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The History of the Kachhiya Patidars of Gujarat

The Kachhiya Patidar, also known as Kachhiya Patel, traces its lineage back to the Aryan race. The Aryans were ranchers and farmers in the highland region of Pamir in Central Asia nearly 4,000 years ago. While some migrated westward toward Europe and Iran, others traveled south into India through Afghanistan, eventually settling in Punjab. These settlers became prosperous farmers and cattle rearers, known for their hard work and cultural advancement.

The Rig Veda describes the division of society into four categories: Brahmins (teachers and advisors), Kshatriyas (defenders and warriors), Vaishyas (traders and landowners), and Sudras (farmers and helpers). In its early form, this system was flexible, allowing individuals to change roles based on ability, rather than rigid caste lines. Over time, however, society became more rigid in structure.

Among these groups were Kurmi Kshatriyas, who were both warriors and farmers. Over generations, the term Kurmi evolved into Kunbi and later into Kanbi. These Kurmi Kshatriyas migrated from Punjab to Rajasthan, then into Gujarat—settling first in Saurashtra, Vadnagar, Vadodara, and Bharuch, and eventually moving into Surat and Valsad districts by the early 1800s. In Gujarat, this community came to be known as Kadva and Kachhiya Kanbis.

It is believed that it took nearly 5,000 years for these Aryan descendants to reach southern Gujarat, where the Kachhiya Patidar community flourished.

Patel and Patidar


The surname Patel is now one of the most widely recognized. Originally, Kanbis who settled in Gujarat around the 1400s were given uncultivated lands in Petlad Taluka by the Solanki rulers. Each family was granted land to cultivate, and a headman was appointed to keep records of the crops on a “Pat.” This official was called Patlik, which eventually shortened to Patel. Thus, Patel is not a caste but a surname that evolved over time.

The term Patidar means “owner of land,” with Pati meaning land and Dar meaning holder. During the 1700s, the ruler of Gujarat, Mohammed Begdo, granted land to the best farmers in return for fixed revenues. Once the dues were paid over time, the farmers gained ownership, earning the title of Patidar.

From then onward, the community was known as Patel Patidars—hardworking landowners who cultivated prosperity and preserved their values of resilience, integrity, and progress.

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Kachhiya Patidar Samaj of USA


Today, as the Kachhiya Patidar Samaj of USA, we proudly continue this legacy. We celebrate our ancestry, honor our traditions, and work to pass down our history to future generations so they never lose sight of their identity, heritage, and cultural strength.

Our forefathers built a foundation of perseverance, community, and enterprise—and it is now our responsibility to preserve it, strengthen it, and carry it forward for generations to come.