Majhwar

The Majhwar are scheduled caste, found in North India. They are also known as Manjhi.^[1]

History and origin

The Majhwar get their name from the Hindi word madhya, which means those at the centre. They claim to have originally belonged to the Gond community. About five hundred years ago, there was a battle between the Muslims and the Gonds, where there ancestors occupied the centre of the battlefield. As the Gond were defeated, they emigrated and settled in Mirzapur. They are now found mainly in Allahabad, Mirzapur and Varanasi.^[2]

Present circumstances

The Manjhi claim to be an offshoot of the Rajgond community, and are divided into six divisions, based on their earlier places of settlement. These sub-groups are further divided into gotras. Their main gotras include the Tekam, Netam, Airum, Keram, Karium, Sarium, Bhajbi, Mashram and Shyam. They are endogamous, and practice clan exogamy.^[3]

The Manjhi are now mainly farmers, with the raising of livestock as a secondary occupation. A few are also engaged in wage labour. They are Hindu, and have their own tribal deities such as Burha-deo, Burhi-mai and Maror-maidevi. Their customs are similar to other tribal communities in their neighbourhood, such as the Bind and Chero.^[4]

See also

• Kewat
• Mallaah
• Chamar
• Sapera

References

1. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 942 to 947
2. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 942 to 947
3. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 942 to 947
4. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 942 to 947