Kunjra
The Kunjra (Urdu: کُنجڑا) (pronounced as Koonjrda or Koonjda) are a community found in North India, Central India and Nepal.[2] They are also known as Sabzi Farosh or Mewa Farosh.[3] Kunjra, by definition, means a vegetable seller or greengrocer. It denotes an occupation rather than a caste. [4]
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 31,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
•  Pakistan •  India | |
| Languages | |
| • Urdu • Khari Boli • Awadhi • Bhojpuri | |
| Religion | |
•  Islam |
History and origin
The Kunjra are a community associated with Farming. The name of the community is derived from Sanskrit word kunj, which means bower. According to Gazetteer Punjab, they claim descent from Raja Kunjpal, the Raja of Kunjah town lies in the Gujrat district of Punjab province, that is now in Pakistan.[5]
Present circumstances
The community is urban based, and buys vegetables from other communities such as the Kurmi, Murao and Kachhi. They are included in the Other backward caste category in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi.[6]
Distribution
The Kunjra are found throughout North India, with large numbers found in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, mainly in Bhopal (old city), Saugor, Jabalpur, Rajasthan mainly in Jodhpur, Udipur, Bhilwara, Pali, jhunjhunu, churu, and many other cities of Rajasthan etc. and Khurai.
References
- "Joshua Project - Abaza Ethnic People in all Countries". Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
- People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part II page 867 Manohar publications
- Nagendra Kr Singh; Abdul Mabud Khan (2001). Encyclopaedia of the World Muslims: Tribes, Castes and Communities. Global Vision. pp. 775–. ISBN 978-81-87746-07-2.
- Census of India 1931: Bihar.
- Rose, H. A.; Denzil Ibbetson; Edward Maclagan (1996). Glossary of the tribes & castes of Punjab. Asian Educational Services. p. 809. ISBN 978-81-206-0505-3.