Global InformationChuhra information
| Chuhra | |
|---|---|
| चूहड़ा چُوہْڑا | |
| Jāti | Harijan |
| Gotra | N/A |
| Religions | Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism |
| Country | India, Pakistan and Nepal |
| Lineage | Valmiki and Satakarni |
| Status | Scheduled Caste category |
| Reservation (Education) | Yes |
Chuhra, also known as Bhanghi and Balmiki,[1][2] is a Dalit caste in India and Pakistan.[3][4][5] Populated regions include the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, as well as Uttar Pradesh in India, among other parts of the Indian subcontinent such as southern India.[6][7][8][9] Their traditional occupation is sweeping, a "polluting" occupation that caused them to be considered untouchables in the caste system.[10]
Originally following the Balmiki sect of Hinduism, many Chuhras converted to Sikhism, Islam and Christianity during the colonial era in India.[11] Today, Chuhras in Indian Punjab are largely followers of Sikhism.[12] A minority continue to follow Hinduism, which incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices, as well as Christianity.[12][13][1] In Pakistani Punjab 90-95% of its Christian population are Dalit Christians of the Chuhra caste; other Chuhras practice Islam or continue to follow Hinduism.[14][8][15][16]
- ^ a b Leslie, J. (2003). Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki. Ashgate Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 0754634302.
In a similar way, 'Chuhras' are often called 'Bhangi', especially in urban areas. ... Today, although not all 'Bhangis' worship Bhagwan Valmik, and by no means all Valmikis were originally called 'Bhangi', the two terms are often used interchangeably. ... 'Valmiki' is explained as 'the now usually preferred name for the Bhangi or community which follows the teachings of the saint Valmiki' (1998: xii, xvi).
- ^ Hunt, Sarah Beth (2014). Hindi schedule Literature and the Politics of Representation. Routledge. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-31755-952-8.
- ^ Robinson, Rowena; Kujur, Joseph Marianus (17 August 2010). Margins of Faith: Dalit and Tribal Christianity in India. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-86042-93-4.
The Chuhras and Bhangis are both Dalit castes, whose 'traditional occupation' has been sweeping.
- ^ Lynch, Owen M. (1990). Divine Passions: The Social Construction of Emotion in India. University of California Press. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-520-30467-3.
- ^ Sharma, Rana (1995). Bhangi, Scavenger in Indian Society: Marginality, Identity, and Politicization of the Community. M.D. Publications. p. 17. ISBN 978-8-18588-070-9.
- ^ Singh, K. S. (1998). India's Communities. Oxford University Press. p. 234. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
The Balmiki (SC) in Haryana are also known as Valmiki, Chuhra, Lal Begi or Khakrobe.
- ^ Webster, John C. B. (2002). Religion and Dalit Liberation: An Examination of Perspectives. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 76. ISBN 978-81-7304-327-7.
Pauline Kolenda did field research among Chuhras in the village of Khalapur in north-western Uttar Pradesh shortly before Dr. Ambedkar died.
- ^ a b Phan, P.C. (2011). Christianities in Asia. John Wiley & Sons. p. 25. ISBN 978-1405160896.
For example, 90 to 95% of Pakistani Christians are Punjabi of the chuhra (dalit) group converted from Hinduism rather than from Islam or local religious systems.
- ^ Srivastava, B. N. (1997). Manual Scavenging in India: A Disgrace to the Country. Concept Publishing Company. p. 28. ISBN 978-81-7022-639-0.
- ^ Bodley, J. H. (2011). Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States, and the Global System (5th ed.). Rowman Altamira. p. 315.
- ^ Kling, David W. (5 May 2020). A History of Christian Conversion. Oxford University Press. p. 562. ISBN 978-0-19-991092-2.
Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity represented viable alternatives for the Chuhras, siphoning off a sizable portion of the Hindu population. In 1901, 934,553 Chuhras were registered as Hindus; by 1931, that number had dwindled to about one-third (368,224 people). The socioeconomic factors that prompted some Chuhras to become Muslims or Sikhs propelled others into the Christian fold.
- ^ a b "Census" (PDF).
- ^ Mannion, Gerard (25 September 2008). Church and Religious 'Other'. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 87=88. ISBN 978-0-567-04726-7.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
SinghaAriel2015was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Webster, John C. B. (2002). Religion and Dalit Liberation: An Examination of Perspectives. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 16. ISBN 978-81-7304-327-7.
For one thing , there were a good number of Chuhra Muslims who were called Musallis and may or may not have been accepted by others as fellow Muslims. Similarly , Chuhra Sikhs were called Mazhabi Sikhs and were generally kept at a distance by other Sikhs, despite being quite scrupulous in their observances as well as giving up polluting work (carrying night soil) and habits (eating carrion)...
- ^ Aqeel, Asif (1 November 2018). "'Untouchable' caste identity haunts Pakistani Christians like Asia Bibi". World Watch Monitor. Retrieved 3 October 2020.