HISTORY OF THE SANSI BHANTU TRIBE

 

sansi

Bhantu Samaj

 

The peoples of Sansi Tribes are originally descended from Rajput origin and migrated from Mewar to different parts of the country in the 16^th century and acquired nomadic character. This tribe did not co-operate with the British Regime and because of the nomadic character, became educationally, socially and economically backward.

During the British regime, these peoples had been condemned to live on unsettled life, moving from place to place, in their attempt somehow  to fend for themselves and permitted to camp for a while on the outskirts of village strictly on sufferance, they have since time immemorial lived as outsiders in their own country. There is no patch of  land for them to stand on which they can call their own land and they have no permanent habitation providing a roof over their heads, indeed they have been deprived the very basic needs which have to be satisfied for ensuing human survival. The Sansi Tribe constitute the most deprived as well as the most neglected section of the Indian People condemned by the social traditions to a nomadic mode of living and subsisting on the fringe of the settled community.

According the Chapter Two of TRIBALISM IN INDIA (Col. No.9) The Sansis of Punjab : The Author Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay says that :

The Sansis, it is said, derive their name from their Rajput ancestor of the same name whom they call Raja Sansmal, who is now amongst the most important deity worshipped by them. According to the Sansi legend, the rise and growth of this tribe is traced to Sansi’s progeny MAHLA (i.e. MHALA) and  BEEHDOO in (i.e. BIDHU), and daughter RASLAAN. They also call themselves BHATUS (or BHANTUS ), their dialect. Historically, they are really BHATTI RAJPUTS who were driven out of Rajasthan by Muslim invaders under Allauddin Khilji around 1303.They seem to have wandered all over Punjab, passing through many vicissitudes for nearly two centuries. In course of time, some of them settled down on land, acquired status and influence, and even reared kingdom by getting absorbed into local communities, adopting indigenous caste names and ultimately embracing the SIKH Religion. Maharaja Ranjit Singh is taken as a descendent of one such noble family.
The said Author further states that, the Sansis are divided into principal clans named after their two famous ancestors, MAHLA and BEEHDOO. Thus during ancestral worship, they invariably say “O Sansmal Sansi, Mahla, Beehdoo, kindly bless our community with peace” When two Sansi strangers meet, they ask, “O brother, do you belong to Mahla or Beehdoo?”
According to my research, it is true and correct that and I also fully agreed that the Sansis are divided into two principal clans named  as MAHLA (or MHALA) and
BEEHDOO (or BIDHU). The following are the Sub- Castes in existence of Mhala and Bidhu groups in different states :
NO. OF SUB – CASTES OF MALHA AND BIDHU GOTRA IN

1.         MAHARASHRA STATE  :

A)         MHALA GROUP :                           B)        BIDHU GROUP

1. TAMAICHI                                                           1. MACHAR

2. MMENA                                                               2. GHAMANDI

3.MALKIYA                                                              3. INDRA      

4.GUMANA                                                              4. NETALA

5.ABHUWA                                                               5. BATTU      

 6.BAJRANG                                                            6. RAWALA

7.GARIYA                                                                 7. GAGAD    

8. KAMAL                                                                8. TIDDA

                                                                                   9. KARALA

                                                                                  10. KAWADIYA

                                                                                  11. CHUSA

                                                                                  12. GHASI

The above all the sub – castes of Maharashtra  again bifurcated in main two groups i.e. A) NAALA and B. BAGAD. Further it is interested to note that , the honourable our forefathers have allotted the respectable Degree (Sanad) to the Chief of each sub – caste  in the Jaat Panchayat  Meeting which were held so many years back . The details are as under ::

A)   NAALA :-
 1.      NETALA : Saat Gaon ka Raja (King of 7 villeges)
 2.      BATTU : Dedhi Ghar ka Basha ( Badshaha of 0ne & half house) 
 3.      GAGAD: Panesar ka Raja
 4.      MALKIYA ;Lal Topiyaka Basha
 5.      RAWALA : Lallu Sahab
 6.      TIDDA : Laittin Sahab
 7.      ABHUWA : Tilhari (Tapaliya)
 8.      GUMANA : Tar Master (Postman)
 9.      GARIYA :    Road Vazir

B)  BAGAD :-
 1.      TAMAICHI :  Vazir ( Divided into 4 groups internally)

A)    Dilarkhna : Vazir of Rs. 1,800/-

B)    Methiya : Dharam Vazir / Vazir of Rs. 1600/-

C)    Bhoma : Governer

D)    Navle Bakhta'

 2.      MACHAR ( Devided into 2 groups internally)

A)    Bidhwani : Taliyaka Malik

B)    Kaliya / Bhawaliya : Superidentant.

 3.      MEENA : Jahanjo ka Malik, Naale – Bagadaka Tapal
 4.      INDRA :  Naw Gaventi ( Chief of 9 villeges)
 5.      GHAMANDI :  Naale – Bagadaka Baap
 6.      BAJRANG : Dheeriya
 7.      KARALA  :  Kotwal