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. Activism Social and religious positions Govindgiri engaged himself in "improving the moral character, habits, and religious practices" of the tribals. He organized the sampa sabha (Hindi: सम्प सभा) with the intent of serving the tribal people. Govindgiri preached monotheism, observance of temperance, forsaking crimes, following agriculture, giving up beliefs in superstition, etc. He called upon tribals to adopt the more of the upper castes and "to behave like sahukars" (moneylenders). Drawing on the ritual practices of the Shaivite sect Dashanami Panth, Govindgiri encouraged his followers to tend a dhuni (fire pit) and hoist a nishan (flag) outside their houses. On the matter of women's rights, Govindgiri critiqued upper-caste treatment of women and argued that tribal practices were much better for women. He declared Rajputs and Brahmins inferior in this respect because they degraded women, citing the Rajput custom of female infanticide and the Rajput and Brahmin prohibition against widow remarriage. Political positions Govindgiri's teachings were originally aimed at social and religious reform but he gradually "developed a strong critique of hierarchy and exploitation" of the tribals by ruling classes. He advised the tribals that their destitution was caused by princely rulers and jagirdars. Govindgiri preached that Bhils were the rightful owners of the land and they also the right to rule