Ghirth

The Ghirth are a Hindu agricultural caste found in the state of Himachal Pradesh in North India. In customs and manners, they are similar to the Kanet, another Hindu cultivating caste found in the same region.

History and origin

Ghirth belongs to hypogynous system. They are Rajput but became separate caste as they started widow remarriage and agriculture. According to folk etymology, the name came from Ghrith, the Sanskrit word for ghee (clarified butter), from which the God Shiva is said to have made them. In Hoshiarpur they are known Chang and in present mostly known as labana. They are jat people of hills of himachal Pradesh. But known by pahari word Ghirth,ghore and Chang Punjabi name of Jat.

Many scholars consider the Ghirth to be Jats This is supported by the fact that during the initial days of Sikhism, and even well into the late 1800s, the eldest sons of many Ghirth families became Sikh warriors, a common among Jats. A large number of Ghirth currently serve in the defence forces.