Mangarh Dham

In Context

• The Prime Minister will pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the Bhil tribal community, during his visit to the Mangarh Dham in Rajasthan’s Banswara district.

About

• Mangarh Dham is known for the massacre of tribals by the British Indian Army in 1913.
• It is located in the district on the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, a region with a large tribal population.
• Social reformer Govind Guru led the gathering of tribals and forest dwellers in 1913 in Mangarh against the British Raj.

About Bhil Tribe

• The word Bhil is derived from “Veel”, which means “bow” in the Dravidian language.
• The Bhil tribe is called “Dhanush Purush of India” because they are highly adept at learning Dhanush.
• Bhils are a group of tribal Indians scattered throughout India from Gujarat in the west to Tripura in the Far East.
• As of 2013, they were the largest tribal group in India with the majority living in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
• Bhils have a rich and unique culture. The Bhilala subdivision is known for its Pithora painting.
• Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of the Bhil tribe.
• Ghoomar is the symbol of femininity.
• The young women take art in this dance and declare that they are stepping into women’s shoes.

Source:TH