Kathi caste

The Kathi Darbar (Gujarati: કાઠી દરબાર) is a Kshatriya caste found in peninsular Saurashtra region of Gujarat, western India. Kathi Kshatriya are popularly referred as Kathi Darbar.

The Kathi are said to have given their name to the Kathiawar region and to be mythologically descended from the Sura, an ancient race of sun worshipers found in western India. Kathi are said to be one of the '36 royal races' Colonial British historians consider the Kathi to be an invading foreign Scythian tribe that settled in the Kathiawar region in the second century BC. During the time of Sikandar's attack on Punjab, Kathis manfully opposed him, in this conflict, he was wounded badly and that wound became the reason of his death. Because of their bravery, Kathis put up the strongest opposition to the Marathas.

The Kathi are second only to the Rajputs and Koli in number of non-salute princely states (mostly minor/petty, as small as a single village) in present Gujarat where they supplied the Chieftains, notably in Kathiawar on Saurasthra peninsula :

The Kathi have two hierarchical divisions, practicing strict exogamy :

Kathi Darbar are horse lovers and keep Kathiawari horses, which are known worldwide. It is noted that the Kathi Darbar will never forget an enemy as shown in the proverb "કાળ છોડે પણ કાઠી નહિ" (Time (Death) Forgets But Not Kathi)".

Devotee of Swaminarayan, Darbar Shri of Gadhada Dada Khachar was born into this caste. The Kathi Darbar community is connected much of the history of Gujarat. Noted warriors such as Jogidas Khuman, Ram Vala, Chapraj Vala, veer bavavala, and also the saints Aebhalji Vala, Aapa Giga, Danbapu Chalala, Bagdabapu Kamaliya Kalmodar, Vihalanath Paliyad, Apa Goarkha, Apa Jadara Songadh and Apa Ratabapu were born into this Kshatriya caste.

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