Bedia (Muslim clan)

2022-03-16T15:02:17Z

203.115.85.14: Correction

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The '''Bedia''' are a community of [[Bihar]]; they believe that they originally lived on [[Mohdipahar]] and have descended from the union of a [[Vedbansi]] prince with a [[Munda people|Munda]] girl.

The '''Bedia''', sometimes called Baidya, are a [[Muslim]] community found in eastern [[India]]. They are a community of pastoralists, who traditionally specialized in the castration of cattle. The community speak a number of dialects of [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and use the surnames Sekh and Mondal.<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 263-267</ref>

==Name of the community==
The community has several names, like Bedia or Bede, Shershahbadia, Bhathia, Maldahiya, Badia and Bedia. However its official name is Sharshahbadia. {{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

==Origin==

The Bedia are found mainly in central and north [[West Bengal]], the [[Purnia Division]] of [[Bihar]], [[Rajshahi District]] of [[Bangladesh]], the [[Terai]] region of [[Nepal]] and southern [[Bhutan]]. In [[West Bengal]], the Bedia are found mainly in the districts of [[Murshidabad District|Murshidabad]], [[Nadia District|Nadia]], [[Malda District|Malda]], [[Dakshin Dinajpur district|South Dinajpur]], [[Uttar Dinajpur district|North Dinajpur]] and [[Darjeeling District|Darjeeling]]. In [[Bihar]], where the community is known as [[Shershahabadia]], are found mainly in [[Kishanganj District|Kishanganj]], [[Purnia District|Purnea]] and [[Katihar District|Katihar]]. The bedias are also found in the district of Jharkhand, mainly in [[Bhagalpur District|Bhagalpur]]<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 263-267</ref><ref>Ethnographic notes on the scheduled tribes of West Bengal by Manas Kamal Chowdhuri; West Bengal (India). Cultural Research Institute</ref>

==Present circumstances==

Traditionally, the Bedia were a pastoral group who used to breed buffaloes, sheep, and goats, with the castration of cattle being a secondary occupation. By the 19th century, the majority of the Bedia had settled down to cultivation, and a majority were small and medium-sized farmers. A small number of Bedia were also [[jotedar]]s, or large landowners, particularly in [[Malda District|Malda]]. Presently, the bulk of the community remains cultivators, with a smaller numbers employed in the military and police services.<ref>Marginal Muslim Communities in India edited by M.K.A Siddiqui pages 263-267</ref>

The Bedia are an endogamous group, and marriage occurs within close kin. In Bedia society, consanguineal kin are classed into two categories, the ''bhiad'' or minimal lineage and ''khandan'' or maximal lineage. Marriages are preferred within the bhiad. Bedias of [[West Bengal]] now belong to the [[Ahle Hadith]] sect, which distinguishes from other [[Bengali Muslims|Bengali Muslim]] communities. The [[Shershahabadia]] of [[Malda District|Malda]] and [[Bihar]] remain [[Sunni]] [[Hanafi]].

Traditionally, each Bedia settlement consists of a ''paich'', or [[caste]] council. These remain informal, and there is no [[India]]-wide formal [[caste]] association. The council consists of a ''hakim'' or headman, a jurist or ''mahat'' and a ''dhuli'' or messenger. All intra-group or inter-religious matters and disputes are settled by the paich.

According to Risley, the Bedia are divided into sects. However, the present survey identified some exogamous clans, namely Phecha, Kachhua, Mahua, Bambi, Suiya, etc. The marriage age for boys and girls is sixteen to seventeen years and fourteen to fifteen years, respectively. A marriage is arranged though monogamy is prevalent. Married women put a vermillion mark and wear an iron bangle as marriage symbols. The payment of bride price is obligatory. They follow the rule of patrilocal residence. Either spouse can seek divorce with social approval on grounds of adultery, barrenness, maladjustment, cruelty, or laziness. Remarriage of widows and divorcees is permitted and a widow can marry her late husband's brother. The Bedia live both in nuclear and extended families. Sons inherit parental property in equal measure while the eldest son succeeds to his father's authority. A woman contributed to the family income and is tonsured. The first cereal feeding ceremony is optional. The marriage rites are performed at the bridegroom's house. The dead are buried. The death rites observed are ''[[telnahan]]'' and ''[[daskarma]]''.

The Bedia are followers of the traditional tribal religion. Their family and clan deities are Mai, Mudkati Kundri Bansa Darha, etc. The village deities worshipped by them are Jher-buri Gawandeti Mahadania, Durga and the regional deities are Palcharu and Badpahari. They visit the annual fairs at Rajarappa, Hundru and Jonha falls and Jaganathpur. The Bedia celebrate festivals like [[Phagun]], [[Sarhul]], [[Karma]], [[Jitia]], and [[Sohrai]].

The Bedia who have settled down in West Bengal, are also known as the Bedia or Bede. They speak [[Bengali language|Bengali]] for communication. The Bengali and [[Devanagari]] scripts are used.<ref>Ethnographic notes on the scheduled tribes of West Bengal by Manas Kamal Chowdhuri; West Bengal (India). Cultural Research Institute</ref>

==See also==
* [[Shershahabadia]]

==References==

{{reflist}}
{{Indian Muslim}}

[[Ethnographic notes on the scheduled tribes of West Bengal
Author: Manas Kamal Chowdhuri; West Bengal (India). Cultural Research Institute]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bedia (Tribe)}}
[[Category:Social groups of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Nepal]]

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Bedia (Muslim clan)