Khant (caste)

History

The Khant are also referred to as Khant Darbar in Sorath and Kharak in Bhavnagar. According to Bhat and Charan books, they were Rajputs brought from Rajasthan to fight Muslims to save the Somnath temple. These Rajputs then intermarried with Bhil women, thus losing their Rajput status, and the Khant community was formed. They are concentrated in the Bhilka area of Saurashtra. Other traditions make them out to Kolis.

Society

The Khant have clans called 56 ataks, like the Baria, Parmar, Kandoliya, Zala, Gohil, Bheda, Sarvaiya, Deavla etc. There claim to Rajput status is generally acknowledged, and they are referred to as darbars. The Khant are agriculturalist, but being small and marginal farmers, many are involved with agriculture wage labour.