Haris (caste)
Encyclopedia
The Haris are people of indigenous
origin found in large numbers in Birbhum
, Bankura
and other districts in the western fringe of the India
n state
of West Bengal
.
The Haris numbered 390,619 in the 2001 census and were 2.1 per cent of the scheduled caste population of West Bengal. 49.5 per cent of the Haris were literate – 61.6 per cent males and 36.8 per cent females were literate.
Traditionally, the Haris were scavengers, sweepers and swine herds but some were cultivators. In Birbhum district, they were divided into four subcastes: Bhuinmali or cultivators, Dai/ Phul Hari or midwives, Kahar Hari or palanquin bearers, and Mehtar Hari or sweepers.
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
origin found in large numbers in Birbhum
Birbhum district
Birbhum district is an administrative unit in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the northernmost district of Burdwan division—one of the three administrative divisions of West Bengal. The district headquarters is located at Suri...
, Bankura
Bankura District
Bankura district is one of the seven districts of Burdwan Division in the Indian state of West Bengal. The district has been described as the “connecting link between the plains of Bengal on the east and Chota Nagpur plateau on the west.” The areas to the east and north-east are low lying alluvial...
and other districts in the western fringe of the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
.
The Haris numbered 390,619 in the 2001 census and were 2.1 per cent of the scheduled caste population of West Bengal. 49.5 per cent of the Haris were literate – 61.6 per cent males and 36.8 per cent females were literate.
Traditionally, the Haris were scavengers, sweepers and swine herds but some were cultivators. In Birbhum district, they were divided into four subcastes: Bhuinmali or cultivators, Dai/ Phul Hari or midwives, Kahar Hari or palanquin bearers, and Mehtar Hari or sweepers.