Agaria

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The Aghariya, or Agariya is a schedule caste community title of Chunvalia Kolis who are salt farmers in Kutch district of Gujarat, India. [1]

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The Aghariya community have been producing salt for centuries, contributing approximately 30% of India’s inland salt. Historically, they owned the lands they worked on, but in 1973, the Gujarat government declared the Little Rann of Kutch a protected area under the Wild Ass Sanctuary. This decision aimed to conserve the endangered Indian wild ass and its unique habitat but also resulted in the transfer of land ownership rights to the state. The reclassification of the region as a wildlife sanctuary prohibited private land ownership and traditional activities considered disruptive to conservation efforts, thereby restricting Aghariya community of salt farming practices and exacerbating their economic and social vulnerabilities. [2] In 2019, Koli Agariyas faced the great loss of salt trade because of the trade war between China and the United States of America. [3]

They were listed as a Criminal Tribe under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 by British Indian government because of their rebellions against British rule in India. [4]

The Aghariya community demanding recognition as farmers and an assurance that they have a legal right on Little Rann of Kutch land for salt farming to get the benefit like agriculture farmers such as money package and relief for natural calamities like flood. [5] [ dead link ‍]

Clans

Here are some of the clans used by Aghariya title holder Kolis of Kutch,

Classification

The Aghariya community, part of the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, is a small yet dynamic group known for their resilience and cultural heritage. While traditionally associated with the Waghri or Devipujak community, they have adapted to modern socioeconomic changes, often migrating from rural areas to cities in search of better educational, professional, and business opportunities. This shift has contributed to their growing presence in urban centers, where they are making strides in various fields while maintaining their cultural roots.

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Organisations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Rann of Kutch</span> Salt marsh in Gujarat, India and Sindh, Pakistan; the greater part of the Rann of Kutch

The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is about 7500 km2 in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world. This area has been inhabited by the Kutchi people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kutch district</span> District in Gujarat, India

Kutch district, officially spelled Kachchh, is a district of Gujarat state in western India, with its headquarters (capital) at Bhuj. Covering an area of 45,674 km2, it is the largest district of India. The area of Kutch is larger than the entire area of other Indian states like Haryana (44,212 km2) and Kerala (38,863 km2), as well as the country of Estonia (45,335 km2). The population of Kutch is about 2,092,371. It has 10 talukas, 939 villages and 6 municipalities. The Kutch district is home to the Kutchi people who speak the Kutchi language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Rann of Kutch</span> Salt marsh located near the Great Rann of Kutch in Kutch, Gujarat, India

The Little Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh which is part of the Rann of Kutch in Kutch district, Gujarat, India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patidar</span> Indian agriculturist caste

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maldhari</span> Gujarati term used for herdsmen

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary</span> Indian wildlife sanctuary

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rann of Kutch</span> Large area of salt desert in India and Pakistan

The Rann of Kutch is a large area of salt marshes that span the border between India and Pakistan. It is located mostly in the Kutch district of the Indian state of Gujarat, with a minor portion extending into the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is divided into the Great Rann and Little Rann. It used to be a part of the Arabian Sea, but it then dried up, leaving behind the salt, which formed the Rann of Kutch. The Luni flowed into the Rann of Kutch, but when the Rann dried up, the Luni was left behind, which explains why the Luni does not flow into the Arabian Sea today.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koli people</span> Indian caste

The Koli is an Indian caste that is predominantly found in India, but also in Pakistan and Nepal. Koli is an agriculturist caste of Gujarat but in coastal areas they also work as fishermen along with agriculture.

Kutch generally refers to the Kutch district, a district of Gujarat state in western India. It may also refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chunvalia Koli</span> Subcaste of Koli caste

The Chunvalia, or Chuvalia, Chunwalia is a subcaste of the Koli caste, found in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Chunvalia Kolis were the first Indian caste to adopt the game of cricket in India. Chunvalia Kolis were classified as a Criminal Tribe under Criminal Tribes Act by government of the British Raj because of their purported anti-social behaviour and activities, such as alleged dacoity in Gujarat. During the First World War, Chunwalia Kolis were enlisted as soldiers in British Indian Army by the Bombay government of British India.

Gujarat, a state located in Western India, includes fauna from ecosystems such as the coast of the Arabian Sea, the semi-arid forests on the Kathiawar Peninsula, and the arid salt flats of the Rann of Kutch.

References

  1. ↑ Chandra, Kavita Kanan (24 February 2017). "The salt farmers of wild ass country". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  2. 1 2 Kaur, Ravleen. "Gujarat's plan to build Asia's biggest freshwater lake is a threat to the Aghariya community as salt workers". Scroll.in. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Gujarat Salt Industry Hit By US-China Trade War". Forbes India. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  4. ↑ "Education in the Desert: Field Notes from the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat - Bhavna Harchandani". Doing Sociology. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  5. ↑ "Research sweetens deal for saltpan workers". The Indian Express. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  6. ↑ "Lok Sabha polls: Post-Rahul Gandhi visit, Congress all set to hand over salt-pan workers to BJP on platter". Counterview. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
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