Migrants in one of the several migratory waves that brought Indo-Europeans into South-Asia. Oral traditions of the tribe & certain archaeological (particularly cultural & phonetic)evidence suggests that the word 'Gujar' is a derivation of 'Gurjara' and is the same 'Georgia' - making the Gujar tribes to be of Central Asian origin (Georgia-Chechnya etc).
Majority of the Gujars rest in what is today Pakistan, while India holds the second largest Gujar population. Gujars are numerous in the disputed state of Kashmir and can also be found as minorities in Afghanistan and Iran - a suggestion to the remnants of the meandering forefathers of the present day Gujars who found their way into Rajasthan as nomads and were quickly absorbed by the local Brahmins as the warrior caste. Historians agree that both the Gujar & Jat tribes have the same Scythian origin. It is no wonder that the tribal traditions of these people relate in the war-like and martial traditions of their Scythian ancestors. The Gujar is characterized by his strong and large built. They later on ruled a large area of South-Asia under the nomenclature of 'Gurjara-Pratihara kingdom'.
Majority of the Gujars are muslim today. This once legendary tribe has now receded into the tumultous brunt of historical and political configuration over the last few centuries.
Prataprao Gujar (actual name Kudtoji Gujar) was the second Sarnaubat (Commander-in-chief) of Shivaji's army, which was probably the most successful guerilla force in 17th century India.
He was given the pseudonym of Prataprao (The brave) by Shivaji in acknowledgement of his bravery in the war against Mirza raje Jaisingh.
Shivaji's second son, Rajaram, was later, married to the daughter of Prataprao Gujar.
The Gujar also claim that their buffaloes are conditioned to the changing weather conditions, and therefore when there is a rise in temperature in the lower regions towards the end of spring, the animals start getting restive.
The Gujar subsistence pattern, characterised by a near-total dependence on buffaloes, is so remarkable that their relationship with the animal may be regarded as parasitic, the Gujar being parasites of buffaloes.
The relationship between the Gujar and the local populations was cordial and the Gujar were welcome in the vicinity of the villages.
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