Gujarati People

Other Spellings : Gujaratis, Gujju (slang)

Religion : Hinduism. Some Gujaratis follow Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Christianity

Language : Gujarati

Regional Spread : Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India. A significant population of Gujaratis is also present in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa. Gujaratis can also be found in UK, USA, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Pakistan

Population : 100 to 120 million

Food Habits : A majority of Hindu Gujaratis are vegetarian. This is largely due to the influence of Jainism in the state of Gujarat. Gujarati cuisine follows the traditional Indian full meal structure of rice, curry, vegetables and bread.

Marriage Preference : Prefer to go for arrange marriage with Gujaratis of their own caste.

Related Ethnic Groups : Indo-Iranians, Indo-Aryans, Marathas, Sindhi people, Punjabis.

Famous Personalities

• - Politicians : Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Indian Nation Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - The 'Iron Man' of India Morarji Desai - former Prime Minister of India Mohammad Ali Jinnah - Founder of Pakistan K. M. Munshi - Freedom fighter, politician
• - Actors : Sanjeev Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Parveen Babi, Dina Pathak, Asha Parekh, Bindu, Supriya Pathak, Neelam, Pooja Bhatt, Amisha Patel
• - Directors : Mahesh Bhatt, Ketan Mehta, Sanjay Leela Bhansal
• - Businessmen : Dhirubhai Ambani, Kirit Somaiya, Azim Premji, Sam Pitroda
• - Cricketers : Vinoo Mankad, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel, Munaf Patel, Jignesh Desai (USA)
• - Authors : Chandrakant Bakshi, Kanti Bhatt, Anita Desai, Esther David, Kundalika Kapadia, Vaju Kotak, Rajiv Mody, Jug Suraiya (columnist), Wali Gujarati (Sufi poet), Narsinh Mehta ('Adi Kavi' of the Gujarati language), Vatsyayana (author of the 'Kamasutra')
• - Scientist : Vikram Sarabhai - scientist and thinker
• - Social Worker : Ela Bhatt - founder of SEWA

History and Origin

The Gujarati people, or Gujaratis, are a Gujarati speaking people of mostly Indo-Aryan origin. People of the Gujarati ethnicity are primarily located in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh regions of India. A significant number of Gujaratis can also be found in the former Portuguese-ruled parts of India - Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as in parts of Pakistan. The Gujaratis living in Pakistan are Muslims and are mainly those who migrated after the Partition of India and subsequent creation of independent Pakistan in 1947. They belong mainly to the Memon, Khoja, and Bohra groups. A large majority migrated to Karachi. A number of families still have relatives in Indian Gujarat and consider Gujarati to be their native tongue, even though they were born and brought up in Karachi.

About Gujaratis

The Gujaratis are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and capacity to work hard. Many Gujaratis have done relatively well for themselves in India and abroad. The diamond business has brought many Gujaratis to Belgium and the motel business has a large percentage of Gujaratis in the United States.