Ancient and Modern Tribes in Himachal Pradesh | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Ancient Tribes of Himachal Pradesh

Dasas (Dasyu)

• The Dasas were inhabitants of the Shivalik Hills during the Pre-Vedic period.
• They were powerful and influential with leaders like Chamuri, Dhuni, Pipru, and Sushna.
• Initially considered non-Aryan, they were gradually accepted into the Aryan society due to the persistent efforts of Rishis Vishwamitra and Bhardwaj.

Khasas

• The Khasas resided in areas like Shimla, Sirmaur, parts of Kullu, and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh, as well as Tehri, Kumaon, and Garhwal in Uttarakhand.
• The Khasas are mentioned alongside Kuluta, Tanganas, and Kashniras in Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita.
• In Kinnaur, they identify as Khashiya, associating themselves with the Rajputs.
• Present-day Khasas represent both Brahmin and Kshatriya segments, with a warrior group called Khoond, which is divided into two sub-groups:
  • Shatha – Representing the Kaurava group (sixty).
  • Pasha – Representing the Pandava group (five).
• The Khasas also practice Thoda, a traditional martial game involving bows and arrows.

Kinners

• The name "Kinner" is derived from Sanskrit words Kim (what) and Nara (man), questioning their identity.
• They were believed to be part-human and part-horse, a hybrid known as Ashwamukha.
• They inhabited the inner Himalayan regions from the River Ganges to the River Chandra Bhaga until the Gupta Period.
• Kinners trace their origins to the shadow of Lord Brahma, as per the Bhagwata Purana, and are also mentioned in Kalidasa's Kumarasambhava.
• Although they do not appear in the Rig Veda, they were considered mystical beings.
• Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Vir Bhadra was believed to be the 131st descendant of the Kinners.

Kiratas

• In the history of Kashmir, the Chandalas and Kaivaratas were considered low-caste people, later known as Mavies or Mavanas in regions across the Satluj and Yamuna rivers.
• The Kirata king Sambhar fought Aryan king Divodasa for forty years, a battle mentioned in the Rig Veda by Rishi Vashista and Vamdeva.
• Despite fighting bravely, the Kiratas were defeated, and Sambhar, along with his ally Verchi, was killed at Udubraj.

Nagas

• The Nagas were serpent worshipers and resided in the Himalayan region.
• Famous Naga kings included Vasuki, Kali, and Takshaka.
• Shrines dedicated to snake gods like Mansa Devi exist in places like Nurpur, Palampur, and Tripal in Kangra, known for healing snake bites.
• The Kelang Naga temple near Kugti in Bharmaur (Chamba) is another example of their influence.

Pishachas

• The Pishachas were identified as 'Rakshasas' during Vedic times, consuming raw flesh and believed to inhabit the North Frontier and Himalayan regions.

Yakshas

• Known as tree gods with superhuman powers, Yakshas are mentioned in the Mahabharata, particularly in the encounter with Yudhishthira and his brothers.

Modern Tribes of Himachal Pradesh

Swangla

• The Swangla tribe, a Scheduled Tribe, resides in the Pattan valley along the Chandra Bhaga River in Lahaul-Spiti.
• They are either Rajputs or Brahmins, speaking languages like Manchhad, Chinnali, Bhoti, and Tinan.
• They share similarities with the Munda-speaking tribes of Bengal, Bihar, and Central India.
• Their local drink is called Chhang.
• Swangla marriage customs include:
  • Rusta-te-Byah: Marriage by elopement.
  • Kua-Byah: Marriage by capture.
  • Mazmi Byah: Marriage arranged by the groom’s sister due to financial constraints.
• Divorce is symbolized by the breaking of a thread (Tsud-Thvagchi).

Khampa

• The Khampas are believed to have migrated from Tibet and are found in districts like Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.
• They are divided into regional groups such as Piti Khampa, Kunnu Khampa, Neondi Khampa, and Thava Khampa.
• The dialect they speak is known as Khampa, and their belief system aligns with Lamaistic Buddhism.
• Marriage customs are arranged through negotiators (Phakhtum), and divorce is referred to as Jatsari-Jha-Dal-Va.
• Their traditional council is known as Shuzam Chungi.

Pangwal

• The Pangwals reside in the Pangi Valley of Chamba and are believed to have been established by criminals condemned to lifelong sentences due to the area’s isolation.
• Their hybrid cattle, a cross between a yak and a cow, is called Choori.
• Marriage customs include:
  • Pith Chuk or Chori: Marriage by capture.
  • Doghri: Marriage by exchange.
  • Topi Lana: Widow remarriage.
  • The inheritance system includes:
  • Pagwand: Equal division of property among sons.
  • Chundavand: Property divided first among wives and then among their sons.

Kinner (Kinnaura)

• The Kinnaura people are inhabitants of Kinnaur district and speak Kinnauri, a Himalayan language from the Tibetan-Burman family.
• Marriage customs include:
  • Dam Chalshish: Love marriage.
  • Darosh: Marriage by force.
  • Janekang: Common marriage system.
• Divorce involves breaking a twig as a symbolic act.

Lahaulas

• The Lahaulas of Lahaul district are of mixed Aryan and Mongolian descent and follow Buddhism.
• Marriage customs include:
• Tabhagston: Arranged marriage.
• Kumai Bhagston: Love marriage.
• Divorce is performed through the ritual Kudpa Chadche, involving the symbolic breaking of a thread.

Gaddi

• Gaddis are semi-nomadic and pastoral people residing in Bharmaur (Chamba) and parts of Kangra and Mandi districts.
• The name Gaddi comes from the Sanskrit word for sheep, Gadar.
• Their marriage customs include:
  • Jhind Phunk: Elopement without consent.
  • Jhanjrara: Elopement with mutual understanding.
  • Ghar Jawantri: The groom works as a servant for his father-in-law.
  • Gaddis worship Lord Shiva and speak a Western Pahari dialect.

Gujjars

• Gujjars are believed to be descendants of the Kushan or Yachi tribes and are divided into Hindu and Muslim groups.
• Hindu Gujjars are settled agriculturists, found mainly in Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan, Chamba, and Kangra.
• Muslim Gujjars, mostly found in Chamba and Mandi, are pastoral and speak a dialect mixing Gujarati, Dogri, and Urdu.

Jads

• Jads are primarily Buddhists living in the Pangi and Chamba regions, involved in agriculture and wool trade.