Oswal
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2008-05-06T01:19:36Z
Chakreshsinghai
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/* History */
The '''Oswal''' are a social group (and [[caste]]) of people from the [[India]]n States of [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]] ([[Halar]] and [[Kutch]] regions) and [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]. Oswals are mainly [[Jain]] following the [[Svetambara]] tradition, but a few are [[Digambar]] Jains and a few are[[Hindus]] Vaishnavites. According to tradition recounted in several texts, the Oswal community was established by [[Jain]] Acharya Ratnaprabha Suri belonging to [[Upakesha Gachcha], he was the seventh successor [[Acharya]] of Jain [[Tirthankar]] [[Parshvanatha]] on 14th day of the Shravana Month of [[Indian calendar]]. According to tradtion and bardic accounts, many Rajputs joined Jainism and were joined Oswals. Sevral smaller Jain communities have merged into the Oswal community.
Although Oswals are a very small minority (population estimated at approximately 4–5 million people worldwide) they play an important part in the economic life of [[India]]. Their diaspora and communities can be found in all the major populations centers of India as well as [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[Africa]], [[Australia]], South-East [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]]. The Oswals have significantly influenced other Jain and Vaishnava communities of the region, who are also strict vegetarian.
===Origin of Oswal===
According to one legend, the Oswal caste was created approximately c.2500 years ago from a group of [[Kshatriyas]] in the town of Upkeshpattan ([[Osian]]) who adopted [[Jainism]] as their faith. But other Kshatriyas converted to Hinduism as they never were influenced by Jain ideology. Those who converted to Jainism also continue to follow local traditions and pray to local or family gods. The Goddess [[Sachchika]]<ref> A Unique Sculpture of the Jaina Goddess Saccikā, by R. C. Agrawala, Artibus Asiae, 1954 Artibus Asiae Publishers.</ref>, historically associated with the [[Osia]] town, is often the family deity of the Oswals. Over the years the number of Vaishnava Oswals following Hindu tradition has increased due to Hindu influence.
==History==
The origin of the name '''"Oswal"''' is tied to a small village in the [[Jodhpur District]] of Indian State of [[Rajasthan]] called [[Osian]]or Ossiya. There was once a large city at the site of Ossiya ([[osian]]). The ancient names by which this city was known at various times were Uplesh Pattan, Urkesh, Melpur Pattan and Navmeri. Upkeshpattan is said to be analogous to such a town situated about 32 miles northwest of Jodhpur in the state of [[Rajasthan]]. It was the home to a Jain monastic order called [[Upakesh Gachchha]] <ref>http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/jainism/small.html Smaller Gacchas</ref>(which is now extinct) belonging to the [[Svetambara]] [[Jain]] tradition.
*According to an Upakesh-gachchha-charitra composed by Kakkasuri of Upakesh Gachchha in vikram 1393 <ref>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jain-friends/message/2620 Shrishrimal</ref> (but some say it was written in 17th century), [[Jain]] [[Acharya]]) Shree Ratna Prabhu Suriji the 7th [[Acharya]] in the line of [[Jain]] [[tirthankar]] [[Parshvanatha]]'s sect, came here in [[457 B.C.]] with his five hundred disciples in year 70 after [[Mahavira]]'s Nirvana(457 B.C.). However other scholars do not agree to this.
:King Upaldev and his very able minister Uhad ruled the city at that time. After receiving proper guidance from [[Acharya]], the King, his ministers, and more than one thousand Rajput soldiers gave up alcohol and meat and adopted [[Jainism]]. The [[Acharya]] gave this group the name Oshwals or Oswals. Thus, a new [[Jain]] corps called the Oswal Gaccha, the ancestors of the Oswal community, came into existence.
*However, according to another publication '''"Ossiya Vir Stavan"''' written in [[Vikrama Samvat]] 1712(1656 A.D) by Jain monk 'Naya Pramod Vijay', the follower of Jain monk 'Hir Udya Vijay' the city of Ossiya([[osian]]) was founded in Vikrama Samvat 1011 and the conversion by Acharya took place in Vikrama Samvat 1017. But in the historical documents published in the city of [[Bhinmal]], it is mentioned that Minister Uhad (the brother of king Punja of [[Bhinmal]]) left [[Bhinmal]] and founded the city in [[Vira Nirvana Samvat]] 70 after Mahavira’s Nirvana.
*Also, in the documents available from city of Korta([[Rajasthan]]) there is a mention of a conversion of a large group to [[Jainism]] by [[Acharya]] Shree Ratna Prabha Suri in [[Osian]] in the [[Vira Nirvana Samvat]] 70 after [[Mahavira]]’s Nirvana.
Therefore, from the several historical accounts, it appears that [[Acharya]] Shree Ratna Prabha Suri, a leader of Lord [[Jain]] [[tirthankar]] [[Parshvanatha]] ’s sect, established the Oswal Gaccha in the [[Vira Nirvana Samvat]] 70 after Bhagvan [[Mahavira]]’s Nirvana.
*Around 10th or 12th century AD, because of adverse natural conditions, a small number of these Oswal Mahajans left the village of [[Osian]] in search of better life and migrated to [[Sindh]] - what now is called West [[Pakistan]] & southern part of Rajasthan ie [[Bhinmal]], [[Jalore]], [[Raniwara]], [[Sanchore]]. The conditions in [[Sindh]] were not any better. So, continued the migration southwards into Kutch, now a part of the State of [[Gujarat]] and settled in Vagad district. Later on, some moved to Kanthi district and onwards into other parts of Gujarat.
Today, although many Oswal Jains visit [[Osian]], there is a legend that all Jains must leave by sun set or risk being cursed. Today, very few Oswals actually live in [[Osian]].
The original Kshatriyas were joined by people from other castes as [[Jainism]] grew as a philosophy.
During the course of Indian history, Oswals are known to have played an important part in assisting many [[Hindu]] and [[Muslim]] princely states to finance their activities. Many [[Mughal]] administrations have placed great value on the Oswals ability to generate revenue. Many Oswals won patronage from various [[Mughal]] Emperors due to their strong presence in commercial activities.
An Oswal immigrant who is said to have exercised decisive role in a series of events which culminated in the Battle of Plassey was [[Jagat Sheth]] a title bestowed upon him by the Mughal emperor, [[Aurangzeb]] and who in revenge of a personal outrage financed and sided with the East India Company to bring about the downfall of [[Siraj-Ud-Daulah]] leading to the [[Honourable East India Company|East India Company]]'s primacy in [[Bengal]].
=Religion=
Most Oswals are adherents of the [[Shvetambar]] (The White Clad) school of [[Jainism]]. Some Jain Oswals do regularly observe a syncretic worship of Hindu deities such as Vishnu (especially in form of [[Tirupati]], sri nathji, vitthala, shir shaiya pe soye vishni, as Jains are heavily invested in trading), Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and local and family gods, and, like most Jains, have often employed Brahmins to serve as Pujaris in their Jain temples. Per strict interpretation, Jains should not worship idols or raise / visit temples, however the syncretic influence of Hinduism has softened this injunction in practice. Actually, large part of people converted to jainism as they teh acharya them did not see any impedent in practsing their Hindu faith and allowed them full independence to follow and pursue Hindu traditions. However, now few Acharyas of Jainism see rituals and rites as an impediment and distraction.
Within the caste hierarchy of the Oswals there are sub-groupings of Panca, Dasa and Visa, which mean five (5), ten (10) and twenty (20) respectively. These sub-groupings refer to various caste endogamic structures within the Oswals.
Another sub-group of Oswals within the Kutch and Halar areas of present day Gujarat complete the non-marwari speaking group. These primariliy speak [[Kutchi]] or [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] as their mother tongue. Over the preceding centuries, many Halar based Oswal families migrated first to East Africa and then to the West and have founded distinct close-knit societies in these countries.
==See also==
*[[Osian]]
*[[Bhinmal]]
* [[Porvad]] and [[Shrimal Jain]]
*[[Sachiya Mata]]
*[[Forward Castes]]
*[[Visa Oshwal]]
*[[Navnat]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.oshwal-usa.org] Halari Visa Oshwals of North America
*[http://www.oshwal.org/oshwaluk/NewSite/Pages/OAUK/History/Migration%20to%20africa.htm] Oshwal Association of UK - Article on Halari Oshwal Migration
*[http://www.oerb.org] Oshwal Education & Relief Board of Kenya
*[http://www.oshwalnairobi.org] Halari Visa Oshwal Community of Nairobi
*[http://www.kvoss.org] Shri Kutchi Visa Oswal Seva Samaj
*[http://www.kdovastipatrak.com] Kutchi Dasa Oshwal Jain Gnati
*[http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/oswal] Oswal Group
*[http://www.kojain.com] Kutchi Oswal Jains of North America
For much more detailed information about Oswals, see http://www.oswals.net/
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Jainism]]
[[Category:Jain community]]
[[Category:450s BC establishments]]