Agri caste

The Agri are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India.

Origin

The name Agri comes from Agar, a Salt-pan or bounded farm. The Agri of Maharashtra are also known as Agle and Kharpatil The tradition common among them is that they originally dwelt at Mungi Paithan and were transported to the Konkan by Bimbaraja. Two son's Agla and Mangla, were born to the sage Agasti; the former the ancestor of the Agris, the latter of the Mangelas (Fishermen). The first was told to support himself by the manufacture of salt from the sea, the latter by fishing.Agri community are found in Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban. The Agri are so called because they migrated to Gujarat from the city of Agra. According to other traditions, they are said to have originated in Maharashtra. They still speak a dialect which is a mixture of Marathi and Gujarati languages. The Agri are found mainly in Valsad District.

Present circumstances

The Agri are divided into a number of clans, and the community practice clan exogamy. They are mainly a community are of cultivators, with many now being landless agricultural labourers. The Agri are Hindu . They also attend the various festivals and fairs.