Nagpuri people

Last updated

Sadan/Nagpuri/Nagpuria
Total population
c.  4 million [1] [2]
Regions with significant populations
Chota Nagpur Plateau
(Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha), West Bengal, Assam
Languages
Nagpuri • Hindi
Religion
Predominantly:

Minorities:
Related ethnic groups


Nagpuri or Nagpuria, historically referred to as Sadan, are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group who traditionally speak Nagpuri as their native language and reside in western Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Indian state Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. [3]

Contents

Etymology

Historically the native speaker of Sadri/Nagpuri language are known as Sadan . Sadan means non-tribal Indo-Aryan language speaker who traditionally speak Nagpuri, Khortha, Panchpargania and Kurmali. [3] The name "Nagpuri" has been propagated by poets and writers. In recent years the native speaker of Sadri/Nagpuri language are known as Nagpuri in western study. [4] Locally they are known as Nagpuria. [5]

History

Prehistoric era

Stone tools, microliths discovered from Chota Nagpur plateau region which are from Mesolithic and Neolithic period. [6] During Neolithic period, agriculture started in South Asia. Several neolithic settlements have found in sites such as Jhusi, Lahuradewa, Mehergarh, Bhirrana, Rakhigarhi, Koldihwa, Chopani Mando and Chirand. During the 2nd millennium BC, the use of Cooper tools had spread in the Chotanagpur plateau region and these find-complexes known as Copper Hoard Culture associated with Ochre Coloured Pottery culture. [7]

Cooper hoard objects have been discovered in Chotanagpur region which are from 2nd millennium BCE during Indus Valley Civilisation, Late Phase (1900-1300 BCE) Indus Valley Civilization, Late Phase (1900-1300 BCE).svg
Cooper hoard objects have been discovered in Chotanagpur region which are from 2nd millennium BCE during Indus Valley Civilisation, Late Phase (1900-1300 BCE)

In Palamu district at the confluence of Son and North Koel river in Kabra-Kala mound various antiquities and art objects have been found which are from Neolithic to Medieval period and the pot-sherds of Redware, black and red ware, black ware, black slipped ware and NBP ware are from Chalcolithic to late medieval period. [8]

Ancient period

The use of Iron tools and pottery had spread in Chotanagpur plateau region during 1400 BCE according to carbon dating of Iron slag and pottery which have found in Singhbhum district. [9] During the Vedic period, several janapadas emerged in northern India. Parts of western India was dominated by tribes who had a slightly different culture, considered non-Vedic by the mainstream Vedic culture prevailing in the Kuru and Panchala kingdoms. Similarly, there were some tribes in the eastern regions of India considered to be in this category. There were many kingdom existing in the north such as Madra, Salva and in the east such as Kikata, Nishadas who were not following Vedic religion.

Around c. 1200–1000 BCE, Vedic Aryans spread eastward to the fertile western Ganges Plain and adopted iron tools which allowed for clearing of forest and the adoption of a more settled, agricultural way of life. [10] [11] [12] During this time, the central Ganges Plain dominated by a related but non-Vedic Indo-Aryan culture. The end of the Vedic period witnessed the rise of cities and large states (called mahajanapadas) as well as śramaṇa movements (including Jainism and Buddhism) which challenged the Vedic orthodoxy. [13]

Magadha and other Mahajanapadas in c. 500 BCE Mahajanapadas (c. 500 BCE).png
Magadha and other Mahajanapadas in c. 500 BCE

According to Bronkhorst, the sramana culture arose in greater Magadha, which was Indo-European, but not Vedic. In this culture, Kshatriyas were placed higher than Brahmins, and it rejected Vedic authority and rituals. [14] [15] These Sramana religions did not worship the Vedic deities, practiced some form of asceticism and meditation (jhana) and tended to construct round burial mounds (called stupas in Buddhism). [16] Some parts of Nagpuri speaking region was part of Magadha Mahajanpada.

During 4th Century BCE region was ruled by Nanda Empire. In Mauryan period, this region ruled by a number of states, which were collectively known as the Atavika (forest) states. These states accepted the suzerainty of the Maurya empire during Ashoka's reign (c. 232 BCE). Samudragupta, while marching through the present-day Chotanagpur region, directed the attack against the kingdom of Dakshina Kosala in the Mahanadi valley. [17]

Medieval period

During medieval period Nagvanshi and Ramgarh Raj were ruling in the region. During the 10th century, 12th Nagvanshi king Bhim Karn shifted his capital to Khukhragarh after defeating Raksel of Surguja when they invaded the region. Then Bhim Karn captured territory as far as Surguja and Palamu.

Modern period

In 1585, during the reign of Nagvanshi king Madhu Singh, the Mughal invaded Khukhragarh, then Nagvanshi rulers became vassal of Mughals. Nagvanshi were independent during weak Mughal rule. After the Battle of Plassey, the region comes under influence of East India Company. Chero and Nagvanshi ruler then became tributaries to East India company.

Navratangarh fort Nawratan gadh.jpg
Navratangarh fort

Bakhtar Say and Mundal Singh, two landowners from Gumla, fought against the British East India company in 1812 against tax imposition on farmers. British hanged them in Kolkata. [18]

The other princely states in Chota Nagpur Plateau, came within the sphere of influence of the Maratha Empire, but they became tributary States of East India Company as a result of the Anglo-Maratha Wars known as Chota Nagpur Tributary States. [19] Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo and Pandey Ganpat Rai led rebels against British East India Company in 1857 rebellion. [20] Tikait Umrao Singh, Sheikh Bhikhari, Nadir Ali, Jai Mangal Singh played pivotal role in Indian Rebellion of 1857. [21] After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the rule of the British East India Company was transferred to the Crown in the person of Queen Victoria. [22]

After Indian independence in 1947, the rulers of the states chose to accede to the Dominion of India. Changbhakar, Jashpur, Koriya, Surguja and Udaipur later became part of Madhya Pradesh state, but Gangpur and Bonai became part of Orissa state, and Kharsawan and Saraikela part of Bihar state. [23] Region under Kings of Nagvansh and Ramgarh became parts of Bihar state. In November 2000, the new states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand separated from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, respectively.

Communities

Various communities in Chota Nagpur Plateau traditionally speak the Nagpuri language, including the Ahir, Binjhia, Bhogta, Chik Baraik, Ghasi, Jhora, Kudmi, Kurmi, Kewat, Kharwar, [24] Kumhar, Lohra, Mahli, Nagvanshi, Rautia, [25] Teli and Turi among others. [26]

Culture

Language and literature

Nagpuri language/dialect is native to western and central Chota Nagpur plateau region. It is spoken by around 12 million people, 5 million as native language and 7 million as second language. Nagpuri belongs to Bihari group of Indo-Aryan languages. [27] [28] According to professor Keshri Kumar Singh, Nagpuri is descendant of Magadhi Prakrit. According to Dr. Sravan Kumar Goswami, Nagpuri had evolved from Ardhamagadhi Prakrit. [29] Its literary tradition started around the 17th century. [30] The Nagvanshi king Raghunath Shah and King of Ramgarh, Dalel Singh were poet. [31] Hanuman Singh, Jaigovind Mishra, Barju Ram, Ghasiram Mahli and Das Mahli were prominent peot. [32] Some prominent writer of modern period are Lal Ranvijay Nath Shahdeo, Bisheshwar Prasad Keshari, Girdhari Ram Gonjhu and Sahani Upendra Pal Singh. [33]

Music and dance

The Nagpuri people have their own styles of dance. [34] Some Nagpuri folk dances are jhumair , mardani jhumair , janani jhumair, domkach , lahasua , angnai, faguwa, sanjhi, adhratiya, bhinsariya, and painki. [35] Painki is ceremonial martial folk dance performed in marriage and functions. [36] The musical instruments used in folk music and dance include dhol, mandar, bansi, nagara, dhak, shehnai, khartal, and narsinga. [35] [37] Akhra is important part of Nagpuri culture which is village ground where people dance. [38]

Some prominent folk singer and dancer in nagpuri language are Mukund Nayak, Madhu Mansuri Hasmukh and Govind Sharan Lohra who have received award from several organisations and Government.

Festival

Karam and Jitia are major festival celebrated among Nagpuri people. [38] Other major festivals are Asari, Nawakhani, Sohrai/Bandna, and Fagun. Sacred grove called Gram Than or Sarna is a place where village deity resides according to traditional belief, the offering to Gaon Khut/Gram Deoti takes place twice a year before sowing of seeds and harvesting crops for good harvest.

Religion

The deities reverence in Nagpuri tradition are Surjahi (Sun), Chand (Moon). Other deities are Gram Deoti (village deity), Bar Pahari (hill deity) and Gaurea (cattle deity) etc. The people worship these deities at home themselves during festivals. In home, rituals performed by head of family and in community festival the rituals performed by village priest "Pahan" and his assistant "Pujar". [39] [40] [36] The Nagpuri religious tradition is based on local folk tradition and is non-vedic tradition. According to June McDaniel, folk hinduism is based on local traditions and cults of local deities and is the oldest, non-literate system. It is pre-vedic tradition extending back to prehistoric times, or before written of Vedas. [41]

According to ancient texts during Vedic period, Vedic religion was centred around North-Western Indian subcontinent particularly Kuru and Panchala Mahajanpada. Several tribes who were living in border of Brahmanical India including Magadha, Madra, Salva, Kikata, Nishadas and Shakya, the clan of Gautama Buddha were following non-vedic culture. [42] The influence of Vedic religion reached in these region after arrival of Brahmin perhaps during post Mauryan period. The Nagvanshi rulers constructed several temples during their reign and invited Brahmin from different parts of the country for priestly duty. [43]

Marriage tradition

Nagpuri marriage is unique. Prior to marriage, the boy's relatives go to girl's home to see and negotiate for marriage and token amount (bride price) is paid by the boy's family to the girl's family as part of the marriage expenses called damgani.

The process of marriage starts with giving of Sari by boy's family to girl's family. Damgani, panbandhi, matikoran (worship of gramadevata), madwa and dalhardi, nahchhur, amba biha, panikotan, baraat, pairghani, sindoor dan, harin marek (hunting deer), chuman (giving gifts), etc are the activities and rituals of marriage accompanied by music of Nagara, Dhak and Shehnai played by traditionally musicians of Ghasi community. There are different songs for different marriage rituals. Domkach, Pairghani (welcome ceremony) dance performed during marriage. Wedding performed by thakur/Nai (barber) and the village priest called pahan in matikoran. Traditionally nagpuri wedding conducted without a Brahmin priest. [39]

Cinema

From 1990s several nagpuri films have been produced. The first Nagpuri film was Sona Kar Nagpur(1992) produced and directed by Dhananjay Nath Tiwary. In recent years some Nagpuri films are made such as Mahuaa, Mor Gaon Mor Desh, Phulmania and Dhumkkudiya, which focuses on social issues.

Nagpuri cinema face several challenges such as lack of funds, infrastructure deficiency as most audience reside in villages which mostly located in remote and forest area. [44]

Notable people

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References

  1. ↑ "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011". www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Sadri". Ethnologue.
  3. 1 2 "Sadani / Sadri". Southasiabibliography.de. Archived from the original on 8 January 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  4. ↑ Barz, Gregory F.; Cooley, Timothy J. (9 September 2008). Shadows in the Field: New Perspectives for Fieldwork in Ethnomusicology. ISBN   9780199886708.
  5. ↑ "ठेठ नागपुरी गीत-नृत्य के पुरोधा गोविंद शरण लोहरा". prabhatkhabar. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  6. ↑ periods, India-Pre- historic and Proto-historic (4 November 2016). India – Pre- historic and Proto-historic periods. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN   9788123023458 . Retrieved 8 September 2018– via Google Books.
  7. ↑ Paul Yule, Addenda to "The Copper Hoards of the Indian Subcontinent: Preliminaries for an Interpretation", Man and Environment 26.2, 2002, 117–120 http://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/savifadok/volltexte/2009/510/.
  8. ↑ "KABRA – KALA". www.asiranchi.org. Archived from the original on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
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  11. ↑ Witzel 1995, p. 3-5.
  12. ↑ Samuel 2010, p. 49-52.
  13. ↑ Flood 1996, p. 82.
  14. ↑ Bronkhorst 2007.
  15. ↑ Long 2013, p. chapter II.
  16. ↑ Bronkorst, J; Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India (2007), p. 3
  17. ↑ Sharma, Tej Ram (1978). Personal and Geographical Names in the Gupta Inscriptions. Concept Publishing Company. p.  258.
  18. ↑ "Raghubar honours Simdega patriots". timesofindia. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  19. ↑ "Gazetteer - Chota Nagpur Tributary States Gazetteer. Statistics, 1901-02 - South Asia Archive".
  20. ↑ "cm pays tribute thakur vishwanath sahdeo birth anniversary". avenuemail. 13 August 2017.
  21. ↑ "JPCC remembers freedom fighters Tikait Umrao Singh, Sheikh Bhikari". webindia123. 8 January 2016.
  22. ↑ Kaul, Chandrika. "From Empire to Independence: The British Raj in India 1858–1947" . Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  23. ↑ Eastern States Agency. List of ruling chiefs & leading personages Delhi: Agent to Governor-General, Eastern States, 1936
  24. ↑ Minz, Diwakar; Hansda, Delo Mai (2010). Encyclopaedia of Scheduled Tribes in Jharkhand. ISBN   9788178351216.
  25. ↑ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 945 to 947 Seagull Books
  26. ↑ "1 Paper for 3 rd SCONLI 2008 (JNU, New Delhi) Comparative study of Nagpuri Spoken by Chik-Baraik & Oraon's of Jharkhand Sunil Baraik Senior Research Fellow". slideplayer.com.
  27. ↑ Wynne, Alexander (1 July 2011). "Review of Bronkhorst, Johannes, Greater Magadha: Studies in the Culture of Early India". H-net.org. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  28. ↑ Lal, Mohan (1992). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot. ISBN   9788126012213.
  29. ↑ Ranjan, Manish (19 August 2002). Jharkhand Samanya Gyan. ISBN   9789351867982.
  30. ↑ Brass Paul R., The Politics of India Since Independence, Cambridge University Press, pp. 183
  31. ↑ "giant new chapter for nagpuri poetry". telegraphindia. 5 November 2012.
  32. ↑ "नागपुरी राग-रागिनियों को संरक्षित कर रहे महावीर नायक". prabhatkhabar. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  33. ↑ Ranjan, Manish (January 2016). Jharkhand Samanya Gyan. ISBN   9789351866848.
  34. ↑ Sharan, Arya (1 June 2017). "Colours of culture blossom at Nagpuri dance workshop". The Daily Pioneer. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  35. 1 2 "Out of the Dark". democratic world. 7 June 2014.
  36. 1 2 "बख्तर साय मुंडल सिंह के बताए राह पर चलें". bhaskar. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  37. ↑ "Jharkhand tunes in to Nagpuri folk songs". timesofindia. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  38. 1 2 "talk on nagpuri folk music at ignca". daily Pioneer. 7 November 2018.
  39. 1 2 "Culture and Tradition of Chik Baraik Community". chikbaraik.org.
  40. ↑ Minz, Diwakar; Hansda, Delo Mai (2010). Chik Baraik. ISBN   9788178351216 . Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  41. ↑ June McDaniel "Hinduism", in John Corrigan, The Oxford Handbook of Religion and Emotion, (2007) Oxford University Press, 544 pages, pp. 52–53 ISBN   0-19-517021-0
  42. ↑ Levman, Bryan Geoffrey (2013). "Cultural Remnants of the Indigenous Peoples in the Buddhist Scriptures", Buddhist Studies Review 30 (2), 145-180. ISSN (online) 1747-9681.
  43. ↑ Ranjan, Manish (19 August 2002). Jharkhand Samanya Gyan. ISBN   9789351867982 . Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  44. ↑ "Journey of Jhollywood: A Study in the Context of Nagpuri Cinema". researchgate. November 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
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