Rors

Rors, a small tribe is mostly concentrated in Karnal. They rank with the Jats as cultivators.

Banias

The word Bania stems from a Sanskrit word Banijyas meaning trade. They are by tradition the chief trading class in Haryana. The Banias are divided into three main classes, the Aggarwalas, the Oswals and Maheshwaris. They mostly confine themselves to local trade in Mandis (wholesale grain markets) and in the villages. Though small in number they are quite influential both in business and politics.

Meos

The Meos are concentrated in Mewat, comprising the hill country tract of Gurgaon, Alwar and Baratpur. They take their name from the place of their residence the Mewat. They claim to have a Rajput origin, descendants of an ancestor who was converted to Islam in the time of Kutub-ud-din. Meos are a happy blend of Islam and Hinduism. They observe the feasts of both but fasts of none. On the occasion of marriage, birth and other ceremonies Hindu customs and practices are observed. As a people they are daring and full of a spirit of adventure.

Harijans

In Haryana, the Harijans constitute roughly about one fifth of the population of the state. The several categories of Harijans (schedule castes) are the Chamars, Chhuras, Dhanaks and Julahas. As a single community the Chamars are the most predominant.

In earlier times, the Chamar was the village shoemaker, the Chhura its scavenger and the Dhanaks and Julahas were village weavers. They all took a hand in the agricultural operations by contributing their labour. But now, these Harijans are occupying the positions of even legislators, ministers, senior government officials and some of them have entered into competition with the other classes in small trade and cottage industries.

Gujars

The Gujars were originally a pastoral tribe. They are concentrated in large numbers in the Khadar and canal villages of the Karnal district. They are of the same physical type as the Jats, Rajputs and Ahirs.

In another category are the village artisans, craftsmen and certain other menials who helped in the agricultural operations. These included the village blacksmith, the carpenter, the oilman (teli), the barber (nai), the washer man (dhobi), the village potter (kumhar) and some others.

LIFE OF THE PEOPLE

Nearly eight percent of its population of about ten million live in about seven thousand villages and hamlets of varying sizes. The composition and size of the villages differ from place to place depending on the location. Each area has characteristics of its own. The caste and community inhabiting a village also impart to it a certain type of character.

A Jat village will be a little different from the one in which Rajput dominate. A Brahman village can be distinguished from a Gujjar village. All Jat villages are not similar. The sub- tribe or gotra of the tribe will impart certain distinguishing features. All the villages have certain features which stamp them with general character, irrespective of their location and caste or gotra of the dominating sections.

The rural people have been very much affected by the wind of change. The village is not the same as it used to be even a few decades ago. This change is purely physical. The village now has improved in external appearance, the essence of village life remains the same. The life of the villagers remains rooted in their age old customs and traditions.