Bharia people
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Bharias (भारिया) are Dravidian-speaking tribes of Madhya Pradesh in India. The Bharias live in Patalkot valley of Chhindwara.
Variants
- Bharias (भारिया)
- Bharia People
Habitation
Patalkot valley, the habitation of Bharias, is completely isolated valley some 400 metres below Tamia in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh. This valley is the source of Dudhi River. Patalkot is totally inaccessible by road and one enters along a footpath only. But recently The Madhya Pradesh government established good road inside the Patalkot valley.
Rich biodiversity
There are hundreds of medicinal plant species in the Patalkot valley, and the Bharias have a deep knowledge of the herbs and medicinal plants growing within their valley. Herbal healers from Bharia community are known as Bhagats.
Cultivation pattern
Bharia tribes perform Dahiya cultivation. The time has changed the method but, still, they perform such type of cultivation in Patalkot. In this method of cultivation, soil is not ploughed. They dig the soil by their own hands using a Khurpi. There is less plain land therefore, ladder shaped or canal shaped rifts are made on the soil. They plant the seedlings here. Bharias believe that soil is their mother and they should not use Bhakkhar (Plough). It may give pain to their motherland. Nari, Basula, Girma, Pans, Hasiya, Tapar, Khant, Por, etc. are the basic requirements for the cultivation.[1]
Jat Gotras Namesake
- Bharshiv (भारशिव) is a Jat clan. It is a matter of research if Bharshiv (भारशिव) people have any connection with Bharia people of Patalkot. Bhar, Bhargote and Bharashiva Gotras originated from Bhar Nagavanshi Kings of the period of Mahabharata.