Kadia Kumbhar / Kadiya Kumbhar are a Hindu sub-group of the Kumbhar caste, which are found only in Gujarat, India.[1] They are among the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes of Gujarat State.[2]
The Kadia Kumbhar caste originated in the 1920s, when a group decided to break links with the Kumbhar, their parent caste and form a new distinct sub-group.[3] Kadia Kumbhars are those who have taken to the occupation of Kadias, or masons.[4] Remarriage of divorcees and widows is accepted in the Kadia Kumbhar society.[4] Marriage between individuals of close relation is prohibited. They are mostly vegetarian in diet but some members, especially in South Gujarat, do eat non-vegetarian food.[5]
Before India gained independence, the Kadia Kumbhar sub-group was largely concentrated in the territory of the former Baroda State,[1] Bhavnagar State[6] and in the Diu territory of Portuguese India.[7] The first census of the community was taken in the year 1931.[1] Presently, they are found spread in towns and districts like Vadodara, Amreli, Navsari, Kadi, Okha, Kodinar, Bhavnagar, and Mahuva, which towns were parts of these Princely States and Diu.[7] The community living in Talaja, Bhavnagar call them Gurjar Kshatriya Kadia Kumbhar.[8]