History:
The Gavkars are an ethnic group of Maharashtra, India. They are believed to be descendants of the ancient Gavkari people, who were believed to have migrated from the Deccan Plateau to the Konkan region of Maharashtra in the 11th century.
The Gavkars are believed to have been part of the Rashtrakuta Empire and were involved in the administration and governance of the region. In the 13th century, the Gavkars were granted the title of 'Gavkari' by the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri. During the British Raj, the Gavkars were classified as a Scheduled Tribe.
Description:
The Gavkars have a rich culture and traditions that are still practised today. They have their own language, Gavkari, which is an Indo-Aryan language. They also have their own traditional dress, which includes long skirts and blouses for women, and dhoti and kurta for men.
The Gavkars have a variety of customs that are still practised today. These include traditional marriage ceremonies, rituals related to the worship of their ancestors, and the celebration of festivals such as Diwali and Holi.
The Gavkars are divided into two main sub-groups, the Deshastha Gavkars and the Konkan Gavkars. The Deshastha Gavkars are found mainly in the Satara and Sangli districts of Maharashtra, while the Konkan Gavkars are found mainly in the Raigad and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra.
