Musahar

The Musahar are a Hindu scheduled caste found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India, & Terai. They are also known as Arya or Banbasi.^[1]

Origin

The Musahar were traditionally rat catchers, and there is still uncertainty as to their exact origin. According to their traditions, Parmashwar (the Hindu creation god) created man and gave him a horse to ride. The first Musahar decided to dig holes in the belly of the horse to fix his feet as he rode. This offended Parmeshwar, who punished them by making them rat catchers. They are found in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and north Madhya Pradesh. The Musahar speak the Bhojpuri dialect of Hindi.^[1] In Bihar, the word Musahar is said to be derived from moos, a local Bhojpuri word for a rat, on account of their traditional occupation as rat catchers.

Present Circumstances

The Musahar consists of three sub-groups, the Bhagat, Sakatiya and Turkahia. Each of these clans are endogamous. The Musahar were once rat catchers, but this activity has been abandoned. They are now mainly landless agricultural labourers. They are one of the most marginalized groups in India, and have suffered discrimination. Although the Musahar are Hindu, they believe in a number of tribal deities.^[1]

In Bihar, the Musahar are employed in the stone quaries of the state. Many have also emigrated to the states of Punjab and Haryana, and are employed as agricultural labourers. They speak Bhojpuri, but many now have working knowledge of Hindi. The Musahar are found throughout Bihar.^[2]

Shameful case

A TT got-out a Bihari woman MP of Mushar caste from train because she couldn't look like able to AC passenger.^[3].

See also

• Pasi

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} A Hasan & J C Das, ed. People of India Uttar Pradesh. XLII Part Three. Manohar Publications. pp. 1006–1012. 
2. ^ S Gopal & Hetukar Jha, ed. People of India Bihar. XVI Part Two. Seagull Books. pp. 702–707. 
3. ^ http://www.aksharparv.com/Vichar.asp?Details=106