Ancient Origins of the Jatars

After doing genetic testing it has been revealed that Jatars and their descendants can trace back their roots to a European. This original ancestor was white and this is so for all the descendants belonging to the R-M198 haplogroup. This haplogroup originated in Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Eastern and Northern Europe. The parent haplogroup is R-M198 and the age of this haplogroup is 10,000 years.

(More technical information: The more precise predicted Haplogroup is R-M512. Haplogroup R originated in Central Asia. Most descendants belong to one of two major lineages. They are present at low frequencies across Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe.)

3000 years ago our ancestors were from the Kurgan culture. These people are believed to be the first speakers of the Indo-European language group. Descendants of these people (example, the Jatars) are found in Slavic populations (native to Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, Northeastern Europe, North Asia and Central Asia) in Europe, India, and Central and Western Asia.

This is the migratory map of the haplogroups taken from familytreedna.com (Please go to this link if you want to test your DNA):

The Jatars are an offshoot of the R1a haplogroup which is basically East European or Central Asian in origin.

Sure, if we go back far enough we are all from Africa, but the Jatars are the offspring of those who went northwards, settled in Central Asia or Eastern Europe or thereabouts and then travelled down into India a few thousand years ago.

The presence of this particular haplogroup (R1a)  is found more commonly in the YDNA (passed on through the male line) of Indians, and therefore it is believed that these people did not enter India as a migratory group but were invaders. They have a mention in the Rig Veda which was written thousands of years ago and are called “Aryans” if you believe that theory. There is no evidence of these people being in India beyond the last few thousand years and possibly have been present in India only for about 1000 years.

If we go beyond that, it is clear is that they lived on the Indo-Gangetic plains about 15,000 years ago, and were Indo-Scynthians. A significant number of people from the western side of the Indian sub-continent, ie Sindhis, Gujaratis and Punjabis also share this haplogroup (R1a). This haplogroup is more common amongst the Brahmins of India, even found to some extent amongst South Indian Brahmins, but it is not found in Deshastha Brahmins who were here long before them.

Jatar Get-together with the Inamdars at Karjat

Over thirty people from Mumbai and Pune visited the Karjat farmhouse belonging to the Inamdars, on the second of March, 2024. Shrikrishna Inamdar, the host, who now well into his eighties made his presence felt, by reading out a poem on the Jatars, which will be uploaded soon. Shrikrishna is popularly known as Balkaka.

(Shrikrishna Inamdar, is the son of Sarojini Jatar (Banutai), who was the daughter of Kashinath Jatar (Bapurao), who was the eldest son of Shriram Jatar.) 

Vishal Inamdar, Balkaka’s son, made all the effort to ensure that we were all comfortable. His mother Lalkari Inamdar make us all feel very welcome with her warm smiles and graciousness, and presented everyone an elegant gift at the end of the programme.

We were hosted for lunch, tea and dinner. More than half of the guests stayed overnight and were hosted for breakfast and tea as well. They were put up in individual bungalows in the society. The arrangements were excellent.

Eulogy to my mother Mrs Pramila Desai (07.15.1928 – 01.19.2024)

My mother was a very strong woman and lived a full 95 years 6 months and 4 days with full zest and in the moment. Was always deciding and wanting to know what should be done the next moment. Her advice- wasted time never returns always carried forward to all her children, grand kids and to her great grandchildren…

Family Get Together at Neelima Raddi’s house in Pune

On Saturday the 19th of November there was a lunch party for family members, hosted by Neelima Raddi, the grand-daughter of Bhausaheb and great-grand-daughter of Shriram Jatar. She lives in Pune. The party was also a Bhishi, but all the spouses were invited too, making it all the more fun and energised. This party has second cousins and third cousins as well!

Here are some snapshots from the party.

Nirmala Kher née Sindhu Thakur and family

Nirmala Kher, née Sindhu Thakur, was the daughter of Kamlabai Thakur. Kamala was the fourth child of Bapurao (1871-1951). Bapurao was the eldest son of Shriram Bhikaji Jatar. 

The following article has been contributed by Nirmala Kher’s daughter-in-law, Mrinalini Kher.

Nirmala Kher née Sindhu Thakur, daughter of Kamlabai and Krishnarao Thakur of Nagpur was born on 24th June 1922.  She was married to Madhusudan Bal Kher, the second son of Shri Balasaheb Kher, who was the first Prime Minister of Bombay Province and the first Chief Minister of Bombay State. Sindhu was only 17 years old when she married, after completing her 11th grade (SSC).

However, she continued to study. In 1950, Sindhu decided to complete her graduation in Home science from Nagpur University. She immediately started working in SNDT University, Churchgate, as a lecturer. In 1957, SNDT gave her an opportunity to do her MS in Home Science from Knoxville, Tennessee University, in USA. After completing her Masters, Sindhu helped establish the SVT College of Home Science. As a founder and Dean, she was instrumental in popularising

Bal Borgaonkar’s 90th birthday Celebration

Bal Borgaonkar is the son of Shankarao Borgaonkar and Smt. Kumudini Borgoankar nee Jatar.  Kumudini Jatar Borgaonkar was the daughter of Balasaheb Jatar, the son of Shriram Bhikaji Jatar. His 90th birthday was celebrated at his daughter Sonya’s house in the USA. It was a close family gathering, with Bal Borgaonkar’s son, Raj, and his three sons, as well as Sonya, her husband Chris, and their children, a son and a daughter. Bal Borgaokar’s nieces, Revathi and Ruma, also attended.

Tribute from a daughter to her father

This is written by Mohini Kirtane, on her father’s death anniversary which was on 26th September 2022.

Mohini is the daughter of Madhav Krishna Joshi and Nanutai. Nanutai was the great-granddaughter of Shriram Jatar.

The Quiet Gentleman

It is generally said that behind every man stands a woman. However in my parent’s case I’d say they were both equal. They stood side by side, supported each other. She was more vociferous while he – a man of few words.

To outsiders, his quiet demeanour gave the impression that my mother was the more dominant of the two. In fact Suresh, my brother-law, of whom Kaka was very fond of, always laughingly said that in our house where there were three females Kaka never had any say. That was a false impression. Kaka, as we called him, was always completely independent. In his own quiet way, he did exactly what he wanted, and got his own way. He never argued, I have never heard him raise his voice and yet he commanded our respect and love. However he was always open to suggestions. Therein lay his uniqueness!

The loss of a son at such an early age made him I think, quieter.

Tribute to Nalini (Nanutai) Joshi on her 102nd Birth Anniversary

MRS NALINI JOSHI née JATAR was the eldest daughter of Appasaheb Jatar. Appasaheb was the son of Kashinath Jatar (Bapurao), who was the eldest child of Shriram Bhikaji Jatar. This family tree will explain it further.

The following article is contributed by her daughter, Mohini Kirtane.

Tribute to my mother on her 102 nd birth anniversary.

What the mind can conceive and believe you can achieve.

Aai, I think this was your philosophy in life. You always had a positive outlook, confidence in yourself and courageously faced difficulties.

You achieved fame, respect, love and affection amongst your personal friends and the Jatar family. Needless to say how much you influenced us. Some of William Wordsworth’s lines in his poem “Lucy” reflect Vidya’s and my feelings –

“She dwelt among untrodden ways”

Yes Aai, you really spread your wings breaking away from traditional thinking, by creating your own identity, and accepting modernity with a vision.

About Goa temples and the origin of the Jatars

This post is about Goa Temples and how the Portuguese tried to diminish them. The Jatar kuldevi is in Goa – Vijaya Durga. A Facebook page run by Yugantar has posted a video regarding this. This video has a mention of the Vijaya Durga temple as well. He writes:

Before 16th century village of Shankawali, Sancoale as it is known today, was a flourishing city of Goa, which was rich in tradition of the Indian puranas. This is an attempt to bring to the knowledge of our viewers the significance and importance of Shankawali for Hindus.

By Yugantar.

Related Reading: The Kankaditya Deity and the Jatar Kul Purush.

Vimaltai, my eldest sister

Written for her birth centenary by Brig. RV Jatar (Raghunath).

(Vimal Paranjpye nee Jatar, was the daughter of Abasaheb, who was the son of Shriram Jatar.)

As a six-year-old, I was in the car with all my older siblings and the driver, going for a drive from our house in Purandare Colony, Pune to the Golibar Maidan. When we were at the Maidan, someone mentioned the death of a young boy in a closely related family (from my mother’s side). I blurted out “Bara zala aaplya kade asa koni gela naahin.” That remark invited a sharp rebuke from the eldest sibling, Vimaltai, “Asa bolaycha naahin.” It was enough to impact my impressionable mind to hold my tongue. I continued to look up to Vimaltai, who was 11 years older than me, with awe, respect and admiration.

Vimaltai was born on 14 Oct 1921, in Wai, the firstborn of Abasaheb Jatar and Chhabutai nee Pandit. Another girl was born, a few years later, named Shashi, but she died as a 2 or 3-year-old. In 1928, in Jalgaon, while Bal was born on 19 Nov, Chhabutai died of a haemorrhage during childbirth. Abasaheb remarried Sundar Khandekar, my mother, who looked after Vimaltai, Bal and later, the three of us viz Saral, Prabhakar and myself.

Memories of my parents Sarala (Borgaonkar) Dudhbhate and Anantrao Dudhbhate

By Uday Dudhbhate

Saral Dudhbhate was the daughter of Shankarao Borgaonkar and Smt. Kumudini Borgoankar nee Jatar.  Kumudini Jatar Borgaonkar was the daughter of Balasaheb Jatar, the son of Shriram Bhikaji Jatar.

Marathi speaking Brahmins from Hyderabad and Pune region went with Shahajiraje (Father of Shivaji) to his jahagir of Tanjore (Tanjavur) and speak tanjavari marathi till date. Dudhbhates originated from Tanjavur and as told by my father, grew rice on their land which was sweet and tasty like dudhbhat and hence the name Dudhbhate. My paternal grandfather Mahadevrao Dudhbhate was a veterinary doctor in the British army and settled down in Hyderabad. My maternal grandfather Shankarrao Borgaonkar was a Barrister of Law from London and practiced law in Hyderabad and both being Marathi speaking families my parents’ marriage was arranged accordingly.

Tribute to Our Ma – Dr Sheila Bhagvat

November, 2020

By Alka Pimputkar

On May 17, 2011, our beloved mother, Ma, passed. While it has been nine years since her passing, and it seems as if it were yesterday as the sorrow remains close to all our hearts.  She would have been 95 years old. One would wonder why so late in writing a tribute now, but its never too late to write about someone who sits in your heart forever.

Dr Sheila Bhagvat in the 1980s

Dr. Sheila Bhagvat, daughter of Lt. Col. Nilkanth (Bhausaheb) Jatar and Mrs Vimla (Jiji) Jatar, made a profound impact on every life she touched. She was born in Nagpur and spent most of her teen years in Nagpur. Sheila was a teenager when her mother, Jiji, passed away. Jiji’s wish for Sheila was for her to become a doctor.

Sheila finished two years at Fergusson college in Pune. She then went to Nagpur to spend her vacation while contemplating whether she should apply for medical school. But there was a small problem. Her father Bhausaheb was on the selection committee and she did not have the heart to tell him to step down. So, she confided in her elder brother, Baba, who came to her rescue and talked to Bhausaheb. He gladly stepped down so Sheila could apply for medical school. She graduated from G S Medical College of Bombay in 1947.

Dattatrya Jayant Jatar and his family

By Hirkani Padhye.

Jayant Jatar (1932-2018) was the fourth child of Vasudeo (Appasaheb) Jatar. Appasaheb was the son of Bapurao and the grandson of Shriram Jatar. Jayant was one of six children, with the eldest sibling being Nalini Joshi. She was followed by Vinayak (Sharad), Sudha Dhawle, Jayant, Diwakar (Madhav), and the youngest is Urmila Belur. They all grew up in the Shriram Wada in Narayan Peth in Pune.

The Jatar family also farmed on nearby lands. Most of the vegetables were sold directly from the farm and whatever was not sold was then brought back to the wada.

Here is a photograph of Jayant with siblings and nephews and nieces.

Sitting Bottom row L-R-Urmila Belur, Madhav Jatar, Vidya Chand, Vijay Joshi, Mohini Kirtane. Middle row L-R Nirmala Jatar, Radhabai Jatar, Appasaheb, Nalini Joshi , Sudha.
Standing L-R Tatyasaheb Joshi, Sharad Jatar , Mickey Jatar, Chandu Jatar and Jayant Jatar

The grandchildren claimed responsibility over the leftover share and set up their own vegetable stall in front of the wada and sold the remaining produce to those passers-by. During the summers, the Jatar grandchildren also loved performing plays for the rest of the family, which all the elders enjoyed.

Jayant was one of Bapurao’s favorite grandchildren. All the Jatar grandchildren spent their summers at the Jatar Wada creating fun and lifelong memories.