Prof. Devaraju Maharaju The Origins of the Gujjars The region where the Gurjars or Gujjars settled eventually came to be known as Gujarat. Animal husbandry and agriculture were once their primary occupations. The term "Gurjars" does not refer to a single caste or religion. It is a broad group comprising people of various faiths and languages — among them Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. They speak many languages, including Gojri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Urdu, Pashto, Haryanvi, Sindhi, Bhojpuri, Marathi, and Balochi. Beyond India, significant Gujjar populations are also found in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Within the community, Rajputs, Jats, Ahirs, and Indo-Aryans are all represented. There was once a Gurjar kingdom — around 570 CE — in the area that is now Rajasthan. The term "Gurjar" first appears in Banabhatta's Harshacharita , written around 630 CE. According to the accounts of Chinese travelers who visited India during the reign of Emperor Hars...