Kshatriya Powar
Kshatriya Powar is a community residing in Central India also known as Panwar, Ponwar. AbOUT 20 lakhs community members are there residing in Central India (especially in Valley of Wainganga River) and now spread all over India and the rest of the World.
History
Powar are descendants of Agnivansh which is an ancient clan of Kshatriyas in India. As per History , inscriptions copper plates found in Central India, Powar or ponwar originally belong to Malwa. As per enquiry with older Power member, they stated that they are of same clan as of King Bhoj of Dharanagar. They first came to Nagardhan ( ancient name Nandiwardhan ) and spread over valley of Waninganga River.
Language
They have their own dialect “Powari” which categorized as Indo Aryan Language. Powari is a mix of Bagheli, Malvi, Hindi and Rajsthani. Few words, verbs are same as Gujarati.
Surnames/Kuls
They have 36 Kuls . They intermarry within these 36 Kuls, But not within same Kul . There Kuls are Rana , Chouhan , Gautam , Choudhary , Thakur , Bhagat , Bhairam , Pund , Rinayat , Sharnagat , Rahangdala , Kshirsagar , Katra ,Harankediya, Hanvat , Turkar,Bisen, Pardhi ,Bopchiya ,Bhoyar, Sonvaniya , Yediya , Tebhariya, Jaitwar, Bhaktwarti ,Pateliya , sahariya , Ambuliya , Kolhiya,Bagheliya, Parihar , rajhans , Randiva, Rahmat, Raut , Farid .
Traditions
They have their own traditions, life style. Powar is handsome Race and fair in complexion. One can identify them as Powar member out of thousands other.
Status
Up to 1947, they were land owners, Ruler and warrior class. After a fall of Maratha Empire and during British rule, they adopted Agriculture as a their main profession as they were having lands of their own. Now most of community members are in Education, Medical & Engineering field. Still, Agriculture is their prime profession at their Villages. Literacy rate is good enough about 95%.
References
- Gazetteer of Bhandara District ,
- Gazetteer of Central Province District,
- Gazetter of Nagpur District,
- Imperial Gazetter of India ,
- A Book “Caste & Tribes of Central Provinces of India ” By Russel R V ,
- And other History books by Indian & European Authors .