Gujarati people (Gujarati: ગુજરાતી લોકો Gujǎrātī loko?), or Gujaratis are an ethnic group that is traditionally Gujarati-speaking and can trace their ancestry to the state of Gujarat in western India. Famous Gujaratis include Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Mohandas Gandhi,Dhirubhai Ambani, Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Demographics

Gujaratis in India

The Gujarati people live in the western part of the Indian subcontinent, in the state of Gujarat. Gujaratis have rich cultural heritage. Many Gujaratis inhabit the states Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh of India and the Indian capital of New Delhi as well as territories ofDaman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Additionally, the Gujarati language has been adopted by communities such as the Kacchis, who use it as their literary language,[2] and the Parsis, who had made the Gujarat region of the Indian subcontinent their home.Gandhinagar[3] is the capital city of Gujarat. Gujaratis mainly follow Hindu religion (68%), Jain (35%) (although Gujarati Muslims are the prominent minority (9%) apart from others including Sikhs, Christians).[4] There are many Gujaratis living in various cities in South Indian states viz. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh many of them following Jainism.

[edit]Gujarati diaspora

Significant migrant Gujarati communities exist around the world. The largest expatriate Gujarati populations are in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Other major Gujarati communities exist in South and East Africa (most notably Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique – a substantial number of Gujaratis from this former Portuguese colony settled in Portugal after its independence) and South-East Asia (Myanmar, Malaysia).

According to the US Census Bureau[5] in 2006 there were 1,417,000 people in the US who spoke Gujarati, Hindi or other Indic languages (e.g. Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu) at home; Gujaratis comprised 299,000 of these numbers, suggesting greater than 20% of the approximately 3 million Indian Americans are Gujarati, with the highest number residing in the New York City Metropolitan Area. (This total excludes 325,000 Urdu speakers who it might reasonably be assumed are predominantly of Pakistani origin.) Note that this estimate does not include second or greater generation Gujaratis who report they primarily speak English at home. Most East African Asians are Gujaratis. Early 2010 figures estimate that there are 104,000 people who speak Gujarati in Canada, with the majority living in the Greater Toronto Area.[6] In the UK, Gujarati people live primarily in London and Leicester.[7]

Gujarati Genetics

In terms of ancestry, the majority of Gujaratis share similar genes with the rest of the northern Indian populations, but show a significant relationship with Central Asia and Iran.

A 2004 Stanford study conducted with a wide sampling from India, found that over 33% of genetic markers in Gujarat were partially of West Eurasian origin, the second highest amongst the sampled group of South Asians with Punjabis at 42%, Sindhis at 43% and Kashmiris at 30%.[9]

Haplogroup U7 is found only in Iran, the Near East,[9] Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan; with extremely low frequencies in neighboring countries Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Iraq. Its frequency peaks at over 12% in Gujarat, 9% in Iran, 9% in Punjab, 6% in Pakistan and 6% in Afghanistan. Elsewhere in India, its frequency is very low (0.00% to 0.90%).[9] Outside of the Near East, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Northwestern Indian states, Haplogroup U7 is non-existent. Expansion times and haplotype diversities for the Indian and Near and Middle Eastern U7 mtDNAs are strikingly similar. The possible homeland of this haplogroup likely spans the coverage of Iran to Western India. From there its frequency declines steeply both to the east and to the west. Its equally high frequency as well as diversity in Gujarat favors a scenario whereby U7 has been introduced by the coastal Gujarat to the uncultured areas of Iran[citation needed]. It is to be noted that very sophisticated civilisations were existing in Gujarat before it touched the shores of Iran. Dwarkapuri, the recently excavated capital city of Krishna is a primary example.[10]

Some preliminary conclusions from these varying tests support some of the highest degrees of Indian mtDNAs found in Western Asia, with a particular close relationship between Iran and Gujarat, supporting a theory of trade contact and migrations out of Gujarat into West Asia.[10]

Gujarati Foods / Gujarati Cuisine

Hindus and Jains are predominantly vegetarians, to a greater extent than Hindu communities elsewhere in India. Gujarati cuisine follows the traditional Indian full meal structure of rice, cooked vegetables, lentil curry or daal and roti. The different types of rotli (breads) that a Gujarati cooks are rotli or chapati, bhakhri, thepla or dhebara, puri, maal purah, and puran-pohli.Khaman, Dhokla pani puri, dhokli, dal-dhokli, undhiyu, jalebi, fafda, chevdoh, Samosa, papdi, muthia, bhajia, patra, bhusu and Sev mamra are traditional Gujarati dishes savoured by many communities across the world.

Khichdi – a mix of rice and toor daal, a type of lentil, cooked with little spices in a pressure cooker – is a popular Gujarati meal. It is found very satisfying by most Gujaratis, and cooked very regularly in most homes, typically on a busy day due to its ease of cooking. It can also become an elaborate meal when served with several side dishes such as a vegetable curry, yogurt, papad, mango pickle, and onions. It is found to be served in Gujarati immigrant families settled abroad even after decades of being outside India.

Use of Ghee in meals is very common. For example, rice or khichdi on roti. The meal is usually accompanied with a sweet and a salty snack (farsaan) like Vada. Gujarati cookbook writers like Tarla Dalal are famous internationally.

Gujaratis are more comfortable cooking with peanut oil (shing tel). However, while living abroad they adjust their cooking method with available canola or sunflower oil. The making of masala is traditionally done on grinding stones. Nowadays, people use a blender or grinder to make masala. Each person makes masala differently, hence cooking tastes differ depending on the household. People from north Gujarat use dry red chili powder, whereas people from south Gujarat prefer using green chili and coriander in their cooking. Gujarati Jains(and many Hindus) avoid using garlic and onions in their cooking. Traditionally Gujaratis eat mukhwas or paan at the end of a meal. In many parts of Gujarat, having chhass (chilledbuttermilk) or soda after lunch or dinner is quite common. Gujarati families celebrate Sharad Purnima by having dinner with doodh-pauva under moonlight.

A very interesting version of English Custard is made in Gujarat. It was picked up from the British nearly 200 years ago, and the Indian recipe uses cornstarch instead of the traditional eggs, this being a 19th century invention in Britain itself. The Indian version of the custard is cooked with cardamom and saffron, and served with fruit and sliced almonds, oftentimes simply called fruit salad.

Gujarati Dress

Indian jewelry like mangalsutras, necklaces, nose rings, earrings, bangles and rings, toe rings, bracelets are all part of the Gujarati attire. Most of this jewelry is made in 22 carat gold but cheaper costume jewelry is also available. During weddings, Gujarati brides wear a lot of jewelry, this is traditionally a form of trust handed to the girl as 22 karat jewelry.

Years ago, only married Gujarati (Hindu) women wore a red bindi (red powder worn in a round shape on the forehead also found in the form of stickers). These days, most women, married or not, wear 'bindi' as a fashion accessory when they wear traditional Indian outfits. Modern Bindis are like stickers, and are available in various shapes, sizes, colors and designs. Only married women however, wear red powder, called 'sindoor', in a short straight line on the scalp, starting near the hairline and covers the area where the hair is generally parted(middle). During a traditional Hindu wedding, the groom applies 'sindoor' on the bride for the very first time. This act can be compared to a ring ceremony in western weddings.

There are several different outfits that are worn by both men and women depending on the occasion. Younger women wear western outfits like skirts, dresses, jeans, etc. Older women usually wear saris or salwar kamiz. The Gujarati method of wearing a sari is different from the Bengali method which is usually prevalent in fashion shows. Gujarati ladies drape the pallu over the front of their right shoulder and across the chest tucked into the waist. The Bengali method which is more prevalent in India and amongst younger women involves draping the pallu over the left shoulder with the pallu hanging freely in back

Generally, men wear pants and shirts or t-shirts however traditionally, males will wear dhotis be it every day on a special occasion and a kurta is worn on top. Females will wear saris or something similar. On special occasions females will wear slightly more expensive saris. These traditional garments can be seen both in and outside of India. A famous example isMohandas Karamchand Gandhi who wore a dhoti.

Gujarati Literature

Gujarati literature's history may be traced to 1000 AD. Since then literature has flourished till date. Well known laureates of Gujarati literature are Hemchandracharya, Narsinh Mehta,Akho, Premanand Bhatt, Shamal Bhatt, Dayaram, Dalpatram, Narmad, Govardhanram Tripathi, Gandhiji, K. M. Munshi, Umashankar Joshi, Suresh Joshi, Pannalal Patel and Rajendra Keshavlal Shah.

Kavi Kant and Kalapi are famous[peacock term] Gujarati poets and Vipul K Rawal is the famous[peacock term] Bollywood writer who has written blockbusters like Iqbal.

Gujarat Vidhya Sabha, Gujarat Sahitya Sabha, and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad are Ahmedabad based literary institutions promoting the spread of Gujarati literature. Saraswatichandra is a landmark[peacock term] novel by Govardhanram Tripathi. Writers like Harindra Dave, Suresh Dalal, Jyotindra Dave, Tarak Mehta, Harkisan Mehta, Chandrakant Bakshi, Vinod Bhatt, Kanti Bhatt, Makarand Dave, and Varsha Adalja have influenced Gujarati thinkers.

A huge[peacock term] contribution to Gujarati language literature came from the Swaminarayan paramhanso, like Bramhanand, Premanand, with prose like Vachanamrut and poetry in the form of bhajans.

Gujarati theatre owes a lot to bhavai. Bhavai is a musical performance of stage plays. Ketan Mehta and Sanjay Leela Bhansali explored artistic use of bhavai in films such as Bhavni Bhavai, Oh Darling! Yeh Hai India and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Dayro (gathering) involves singing and conversation reflecting on human nature.

Gujarati language is enriched by the Adhytmic Literature written by Srimad Rajchandra and Pandit Himmatlal Jethalal Shah. This Literature is both in the form of Poetry and Prose.

Famous & Notable Gujarati Businessmen and Industrialists

Gujaratis are considered as one of the major business communities not only in India but around the world. The Indian Diamond Industry is controlled by Gujaratis. Gujaratis are risk takers. Many Gujarati individuals are known for lending money and financing money. Majority Retail outlets in Mumbai are under control of Gujaratis. Gujaratis have a major presense as far as Equity Stock Trading is concerned. They have strong presence in USA, UK, South and Central African countries, Canada, Australia and many European countries. Some of the famous Gujarati Businessmen and Industrialists, including Parsis, are as below:

Dhirubhai Ambani (Reliance Industries)

Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries)

Chirayu Oza (Eagle Boys)

Anil Ambani (Reliance ADAG)

Azim Premji (Wipro Limited)

Ratan Tata (Tata Group)

Gautam Adani (Adani Group)

Harsh Mariwala (Marico group)

Dilip Shanghvi (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries)

Walchand Hirachand (Walchandnagar Industries)

Karsanbhai Patel (Nirma Group)

Uday Kotak (Kotak Mahindra Group)

Pankaj Patel (Cadila Healthcare)

Yusuf Khwaja Hamied ( Cipla Limited)

Mafatlal Gagalbhai (Mafatlal Industries)

Muljibhai Madhvani (Madhvani Group)

Nanji Kalidas Mehta (Mehta Group)( Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited)

Jignesh Shah (Financial Technologies Group)

U. N. Mehta (Torrent Group)

Ambalal Sarabhai (Sarabhai Group of Companies)

Vikram Sarabhai (Father of the Indian space program)

Sam Pitroda (C-SAM, Inc.)

Shahid Balwa ( DB Realty)

Harshad Mehta

Ketan Parekh

Kasturbhai Lalbhai (Atul Limited)

Tulsi Tanti (Suzlon Energy)

Adi Godrej (Godrej Group)

Nusli Wadia (Wadia Group)

Jehangir Wadia (GoAir)

Deepak Parekh ((HDFC Bank))

Bharat Shah (Film producer)

Mehul Chokshi (Gitanjali Diamonds)

Arvind Mafatlal (Mafatlal Group)

Arts and entertainment

Fabric designs involve use of Batik. The embedding of mirrors (called abhla) in fabric is a favourite among art lovers. Wall hangings demonstrate use of knitting and embedding of mirrors. Gujarati pottery includes different kinds of deeva (lamps) and pots. During the festival of Navratri, youngsters wear traditional dress and go out to play dandia and sing garbas. Typically men wear Kedia and women wear Ghaghra Cholee to dance in Navratri.

Gujarati films have made artists like Upendra Trivedi, Snehlata, Raajeev, Mahesh Kumar Kanodia, Naresh Kanodia, Aruna Irani and Asrani popular in the entertainment industry. In the U.S., Bali Brahmbhatt came up with the hit song "Patel Rap", referring to changing values of Gujarati culture.

There are dedicated television channels airing Gujarati programs.

There are very few well known Gujarati painters like Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh, Moazzam Mirza, Amit Ambalal, Haku Shah. UK based Kamal Koria's work often depicts traditional Gujarati village life.

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