Business by Bhotiyas in British Garhwal

British Administration in Garhwal   -202

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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -222

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            History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -1055

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                              By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)

          Bhotiya business was most important for Garhwal economics in British rule.  Bhotiyas used to buy grains from Garhwal and used to sell in Satlez valley of Tibet. Bhotiya businessmen used to buy wool, salt, bauxite, herbs from Tibet and used to trade those items in Garhwal. Only, Bhotiyas of Painkhanda , Mana valley and Neeti valley were allowed trade with Tibet. Initially, Khadwal of upper Garhwal used to do business with Tibet too. However, Bhotiyas wisely stopped Khadwal reaching to Tibet. Same way, Bhotiyas of Tehri and Kumaon used to business with Tibet and not the other communities. 

       Bhotiyas had business tradition of barter system for centuries. Each Bhotiya had a Tibetan businessman friend ( Musse) in Tibet who used to collect goods for Garhwal Bhotiya and used to buy goods from Garhwal from Bhotiya . Both had business agreement in Garhwali language (Gamgya).  Bhotiyas had to pay Indian currency for gold dust and specific woolen dresses.

       At initial stage of July, with items, Tibetan traders along with Tibet Government officers used to reach to Bhotiya region. Tibetan traders used to sell and buy goods through barter system.  Then Bhotiyas used to begin their travel from Garhwal towards Tibet. Bhotiyas used to carry grains, sugar, gur, glass, gems, and sewing items to Tibet on sheep.

    Within fifteen –twenty days, Bhotiyas returned to Garhwal from Tibet with Tibetan goods. Bhotiyas used to sell Tibetan products to Khadwal and Khadwal used to sell Garhwal produces to Bhotiyas. Then immediately, Bhotiyas used to revisit to Tibet. In the meantime, Khadwal used to take Tibetan goods to all parts of Garhwal and used to collect grains from villagers. Khadwal used to take those goods to Bhotiya region for selling to Bhotiya returned from Tibet. This cycle used to go till snow fall started.

 Bhotiyas of Neeti valley had Tibetan base in Daba, Shivchilam, Misar wholesale markets.

   in winter, Bhotiyas used to shift in their south villages from houses in north region . In winter, Bhotiyas used to visit Shrinagar for selling Tibetan items and buying Garhwal items.

   Due to small pox, Bhotiyas id not go beyond, Shrinagar. From 1840 small pox injections were available and  Bhotiyas started to go to Bhabhar with Tibetan items. They also started selling male and females slaves in Dehradun, Haridwar or Nazibabad. Bhotiyas used to get more profit from Tibetan Bauxite.

   

    

References  

1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 343-456

2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts Vol.2

3-Moorcrft et all, Travels in Hindustan Vol 1 page 9-56