Chaudhari community of Banaskantha District and Sub-casts

The Chaudhari community of Banaskantha district is known as Anjana Patel or Anjana Chaudhari. This community in Banaskantha is circulated in every taluka of it. According to a view, “One who dazzles other is called Anjana.” 2 As above statement, Anjana Chaudharies are good-looking and have strong body and bright eyes. They are also brilliant, self-respected and hardworking people. In Banaskantha, this community is connected with the occupations of agriculture, diamond and animal husbandry. Anjana Chaudharies are native of Rajasthan, North Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh in India. In Gujarat this community is mainly spread in Banaskantha, Mehsana, Patan Sabarkantha and Gandhinagar. Anjana Chaudharies are naturally warlike and aggressive in battle, and possess qualities like courage, loyalty, self-sufficiency, physical strength, resilience, and orderliness, hard working, fighting tenacity and military strategy. Arbuda Devi is mother goddess (Kuldevi) of Anjana Chaudharies.


This community is divided into sub-groups for matrimonial purpose. There are approximately 50 groups. These groups have name like ‘Bar’, ‘Bavisi’, ‘Vadhiyar’, ‘Koliyaro’, ‘Hindvani’, ‘Dator’, ‘Gadhvada’, ‘Jetoda’, ‘Dhandhar’, ‘Idar Betalisi’, ‘Modasiya’, ‘Navgam’, ‘Kamrej’ etc. There are 232 Sub Casts in this community. There are like Atos, Aod, Akoliya, Bagla, Bhatol, Bhutadiya, Kaid, Kuva, Kodali, Kharsan, Kathroyiya, Katriya, Karen, Jegoda, Muji, Gol, Juva, Loh, etc. Traditionally in this community, men wear white shirts, ‘Dhoti’ and white turban, while women of this community wear saris of different colours and red or black color ‘chaniya’. The Chaudharies of Banaskantha have greatly contributed in the development of the district. Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited known as Banas dairy is a cooperative organization established by Galbabhai Nanjibhai Chaudhari in the year 1969. In spite of this, they have established schools, colleges, libraries, hostels, and other educational institutes. They have also participated very well in the politics of the district. The former M.P. Mr. Haribhai P. Chaudhari and former M.L.A. Mr. Harjivan Patel and current district Panchayat President Mr. Dalsangbhai J Chaudhari, Banas dairy Chairman Mr. Parthibhai Bhatol and M.L.A Mr. Parbatbhai Patel are very active in the politics of the district.