Who we are - Maheshwari Samaj (Community)
History of the Maheshwari Community
The Maheshwari community, numbering about three million, has played a notable role in India's economic and industrial progress. They are predominantly a business and mercantile community. There are several legends regarding their origin, but the most widely accepted one dates back approximately 4000 years before the Vikram Samvat. The legend says that in a village called Khandala near Jaipur, Raja Sujat Sen ruled. His son and 72 Kshatriya companions were cursed and turned to stone by some sages after they disturbed a yajna (a Hindu ritual). On the prayers of their wives, Lord Mahesh (Shiva) restored them to human form on the condition that they would renounce fighting and adopt a life of commerce. These 72 Kshatriyas are believed to be the ancestors of the 72 original Maheshwari gotras. Subsequently, three more gotras were added, and today there are 989 sub-gotras and nakhas. Marriage within the same gotra is strictly forbidden.
The community's primary language is Marwari or Rajasthani, but they have adapted to local languages like Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, and Telugu depending on their state of residence. While originally from Rajasthan, they have settled across India in pursuit of business and employment. Due to their diligence, intelligence, and adaptability, they have established large-scale industrial enterprises.
Society of the Maheshwari Community
Until the late 19th century, the Maheshwaris were primarily a business community that had adopted certain anti-social customs, including dowry, child marriage, and the purdah system. The first Maheshwari reformer, Raj Bahadur Shyam Sunderlal Loiwal, founded a Maheshwari Mahasabha, holding its inaugural session in Ajmer in 1892. Deeply influenced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, Loiwal's movement paved the way for the establishment of the All India Maheshwari Mahasabha in 1908. Since then, the Mahasabha has been at the forefront of social reforms. Many prominent Maheshwaris participated in the freedom struggle, with some even going to jail for their involvement in the khadi and charkha movements. One individual, Krishna Sarda, was hanged for his role in the freedom movement.
The Maheshwaris are a highly enterprising community. In 1918, the Birlas and Shivkissen Bhatter became the first Maheshwaris to venture into the jute mill industry. Despite facing immense difficulties from the British, their perseverance led to success. Until 1939, their mills were not even allowed representation on the Indian Jute Mills Association's Committee. Following India's independence, Maheshwaris continued to establish industries in various economic sectors.
The community is also known for its philanthropic nature. The Maheshwari Mahasabha established the S.K. Jaju Memorial Trust to provide scholarships and support other charitable activities. Many other philanthropic trusts have been founded by individual Maheshwaris. The educational institutions in Pilani are a prime example of the community's significant contributions to education.
In terms of social customs, there are some unique traditions. When a family member passes away, sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons on both the paternal and maternal sides have their heads shaved, a practice that differs from other Marwari communities where only sons are required to do so. A special marriage custom, Mamapheras, involves the maternal uncle taking the bride around the groom four times, with the remaining three rounds completed around the sacred fire. A Maheshwari bride is also required to wear ivory bangles for a period of at least 40 days or up to two years after her marriage.
Religion of the Maheshwari Community
The Maheshwaris are followers of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. They observe several unique rituals and festivals. A significant rite for married women is Baditeej, celebrated on the third day (Krishnapaksha) of Bhadrapada in the Vikram Samvat year. Women fast and pray for the long life of their husbands, while unmarried girls pray for a good spouse. During this ritual, only the men cut peenda, after which the women perform puja and break their fast.
Gorja or Gavraja is celebrated on the third day of Chaitra (Sudi), dedicated to the worship of Shiva and Parvati. Unmarried girls worship Goddess Gorja with gulla (the inside of green grass) for sixteen days, while married women do so with doob for eight days.
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated by the community twenty days after the usual date, on the fifth day of the second half of Bhadrapada. It is known as Bhai Panchami or Rishi Panchami.
Jaystha Sukla of the Samvat year is celebrated as Mahesh Navami to commemorate the birth of the Maheshwari community, a day dedicated to the worship of Lord Mahesh.
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