Ghotis
Encyclopedia
Ghotis also called Paschimbangiyas or Edeshis , are a social group native to West Bengal
(Paschimbanga), India
. Their dialects, folk traditions (Lokachar) and cuisine are distinct from those of the Purbabangiyas or the natives of erstwhile eastern Bengal.
The term came into greater use after many people from Bangladesh
(then East Bengal and later East Pakistan) migrated to West Bengal
during and after the Partition of Bengal
in 1947. Initially there was a cultural and sociological clash between the native population and the refugees.
Ghotis are frequently distinguished by their Bangla accent and use of certain local dialects and figures of speech that Bangals in general would not use. Also, certain sweets, like Sponge Rosogolla, Ledikeni, Lengcha, Mihidana, Rasakadamba, Rajbhog, Gopalbhog are known to originate in Western Bengal.
Amongst the Bengali Hindus of India, "Bangal" and "Ghoti" are used as social sub-groups indicating the ancestral origin of a family. Those whose families came from East Bengal are Bangals and those whose families originated in West Bengal are Ghotis. The term 'Bangal' as used here has little relation to actual geography, since most members of these groups all now live in India. The term is used freely and not considered derogatory within this social class.
There are many a differences found in the cultural events, food or sports where the Bangals love Ilish and the Ghoti love Ching-ri (Prawns), the Bangals celebrate Lakshmi puja in the fifth day after Durja Puja and the Ghoti perform Lakshmi puja (mostly in home only) on the Kali Puja day.
The exact origin of the word Ghoti is unknown. It is presumed that the word was derived from Bandyaghoti. The Bandyaghotis were a section of Rarhi
Brahmins who migrated from Bardhaman
to eastern Bengal, where they were referred as Ghotis. Gradually, the people of western Bengal became collectively known as Ghotis. Another presumption is that the Bandyaghotis brought the sacred ghat
with them along with their Shaligram to the eastern Bengal. For this reason they were known as Ghotis or the people who bring ghat.
Some surnames are specific only to Ghotis and Edeshis, like Adak, Adhikary, Bagui, Bhaduri, Daffadar, Dandapat, Dey, Dolui, Gorai, Guin, Hazra, Hela, Jana, Karak, Karmakar, Kundu, Laha, Lahiri, Mahapatra, Middye, Modak, Nag, Nandi, Naskar, Nayek, Paik, Pain, Pal, Panja, Patra, Sadhukhan, Samanta, Sardar, Sapui, Sasmal, She-al, Sinha, Tarafder, Topdar etc.
Similarly some surnames are particular to Bangals , like Deb, Deb-nath, Deb-rai, Nath, Guha, Guha-Thakurta, Gupto, Dash-gupto, Shen-gupto, Shorma, Dash-Shorma, Deb-Shorma, Dash-Munshi, Munshi, Dewanji, Mun-shiji, Kannungo/Qannungoh, Mahalanobis, Kor, Purakayastha/Purkait, Abdullah, etc.
, Mohun Bagan AC whereas the Bangals are traditionally supporters of East Bengal Club
. Though there are several exceptions but in general both these communities share an immense rivalry between them regarding Mohun Bagan - East Bengal football match.
They also cherish a rivalry through claim of supremacy of their respective cuisines and especially river-food delicacies, i. e., Chingri (prawn) for Ghotis and Ilish (hilsa) for Bangals.
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
(Paschimbanga), India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Their dialects, folk traditions (Lokachar) and cuisine are distinct from those of the Purbabangiyas or the natives of erstwhile eastern Bengal.
The term came into greater use after many people from Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
(then East Bengal and later East Pakistan) migrated to West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
during and after the Partition of Bengal
Partition of Bengal
Partition of Bengal may refer to the partition of the Bengal region during two separate occasions:*Partition of Bengal *Partition of Bengal...
in 1947. Initially there was a cultural and sociological clash between the native population and the refugees.
Ghotis are frequently distinguished by their Bangla accent and use of certain local dialects and figures of speech that Bangals in general would not use. Also, certain sweets, like Sponge Rosogolla, Ledikeni, Lengcha, Mihidana, Rasakadamba, Rajbhog, Gopalbhog are known to originate in Western Bengal.
Amongst the Bengali Hindus of India, "Bangal" and "Ghoti" are used as social sub-groups indicating the ancestral origin of a family. Those whose families came from East Bengal are Bangals and those whose families originated in West Bengal are Ghotis. The term 'Bangal' as used here has little relation to actual geography, since most members of these groups all now live in India. The term is used freely and not considered derogatory within this social class.
There are many a differences found in the cultural events, food or sports where the Bangals love Ilish and the Ghoti love Ching-ri (Prawns), the Bangals celebrate Lakshmi puja in the fifth day after Durja Puja and the Ghoti perform Lakshmi puja (mostly in home only) on the Kali Puja day.
Etymology
Rarh region
Rarh region of West Bengal is the region that lies between the Western plateau and high lands and the Ganges Delta...
Brahmins who migrated from Bardhaman
Bardhaman
'Bardhaman or Burdwan , is a city of West Bengal state in eastern India. It is the headquarters of Bardhaman District....
to eastern Bengal, where they were referred as Ghotis. Gradually, the people of western Bengal became collectively known as Ghotis. Another presumption is that the Bandyaghotis brought the sacred ghat
Kalash
Kalasha or Kalash may refer to:*Kalash people of Chitral, northern Pakistan**Kalasha **Kalash language, also known as Kalasha-mondr**Kalasha Desh, their valleys*Nuristani people of Nuristan, Afghanistan...
with them along with their Shaligram to the eastern Bengal. For this reason they were known as Ghotis or the people who bring ghat.
Geographical distribution
However, there is a subtle difference between the terms "Ghoti" and "Edeshi"(of this country). "Ghoti" is specifically used to refer to people living in Districts like Hooghly, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Burdwan, Bankura, Birbhum, etc. i.e South Bengal west of the Hugli river. The native people of districts like North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Maldah, Uttar Dinajpur,etc. i.e east of the Hugli river but within West Bengal, can be referred to as "Edeshi" as they are not of refugee bangal background and are native to West Bengal, yet the culture and language of these regions is more similar to that of Eastern Bengal.Surnames
Though most common surnames among Bengali Hindus are common to both Bangals and Ghotis, like Ray, Ghosh, Boshu, Chokroborty, Mukherji, Benarji/Bondopaddhae, Chatterjee/Chottopaddhae, Ganguly/Gonggopaddhae, Bhattacharjee(Bhottacharjo), Bish-shash, Shen, Shaha, Shorkar, Dash, Mondol, Saha, RoyChowdhury, Majumdar, Dot-to, Talukder, Mitro/Mitter, Moitro/Maitra etc.Some surnames are specific only to Ghotis and Edeshis, like Adak, Adhikary, Bagui, Bhaduri, Daffadar, Dandapat, Dey, Dolui, Gorai, Guin, Hazra, Hela, Jana, Karak, Karmakar, Kundu, Laha, Lahiri, Mahapatra, Middye, Modak, Nag, Nandi, Naskar, Nayek, Paik, Pain, Pal, Panja, Patra, Sadhukhan, Samanta, Sardar, Sapui, Sasmal, She-al, Sinha, Tarafder, Topdar etc.
Similarly some surnames are particular to Bangals , like Deb, Deb-nath, Deb-rai, Nath, Guha, Guha-Thakurta, Gupto, Dash-gupto, Shen-gupto, Shorma, Dash-Shorma, Deb-Shorma, Dash-Munshi, Munshi, Dewanji, Mun-shiji, Kannungo/Qannungoh, Mahalanobis, Kor, Purakayastha/Purkait, Abdullah, etc.
Mohun Bagan Club
Traditionally Bengali people like football and most of the Ghotis are supporter of National club of IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Mohun Bagan AC whereas the Bangals are traditionally supporters of East Bengal Club
East Bengal Club
Kingfisher East Bengal Football Club are an Indian professional football club based at Kolkata. They are known to be one of the best footballing sides in India. They have won the most IFA Shields in Indian Football and are tied for the most National Football League and Durand Cup championships with...
. Though there are several exceptions but in general both these communities share an immense rivalry between them regarding Mohun Bagan - East Bengal football match.
They also cherish a rivalry through claim of supremacy of their respective cuisines and especially river-food delicacies, i. e., Chingri (prawn) for Ghotis and Ilish (hilsa) for Bangals.