Gurjar Community Pastoral Traditions of Sawai Madhopur

The Gurjar (Gujjar) community of Sawai Madhopur district has traditionally been pastoralists, maintaining large herds of buffaloes and cattle. Gurjar families supplied milk to the surrounding agricultural villages and towns, with milk delivery by Gurjar milkmen (dudh wale) on foot or bicycle being a common sight in Sawai Madhopur town until recently. Traditional Gurjar pastoral practices include seasonal transhumance: moving buffalo herds to river areas during the hot season and back to village commons during monsoon. Buffalo milk from Gurjar herds is characterised by high fat content, used to make makhan (butter) and desi ghee using the bilona method. The Gurjar community's close association with forests around Ranthambore has led to conflicts over grazing rights following the expansion of the tiger reserve. Community forest right claims by Gurjar households are an ongoing legal and social process.