Rathwa
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | 642,881 |
| Gujarat | 642,348 |
| Maharashtra | 488 |
| Karnataka | 45 |
| Languages | |
| Bhil languages, Marathi, Gujarati, Sindhi, Hindustani | |
| Religion | |
| Traditional religion and Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bhil | |
The Rathwa are a Adivasi caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are also known as Koli-Rathwa in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In Gujarat, the Koli consist of number of sub-groups, the main ones being the Rathwa-Baria. They speak Rathwi (a Bhil language) and/or Gujarati.
The Rathwa derive their name from the word rathbistar, which means an inhabitant of a forest or hilly region. They are said to have immigrated from Madhya Pradesh in the Middle Ages, and are now found in the talukas of Chhota Udepur, Jabugam and Nasvadi in Chhota Udepur District. The community are said to be a sub-group of the Koli community.
The community is endogamous, and consist of a number of exogamous clans, the main ones being the Hamania, Thebaria, Mahania, Kothari Baka and Fadia. They are mostly small- and medium-scale farmers. Many Rathwa are landless agriculture labourers, working on the lands of the Patidar community. The community follow their own folk religion, which has now been heavily influenced by the Hindu religion due to Sanskritisation. Their customs are similar to other tribal communities of the region such as the Patanwadia. They are classified as a scheduled tribe in 3 states: Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
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