According to the 2011 Census of India, the Gaddi population was 1,78,130 in Himachal Pradesh and 46,489 in Jammu Kashmir. The Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh had an adult sex ratio of 1014 and literacy rate of 73.3, whereas those of Jammu and Kashmir had a sex ratio of 953 and literacy of 53.5.[1]
Culture and residence
Within the Gaddi, no particular caste is named, although there is a community which includes Gaddi Brahmin, Gaddi Rajput, Gaddi Rana, Gaddi Khatri and other Gaddi Dalit castes.[2]
Gaddi Brahmins consider themselves descendants of Bhatt Brahmins of Delhi who came to Himachal during the Mughal rule.[3]
Gaddi may also consider themselves descendants of Gadaria Rajputs, while some historians say that Gaddi Rajputs are descendants of the Garhwali rulers of Rajasthan. The couplet "Ujrya Lahore to Vashya Bharmour" indicates the immigration of Gaddis from Lahore to Bharmour. [citation needed]
Castes
The highest castes in the Gaddi community are the Brahmin, Rajput, Khatri, Rathi and Rana castes. The lower castes are Sippi,lohar, Rahadia, Kali, Hali, and Doom castes.[4]
Occupations
The majority of Gaddis are now land owners and practice agriculture as their primary means of livelihood. They may also be pastorals and own large flocks of sheep and goats as their traditional occupation.[5]
Dress
Chola and Dora are the traditional dress styles. Dora is the most important part of Gaddi dress. Chadru is used by Gaddis to cover their head.[6]
According to the 2011 Census of India, the Gaddi population was 178,130 in Himachal Pradesh and 46,489 in Jammu Kashmir. The Gaddis of Himachal Pradesh had an adult sex ratio of 1014 and literacy rate of 73.3, whereas those of Jammu and Kashmir had a sex ratio of 953 and literacy of 53.5. reservation system.[7]
Gaddis' traditional practices and habits are changing rapidly with India's modernisation.[8] In 2024, an exhibit "Journey across the Himalayas" was held in New Delhi, sharing about Gaddis' way of life and modernity.[9][10][11][2]
Verma, V. 1996. Gaddis of Dhauladhar: A Transhumant Tribe of the Himalayas. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi.
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