Vagri

A photograph of a Vaghari man, 1911

The Vagri (Vaghri, Waghri or Baghri) also known as Devipujaks (Gujarati: Vāgharī, Bāgharī) are a tribe and caste found in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India, and in the province of Sindh in Pakistan.

History

Vaghri (Devipujak) Community – Schedule caste of India

Ancient Origins: The Vaghri community, also known as Devipujak, is historically rooted in the worship of goddess Shakti and has preserved rich cultural traditions tied to religious rituals and community service.

Devotion and Traditions: Devipujaks are deeply spiritual and renowned for their devotion to local deities, particularly Devi, symbolizing feminine strength and resilience. Their religious festivals and rituals continue to be vital elements of their cultural identity.

Economic Shifts: Traditionally involved in occupations like trading and crafts, modern Devipujaks have gradually transitioned into various business sectors, with many pursuing education and professional careers to improve socio-economic standing.

Commitment to Education: In recent decades, members of the Vaghri community have made significant strides in education, breaking barriers to seek better employment opportunities and societal participation.

Government Support: Benefitting from affirmative action policies like reservations in government jobs and education, the community is progressively contributing to India's social and economic landscape.

Striving for Equality: With strong determination, the Vaghri (Devipujak) people are pushing for social equality and empowerment, asserting their rightful place in the country’s democratic framework.

Present circumstances

In India

In India, the Vagri are mainly located in the Gujarat District. Like many other Gujarati Hindu communities, they are endogamous but maintain gotra exogamy. Their main clans are The Devipujak Agaria, Charan and Godara. They are a landless community, although a few do hold small plots of land. The Vagri are also cattle breeders and cattle traders and sell their cattle at the famous Pushkar cattle fair. They have an effective caste council, which acts as a quasi-judicial body and deals with intra-community disputes. It is headed by a heredity office holder, known as a Patel. They are a Hindu community, with their main tribal deities being Shakat Mata, Bahuchara Mata, Charbayu Mata (Chandika Mata), Shitla Mata, Hadak Mata, Khodiyar Mata, Mogal Mata, and Meldi Mata. Also, follow Pavani (Maa Kali), Mata Shakti, Runvali Mata (Devi of dessert), Bhutdi Maa, bahuchraji maa there are others also devis in devipujak (vagri) community like jungleni Devi for shikaris, Vahanvati maa for boaters and sailors Mata jogni to fight against witches and black magic. Many other devis follow among there sub caste.

In Gujarat, the Vaghri are found mainly in the districts of Mayurnagar Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Panchmahal, Kheda, and Ahmedabad. They speak Gujrati language among themselves and normal language with outsiders. Their main sub-divisions are Aghariya, Dani, Barserya, Silajiya, Santejiya, chuvaaliya,Vadjiya,Bandariya,Moladiya,solgamiya, ,goshaaniya,Gariya,Pasula,Ambaliya,Bakroliya,Panchaliya,Viramgamiya, Halvadiya, Moplipara, Kavithiya, Khakhodiya, Talsaniya,Kharvi, Kajania, Ughrejia, Mithapara, Kaltaniya, Khavadiya, Kumarkhania, Navadiya, Surela, Sovasiya, Jakvadiya, Vanodiya ,Godhakiya, Rafukiya, Butiya, Chekhaliya, Gorava, Kundhiya, Bhojaviya, Bhirbhadiya, Bhochiya, Patni, Dataniya, Dantani and Sathliya among others. They are endogamous and maintain gotra exogamy. The Vaghris are landless and depend on agricultural labour. They are also involved in raising poultry, sheep, goat, and cattle, as well as selling vegetables. In Gujarat, the Vagri are Hindu, and their main tribal deities are Vishat Maa, Goga Maharaj, Hadksha Mata, Narsingabir, Kalika and Meldi mata. This is a tribe who eat fish and meat (not beef) and practical animal sacrifice at religious ceremonies.

In Pakistan

The Vagri in Pakistan are found mainly in the districts of Umerkot and Tharparkar. They are landless, and have been subject to discrimination at the hands of the locally powerful Sodha Rajput community.

A recent study showed that the majority of scheduled caste population of Pakistan, which includes the Vagri, are practically landless. The survey conducted showed that in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalpur districts revealed that an overwhelming majority of 83 per cent Scheduled Caste population did not own even a small piece of land. The land ownership by the remaining 17 per cent is also very small as 90 per cent of the Scheduled Caste land owners have a very small piece of land between one and five acres. Like those in India, the Pakistan Vagri are Hindu, and speak both Sindhi and their own language, Bagri, which distantly related to Rajasthani.