Regar,Raiger,Raigar,Rager,Reger jati Population be Separated
It is found that either the population of Regar community and the population of Chamar communites(excluding Bairwa, Balai, Meghwal groups) have been assembled together(1).
Or the population of the Regar community has been merged in the population of the Chamar community under the title of “Chamar” and consequently, the word Regar has been disappeared from the demographical picture (2) .
Or the populations of Jatav and Jatiya of the eastern Rajasthan have been mingled in the population of the Regar community and consequently, both the words have been deleted or omitted(3) .
Except above illegal irregularities, Regars have been also describing under the title of “Chamar” for some decades. But this practice is wrong and bias. Because Regar and Chamar are two separate ethnic groups, who have been living in Rajputana since before the Christ.
Presently, although the sector wise groups of so-called Chamar community have renamed their caste name with words, like Bairwa, Jatav, Ahirwal, Meghwal, Bunkar, Megh, Meghrikhi, Chaupdar, Chhadidar, Sutrakar, Rikhi, etc. and the most of the new caste names have been entered in the Revenue Records in place of the word “Chamar” by the Government Orders. But all of these groups relate themselves with the people of the Indus civilization (4)(5) . Whereas Regar is an ancient Kshatriya clan, a branch among 15 main branches of Raghuvanshi Kshatriyas. It is also a proved fact that the word Regar is an expansion of the word Rag(a corrupt form of the word “Raghu”)(6) .
Although, for the time being the Regar families have also indulged into leather works, when traditional leather and hide workers were withdrawn themselves from all leather and hide works. But if Regar families have adopted the livelihood relating to the leather work, then it does not mean that Regars have committed a major social offence. Hence, they should be penalized, bestowing them with the word “Chamar”. Actually, this practice to describe Regars under the title of “Chamar” has been developed after the Independence of India and particular after 1956. Under this new ideology, Regars have been misguided through various factors, like writing their wrong social history by others, connecting Regars with Sant Raidas , uploading some wrong descriptions about Regar community on the various websites etc.
That is, a wrong practice has been developed on social media to say or assume or write that ethnically, Regar community is also a member of Chamar community. Whereas, Regar is not a member of the so-called Chamar community, a collection(group) of “Chamar, Bairwa, Jatav, Balai, Bhambhi, Megh, Meghwal, Meghwar, Chamehar, Chambhar, Ahirwal communities of Rajasthan” (7)
It is also a social and economical fact that some other communities, who have indulged into leather works after the independence of India, call themselves Regar. But it does not mean that their caste names also have become the synonyms of the word “Regar”.
Thus the practice of proving Regars as Chamar and merging the population of Regar community into the population of some so-calling Chamar communities of the above collection(group) should be stopped. And separated Regar population, should be mentioned independently under the title of “Regar” only. So that it could be easily traceable for all purposes (8).
It is also found that above practice to describe Regars under the title of “Chamar” is misused, politically and socially against the Regars. Because Regars have been deprived to get political representation in the ratio of the actual Regar population.
It is also seen that in books, those written after 1956, the word “Regar” is also joint with those descriptions, written about some events, happened before or after the Independence of India. For example, Regars didn’t take food of other many lower castes and they have been strong supporter of the Indian National Congress. Regar community has been open freedom fighter and has been also against feudalism(सामंतशाही) as Jat community. Perhaps, Baba Saheb was not happy with the activities of the Regar Community. Because no example is found that he would have come to rescue Regars, when they were facing heinous atrocities and they were forced to do all leather work, those had been quitted by some traditional castes of Rajputana. He didn’t attend the “Akhil Bharatiya Regar jati Mahasammelan, Dausa, 1943″. whereas, that was fully supported by the Congress Party. So, it seems impossible that he would have said something about Regars. That is, the word “Regar ” is seemed post addition in the descriptions made about Baba saheb or the various Movements conducted by the Chamar Community.
Actually, the population of the members of the above said collection should be summed and after that summation, it should be analyzed in the context of all purposes. Because they are having same origin. It is also a possibility that one day, they would definitely call themselves only “Meghwal”.
Hence, If anybody has a curiosity that who were traditional leather workers(tanners, cobblers, shoemakers and scavengers etc.) in Rajaputana and if he wants to write something about them, he may write, subjected to legal rights and boundaries.
But if anybody wants to say something about Regars, he should say or write or upload only about Regars under a separate title of “Reger or Raigar or Regar or Raiger or Rehgar or Reghar”. Don’t try to link it with the word Chamar or the traditional leather workers (9) .
If so-called Chamars or their descendants are not liking to call them Chamars or leather workers (10)(11)(12)(13) . Then, why it is being tried anew (नये सिरे से) to establish that ancient Regars are the traditional Chamars of Rajputana.
Actually, Regars have got major set back professionally and socially, when they had come in the nearer contact to the Chamar community. But what sin committed by Regars in that period, whole members of the Regar community have taken village wise holy bath in the water of the river Ganges for getting rid off that sin. This is an unprecedented event.
Anyone, what says about any Hindu caste, is not a point of discussion, here. But it is a point that the most of the scholors , historians, sociologists either have failed or overlooked to make genealogical differences between Regars and other so-called Chamar communities. Thus without dipping in this problem, it is better that the population of Regars must be assigned only under the title of “Regar”.
References with comments:
(1) www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=48214
Perhaps, misusing of the constitutional list of the Scheduled castes, Rajasthan, 1956 or otherwisely, on this website the population of Regar community and the population of some so-calling Chamar communities have been assembled.
But if in the above list so many castes have been listed at a single serial number, then it is wrong to infer that they are the member of an alone ethinic group and the development of any member of any caste should deem the development of whole such communities.
This biased website is as bellow:
Affinity Group: South Asian Peoples
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
People Cluster: Rajasthan
Alternate Name(s): Jatav, Regar, Chamehar, Ramdasia, Chamar, Chambhar
Primary Religion: Hinduism Country: India
Also found in:
Population: 2,845,000
Global Population: 2,845,000
Progress of the Gospel: Engaged yet Unreached
Global Status of Evangelical Christianity: 1
Overview: The Regar & Jatav Chamar of India, numbering 2,845,000, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are part of the Rajasthan people cluster within the South Asian Peoples affinity bloc. This people group is only found in India. Their primary language is Dhundari. The primary religion practiced by the Regar & Jatav Chamar is Hinduism, the predominant religious tradition of the Indian subcontinent. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.
Comments:
(i) It seems that the websiter has used the clause “Alternate Name(s)” instead of the word synonyms and he has tried to vest Regars of Rajasthan with the word “Chamar”. Because on the other hand, he knowingly has excluded Bairwa, Balai, Bhambhi, Meghwal, jatav from his website. Whereas these are main members of the traditional Chamar group as per Mr. R .P. Singh I. P. S.(rtd.).
Actually the word Regar has no synonyms. That is, words, like Jatav, Chamehar, Ramdasia, Chamar, Chambhar are neither the “Alternate caste Names” of Regars nor these are “synonyms” of the word Regar.
(ii) The Websiter has also used a clause “Regar & Jatav Chamar“. Evidently, through this artificial clause, he has, cleverly tried to bifurcate(divide) Jatav community into two social parts as bellow:
(a) Jatav Chamar, who still engaged with leather and hide work, are of Regar category.
(b) Jatav who have withdrawn themselves from the leather and hide work, are of Bairwa, Balai, Bhambhi, Meghwal category.
But by changing livelihood or quitting traditional occupation by any ethnic group, his caste, creed, race, genealogy wouldn’t have changed.
(iii) Some thinkers have assumed that Jatav community is nearer to Regars. But it is a wrong ideology. Because members of Jatav bulk assume themselves nearer to Bairwas and matrimonial relations have been continued between these groups. whereas only a palmful Regar families of Bharatpur, Dholpur Riyasats alienated from the main Regar community and merged in a very big bulk of Jatav community, before 80-90 years ago and no matrimonial relations were continued between alienated Regar and main Regar community. Even, in the “Akhil Bharatiya Regar jati Mahasammelan, Dausa, 1943″, alienated Regars were not called. Also they donot like to call them Regar.
But even after the merging of Regar people of the Baratpur province into the Jatav group, Regar Gotras are still alive in the Jatav community. Thus emotionally, inspiring this Gotras’ similarity with main Regar community, Shri Roopchand Jaluthariya has developed a fact in his book Regar Jati ka Itihas, 2001 that those Jatav families have been indulging one by one into tanning work since back 1000 years, have been calling Regars . That is, present Regar community is a result of a span of 1000 years. But prima-faciely , this fact is not only wrong but also a ridiculous and absurd.
Secondly, Shri Roopchand Jaluthariya has also written on pp. 19 that there is no relation of us(Regars) with Raidas or Chamars. Only due weakness of the Regar leaders our name(Regar) has been written in the bracket of Chamar communities in the list of Scheduled Caste, 1956. Whereas in the list of 1951, as like the word “Bola” the word “Regar” is also listed at the separate serial number. Hence Regar is neither the Raidasya nor Chamar. if anybody says Raidasya or Chamar to Regars, is totally wrong.
But since before independence of India, Jatavs were called Chamars. Thus clearly two controversial facts have been developed, hereby. But it is only due to wrong hypothecation , established by Shri Roopchand Jaluthariya. Because Regar is an ancient Kshatriya clan. Whereas The word “Jatav” is took birth after 1920 A.D. by the inspiration of Swami Achhutanandji (14).
That is, in fact, without knowing reality about Regar genealogy, the websiter has assumed that Jatav, Chamehar, Ramdasia, Chamar, Chambhar are the “Alternate Names” of Regars. Hence this wrong assumption should be rectified. No need to praise Regar community with fake population figure.
(iv) If by the circular of the Government of India or Rajasthan, the word “Chamar or Dhed or Bhambi”, written in the “Revenue Records” has been substituted or replaced by the word Bairwa or Balai or Meghwal or Jatav or Airwal, then why the ancient word “Regar” is being tried to prove the synonym of the word “Chamar” with anew (नये सिरे से)?
(v) Actually, Regars are those who call themselves Regar only. If census authorities also have established a wrong theory to call those Regars with the word Chamar, then it is a big blunder (mistake). This mistake is to be rectified, as early as possible. Because it is harming the political rights of Regars.
That is, whatsoever has assumed or happened till now knowingly or unknowingly, the population of Regar community must be separated from the population of the Jatav, Chamehar, Ramdasia, Chamar, Chambhar. And that separated population should be shown under the title of “Regar” only.
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scheduled_Castes_in_Delhi
On this website, the independent social identity of the Regar community in Delhi has been disappeared from the pictureas bellow:
List of Scheduled Castes in Delhi(A Part is taken)
- Balai 90,010
| Scheduled Caste | Population 2001 |
| 10 . Chamar, Chanwar, Chamar | 893,384(Since the population of Regar community in Delhi is not recorded in this scheduled. Thus it seems that the population of Regars is mingled with the population of the Chamar community.) |
| 17. Julaha (Weaver) | 60,496 |
| 22. Koli | 167,005 |
| 27. Meghwal | 4,407 (Colored castes are Meghvanshies as per Mr. R.P. Singh I.P.S. rtd. But Regar is Raghuvanshi community.) |
Comments:
(i) It seems that the independent identity of thousands Regar families, living in Delhi has been ended or finished or disappeared in the Scheduled caste wise census report.
(ii) If the population of Regars has been mingled in the population of the Chamar community or others, then it should be separated and entered on the independent serial number with title “Regar” only.
(iii) Whatsoever livelihood is done by any ethnic group. That group can’t be assigned or bestowed with new caste name “Chamar”. If any wrong interpretation has been made out in the shadow of wrong information, given before against Regars by some rivals of Regars, should be amended.
Note:-
(a) Coloring and numbering items and mentioning some descriptions in brackets in the above List of Scheduled castes in Delhi are done by us.
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scheduled_castes_in_ Rajasthan
On this website, also a wrong practice has been adopted for mingling the population of Jatav etc. communities with the population of Regar community.
It seems that knowingly, a fake and artificial practice has been done to show a big bulk of the Regar population, finishing the independent identities of other communities. But they could not disappear the Bola community. Because the word “Bola” is entered independently in the List of Scheduled Caste of Rajasthan,1956. It is to be considered that in the List of Scheduled castes, 1951, the word Regar/Raiger is also listed independently. But in the amended list, 1956 the independency of this word has been finished.
Actually a fake Regar population figure is shown as bellow:
List of Scheduled castes in Rajasthan(A Part is taken)
| Number | Name of the Castes/Sub-castes/Synonyms | Population |
| *5 | Berwayi | 931,030 (A new idea for the word Bairwa or Berwa is taken) |
| *7 | Balai | 643,189 |
| *16 | Bola | 402(they must be Regars) |
| *17 | Chamar, Bhambhi, Bambhi | 2,465,563 |
| *37 | Koli, Kori | 453,074 |
| *42 | Mahyavanshi, Dhed, Dheda | 325 |
| *46 | Megh, Meghval, Meghwal | 2,060,454 (Colored castes are Meghvanshies as per Mr. R. P. Singh I. P. S. rtd. But Regar is Raghuvanshi.) |
| *50 | Raigar | 3,026,478 (It seems that the population of Jatav etc. communities has been merged in the population of Regars.) |
| *51 | Salvi | 57,255 |
Comments:-
(i) If the population of Jatav etc. communities has been mingled in the population of the Regar community, then the population of the Regar community should be separated and entered, independently. Because the word “Jatav” is not synonym of the word “Regar”.
Note:-
(a) Coloring items and mentioning some descriptions in brackets in the above List of Scheduled castes in Rajasthan are done by me.
(4) The Meghvansh ek Singhavalokan(मेघवंश एक सिंहावलोकन) written by R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.), pp.11, 12 is as bellow:
‘मेघवंश’ का उद्भव ‘मेघऋषि’ से माना जाता है। वे सिंधु सभ्यता के प राक्रमी शासक थे। मेघ ऋषि के वंशजों को ही मेघवाल कहा जाता है।……. यह भी कहा जाता है कि इस समाज को मेघऋषि के “वाल″ अर्थात् “वंशज” होने के नाते “मेघवाल″ कहा गया है।……..
श्री नवल योगी की पुस्तक “सिंधु घाटी के सृजनकर्त्ता – शूद्र और वणिक” में जिस सिंधु घाटी क्षेत्र का वर्णन है, उसमें समूचा पश्चिमोत्तर अविभाजित भारत, जिसमें सम्पूर्ण पाकिस्तान, पंजाब, हरियाणा, राजस्थान, गुजरात और पश्चिमी उत्तर प्रदेश का भूभाग आता है। यह क्षेत्र मिश्र के क्षेत्र से लगभग चार गुना, ईराक और मिश्र दोनों के क्षेत्र से लगभग दोगुना था। यही क्षेत्र मेघऋषि का क्षेत्र था। क्योंकि इसी क्षेत्र में मेघ, मेघवाल, मेघवंशी, कोरी, कोली, कोष्टी, बलाई, साल्वी, सूत्रकार, कबीरपंथी, जाटव, बैरवा, चांदौर, चमार इत्यादि पर्यायी नाम से जानी जानेवाली “मेघ ऋषि” की जातियों का बाहुल्य रहा है। यह बात इससे भी स्पष्ट होती है कि उस समय सिंधु घाटी का अन्य देशों से जो व्यापारिक सम्बन्ध था, उसमें कपड़े और अनाज के व्यापर की प्रमुखता थी।
That is, Mr. R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.), who belongs to so-called Meghwal community says that “Meghvansh” has been prevailed after Meghrishi. He was a brave ruler of the Indus civilization. The descendants of Meghrishi are called Meghwal. And Chamar, Jatav, Bairwa, Balai, Bhambhi, Megh, Meghwal, Meghvanshi, Kori, Koli, Koshti, Saalavi, Sutrakar, Kabirpanthi, Chandaur etc. communities are Meghvanshies.
He also says that the province comprised with present Pakistan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and the western Uttar Pradesh was under the rule(reign) of Meghrishi and Meghvanshies have been highly populated in this province.
[ But the continuity of the word Meghrishi with the present word Meghwal has been not seen, historically.
Whereas a part of the province comprised with present Afghanistan and North West Frontier was the land of Ragas(Forefathers of Regars). It is justified with this fact that Ragh(रग) city and Raghistan(रगिस्तान) are still existed in Badkhshan in Afghanistan. Where, Ragh is the district head quarter of the district Raghistan(land of Raghas = रग रघुवंशी लोगों का आवास).
Since Ragas were descendants of Suryavanshi Maharaja Raghu. Thus Raghuvanshi Regars have no connection with Meghrishies or so-called Chamar community.]
(5) The Bairwa Samudaay ka Itihas(बैरवा समुदाय का इतिहास)written by Mangilal Paliwal ‘Shramratna”, pp. 67
बैरवा जाति का सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता काल में प्रमाण – भारत की सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता विश्व प्रसिद्ध एवं प्राचीन मानी गयी है।………इतिहासकारों के अनुसार सिंधु घाटी सभ्यता काल के समय यह जाति(बैरवा जाति) बरबरा नाम से जानी जाती थी।
That is, Mr. Mangilal Paliwal ‘Shramratna”, who belongs to so-called Bairwa community says that Bairwas are the descendants of the Barbara people of the Indus civilization.
[ But, here also the continuity of the word Barbara with the present word Bairwa has been not seen, historically.]
(6) The word Regar is an expansion of the word Rag(a corrupt form of the word “Raghu”) as bellow:
Raghu→ Ragh →Rag→ Ragar → Rahgar/Raghar → Rehgar/Reghar → Raigar → Raiger/Regar.
In fact, all above words exist historically, sociologically and geographically.
And 15 main branches of Raghuvanshi Kshatriyas are as bellow:
(1) Gahlot (2) Seekarwar (3) Badgujar (4) Badel (5) Kachhavaha (6) Banaphal (7) Gaharwar (8) Rathod (9) Bundela (10) Nikumbh (11) Gurjjer (12) Rag(Ragar)(13) Abhir (14) Shak (15) Jat
(7) Meghvansh ek Singhavalokan(मेघवंश एक सिंहावलोकन) written by R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.), pp. 60
क्षेत्र भेद और प्रान्त भेद के कारण मेघवंश समाज मेघरिख, रिखिया, मेघ, मेघवंशी, मेघवाल, बलाई, भाम्भी, चान्दौर, चानौर, जुलाहे, सालवी, चोपदार, कोटवाल, छड़ीदार, बुनकर, कोष्टी(कोली, कोरी), बैरवा, जाटव, चमार आदि कई नामों से पुकारा जाता है।……मेघवंश माला के मनके अनेक है, पर माला एक ‘मेघवंश’ है ।
That is, Mr. R. P. Singhji also says that words, like Meghrikh, Rikhiya, Megh, Meghvanshi, Meghwal, Balai, Bhambhi, Chandaur, Chanaur, Julahe, Salvi, Chaupadar, Kotwal, Chhadidar, Bunkar, Koshti(Koli, Kori) Bairwa, Jatav, Chamar etc. are provincial synonyms of the word “Meghvansh”. He has also inspired the members of all above communities to call themselves Meghvanshies.
[ Clearly, it has been established by Mr. R.P. Singhji that except Regars, Jatiyas, Mochies all above communities, like Bairwa, Jatav, Chamar, Megh, Meghvanshi, Meghwal, Balai etc. are the members of a single collection(group), called Meghvanshi.]
(8) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamar
A wrong practice has been adopted to prove Regars as Chamar on so many websites, like this website.
(9) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1891_Census_of_India
Although as per this website, it is justified that Rehgar(Regar) is historically a salt and lime producing caste and ethnically it is a separate clan or caste or community from the collection (Chamar, Megh, Balai, Bhambhi, Dhed, Meghwal, Bairwa, Jatav, Ahirwal, Chandaur etc.)
But the etymology of the word Rehgar(Regar) has been misjudged even, by some sociologists and etymologists (शब्द-संरचना के परिभाषाकर्त्ता), belonging to so-called lower communities and they have given wrong and biased definitions of this word. For example:
(a) In the Encyclopaedia of Untouchables Ancient, Medieval and Modern written by Dr. Raj Kumar, 2008 : Gyan Publishing House, Delhi, the word “Rehgar” is defined on pp. 380 as bellow:
“This is true also of the shoragar or saltpetre-makee, who is sometimes called Rehgar from reh or saline efflorescence. But the two terms applied to the same class of men, who indeed, now that the making of salt is prohibited in most parts of the….”
[ But it is a wrong definition of the word “Rehgar”. Because both the Rehgar and Shorgar are two different ethnic groups(castes). Actually, Shorgars are Muslims. Generally, they have engaged with the fireworks and make crackers. Secondly, both the shor and gar syllables, seeing in this word shorgar are two meaningful words of the Persian language. where, shor is used for shora(saltpeter) and gar means worker. That is, Shorgar is a Persian(Irani) word. Whereas Rehgar(Regar) is a Hindu Kshatriya community by its birth.
Although in Hindi language, Reh means saline soil. But syllables Reh and gar, seeing in the word Rehgar are neither Hindi and Persian words respectively, nor they have been come independently in this word from any literature. Because the word “Rehgar” is a result of the changing pronunciation of the word “Raghu”, as bellow:
रघु → रघ → रग → रगर → रहगर → रेहगर→ रैगर/रेगर
Raghu → Ragh → Rag → Ragar → Rahgar → Rehgar→ Raiger or Raigar or Regar
Where, all these are ancient and international words.
That is, Dr. Raj Kumar has misinterpreted that the words Rehgar and Shorgar are synonyms to each other. I think, he had to define the word “Rehgar” correlating with the Regar Raghuvanshi Hindu community, without any bias.
Although in the medieval era Rehgar(Raigar/Raiger/Regar/Reghar) was not untouchable community. But at present, Raigers have been included in the list of scheduled castes in Rajasthan, even then in the above Encyclopaedia, the word Raiger is not defined, Why?
But it seems that he has misunderstood the word Rehgar(Regar) and overlooked this social fact that Regar community is neither a sub caste of Chamar nor the word “Regar” is a synonym of the word “Chamar”.
Actually, for any Hindu Caste, “To be a sub caste” and “to be categorised in” are two different social concepts (phenomenons). From them first concept deals with genealogy, whereas second one deals with only occupation. For example, if a Jat sells namak, mirch, tel aadi(salt, chilli, oil etc.), then it does not mean that the Kshatriya word “Jat” has become a synonym of the Vaishy word “Vanik”. That is, the Regar can be categorised in only that Regar has been indulged into leather business or work for a short period. But neither Regar is a traditional leather worker nor genealogically, Regar is a subcaste of Chamar.
(b) In the Apni Bat(अपनी बात) of the Meghvansh ek Singhavalokan (मेघवंश एक सिंहावलोकन) written by R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.), 2008: Ravi Prakashan Nai Dilli, pp. third the word “Regar” is defined in the as bellow:
शूद्रों में जो लोग लड़ने मरने और सेवा करने में माहिर थे, उन्हें “महार” बना दिया, जो पासवां(पासवान) थे, उन्हें पासी या पासवान बना दिया, जो अहि(दुश्मन) को मारने वाले थे, उन्हें “अहिरवाल, संखवार, दोहरे, कोरी बना दिया, जो धान कूटने वाले थे, उन्हें “धानक” बना दिया, जो बलवा करते थे, उन्हें “बलाई” बना दिया, जो कपड़ा बुनते थे, उन्हें बुनकर(जुलाहा) बना दिया, जो जीतने में दुसाध्य थे, उन्हें “दुसाध” बना दिया, जो चमड़ा रंगते थे, उन्हें “रेगर” बना दिया, जो जूते बनाते थे, उन्हें “मोची” बना दिया, जो घोड़े की जीन बनाते थे, उन्हें जीनकर बना दिया गया।
That is, as per Mr. R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.) tanners are called Regar, shoemakers are called Mochi and Saddler are called Jeengar. They are only leather workers. But his caste fellows, calling Chamars are not Charmkars(Please see pt.10 also).
[ But it seems that Mr. Singh has not considered those social and occupational facts that so-called Chamars of Rajputana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh have been tanning hides for thousands years, why they have been not called Regars instead of Chamars. The Chamars are also traditional shoemakers. Ravidasji belongs to Chamar community and he would make shoes. Thus it is a social fact that Chamar is an ethnic group who has been preparing leather and making leather materials for thousands of years and this ethnic group has been calling, perpetually with the word “Charmar”.
Although traditional Chamar word has been substituted or replaced by other so-called Susanskrit words, like Bairwa, Jatav, Meghwal, even by the Government order. But it is very shameful that the ancient word “Regar” has been propagated as Chamar with anew, after the Independence of India. Whereas Regar is a separate ethnic group. Reghar would live in the era of Maharaja Vikrmajeet of Ujiyani 01 B.C. and Hurada(Bhilwada) Inscription of Regar Kanaji Udaiya is of Baisakh Bud 02 Vikrami Savat 1062(1005 A.D.). Hence it is to be considered that how the word “Regar” could alive up to the thosand years and why the Regars could have not called Chamars. Whereas those Regars of Bharatpur province who included in the big bulk of Jatav community after 1922 A.D. they had been forced to call themselves Chamar and they would have written Chamar in the Revenue Record.
Actually Regars are not traditional leather workers. But it seems that someone has been trying to vest Regars with the word Chamar. This practice should be protested or opposed and stopped and the Regar population should be separated in each and every record from the population of so-called Chamar communities.]
(10) Meghvansh Ek Singhavalokan(मेघवंश एक सिंहावलोकन) written by R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.) pp. 33
…..”चमार” शब्द चमड़े से सम्बंधित न होकर, संस्कृतभाषा के शब्द “च” तथा “मार” की संधि से बना है। संस्कृत में “च” का अर्थ “और” तथा “मार” का अर्थ “मारना” होता है। अतः “चमार” का अर्थ हुआ “और मारो”। उस समय उन लोगों को भय होगा कि बाहुबल पर अधीन किया गया एक विकसित समाज, उनको कहीं पहले ही नहीं “मार दे”। इसलिये मेघवंशी चँवरों को “और मारो(च + मार) कहकर “चमार” की संज्ञा दी गयी तथा इस समाज को “और मारो, और मारो” कहते हुए बार–बार पीटकर दब्बू बनाया गया। नीच व गंदे काम करवाये गये। उन्हें मरे हुए पशुओं व चमड़े से जोड़कर, घृणा का पात्र बनाया गया। इसी “चंवर” समाज से घृणा और ईर्ष्यावश थोपे गए चमड़े का कार्य करने के कारण “चमार” नाम को चमड़े से जोड़ दिया गया।
That is, Mr. R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.) says that so-called Chamars are not Charmkars(traditonal leather workers and Scavengers). They are Meghvanshies and the word Chamar is not a corrupt form of the word Charmkar(leather worker etc.). Because it is generated by the addition of the word Maar(मार = ‘to beat’) with Ch(च = a Sanskrit word which means “and = और “).That is:
Chamar = Ch + Maar (Beat again and again to Meghvanshi Chanwars and engage them into the work of hiding and scavengering)
[But it also looks, like a ridiculous hypothecation as how the ridiculous and absurd etymologies of words Chamar and Meghwal have been hypothecated on pp. 218-219 and 220-221 respectively in the Rajasthan ki Jatiyon ka samajik evm Arthik Jeevan(राजस्थान की जातियों का सामाजिक एवं आर्थिक जीवन) by Dr. Kailashnath Vyas and Devendrasingh Gahlot. That is, the word Chamar is a corrupt form of the word Charmkar(leather worker)]
(11) In the Bairwa Samudaay ka Itihas(बैरवा समुदाय का इतिहास) written by Mangilal Paliwal ‘Shramratn”,
No single word has been written as indicating that before the independence of India, they or their forefathers were called or written as Chamar and they had been leather workers.
(12) Meghvansh ek Singhavalokan(मेघवंश एक सिंहावलोकन) written by R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.) pp.11:
……मेघवाल का असली शब्द “मेघवार” है। मेघवार की जगह प्रायः “मेघवाल″ शब्द का प्रयोग किया जाता है। मेघवार शब्द संस्कृत के “मेघ” तथा “वार” के मेल से बना है। “मेघ” का अर्थ “बादल अथवा वर्षा” तथा “वार” का अर्थ “प्रार्थना” है। इस प्रकार “मेघवार” का अर्थ उन लोगों से है, जो वर्षा के लिये प्रार्थना करते हैं।…… अतः “मेघवाल″ वर्षा के पानी से खेती करने वाले लोग हैं। वे भारत के किसान है।
That is, Mr. R. P. Singh has developed a hypothecation that Meghwals are those people, who do farming with the rain-water. That is:
Megh + War →Meghwar → Meghwal
where, the Sanskrit word ‘Megh’ means clouds and the Sanskrit word ‘War’ means to pray. That is Meghwar means the people who would pray for raining.
But he did not verify the above hypothecation.
[ Whereas in the European languages“Regar means-to water” has been prevailing since long ago. That is Regars were big farmers, even before the Christ, who used to irrigate with the rain water, applying a specific drainage-system. Perhaps the special irrigation system of the eastern Rajputana was develped or set up or planed by Regar Kshatriyas. Which is justified from this fact that Rehgars(Regars) had inhabited in the province, situated on the boundaries of the present Rajathan and Madhypradesh after the fall of Maharaja Vikramajit(Vikrmaditya) of Ujiyani in 01 B.C. and from where, they have expanded to north and north-west Rajputana. It is also a socio-geographical fact that Reghar(Regar) Kshatriyas would inhabit subclanwise. The most of subclanwise inhahitations have been converted into villages in the above province. Actually Khatnavali(खटनावली), Navali(नावली), Naroli(नारोली), Gahnoli(गहणोली), Singhada(सिंघाड़ा), khankheda(खानखेड़ा), Uchchain(उच्चैन), Hindaun(हिण्डौन), Masalpur(मासलपुर), Karoti(करोती), Kathumar(कठूमर), Dhaulpur(धौलपुर, a village near Kanchanpur), Basedi (बसेड़ी), Kansot(कांसोट), Mandawar(मण्डावर), Kacharoli(काचरोली), Khajoti(खजोती), Kamokhari(कमोखरी), Badoli(बड़ोली), Falwada(फलवाड़ा), Sanwasa(संवासा), Umari(उमरी), Karadi(कराड़ी), Gogor(गोगोर), Manoli(माणोली), Ghatoli(घाटोली), Khareta(खरेटा), Gunsara(गुणसारा), Dhanwada(धनवाड़ा), Kachawati(कचावटी), Rajor(राजोर), Baseth(बसेठ), Chandoli(चांदोली), Jharoti(झारोटी), ……… Badi (बाड़ी), Deeg(डीग), Jagar(जगर), Goth(गोठ), Deegari(डीगरी), Bansi(बांसी), ……..etc. are aleast 200 villages in the eastern Rajsthan, seem to be prevailed after the names of Regar subclans, like Khatnavaliya, Navaliya, Naroliya, Gahnoliya, Singhadiya, khankhediya, Uchchainiya, Hindauniya, Masalpuriya, Karotiya, Kathumariya, Dhaulpuriya, Basediya(Bachhediya), Kansotiya, Mandawariya, Kacharoliya, Khajotiya, Kamokhariya, Badoliya, Falwadiya, Sanwasiya, Umariya, Karadiya, Gogoriya, Manoliya), Ghatoliya, Kharetiya, Gunsariya, Dhanwadiya, Kachawatiya, Rajoriya, Basethiya, Chandoliya, Jharotiya, …………… Badiwal, Deegwal, Jagarwal, Gothwal, Bansiwal, …….etc. respectively.
Although the most forefathers of the Jatavas were of so-called Chamar community. But a group of Regar families of above province(Bharatpur, Dhaulpur, Karauli districts with adjoining Tehsils of adjacent districts) had merged in the Jatav community and alienated from the main Regar Community forever.
Thus only basis of the above social event, it can’t be recognized that the word Regar becomes a synonym of the word Jatav. But since it is a fact that inspiring by Swami Achhutanandji(स्वामी अछूतानन्दजी) of Agra, the whole people belonging to the Chamar community of the western Uttar Pradesh had called themselves Jatav in the first half of the third decade of the 20th century A.D. Knowing this fact, people belonging to the other castes never made differences between Regar-Jatav and Chamar-Jatav of Rajputana and hence all the Jatav people belonging to the eastern Rajputana have been called and written as Chamar in the private or Government records of Rajputana, even after the independence of India. But Regars are never called and written as Chamar.(Please, see revenue records of that time)
(13) http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/regar
Regar means
to water; to screw up
Regar
TRANSITIVE VERB
1. to water (con agua) (planta, campo); to hose down (calle)
regaron la comida con un buen vino tinto they washed down the meal with a good red wine
2. to flow through (sujeto: río)
el río que riega la región the river which flows through the region
3. to supply with blood (sujeto: vasos sanguíneos)
esta arteria riega de sangre los pulmones this artery supplies blood to the lungs
4. to sprinkle, to scatter(desparramar)
(14) Swami Achhutanandji : In The Meghvansh ek Singhavalokan(मेघवंश एक सिंहावलोकन) written by R. P. Singh I.P.S.(rtd.), on pp. 47-48 as bellow:
उत्तरप्रदेश में स्वामी अछूतानन्द जी(Achhutanandji) ने “आदि हिन्दू ” आंदोलन शुरू किया। उन्होंने चमारों में सामाजिक जागरण का कार्य प्रारम्भ किया। इस अभियान में चमारों को चमड़ा रंगना, चमड़ा उतारना और दूसरे गंदे काम छोड़ने को कहा गया। सीताराम मानसिंह नाम के बड़े धनिक उद्योगपति, जिनका आगरा में एक कपड़े का बड़ा कारखाना मिल था, ने इस काम में उनका भरपूर सहयोग दिया। सीताराम ने जमुना किनारे चमारों के नहाने के लिये बहुत ही सुन्दर घाटों का निर्माण करवाया, जिन पर चमार सम्मान पूर्वक स्नान कर सकते थे।
स्वामी अछूतानन्दजी के नेतृत्व में इस आंदोलन के प्रमुख नेता आगरे की जीवनी मंडी के डॉ. माणिक चाँद सेठ, गोपीचंद सेठ, बनवारी लाल , सेठ रामनारायण दास, यादवेन्द्र सेठ, केशवचन्द्र, रामस्वरूप तथा चन्द्रभान आदि थे। डॉ. माणिकचन्द और उसके सहयोगियों ने मिलकर “चमार(Chamar)” नाम के कलंक को दूर करने के लिये जाट, यादव, जातियों की तर्ज पर चमारों को सम्मानजनक नाम देने का विचार किया तथा उसके(चमार के) स्थान पर “जाटव(Jatav)” शब्द का विकल्प दिया। कुछ सुधारवादी नेताओं ने चमार नाम से पिंड छुड़ाने के लिये दूसरा नाम “यादव” सुझाया। बाद में यही “जाटव ” कहे जाने लगे। सर्वसम्मति से फैसला किया गया कि अब वे सभी अपने नाम के आगे “जाटव वीर(Jatav Veer)” लगायेंगे। इसके बाद डॉ. माणिक चंद से डॉ. माणिक चंद जाटव वीर हो गये। 1920 में उनकी अध्यक्षता में “भारतीय जाटव वीर युवा परिषद (Bharatiy Jatav Veer Yuva Parishad)” का गठन हुआ।
That is, the word “Jatav” is a new word of the 20 th century.
[Thus Roopchand Jaluthariya has made a wrong hypothecation in his book “Regar jati ka Itihas” that Jatav community was existed before 1000 years also and Regars have come out from that Jatav community. Actually, “Jatav” was a Movement(compaign) and persons, who were indulging into leather work in Uttar Pradesh had included in that Movement and began to call themselves “Jatav”.
Perhaps, due to lack of knowlege of the real etymology of the word “Regar” and inspiring with that the word “Jatav” is a caste name, like Jat, yadav etc., some Regar people of Bharatpur province had also began to call themselves “Jatav”. Wheras the word “Regar” is itself an ancient Kshatriya clan.
Hence it is a wrong hypothecation of Mr. Jaluthariya that some Jatav families one by one has been converting into Regar group since 1000 years. Whereas Jatav is a new organisation of families of some so called lower castes. That is , a wrong inference on the website www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=48214, has been uploaded that the words jatav Chamar, Chamar, Ramdasiya and Regar are alternate names of each other.
Ramdasiyas are also called themselves non Chamars.
That is , what says anyone about the etymology of any Hindu caste’s name, is not a point of discussion, here. But it seems that the most of the scholors, historians, sociologists either have failed or overlooked to make genealogical differences between Regars and other so-called Chamar communities. Thus without entangling in this problem, it is better that the actual population of Regars must be assigned only under the title of “Regar”.
http://www.raigar.net/?page_id=401
