The People
Rajasthan according to the 2001 census has a population
of 56.5 million.
Rajasthan has a large indigenous populace Minas (Minawati)
in Alwar, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Dholpur areas. The Meo
and the Banjara are travelling tradesmen and artisans.
The Gadia Lohar is the Lohar meaning ironsmith who travels
on Gadia meaning bullock carts; they generally make and
repair agricultural and household implements. The Bhils
are one of the oldest peoples in India, inhabit the districts
of Bhilwara, Chittaurgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Udaipur,
and Sirohi and are famous for their skill in archery.
The Grasia and nomadic Kathodi live in the Mewar region.
Sahariyas are found in the Kota district, and the Rabaris
of the Marwar region are cattle breeders.
The Muslims form less than 10% of the population and
most of them are Sunnis. There is also a small but affluent
community Shiaite Muslims known as Bhoras in southeastern
Rajasthan.
The Rajputs though represent only a small proportion
of the populace are the most influential section of
the people in Rajasthan. They are proud of their martial
reputation and of their ancestry
Religion
Hinduism, the religion of most of the population, is
generally practised through the worship of Brahma, Shiva,
Shakti, Vishnu, and other gods and goddesses. Nathdwara
is an important religious centre for the Vallabhacharya
sect of Krishna followers. There are also followers
of the Arya Samaj, a reforming sect of modern Hinduism,
as well as other forms of that religion.
Jainism is also important; it has not been the religion
of the rulers of Rajasthan but has followers among the
trading class and the wealthy section of society. Mahavirji,
Ranakpur, Dhulev, and Karera are the chief centres of
Jain pilgrimage.
The Dadupanthi forms another important religious sect
the followers of Dadu (d. 1603), who preached the equality
of all men, strict vegetarianism, total abstinence from
intoxicating liquor, and lifelong celibacy.
Islam, the religion of the State's second largest religious
community, expanded in Rajasthan with the conquest of
Ajmer by Muslim invaders in the late twelfth century.
Khwajah Muin-ud-Din Chishti, the Muslim missionary,
had his headquarters at Ajmer, and Muslim traders, craftsmen,
and soldiers settled there. The State's population of
Christians and Sikhs is small.
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