About KGBC - Delhi Division
The Kshatriya Ghirth Bahti Chahang Maha Sabha is one of the largest social organizations in the capital, offering a common platform for the exchange of ideas, organizing dialogues and discussions on various socio-economic issues, and working toward the preservation of cultural heritage. With a membership of over 8,000 families residing in Delhi NCR, the organization has grown into a key pillar of the community.
The name "Kshatriya Ghirth Bahti Chahang Maha Sabha" was officially registered in Lahore, now in Pakistan, in 1931 by the respected Rai Sahib Choudhary Gayan Singh. In 1933, the KGBC Local Committee, which is affiliated with the Maha Sabha, was established under the leadership of Seth Harnam Dass. Sh. Rulia Ram from the village of Thathal was the first President, while Sh. Beli Ram served as the first General Secretary of the KGBC Local Committee in Delhi. In 1936, after moving to Delhi, Seth Harnam Dass was unanimously elected President, a position he held until 1988. His leadership and close connection with every individual in the community earned him widespread respect.
Several key figures have played significant roles in the growth of the Local Committee, including Sh. Mulkh Raj, Gurdas Ram Rana, Sh. Amar Nath Fanda, Sh. Kalyan Singh, Charan Singh Balihar, Sh. Bhagwan Dass Dogra, Sh. Ram Kishan Kalkana, Sh. Bishan Das Badiyal, Sh. Anand Sawaroop Badiyal, Sh. J.N. Verma, and Sh. Mangat Ram. More recent contributors such as Ram Parkash Jhangol, Roshan Lal Bhambhota, Parkash Dev, Sh. Mohihinder Singh, Deepak Badyal, Ashok Bahti, and others have continued this legacy through dedicated efforts for the KGBC Local Committee, Delhi.
In 1962, the committee purchased a 200 square yard plot in K Block, Laxmi Nagar. This was sold in 1988, and a larger plot of 500 square yards was acquired in Wazirabad, which was also later sold. Today, the committee owns a 600 square yard plot in Shyam Enclave, West Delhi, where the Executive Committee is actively planning to construct a community Bhawan on a 400-square-foot area.
In 1955, Seth Harnam Dass invited Rai Sahib Gayan Singh, the President of the Kshatriya Ghirth Bahti Chahang Maha Sabha, to Delhi to preside over a meeting of the KGBC Local Committee. The event took place at the Hindu Maha Sabha Bhawan near Birla Mandir on 2nd October 1955, in honor of Gandhi Jayanti, a gazetted holiday. Since then, the Local Committee has celebrated its annual function on 2nd October each year with great enthusiasm.
The Local Committee has published two directories, containing contact details and addresses of community members from various parts of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and other regions now residing in Delhi NCR. These directories serve as valuable resources for community connection.
The Local Committee is committed to working for the betterment of humanity and uplifting the less privileged within the community. It is successfully running a marriage bureau and is in the process of establishing a credit and thrift society to further support its members. Through these efforts, the organization continues to serve the Choudhary community with dedication and purpose.
Keep it Great, Be the Change - KGBC
Reach UsGhrith / Bahati /Chahang caste of Ancient India
The Ghirth, also known as Bahti or Changh in Punjab, are a Hindu agriculturist caste primarily found in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana in North India. They are also referred to as Chaudhary. Historically, the community has been engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry for generations, playing a vital role in rural economies.
Despite their deep-rooted cultural ties, the Ghirth community remains largely scattered and disconnected. They lack a common platform to meet, share experiences, and address their collective challenges, which has hindered their ability to unite and support each other effectively.
The Ghirth community follows a hypogynous system and is believed to have Rajput origins. Over time, they became a separate caste due to practices such as widow remarriage and their association with agriculture. According to folk etymology, the name "Ghirth" is derived from "Ghrith," the Sanskrit word for clarified butter (ghee), from which the god Shiva is said to have created them.
In regions like Hoshiarpur, they are known as Bahti and Changh. The Ghirth are primarily concentrated in the Kangra region and neighboring districts like Una and Hamirpur. They are considered some of the earliest settlers of Kangra, Jammu, and nearby areas. Initially, they were Rajputs who ruled these regions but later became farmers after being subjugated. Today, they are predominantly found in the lower hills, with many owning large tracts of land.
Some scholars argue that the Ghirth are closely related to the Jats. This theory is supported by historical accounts, which mention that during the early days of Sikhism, the eldest sons of many Ghirth families became Sikh warriors, a practice common among the Jats. Many members of the Ghirth community also serve in the defense forces today, continuing their legacy of martial valor.
The Ghirth community has several large subgroups, including Kaundal, Khadwal, Khatte, Kalkana, Bhanwal, Bakralu, Rana, Rehalia, Pathari, Chhabru, Reru, Badial, Chhora, Bhattu, Chandwal, Palyal, Panjla, Dhebra, Sadal, Duckwal, Sartan, Pooner, Bakraalu, Sakain, Pathade, and many more.
Culturally, the Ghirth are similar to other communities in Himachal Pradesh. They primarily worship Hindu gods and goddesses, with a special reverence for Jakh (a form of Shiva) and Nag (the snake god). Goat sacrifices are a common practice during harvest celebrations. The community follows Hindu inheritance laws, with property being equally divided among all children, including adopted ones.
The Bahti, a subgroup of the Ghirth, are predominantly an agricultural caste found in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in Una district, as well as in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. They are also present in regions like Nangal in Haryana, parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttarakhand, particularly around Haridwar.
The Changh are another subgroup found in the lower ranges of Kangra and Hoshiarpur. In Dasua, they own several villages, and members of the Changh community are also found in the Thatta district of Sindh, Pakistan.
