Bhavsar

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Bhavsar (or Bhawsar, Bhavsar Kshatriya Samaj) is an ancient Indian community that
originated from Saurashtra.

The word Bhavsar stands for Bhavsingh and Sarsingh, the root originators of the
Community called as "Bhavsar Kshatriya Samaj" who were warrior princes from
Saurashtra (India). The community is not limited to a specific region of people following
particular language or culture -- rather it covers people speaking various languages in
India. Few of them belong to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan etc.

Bhavnagar and surrounding region is supposed to be the core origin of the Bhavsar
community.

Gujarat where the community originated from, has several breakups. The Kutch region
has Bhavsars as the Priest or "Brahmins" of some temples. So it is unclear as to how the
community became "Kshatriya". Legend has it that after Mughals attacked Gujarat,
stringent terms were set for the Bhavsar community for their profession of colouring and
dyeing clothes. As a result, many members left Saurashtra and migrated south-east
towards Maharashtra, a state controlled by Peshwas who were "Brahmins". The Peshwas
refused to accept the migratory team into the state as "Brahmins" and hence the Bhavsars
were given the status of "Kshatriya".

Bhavsar is an ancient community originating from the North Western part of India,
stretching towards the South Indian Territories. However this community isn’t enclosed
by the Indian border, rather its members have been successfully flourishing in different
countries. The main profession of this community was related to clothing and textiles.
Bhavsar Kshatriyas are also known in some parts of Andhra Pradesh as "Rangrez" by
their profession of dyeing textiles or "Rangaari" in Maharashtra and other parts. This
profession led the community members to travel at a long distance crossing barriers and
flourishing as successful business personnel. As time passed, the community started
adapting itself to the situations and need of time. Apart from Clothing Industry it started
developing skills in other industrial activities. Today Bhavsar comprises business
personnel and professionals from a varied work culture. From clothing industry to
medical and electrical to Information Technology.

[edit] History
According to the epics the legendary Parshuram who was said to be an Avatar of Lord
Vishnu, had vowed a vengeance against a community of warriors, where in the war he
had wiped most of the warriors, off the earth. This scenario had worried two young
princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh from Saurashtra who had foreseen their dynasty meeting
its end.

They had been directed to appeal Hindu Goddess Hinglaj

(Durga/Ambaji/Bhavani/Mataji/Kali) at the holy shrine situated on the bank of Hingol
River in Baluchistan near Sindh which is now at Pakistan, where the Hindu Goddess
assured protection of their dynasty by compelling Parshuram to leave them alone, on the
condition that none from their community would confront Parshuram as he too was a son
for her. The community Bhavsar was named after these two Princes Bhavsingh and
Sarsingh.
In the mean time apart from being at the royal service, few members from the community
started developing skills in stitching and dyeing clothes. These skills enabled them to
grow as professional artisans and in turn Royal Tailors & Dress Designers. These artisans
had to travel a lot as their skills were well known throughout the nation.

[edit] External links

• Hingalaj Mata
• The Official Website of The Community
• Hingol River & Hinglaj Mata Photos
• List of surnames belonging to the Bhavsar community.

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