You raise a really good point. In addition to the ones I mentioned, the Pnar and Jaintia people, from Meghalaya as well, are also matrilineal. There are a few other groups from that region with similar beliefs. Is it possible the Gulab Dasi people migrated and settled in that corner of Northeast India?
seems that northeast India has accommodated these sects well. So, there is a possibility that Gulab Dasi people also settled there. But as far as my little knowledge of settlement of migrants in India is concerned, most people settled in Punjab and North India, as these were the areas where from majority of people migrated to Pakistan. A person from India can clarify further.
yeah, i think i can now because it’s off the “Restricted Areas” list along with Punjab. i have never been to Kashmir and i don’t intend to go there because it’s still not safe to visit. Kashmiris have alienated themselves from the rest of Indian Muslims. They never cared when Hindu Muslim riots were rampant in India in the 60’s. they think they are above the cut. that’s the general perception of Kashmiris among mainland Indian Muslims. i was in AligaRh Muslim University and we had no connection with them. we always considered them outsiders. they never associated themselves with mainland Indian Muslims.
i think mostly in the adjoining states of Punjab Haryana and Rajasthan. i and other members of my extended family haven’t come across a single family that migrated from Pakistan after independence. i think very few settled in Uttar Pradesh, if any. our area was quite peaceful and we had no threats or imminent danger so we stayed on. even cities in UP with a sizable Muslim population didn’t see immigration from Pakistan.
some Punjabi Hindu Families settled in Delhi area though. you will see quite a few there.
i was in Indian Consulate a few months ago and there i met this Sikh girl whose parents had migrated from Pakistan. she had a lot of trouble getting a visit visa to India as she had her ancestors from Pakistan and she needed a whole bunch of documentation. it’s unfair though.
It’s interesting that you mention this. I was speaking to someone (about travel) yesterday and they mentioned that they noticed, while visiting Mirpur in Pakistan’s Kashmir, the people in the more rural areas also have beliefs that are not common in other parts of Pakistan. He mentioned that belief in spirits is common, as is making offerings to said spirits.
Is this culture anything like the travelling communities of Pakistan? They are pretty free spirited, recite and sing poetry, not particularly restricted by any religion.
where can one find more information about this religion?