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The Kuruba community is one of the oldest existing communities of India, tracing its history back to prehistoric times. Kurubas have a great and ancient association Kannada language. The population of the Kuruba community in Karnataka alone is nearly 80 lakhs. People of the Kuruba community have long practised a variety of professions, and have not been confined to their traditional (and still predominant) occupation as shepherds and farmers. The Holkars of Indore were Maratha Dhangars. Undeniably, a large section of rural gentry and peasantry in Karnataka have belonged to the Kuruba community.[citation needed] Some Kurubas have been social thinkers and poets, such as Kanakadasa.
Before the Tamil Sangam, South India was inhabited by megalith-builders. These were a pastoral people who lived in caves and in the wilderness. They made stone and metal weapons and pottery. These people built dolmens and cromlechs for their noble dead. In these they buried their dead along with food grains, tools, weapons and other amenities for the afterlife. They were locally called as the Pandava people. These were the earliest monuments found in South India. These megalith-builders might have been the Kurumba people.[citation needed]
Kanakadasa was born into a shepherd family as the son of a village chieftain; his father was the Gowda of a Kuruba village. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna the cowherd and hence set out on a pilgrimage to Udupi. But as he was a non-Brahmin the casteist priests of the Udupi Krishna temple prevented him from having a darshan of the Lord. Feeling hurt he went behind the temple and prayed ardently to the Lord. Lo, there was a miracle when a crack appeared on the wall of the temple and Lord Krishna appeared before him. Hence even today devotees at Udupi view the statue of Krishna through a crevice on the back wall of the temple. Kanakadasa was also a famous classical musician as well, he had contributed many bhajans hence he is remembered fondly by Carnatic music singers. Hence Kanaka dasa needs to be revered just as much as Kalidas and Tulsidas.
The Great Maharaja Yashwantrao Holkar was the first freedom fighter who made an army, in 1803, mostly consisting of Kurubas (Dhangars) to fight the British and to drive them out of India. He built a factory to manufacture tanks. He appealed to the rest of the Kings of India and said, "First Country and then Religion. We will have to rise above caste, religion and our states in the interest of our country. You too must wage a war against the British like me". His appeal fell on deaf ears as all of them had already signed treaties with the British. The Kurubas took part in the revolt of 1857. Many of them were hanged to death in Berar (M.P.). The British were so much afraid of Kurubas that they made a law banning purchase of land by Kurubas stating a reason that they were not Kunbis (agriculturists). They were oppressed in all spheres of life.
He was the only king in India to whom the British approached to sign a peace treaty. Initially he refused to sign any treaty with the British, but when he saw that rest of the kings were not ready to unite and were interested in personal benefits he was the last to sign a treaty with the British on 24 December 1805 at Rajghat. He did not accept any condition which would affect his self respect.
Allama Prabhu, head of Lingayat Temple at the time of allowing saint Rewad in the temple stated "Kuruba Hutavamunna Kulavilla Gotra Villam, Kuruban fal kani Basavanna." meaning "Before the Kurubas there were no gotras, gotras came with Kurubas, Basavanna, we are the descendants of kurubas". This shows that many Lingayats were Kurubas/Dhangars previously
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What is meant by Dhangar ?
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What is meant by Dhangar ?
The House Magazine(Hindi) of Ministry of Culture , Government of India, New Delhi, SANSKRITI, issue No.16, year 2009, in an article at its page No. 12 elaborates” “Dhan” as sheep and goats. The shepherds from the time immemorial call their sheep and goats as “Dhan”. A Dhangar is the person who himself or his forefathers had been associated with the rearing of the sheep and goats. The Dhangars have been traditionally pastoral nomads. As on today not all the Dhangars rear sheep and goats. The human civilization has evolved through various stages. The men lived initially in jungles and depended on hunting of animals for food. In due course of time he was able to domesticate some small animals like sheep, goats and dogs and a new era of human civilization came into being. This was the beginning of the civilized society. The groups of the humans moved from one place to another with their domesticated animals in search of better pastures. Thus a Shepherd was the first civilized person of the world. During the course the shepherds learned the process of growing the grasses and thus the farming was developed which resulted in a semi-stabilized society. Sheep and goats were the property of the men and was being exchanged in the times of need. The wealth of a family was adjudged by the numbers of the sheep and goats they possessed. The word Dhan came into existence as a measure of the wealth or prosperity and it was used for the sheep and the goats at initial stage of the civilization and is being used even today. The majority of the scholars have propounded that the word Dhangar had originated from the word “Dhenu” which means cow in Sanskrit language. It is virtually a wrong perception of the scholars. However it is also true that Dhangars, who are nomads, rear cows also along with sheep and goats and in certain places they feel proud to call themselves as Gopalaks means cowherd. These shepherds who call themselves as Gopalaks are in fact being identified by the general society as Shepherds only. Cowherds are a different society called as Ahirs. Dhangars are the nomads whereas the Ahirs are not. Dhangars of today are the people who have not adapted to the developmental changes of the modern society and have lagged behind in the race of civilisation. Dhangars have a glorious history. They have contributed a lot, not only to the Indian society but also to the world at large. For the centuries Dhangars have been seen scornfully by the developed society being semi nomads and the un-developed tribe. The historians too have not been fairer while writing the history as the history has always been written for the winners and the advanced societies. Still the evidence exists and we can trace the facts from the available records.
Definition :- According to C.P. Brown
"Kurumavandlu (Kurumagolla or Kuruvagolla) is a caste of shepherds who weave blankets".
Beerappa the patron God :-
Beerappa, who is the patron-god of the kurumas, was born out of Tolichemata (first sweat) of Lord Siva.
(3). Beerapa has different names like Kurukuntappaswamy, Antharangappa, Itikalapallaiah, Gollapallaiah; Kanaganipalle Peddaiah etc. Each sect of
kurumas worships a Beerappa. Kadagottu Kamarathi
(4) (Kadagottu means the last child of her parents) is the wife of Beerappa. According to SomE! scholars, Lakshmi is the wife of Beerappa. Beerappa temples are constructed in villages and townswhen:~ there is Kuruba / Kuruma population. In the Kurukuntappaswamy (Beerappa) temple at Ananatapur, the idols in the garbhagriha are made of wood, locally known as Bathina Chekka (Bilva tree).
(3). Beerapa has different names like Kurukuntappaswamy, Antharangappa, Itikalapallaiah, Gollapallaiah; Kanaganipalle Peddaiah etc. Each sect of
kurumas worships a Beerappa. Kadagottu Kamarathi
(4) (Kadagottu means the last child of her parents) is the wife of Beerappa. According to SomE! scholars, Lakshmi is the wife of Beerappa. Beerappa temples are constructed in villages and townswhen:~ there is Kuruba / Kuruma population. In the Kurukuntappaswamy (Beerappa) temple at Ananatapur, the idols in the garbhagriha are made of wood, locally known as Bathina Chekka (Bilva tree).
The details of the idols are (from left to right) - horse, Ankamallamma (sister of Beerappa), Ramaiah (riding a horse), Peddaiah (riding a horse) Dalavayi (riding a horse), Seenaiah (riding a horse), Kondameedirayudu (riding an elephant). All the riders are holding swords.
In the Beerappa temples in Kurnool District, the God is represented in stone sculpture. He is having big moustaches and is looking ferociously. He is riding a horse and is holding a sword. A dog (Bhairava) is at the feet of the God.
In the Beerappa temples in Kurnool District, the God is represented in stone sculpture. He is having big moustaches and is looking ferociously. He is riding a horse and is holding a sword. A dog (Bhairava) is at the feet of the God.
Mallanna, the ProCienitor -
The kurumas trace their descent from their tribal god Mallanna (Malia Reddy) who was fabled to have originally been a Kapu by caste. It is believed that Mallanna was born out of Mali Chemata (the next sweat) of Lord Siva. Malia Reddy was the son of Neelamma and Adi Reddy, the ruler of Kolhapur. However, Prof. M.L.K. Murthy gives a different story and says that Elanagi Reddy was the forefather of the kurumas Elanagi Reddy was the son of Adi Reddy and Ademma. He says that Elanagi Reddy and Beerappa are one and the same.
According to E.Thurston and K.Rangachari, Undala Padmanna was the ancestor of the Kurbas. Padmanna was the son of Masi Reddy and Neelamma, who lived on the eastern ghats. Mallikarjuna, the founder of the kurumas was the son of Chokkam Devi and Adiredu who was the ruler of Chandikapura. Mallanna was made the God of shepherds by Lord Mahadeva. Once Mallanna, having ploughed his farm, collected the rubbish and disposed of it by burning it on an ant hill. Two sheep had already been sheltered by Parvathi in the ant-hill, and being oppressed by the intense heat of the fire, they came out and solicited Mallanna for protection. Mallanna reluctantly consented and desired them to follow him to his dwelling. On arrival at his house, he found that thy sheep had multiplied ihto thousands. Dismayed and confused at this strange development, he appealed for relief to the God Siva, who came down from Kailas, transformed him into a god, and assigned to him the duties of presiding over the destinies of the shepherd class.
According to E.Thurston and K.Rangachari, Undala Padmanna was the ancestor of the Kurbas. Padmanna was the son of Masi Reddy and Neelamma, who lived on the eastern ghats. Mallikarjuna, the founder of the kurumas was the son of Chokkam Devi and Adiredu who was the ruler of Chandikapura. Mallanna was made the God of shepherds by Lord Mahadeva. Once Mallanna, having ploughed his farm, collected the rubbish and disposed of it by burning it on an ant hill. Two sheep had already been sheltered by Parvathi in the ant-hill, and being oppressed by the intense heat of the fire, they came out and solicited Mallanna for protection. Mallanna reluctantly consented and desired them to follow him to his dwelling. On arrival at his house, he found that thy sheep had multiplied ihto thousands. Dismayed and confused at this strange development, he appealed for relief to the God Siva, who came down from Kailas, transformed him into a god, and assigned to him the duties of presiding over the destinies of the shepherd class.
Sanskritization of Beerappa and Mallanna :-
In the temple of Mallikarjuna of Inavolu near Warangal, men belonging to the kurumas and Gallas participate in the festival of Mallikarjuna on the occasion of Sankranti day. Their Gods Beerappa and Mallanna were equated with lord Mallikarjuna of Sriparvata. Thus the pastoral and tribal community and panchamas were also integrated or sanskritised through the process of fa'irs and festivals.
Patti Kankanam and Unni Kankanam :-
The kurumas are divided into several subsects like Patti Kankanam, Unni Kankanam etc.
The kurumas aver that Mallanna had two wives, one Padmakshi (lotus-eyed), a Kapu girl (daughter of Katal Reddy, the ruler of Devagiri) who was married in accordance with the usual Kapu usage of fastening cotton thread (Patti) bracelets on the wrists of the bridal pair. Mallanna gave lands and cattle to Padmakshi.
The kurumas aver that Mallanna had two wives, one Padmakshi (lotus-eyed), a Kapu girl (daughter of Katal Reddy, the ruler of Devagiri) who was married in accordance with the usual Kapu usage of fastening cotton thread (Patti) bracelets on the wrists of the bridal pair. Mallanna gave lands and cattle to Padmakshi.
The other wife was Ratnangi (resplendent as gems), the daughter of a Brahman woman who, while pregnant, was devoured by a Rakshashi. The Rakshashi brought up the newly born girl untii she carne of age. One day Mallanna, while grazing his floor in the jungle, where the girl dwelt, observed [',er and was so struck with her beauty that he fell in love with her. He killed the demon and married the girl, but the wedding bracelets on this occasion were made of wool instead of cotton, which could not be procured in the jungle. Hence Mallanna's descendants by Ratnangi have been distinguished from those by Padmakshi by the name Unni (wool) kurumas and are said to hold a position superior to that of the latter. Mallanna gave sheep to Ratnangi.
(17). Mallanna also married Bhramaramba and Golla Kethamma.
(17). Mallanna also married Bhramaramba and Golla Kethamma.
The Ugad kurumas are socially inferior to the other two sub-sects and make their living by officiating as priests to the kurumas and by begging only from them
Linaavat kurumas :
Regarding the origin of Lingayat kurumas, a story is told that Mallanna once met Basava, the founder of the Lingayat sect, and was converted by him to his faith. The progeny of Mallanna, subsequent to this event, became Lingayats by creed.
Culture
Kurubas are Hindus who follow Halumatha. Halumatha is also referred to as palamatha in some parts of India. Religion of the Palakas. Worshiping Almighty Source in stone (Linga) form might have originated from Halumatha. Stone is the source for the soil. Soil is the source for the plants. Plants are the source for the animals. This may be the reason for worshiping Almighty in Stone. Through the ages, this stone worship tradition might have led to worshiping Shiva (Pashupati) as Beeralingeswara, Mailara Linga, [[Khandoba]], Mahadeshwara, Nanjundeswara, Mallappa, Mallara, Mallikarjuna, Junjappa etc. Even the worshiping of shakti as Yellamma, Renuka, Chowdamma, Kariyamma, Hallehoramma, Thottilhiramma, Chamundi, Bhanashankari, Gullamma etc. might have come from this tradition. Even today ancestral worship as deities is very common. The worship of ancestors like Revanasidda, Rama, Hanuman, Krishna, Keshava, Ranganatha, Eera Thimmanna, Tirupati Thimmappa, Venkateswara, Kalidasa, Siddarama, Kanakadasa, etc. as Devaru very much exists in Kuruba traditions.
Beeralingeswara temples have Balaga with Gowda, Buddhivanta, Bandari, Kolkara, Heggade etc. Generally priests in Beeralingeshwara and Milaralingeshwara temples are Kurubas. Despite fabulous speculations, no means of right, truth or knowledge have been able to say that the forefathers of these people were of the major Indian dynasties.[citation needed]
Kurubas are known by different names in different regions of the country. In some locations in Karnataka, people from the Kuruba community use Naiker as surname. It means the same as Gowda (a leader of village or temple). The following are used:
Andar, Ahiyaru, Ahir, Appugol, Maldhari / Bharwad / Rabari, Bharavadaru, Dhangar, Dhangad / Dhanwar / Dhanka /Dhangod, Doddi Gowda, Goravar,Gadhariya, Gadaria, Gowda, Gaddi, Gadri, Gollavadu[Yerra Golla, Asthanthra Golla, Puna Golla, Karuveppilla Golla], Gounder, Halumatha, Heggades, Idyar, Kaude, Khuruk, Kuda, Kuruba, Kuruba Gowda, Korama, Kurumba, Kurmar, Kurumbar, Kalavar, Koruma,Korumavaaru, Kurkhi, Kurupu, Naikers, Nikhers, Oraon, Pal / Pala, Palaru, Paalakyatriya, Poduvar,
