GJCHistory
History of Halari Visa Oshwal Jains
The world is Transformative. So many changes and reforms are taking place in the universe. There are changes in the maps of countries, governments, ruling systems; religion of people way of living, customs and traditions, etc. mobilization from one place to another is a continuous process, since centuries. Merging, splitting and separating also happen in many societies and castes. For example, the specific knowledge about how and by which exact time the earth and the mankind are created is almost-impossible, this is possibly infinite.
In the same way, to get the basic information about Halari Visa Oshwal is definitely difficult is no impossible. However, it is our noble effort to write this History from the available information, study of different books, reading, hearsay of casual tacks from the community people, published details etc.
However, we commence this endless journey with a now of regret for insufficient reports communications errors or any type of mistakes about a matter which has no specific past starting of future ending.
So, now we begin glimpses of this journey starting from Asia to Halar, and now scattered and spread over India, Africa, U.K. (Britain), America, Canada, and other countries
Very little recorded history of Oshwal is available. Most of the details are compiled from events and happenings witnessed by people and passed on to future generations. It is possible to have different understanding and interpretation of the same event.
It is believed that about 2500 years ago, members of the warrior caste within the traditional Hindu hierarchy, the Kshatriyas in the town of Upkeshpattan adopted Jainism as their faith. Upkeshpattan is said to be analogous to a town situated about 32 miles northwest of Jodhpur in the state of Rajesthan called Osiya or Ossia. Thus this group of people is called Oshwal. Nevertheless no Oshwal families are said to inhabit the present day Osiya.
The Oshwal ranks swelled with Jainism's antagonism to the caste structure as the Kshatriyas were joined by people from other castes, which with Jainism's austere adherence to the philosophy of extreme non-violence and respect of all things, animate and inanimate, resulted in the development of trade as the primary occupation amongst the Oshwals. The Kshatriyas in Rajesthan viz Rajput and Oshwals constantly do share common social etiquettes which serve as distinguishing social indicators and identities.
Both Rajesthani Rajput and Oshwals prefer the use of the honorific suffix "SA"
The Oshwals are primarily adherents of Shevtamber (the white clad) school of Jainism. A strong Oshwal identity can be found amongst certain Punjabi and Kutchi groups as well.
Kutch is a land of many religions and religious people. Migration of people in and out led to the birth of many religions, inscriptions of which can be found on stones and other carvings. The inscriptions found of Andrau and Rudradamn regime give out the fact that two centuries before Jesus, Buddhism and Jainism had already spread in Kutch. Jainism become prominently followed and practiced religion. Even to-day Jainism is the principal religion followed in Kutch.
A small group of Oshwal accompanied Great Jam Rawal, who descended on the northern coast of Kathiawar in 1535 AD. Jam Rawal's father Jam Lakhaji ruled in Terabanu in Kutch. According to bardic chronicles, Jam Lakhaji had two cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, who envied his reputation for valour. Their envy was heightened by the fame of Jam Lakhaji during the battle of Pawagadh. So largely did he contribute to its capture by Bahadurshah, the Emperor of Gujarat that he was bestowed twelve villages. As Jam Lakhaji was about to take possession of his new fiefdom, his cousins, Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, treacherously killed him. Jam Lakhaji's son Jam Rawal escaped. Later on he killed both his cousins.
Hamirji's two sons Khengarji and Sabibji fled to Delhi. Great Moghul Emperor Hamayun helped these two to regain their Kingdom. With the help of Imperial army Jam Rawal was defeated. Along with his followers including some Oshwals of Vagad District crossed the desert of Kutch and established a settlement in Kathiawar. On his way he conquered the town of Dhroj and its dependencies and gave them to his brother Hardholji. This area was later to be known as Halar. Oshwals from 52 villages around Jamnagar are known as Halari Oshwal
The world is Transformative. So many changes and reforms are taking place in the universe. There are changes in the maps of countries, governments, ruling systems; religion of people way of living, customs and traditions, etc. mobilization from one place to another is a continuous process, since centuries. Merging, splitting and separating also happen in many societies and castes. For example, the specific knowledge about how and by which exact time the earth and the mankind are created is almost-impossible, this is possibly infinite.
In the same way, to get the basic information about Halari Visa Oshwal is definitely difficult is no impossible. However, it is our noble effort to write this History from the available information, study of different books, reading, hearsay of casual tacks from the community people, published details etc.
However, we commence this endless journey with a now of regret for insufficient reports communications errors or any type of mistakes about a matter which has no specific past starting of future ending.
So, now we begin glimpses of this journey starting from Asia to Halar, and now scattered and spread over India, Africa, U.K. (Britain), America, Canada, and other countries
Very little recorded history of Oshwal is available. Most of the details are compiled from events and happenings witnessed by people and passed on to future generations. It is possible to have different understanding and interpretation of the same event.
It is believed that about 2500 years ago, members of the warrior caste within the traditional Hindu hierarchy, the Kshatriyas in the town of Upkeshpattan adopted Jainism as their faith. Upkeshpattan is said to be analogous to a town situated about 32 miles northwest of Jodhpur in the state of Rajesthan called Osiya or Ossia. Thus this group of people is called Oshwal. Nevertheless no Oshwal families are said to inhabit the present day Osiya.
The Oshwal ranks swelled with Jainism's antagonism to the caste structure as the Kshatriyas were joined by people from other castes, which with Jainism's austere adherence to the philosophy of extreme non-violence and respect of all things, animate and inanimate, resulted in the development of trade as the primary occupation amongst the Oshwals. The Kshatriyas in Rajesthan viz Rajput and Oshwals constantly do share common social etiquettes which serve as distinguishing social indicators and identities.
Both Rajesthani Rajput and Oshwals prefer the use of the honorific suffix "SA"
The Oshwals are primarily adherents of Shevtamber (the white clad) school of Jainism. A strong Oshwal identity can be found amongst certain Punjabi and Kutchi groups as well.
Kutch is a land of many religions and religious people. Migration of people in and out led to the birth of many religions, inscriptions of which can be found on stones and other carvings. The inscriptions found of Andrau and Rudradamn regime give out the fact that two centuries before Jesus, Buddhism and Jainism had already spread in Kutch. Jainism become prominently followed and practiced religion. Even to-day Jainism is the principal religion followed in Kutch.
A small group of Oshwal accompanied Great Jam Rawal, who descended on the northern coast of Kathiawar in 1535 AD. Jam Rawal's father Jam Lakhaji ruled in Terabanu in Kutch. According to bardic chronicles, Jam Lakhaji had two cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, who envied his reputation for valour. Their envy was heightened by the fame of Jam Lakhaji during the battle of Pawagadh. So largely did he contribute to its capture by Bahadurshah, the Emperor of Gujarat that he was bestowed twelve villages. As Jam Lakhaji was about to take possession of his new fiefdom, his cousins, Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, treacherously killed him. Jam Lakhaji's son Jam Rawal escaped. Later on he killed both his cousins.
Hamirji's two sons Khengarji and Sabibji fled to Delhi. Great Moghul Emperor Hamayun helped these two to regain their Kingdom. With the help of Imperial army Jam Rawal was defeated. Along with his followers including some Oshwals of Vagad District crossed the desert of Kutch and established a settlement in Kathiawar. On his way he conquered the town of Dhroj and its dependencies and gave them to his brother Hardholji. This area was later to be known as Halar. Oshwals from 52 villages around Jamnagar are known as Halari Oshwal
