Nayar is a Hindu caste mostly prevalent in the Indian state of Kerala. It is generally considered to be a warrior caste which used to provide land managers and militia to the royalty of Kerala before the British conquest in 1792. The Deshastha community is spread all over the Deccan, especially in the states of Maharashtra. Kurmis are one of the native castes of India and representative of the agricultural caste of the society. Kurmis have a large number of sub-divisions in their societies. Smarta Sampradaya is a liberal denomination of Hinduism which accepts major Hindu deities as forms of the one Brahman. a spirit of enterprise, zest for life, sturdy independence and a love for the soil characterizes the Jat Sikh. Madras was a community in Punjab, mentioned in Mahabharata. Sulaimani Bohra Community is a minority community in India. The Maithil community worships Shiva, Shakti and Vishnu. Ayyangar Brahmin Community is concentrated in South India. Madhava Community is referred to as Tuluva Brahmins and they chiefly believe in the Dvaita Philosophy. Napita Nau is the barber caste that was also known as Hajam. Charan is a popular caste that lives in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. People of Charan caste are regarded as loyal and are highly revered. They have a great inclination towards literature and poetry. Kayasth is the Writer caste; it stands at the head of the Sudras, or between them and the Vaisyas. Nambudiri Brahmins hold the highest position in the caste hierarchy in Kerala. They claim to be the first to arrive in the state as per the Parasurama legend. Kuramwar Community is the shepherd community of south India. Kuramwars are dark coloured people and they speak a dialect of the Kannada language. Barai Caste is the professional cultivator caste of betel leaf. Tamboli and Pansari are the terms used indifferently for Barai Caste. The diversity of names of the sub-divisions of Barai Caste discloses the mixed elements that formed the caste. Agharia Caste of Orissa has a very mixed type of structure and the main occupation of this caste is cultivation. With the relocation of the Agharias from Orissa, considerable portions of the total population of Agharias are found in the central provinces of the country. Chadar Caste is a Hindu caste principally found in the Central region of India. Chadar Caste members are mostly employed as village watchmen, farm servants and field-labourers. Chitrakathi Caste is the group of religious mendicants mainly found in Central India. The customs of Chitrakathis more or less resemble the customs of Kunbis. Dewar Caste is a Dravidian caste of musicians mainly inhabiting the central region of the country. Dewar caste is said to be of a mixed origin. Dhoba Caste of Central India mainly consists of cultivators. Dhobas have various indigenous customs and beliefs. For the Gond people, Dhobas act as priests. The Ardha Brahmans are a group of fisherman community, who were disfranchised by Parashuram due to some reason. Darzi is the tailor caste, whose occupation is held in much greater estimation in India. Darzis are a caste of moderately recent origin. Bhatia Community is mostly found in the north-western region of the country. Bhatia Community claims that they are descendents of the Kshatriya Rajputs. Caste system prevailed in South India since ancient times. The Anglo-Indian Community has been residing in India since 1876. Mehtar, is name of the sweeper or scavenger caste. Ezhavas belong to those castes whose primary work is tapping toddy from palm trees. They were considered to be out of the fourfold structure of caste system by the Nayars and the Brahmins. Kunjra Community is largely distributed over the northern region of the country. People from the Kunjra Community are usually green grocers, who sell vegetable and fruits. Balija Caste is considered as a merchant or trading community. Balija Castes are found in several states of India like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Bharbhunja Caste is mainly found in the northern region of the country. Bharbhunja Caste is associated with their traditional occupation of grain parching. Bohra Community is found in the state of Gujarat. They are also found in adjoining areas of western India. Generally, the members of Bohra caste are addressed as Mullaji. Chitari Caste comprises a mixed occupational group residing in Central region of the country. The traditional occupation of Chitari Caste is wall painting. Dangri Caste is said to be an offshoot of Kunbis. Dangri Caste members are mainly cultivators of water-melon and other vegetables. They are residing in the state of Maharashtra. Dhimar Caste of Central India is a Hindu caste largely comprising fishermen and palanquin-bearers. The Dhimars are also engaged in other occupations like selling parched grain and rice to travellers. Khattak Community of Punjab often engage in performing dances of warlike nature displaying their skills in sword play. Dhobi Community refers to the professional washermen in India. Just like other communities of the Central Provinces of the country, the Dhobis have their own set of social customs. Kumbhakar is the potter caste who manufactures all kinds of earthen vessels. Maithil Community is one of the divisions of Panch Gaur group of Brahmin caste of North India. Steeped in legends, the Maithil community has a rich past. Andhra Brahmin Community reflect the traits of both Tamil and Kannada Brahmins. Ahir Community consider themselves as the descendants of Lord Krishna. The Ahirs are said to be one of the immigrants from Central Asia. Bari is caste, who are said to be the makers of Hindu crockery. Sonar is a Hindu caste of goldsmiths, silversmiths and jewellers. Bhatia Community is mostly found in the north-western region of the country. Bhatia Community claims that they are descendents of the Kshatriya Rajputs. Maheshwari is a business community and they are mainly concentrated in Rajasthan. Traders by profession the Khatri Community are settled in Punjab. The Dogras have carved out India`s northern frontier along the Karakotam. Dharkar is a very low caste, which is much lower than the Chamars but considerably above the Doms. Yadava Community can be closely linked to Lord Krishan as He was born into this community. Pulayas are a part of the outcastes in the caste structure of Kerala. People belonging to this community are regarded as the oldest inhabitants of the Kerala lowlands. |