Vagri

A photograph of a Vaghari man, 1911

The Vagri (Vaghri, Waghri or Baghri) (Gujarati: Vāgharī, Bāgharī) are a tribe and caste found in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India, and in the province of Sindh in Pakistan.

The Vaghari community, named after “Vagh Ari” (tiger hunter ), has a rich legacy of fearlessness, hunting, and warrior spirit. Originally settled in the South Aravalli region and most part of Gujarat, they lived near dense forests and remote villages, thriving in the wilderness.

Known as skilled hunters, they specialized in tracking and hunting wild animals, especially tigers, using arrows, spears, and swords. Their expertise also extended to guerrilla warfare, using stealth and deep knowledge of the terrain in battles. The men and women were physically robust, built for survival and strength in harsh conditions.

Their diet was mainly non-vegetarian, rich in meat from hunting, which contributed to their strength and endurance. Spiritually, the Vagharis are devoted followers of Vihat Mata, Meladi Mata, and Kali Ma—powerful forms of Goddess Durga-Parvati. As followers of Shaktism, they worship the divine feminine as a source of protection and power.

Today, their legacy continues as a symbol of bravery, physical strength, cultural pride, and spiritual devotion.

During the British Raj, the Vagri were listed under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 as a tribe "addicted to the systematic commission of non-bailable offences." In 1952, they were "denotified", meaning that they were no longer listed as criminals.

Origin

Ancient Origins:

Waghri word originally derived from sankrit word 'Wagh' (which means tiger) + 'Ari' (which means to hunt). Basically, Waghri means hunter of tiger or who are dexter in hunting. 

The Waghri community, also known as Devipujak/ Devi-Poojak (Worshippers of Goddesses/ Deities), is historically rooted in the worship of Goddess Shakti and has preserved rich cultural traditions tied to religious rituals and community service.

Devipujaks are deeply spiritual and renowned for their devotion to local deities, particularly Devi(Goddess), symbolizing feminine strength and resilience. Their religious festivals and rituals continue to be vital elements of their cultural identity.

Present circumstances

In India

In India, the Waghri are mainly located in the Gujarat District. Like many other Gujarati Hindu communities, they are endogamous but maintain gotra exogamy. Their main clans are the Devipujak, Dantani, Badgujar, Vaghela, Solanki, Kharwa, Godara, etc. They were landless community in the British Raj but now many are well settled, well educated and participating in the growth of the country India. They have an effective caste council, which acts as a quasi-judicial body and deals with intra-community disputes. They are a Hindu community, with their main tribal deities being Bahuchara Mata, Charbayu Mata (Chandika Mata), Shitla Mata, Hadak Mata, Khodiyar Mata, Mogal Mata, and Meldi Mata. Also, follow Pavani (Maa Kali), Mata Shakti, Runvali Mata (Devi of desert), Bhutdi Maa.

In Gujarat, the Waghri are found mainly in the districts of Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Panchmahal, Kheda, and Ahmedabad. They speak Gujarati language among themselves and normal language with outsiders.

Economic Shifts:

Traditionally involved in occupations like trading and crafts, modern Devipujaks have gradually transitioned into various business sectors, with many pursuing education and professional careers to improve socio-economic standing.

Currently, several members of the community are highly educated and hold prestigious professional positions, including that of Chartered Accountants and participating in the growth of nation India.

Commitment to Education:

In recent decades, members of the Waghri community have made significant strides in education, breaking barriers to seek better employment opportunities and societal participation. For the higher education few of the community youth have been heading towards countries like USA,Canada,Uk,Australia and New Zealand

Jay Maa Meldi...

In Pakistan

The Vagri in Pakistan are found mainly in the districts of Umerkot and Tharparkar. They are landless, and have been subject to discrimination at the hands of the locally powerful Sodha Rajput community.

A recent study showed that the majority of scheduled caste population of Pakistan, which includes the Vagri, are practically landless. The survey conducted showed that in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalpur districts revealed that an overwhelming majority of 83 per cent Scheduled Caste population did not own even a small piece of land. The land ownership by the remaining 17 per cent is also very small as 90 per cent of the Scheduled Caste land owners have a very small piece of land between one and five acres. Like those in India, the Pakistan Vagri are Hindu, and speak both Sindhi and their own language, Bagri, which is distantly related to Rajasthani.