From the archive record
Bisnois performing their household work at a village in Rajasthan, India. View of a Bishnoi's house at a village in Rajasthan, India. Bishnoi is a community of nature worshipers in the state of Rajasthan, India. They also have a sizeable presence in the neighboring states of Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi. The sect was founded by Guru Jambheshwar (b. 1451) after wars between Muslim invaders and local Hindus. He had laid down 29 principles to be followed by the sect. Bish means 20 and noi means 9. Thus, Bishnoi translates as Twenty-niners. Killing animals and felling trees were banned. Before his death, he has stated that the black buck was his manifestation after death and should be conserved. The Khejri tree (Prosopis cineraria), is also considered to be sacred by the Bishnois. Bish