Govindgiri

Govindgiri, also known as Govind Guru Banjara, (1858–1931) was a social and religious reformer in the early 1900s in the tribal border areas of present-day Rajasthan and Gujarat states in India. He is seen as having popularized the Bhagat movement, which was first started in the 18th century.

== Early life == Govindgiri was born in a Banjara family in the village of Bansiya (Hindi: बाँसिया) in Dungarpur State (now in Rajasthan). He gave himself a primary education with the help of a pujari in his village. He is reported to have been a hali (a 'hali has been described as a worker "not employed at their own convenience but maintained as permanent estate servants, and not regarded to be in a position to resign services)." His wife and child reportedly died in the famine of 1900, after which he moved into the neighbouring Sunth State. There, Govindgiri married his brother's widow and, soon after, became the disciple of a Hindu monk (gosain) Rajgiri; in honor of Rajgiri, Vinda changed his name into Govindgiri. Around 1909 he returned to Dungarpur State with his wife and children, to the village of Vedsa.