Hatkar


Hatkar is a caste found in Deccan region of India.

Etymology

S. B. Joshi traced the origin of the name to the word "Hatakara", meaning cattle herder and a synonym of Dhangar.

History

S. B. Joshi traced the ancestry of Hatkars to the "Patti-Jana" people who were settled to the south of Narmada river in the Middle Ages. He also traced the etymology of the word "Maratha" to "Mara-hatta", and theorized that the region was originally known as "Hatta-desa".
The Ain-i-Akbari mentions a Hatkar force of 1,000 cavalry and 5,000 infantry.
In 1819, the Hatkar leader Novsaji Naik rebelled against the Nizam's rule in the Nanded district. Also known as Naosaji, he held the forts of Nowah and Umerkhed, where he assembled a large number of Arab mercenary soldiers. The British-trained Nizam's contingent was called in to put down the rebellion.

Culture

There is an expression, "Dhangar's ram and Hatkar's flag". Meaning, the one who tends to ram and sheep is Dhangar, while one with a flag is Hatkar. The flag is sparrowtailed and is bi-coloured. The upper-half is yellow, and the second half is red.
Traditionally, the Hatkars are distinguished from other Dhangar by wearing a red turban, earring and a coarse blanket and carrying staff. Their women wear a considerable number of rings, necklaces, nose rings and ankle bangles.