Mirshikar

Mirshikar

Total population
16,000 [1]
Regions with significant populations
•  India •  Bangladesh
Languages
• Urdu • Hindi • Maithili
Religion
• Islam 100% •
Related ethnic groups
• Sapera • Jogi Faqir • Sai

The Mirshikar are a Muslim community, found in North India . They are also known as Chirimar.^[2]

History and origin

The word Mirshikar is a combination of two Urdu words, mir meaning lord and shikar meaning a hunt, and their name means a leader of a hunting party. They were a community who were employed as trekkers by the various rulers of north and central Bihar. They were initially settled in Bihar by the rulers of Dumraon in the 18th Century. The Mirshikar speak a dialect which is a combination of Urdu, Hindi and Maithili.^[3]

Present circumstances

The Mirshikar are scattered are all over Bihar. They are an endogamous community, marrying close kin. The community is still involved in the trapping of birds and animals such as porcupines. However, the majority are landless agricultural labourers. There has also been a steady emigration of the Mirshikar to Kolkata, where many are now found. A few are also involved in the manufacture of bamboos flute. They are an extremely marginalized community, with a poor literacy rates. The Mirshikar are Sunni Muslims, and are fairly orthodox.^[4]

See also

• Qalandar

References

1. ^ http://www.joshuaproject.net/peoples.php?peo3=17564
2. ^ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 686 to 688 Seagull Books
3. ^ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 686 to 688 Seagull Books
4. ^ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 686 to 688 Seagull Books