Bapaiya

Bapaiya

Dacoit
Bapaiya; Dacoit
બાપૈયયા
	Portrait of Bahuchara Mata who was killed by Bapaiya
Born	Bappasinhji Baria; Shankhalpur, Gujarat, India, Asia
Died	Arnej, Kathiawar, Gujarat
Cause of death	Hunger
Nationality	India
Citizenship	Indian
Occupation	Thuggee
Era	Sultanate era
Known for	Killing of Bahuchara Mata
Criminal charges	Murder; Thuggee; Kidnapping; Blackmailing;

The Bapaiya, or Bapaiyya was a legendary Koli dacoit of Gujarat who killed the Bahucharaji mata at Shankhalpur during her return to Kathiawar.^[1]

When Bahuchara and her two sisters were returning from Marwad to Gujarat, they were attacked by Bapaiya plunderer at Shankhalpur. He killed two of the sisters of Bahuchara. To save herself from being raped and abduction, Bahuchara cut off ber breasts, with a sword carried by Charan women, and pronounced the dread Traga on the Bapaiya, cursing him and prophesying that he would become impotent.^[2] Bapaiya begged forgiveness, and the dying Charan girl Bahuchara realizing that the Traga having been called forth could not be recalled, advised Bapaiya to install her as a goddess and worship her image. Bahuchara also promised that any eunuch who would stay at her shrine dressed as a woman and worship her would attain salvation.^[3]

After death of Bahuchara, Bapaiya, who was feeling guilty, erected a shrine of the goddess Bahuchara under a varakhda tree and passed his life in worship of the Bahuchara, but died on the way to Arnej and Balal.^[4]

References

↑ Burman, J. J. Roy (2005). Gujarat Unknown: Hindu-Muslim Syncretism and Humanistic Forays. New Delhi, India, Asia: Mittal Publications. p. 80. ISBN 978-81-8324-052-9.
↑ Jayakar, Pupul (1994). The Children of Barren Women: Essays, Investigations, Stories. New Delhi, India, Asia: Penguin Books. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-14-024068-9.
↑ Jayakar, Pupul (1980). The Earthen Drum: An Introduction to the Ritual Arts of Rural India. New Delhi, India, Asia: National Museum. pp. 67–75.
↑ Gopal, Dr Krishna (2003). Fairs and Festivals of India. New Delhi, India, Asia: Gyan Publishing House. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-81-212-0811-6.

[1] Burman, J. J. Roy (2005). Gujarat Unknown: Hindu-Muslim Syncretism and Humanistic Forays. New Delhi, India, Asia: Mittal Publications. p. 80. ISBN 978-81-8324-052-9.

[2] Jayakar, Pupul (1994). The Children of Barren Women: Essays, Investigations, Stories. New Delhi, India, Asia: Penguin Books. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-14-024068-9.

[3] Jayakar, Pupul (1980). The Earthen Drum: An Introduction to the Ritual Arts of Rural India. New Delhi, India, Asia: National Museum. pp. 67–75.

[4] Gopal, Dr Krishna (2003). Fairs and Festivals of India. New Delhi, India, Asia: Gyan Publishing House. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-81-212-0811-6.

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