Challenges against the identity of Kangasia

(Regarding Bhavnagar District)

Jaydevsinh B. Rayjada

Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Varma Kutch University,

Bhuj, Kutch-Gujarat, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail:

ABSTRACT:

The traditional business of the above mentioned three Kangsia settlements located in the parts of Bhavnagar city was to sell handicrafts. Almost all the families were doing the business of making and distributing Kangsi means toothpicks. Hence their caste name Kangsia Padi in the present day the effects of the process of social change are changing the traditional elements of culture and profession among the Kangsias. At the same time the Kangsias have sustained some elements of their traditional culture. Their dress profession varies completely while traditions and customs have changed somewhat. The caste panchayat, which traditionally dominates the caste, still maintains strict social control among the Kangsias.

KEYWORDS: Traditional, Society, Religion, Maintain, Traditionally, Dominates, Weaker sections.

INTRODUCTION:

Indian society is divided into different continents. Religion is divided into caste and caste. If we look at the past of Indian society, it was divided into four varnas in ancient times. During the medieval period the four varnas were divided into several castes, most of them were recognized on the basis of occupation. Some of these castes, which arose on the basis of occupation, could not settle in a fixed region. She was leading a wandering and wandering life for business.

In the late medieval period, the herding caste in Rajasthan came to be known as Vanzara. A herd of cattle was then called Vanazar. From this the word Vanzara came into existence. These Vanjaras used to migrate to get fodder for their animals. During the migration some of their groups from different regions of the country learned different types of arts and crafts and those who became skilled in the art took it up as a profession.

Many Vanzara groups in Gujarat migrated from Rajasthan. Each of their groups adopted different occupations and based on that they got an identity from which sub-castes arose out of the Vanjaras. Originally, the Vanzara people made their livelihood by driving camels and carrying goods on them, as well as by trading camels. Then the Vanjaras who carried soil and goods on donkeys and did digging were known as Ods. People who run Gujarat by earning money through Angik khel are called Goriya. People who repaired iron utensils were called Lohariyas. Kangsias who did labor were known as Bhats while those who made and sold kangsi (toothpicks) were known as Kangsias.

These Kangsia people used to make kangsi from the wood of trees like rayan and sesamum as well as cattle horns and trade them as ferias in villages and cities. Along with this, they were trading some handicrafts made from cod, conch, shell and bamboo.

Study Content:

Nowadays, there has been a change in the business of the Kangsia people. The business of making and selling kangsi has fallen, replacing the kangsi with plastic teeth. However, they still maintain the business of selling goods as a fair. But now in Kangsi's place, he runs Gujarat by distributing cutlery i.e. modern cosmetics. While some Kangsia families are engaged in income-generating activities through other occupations. The major impact of accelerated social change in present times is the question of sustaining their original identity for the Kangsias as a result of occupational change and unstable wandering or wandering occupational life among the Kangsia people. Some challenges to their core identity have arisen in recent times. The process of cultural change in Indian society has accelerated as a result of processes like modernization, westernization, globalization. This rapidly changing local culture results in the need for the Kangsias to adapt to change, which becomes a major challenge for the Kangsias.

The state of Gujarat has three main parts. In these three regions of Saurashtra, Kutch and Sub-Gujarat, small colonies of Kangsias live in villages and cities. Mainly their settlement is located on the outskirts of village or city.

Two Kangsia settlements are located at Fulsar village near Bhavnagar, the main town of Saurashtra's Bhavnagar district. A third Kangsia settlement is located at Sidsar village one or one and a half kilometer away. As Bhavnagar as a developing city expands and expands, Phulsar village has been included in the Bhavnagar city corporation limits. There is a full possibility of the village also being included in the corporation. 65 families live in the first colony while 42 families live in the second colony. Both these colonies are in Fulsar area of the city. While a total of 179 families are living in the colony located in the third Siddhasar village.

Nowadays, the process of social change is accelerating and challenges have arisen against the identity of the Kangsias. According to their original identity, they were Rajasthani

Kshatriyas in the Middle Ages. After living a wandering life, they were called Vanjaras and then by profession they got the identity of Kangsias. They have maintained their original ethnic identity even amidst changing caste identity. While the caste identity has been changing. As a result of their wandering life, it has become difficult to maintain their original culture. And their occupations changed from generation to generation as cultural changes began to take place. This changing social order and their culture have created challenges against the identity of the Kangxias.

RESEARCH PLAN AND METHODOLOGY:

1. Objectives of the study:

1.1 To examine the challenges against the traditional identity of Kangsias.

1.2 To examine the challenges against the current identity of the Kangsias.

2. Hypotheses to the study:

2.1 Both the current and traditional identities of the Kangsias have survived.

2.2 Kangsias tend to maintain their identity.

3. Importance of study:

3.1 There is a need of scientific study about the weaker sections in the society in the present time, because only through it the weaker sections of the society can be identified and the causes of the socially backward sections can be known. Which shows the importance of this study.

3.2 Social change in the present times has resulted in new challenges for the weaker sections of the society. Scientific studies will be useful in identifying these challenges.

4. Importance of study Topic-Reasons for selection:

4.1 The amount of scientific method studies on kangsias is minimal hence this study is selected.

4.2 Current trends of social change have created challenging effects on the Kangsia caste as a result of which this topic has been selected.

5. Mode of Data Collection:

During the field research, going to the study area and conducting field observation by targeting the location. Conducting trained observation by targeting the person. Personal observation by looking at the number of observers and non-participant observation by observing the role of the observer will be used. A visit schedule following scientific technique as well as secondary data and numerical data will be used.

6. Scope and sample selection:

Bhavnagar district of Gujarat state has been decided as the scope for this research. There are five Kangsia caste settlements near Bhavnagar, the main city of Bhavnagar district. Out of them, the sample required for research is selected from three settlements for the study. Thus, two of the three colonies are located in Fulsar area of the city and the third colony which is located in Sidsar village near the city. Out of a total of 179 families living in the above three settlements, 100 families have been selected as demonstration.

STUDY ANALYSIS:

If we look at the primary data obtained during the study, 35 from colony one, 25 from colony two and 40 from colony three, information has been obtained through scheduled visits to a total of 100 families. Out of the informants, 72 family members were Rathors, 10 family members were Chauhans and 18 family members were Parmars. Male members from 82 houses and female members from 18 houses answered as respondents. Examining the main reason behind the identity of the caste, 100 respondents have stated that Kangsia became a caste from Kangsi occupation. At present, checking the number of families than their occupation as Kangsia, not a single family can be seen doing Kangsi business. Will the traditional identity of Kangsias survive in the future? In response to such a question, 88 people said no while twelve people said yes.

Examining the reason why the traditional identity of the Kangxias did not survive, 42 respondents indicated more than one reason for it. While 46 people indicated only one reason. 58 people indicated the main reason behind the loss of traditional identity as Kshatriya. According to them, changing profession creates full possibilities of loss of Kshatriya identity. Whenever people said that getting a new identity as Kangsia will result in loss of traditional Kshatriya identity. While twelve people Just as people cited the wandering life as the reason, they said that the children would forget their traditional identity. Eight people cited different reasons why the new generation of Kangsias are not interested enough in maintaining their identity as Rajput Kshatriyas, while six people cited social change for them, four because the identity as Kangsias could bring them government benefits.

Examining the possibility of the extinction of the present-day Kangsia identity, 97 said that the Kangsia identity would survive, while three said that the Kangsia identity would be challenged. The reason behind the loss of identity of Kangsia is being investigated. And three respondents stated that their identity as Kangsia has been challenged as Kangsias have taken up various other occupations rather than Kangxi occupations.

Data Analysis Table:

Table 1: Kangxi's ratio of families to occupations.

Occupation	Number of Family
Occupation of Kangxi	00
other business	100

Examining their old business of making and selling kangsi among the Kangsiaos, it seems that every family has replaced their old business and adopted a new one.

Table 2: Proportion of families with occupation as Feria.

Occupation	Number of Family
Occupatin of Feria	34
other business	66

Examining the number of families doing business as ferias, 34 families have adopted the business of cutlery items other than kangsi.

Table 3: Perceptions of whether the traditional identity of Kangsia will survive or not.

Opinion	Yes	No
Will Kangsia's traditional identity survive or not ?	12	88

Checking the table showing whether the traditional identity as Kshatriya will survive in the future or not, 88 people have wrongly written that the traditional identity as Kshatriya will be destroyed in the future, while twelve people have given the information that the identity as Kshatriya will survive.

Table 4: Reason behind abolition of traditional identity as Kshatriya.

An opinion about the reason responsible for de-identification.	No. of Respondent's Family
From changing occupation	58
to identity as Kangsia	52
Because of the wandering life	12
Children may not retain a traditional identity	23
The new generation is not interested in maintaining traditional identity	08
Because the identity as a Kangsia can lead to government benefits	04
Because of the impact of social change	06
Total number of views.	163

The 88 family heads were of the opinion that the Kshatriya identity would be abolished in the future, each citing the above reasons behind it.

Table 5: Opinions about identity as Kangsia.

Opinion	Yes	No
Will the present-day identity as Kangsia survive or not?	97	03

When the families under study were asked whether their identity as Kangsia would survive in the future, 97 respondents expressed the view that their current identity would persist for a long time in the future while three respondents indicated that their identity as Kangsia was likely to change.

Table 6: Reasons for retaining the current identity of Kangsia.

A view showing the main reason behind the persistence of identity as Kangsia.	No. of Respondent's Family.
Since Kangsia surname is registered in the government registers nowadays.	24
By establishing an identity as a Kangsia in society.	68
Since Kangsia enjoys backwardness benefits.	05
Total number of commenters.	97

Examining the main responsible reason why the identity as Kangsia will persist for a long time, 24 respondents said that their identity as Kangsia will last because they are now registered as Kangsia in government documents, while 68 family respondents said they are known as Kangsia by everyone in the community and five families. They expressed the view that their identity as Kangsias would be preserved by getting them the benefit of reservation.

Table 7: Reasons behind the change in Kangsya's identity (present day).

The main reason behind the change in identity	number of families who give opinion
Since Kangxia's occupation has changed	02
Since Kangsias are considered backward	01
Total number of commenter’s.	03

Examining the opinion on what reason they consider responsible for the change of identity as Kangsia, 2 respondents expressed the opinion that Kangsias engaged in the business of Kangsia have taken up different occupations while 1 respondent expressed the opinion that Kangsias are considered backward because of their pride and therefore their identity will be lost.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Kangasiya's original identity was as a Kshatriya. Later Rajputs in Rajasthan became known as Vanjaras and later Kangsias who migrated and traded camels.

2. Kangsiyas were originally from Rajasthan and still retain their original identity as Rajputs and Kshatriyas. Currently, under the impact of social change, their original identity is changing, and in the future, it seems that their original identity will be completely eradicated.

3. In India, Kshatriyas were considered as high caste while Kangasiyas were considered as low castes and Kangasiya families expressed the feeling of losing their original dignity from observation.

4. As a result of the constantly changing caste identity of the Kangsias during the historical period, the question of which caste to identify them as at the time of initial registration in government documents and whether to consider them as high caste or low caste also arose. was found

5. Occupation and distinct culture of the Kangsias were their identity in the present time due to the impact of social change, it has been found that in the future the current caste identity as Kangsia will also be affected by the change.

6. No special challenges are currently known against the current identification of Kangsia.

7. As yet not a single Kangsia family has been able to get the benefits of government benefits i.e. reservation due to Kangsia as a lower caste as they are educationally as well as economically backward and this backwardness has been a challenge to get the benefits of reservation. is

8. Hypotheses of future studies have not proved to be completely correct, their traditional identity is being lost while the current identity is conclusively shown to survive for a long time.

9. The consciousness of maintaining one's identity among the Kangxias varies among different classes. Among the elderly, youth and children, the consciousness of maintaining their identity decreases from generation to generation. This awareness is seen to decrease with age.

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Received on 11.07.2023 Modified on 24.07.2023

Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2023; 11(3):137-141.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2679.2023.00021