Pandit
2. Marwara
3. Timiria
4. Mawalia
5. Mathera
6. Sighatiya
7. sihota
8. Sunkdiwal
9. Shardiwal
10. Kirodiwal
11. 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

1. Ahetan अहीतान - ਅਹੀਤਾਨ
2. Akku अक्कू - ਅੱਕੂ
3. Baaj बाज - ਬਾਜ
4. Behgal बहगल-ਬਹਗਲ
5. Baiwal
6. Benipal बेणीपाल - ਬੇਣੀਪਾਲ
7. Bharapadhriya
8. Bhopal :ਭੋਪਾਲ (ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੇ ਭਾਲ਼ੂ ਜਾਂ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਿਸਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਣੂ) (bhoo-bhaal) who searches for the proper type of earth.
9. Bhalerao भालेराउ - ਭਾਲੇਰਾਓ - بہالےراو
10. Bhardwaj भारद्वाज - ਭਾਰਦਵਾਜ -
11. Bijotra बिजोत्रI - ਬਿਜੋਤ੍ਰਾ
12. Blaggan बलग्गण - ਬਲੱਗਣ - (Blagan / Ballagan)
13. Chahal ਚਹਿਲ
14. Chakretia चकरेटिया - ਚਕਰੇਟੀਆ (MP-INDIA)
15. Chammchandol चम्चंदोल - ਚੰਮਚੰਦੋਲ
16. Channi चन्नी - ਚਹਉਨਨ‌ਿ
17. Chandla चांदला - ਚਾੰਦਲਾ
18. Chandrani चंद्राणी - ਚੰਦਰਾਣੀ
19. chaulia (cholia)
20. Charchaulie चरचौलीये - ਚਰਚੌਲੀਏ
21. Chhapola छापोला - ਛਾਪੋਾਲਾ
22. Chidimaar चिड़ीमार - ਚਿੜੀਮਾਰ
23. Chind चिंद - ਚਿੰਦ
24. Chond चोंड - ਚੋਂਡ
25. Dehmiwal : Builders/ Merchandisers (profusely used in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan)
26. Deshavaria ;देशावरीया saharanpur/up
27. Doal दोअल - ਦੋਉਲ
28. Dona : डोना - ਡੋਨਾ
29. Dodia : डोडीआ - ਡੋਡੀਆ
30. Dubb :ਡੱਬ (ਮਾਲ ਪਕਾਉਣ ਵਾਲ਼ੇ) packers/driers
31. Gola : गोला - ਗੋਲ਼ਾ (mainly used by Kumhars in Madhya Pradesh)
32. Gohal :ਗੋਹਲ/ਗੋਹਿਲ (ਆਵੇ ਦੇ ਚੈਕਰ) Earthen walls makers
33. Ghadiyal घड़ियाल - ਘੜਿਆਲ
34. Ghurail घुड़ैल - ਘੁੜੈਲ
35. Guleria गुलेरिआ - ਗੁਲੇਰੀਆ
36. Guliyaan
37. Hampal हम्पाल - ਹਮਪਾਲ
38. Hathretia हथरेटिया - ਹਥਰੇਟੀਆ (MP INDIA)
39. Jabali जबालिआ - ਜਬਾਲੀਆ
40. Jhalli :ਝੱਲੀ ( حہ`لۓ)(ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਚਾਲਕ)(Chalhi) who runs the chuck (wheel) {many Jhalli/Jhallys write themselves to be Jolly nowadays}
41. Jamba जम्बा - ਜੰਬਾ
42. Jamwal जम्वाल - ਜਮਵਾਲ਼
43. Jariyal/Jarial जरियाल-ਜਰਿਯਾਲ
44. Jeed जीड़ - ਜੀੜ
45. Kaundal कौंडल - ਕੌਂਡਲ
46. Karari : ਕਰਾੜੀ(ਕਰਾੜੀਏ)- Makers of su in older times.
47. Khambh खम्भ - ਖੰਭ
48. Kharodi - in Kurukshetra(Umri)
49. Kashav :ਕਸ਼ਵ (ਵਪਾਰੀ) Businessmen in Ghumars
50. Khokhars:ਖੋਖਰ (ਜੰਗੀ ਲੜਾਕੇ/ਮੁਹੰਮਦ ਗ਼ੌਰੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਤਲ)
51. Karari : ਕਰਾੜੀ(ਕਰਾੜੀਏ)- Makers of surahis (earthen product for cold water) on large scale in older times.
52. Khiva : खीवा - ਖੀਵਾ
53. Khosla खोसला - ਕਹੋਸਲਉ
54. Krari/Krarie कराड़ी - ਕਰਾੜੀਏ
55. kudal
56. Kubbe ਕੱਬੇ
57. Ladwa लाडवा - ਲਾਡਵਾ
58. Lakhanpal लखनपाल - ਲਖਨਪਾਲ
59. Langdi लांगड़ी - ਲਾੰਗੜੀ
60. Lehra/Lehri : ਲੈਹਰਾ, ਲੈਹਰੀ - pot basement fillers.
61. Lidder लिड्डर - ਲਿੱਢਰ
62. Lola लोला - ਲੋਲਾ
63. Wodeyar(means Lord): In south India
64. Mahar माहर, ਮਾਹਰ - Prominent agriculturists in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
65. Mangalav
66. Nazar नज़र - ਨਜ਼ਰ
67. Nizran निज़रान - ਨਿਜ਼ਰਾਨ
68. Nokhwal नोखवाल - ਨੋਖਵਾਲ
69. Pankhania पांखानिया - ਪਾਂਖਾਨਿਯਾ
70. Pansotra पंसोत्रा - ਪੰਸੋਤ੍ਰਾ
71. Pensia पेंसिया - ਪੇੰਸਿਆ
72. Pal or Paul(means Protector): In west Bengal & others pasts of India.
73. Rattan रत्न - ਰਤਨ
74. Rana: Rana Tribes (Potters)in Orissa and other parts of India.
75. Raven
76. Roy
77. Sakhi ਸੱਖੀ
78. Sattani सत्तानी - ਸੱਤਾਨੀ
79. Sokhal सोख़ल - ਸੋਖ਼ਲ
80. Singathia सिंगाठिया - ਸਿੰਗਾਠਿਆ
81. Sogi सोगी - ਸੋਗੀ
82. Suetti/Sutti सुत्ती - ਸੁੱਤੀ
83. Taddi टाडी-ढाडी - ਟਾਡੀ-ਢਾਡੀ (Dhadi)
84. Tak/Taak टाक - ਟਾਕ
85. TalePhear :ਤਲ਼ੇਫਿਆਰ/ਤਲਵਾੜ(Talwar) (ਰੰਗਰੇਜ਼) colouring the raw material
86. 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

World culture kumhar

Population of kumhar:54,413(for Nepal only)
Language:Nepali, Maithali, others
Religion : 99.99%(Hinduism)

About:
As Per old Nepali mythology, the Kumhar are offspring of Lord Brahma (Prajapati). This is why in some places in Nepal, the Kumhar use Pajapati/Prajapat as a surname according to Nepali caste system. However, the Kumhar can also be found throughout Nepal under the surnames  Kumhar, and pandit . Ancient Nepali culture cannot be deciphered without acknowledging the Kumhar.

The Kumhar's livelihood is making earthen pots. They claim to be the first inventors of the wheel/cycle, which they use not only to make pots, but other earthen utensils as well. Historically, their main way of earning income has been through these earthen products and agriculture. They are very honest people and make their livelihood by hard work.
The Kumhar are generally Hindu and pray to the Lord Shiva, Goddess Mother (Mata). They believe in god and are highly spritual, loveable, honest, and hard working.
Prayer Points:
o Pray that the gospel will be preached among the Kumhar.
o Ask God to open the hearts of Kumhar nonbelievers and convict them of their need for the Savior.
o Pray that Christian missionaries will find favor with the Indian government and the Kumhar people.
o Ask the Lord to grow the number of Kumhar believers, strengthen them, and encourage them so that their faith endures and their witness is bold and clear.
o Pray that God will give these believers opportunities to share the love of Jesus with their own people.
o Ask God to raise up strong local churches among the Kumhar of India.
Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!

Finally ,i will discuss mostly kumhar of Nepal but kumhar of Nepal and India and all other countries are much more similar whether they are from different religion because religion starts after the civilization of kumhar and other caste, However all of they are same in ancient and should have best relationship among all the kumhar caste.

This caste helps all other caste by making pot to cook food,eat food and many  other purposes.