Rangrez

Rangrez is one of the community mostly seen in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, Karnataka. They are rated B.C-D in G.O.Ms.No.1793,Education, dated 25-9-1970 as amended from time to time (B.Cs) S.Cs,S.Ts,list(modification)order,1956 S.Cs and S.Ts(Amendment) Act. 1976. Their Mother tongue is Marathi.They are locally called as rangarajulu,They are the community related Shivaji Maharaj(Maratha King) They were called as family of rulers ,since they called them are raj, later they changed their work due to circumstances in coluring sarees. They are also know as Bhvasara Kshtriya, as samaj well known in the states they dwell.Bhavsar is an ancient community originating from the North Western part of India, stretching towards the South Indian Territories. However this community isn’t enclosed by the Indian border, rather its members have been successfully flourishing in different countries. The main profession of this community was related to clothing and textiles. Bhavsar Kshatriyas are also known in some parts of Andhra Pradesh as "Rangrez" by their profession of dyeing textiles or "Rangaari" in Maharashtra and other parts. This profession led the community members to travel at a long distance crossing barriers and flourishing as successful business personnel. As time passed, the community started adapting itself to the situations and need of time. Apart from Clothing Industry it started developing skills in other industrial activities. Today Bhavsar comprises business personnel and professionals from a varied work culture. From clothing industry to medical and electrical to Information Technology.

History

According to the epics the legendary Parshuram who was said to be an Avatar of Lord Vishnu, had vowed a vengeance against a community of warriors, where in the war he had wiped most of the warriors, off the earth. This scenario had worried two young princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh from Saurashtra who had foreseen their dynasty meeting its end.

They had been directed to appeal Hindu Goddess Hinglaj (Durga/Ambaji/Bhavani/Mataji/Kali) at the holy shrine situated on the bank of Hingol River in Baluchistan near Sindh which is now at Pakistan, where the Hindu Goddess assured protection of their dynasty by compelling Parshuram to leave them alone, on the condition that none from their community would confront Parshuram as he too was a son for her. The community Bhavsar was named after these two Princes Bhavsingh and Sarsingh.

In the mean time apart from being at the royal service, few members from the community started developing skills in stitching and dyeing clothes. These skills enabled them to grow as professional artisans and in turn Royal Tailors & Dress Designers. These artisans had to travel a lot as their skills were well known throughout the nation.This community laer named as rangrez in the regions of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, in maharastra they are called rangaari.

[http://www.bhavsarinternational.org/]