BANJARA COMMUNITY

PRELIMS BITS: 

Recently Lok Sabha speaker highlighted Banjara community’s role in protecting nature and tradition of the country.

About Banjara (Bepari, Mukeai, Laban) Community

• Origins: Historically multireligious, multilinguistic nomadic trading caste who may have origins in Mewar region (Rajasthan).
• Role as Trader Nomads:
  • They traded between villages, towns, and even across regions.
  • Primary trade items included grain, pulses, sugar, salt, wood, and timber.
  • Banjaras traveled in large groups called Tandas. Each Tanda was led by a chief known as Nayaka.
• Historical Accounts:
  • Sultan Alauddin Khalji used Banjaras to transport grain to city markets.
  • Emperor Jahangir mentioned in Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri that they carried grains on bullocks from villages to towns.
  • They supplied food grains to Mughal armies during military campaigns also.