Watal

2021-06-29T15:10:58Z

2401:4900:1B2A:5AF5:FEDC:EAD5:F161:6221:

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
The '''Watal''' are a Schedule caste community found in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. The last name 'Watal' or 'Wattal' or 'Atal' is also used by other Kashmiri Hindu community from the Kashmir Valley. The term 'Watal' also means cobbler in Kashmiri language. The community is also known as Batal, Battal, and Batul, and have been granted [[Scheduled Caste]] status.<ref>People of India Jammu and Kashmir Volume XXV edited by K.N Pandita, S.D.S Charak and B.R Rizvi pages 690 to 696 Manohar</ref>

The Watal are a [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]] speaking community, confined entirely to the [[Kashmir Valley]]. They are broadly divided into three sub-groups, the Seraj who are cobblers by profession, the Schupriya Watal who are manufacturers of the schup or winnowing fans and the Khumb Watal, who occupy the lowest status as they work as scavengers as well as tanners, occupations that are traditionally seen as polluting by other [[Kashmiri Muslims|Kashmiri Muslim]] tribes.<ref>People of India Jammu and Kashmir Volume XXV edited by K.N Pandita, S.D.S Charak and B.R Rizvi pages 690 to 696 Manohar</ref>

The ''Shupir Watals'', who claim to have been also known as ''Harmādānī Sheikh'', are of uncertain origin. They are found mainly in the areas of [[Srinagar]], [[Tangmarg]], [[Baramulla]] and [[Sopore]]. They speak an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]] language known as ''[[Sheikha gal]]'' or ''Watali''.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Safdar| first = Rahila| chapter = Sheikha Gal| date = 2014| editor-last1 = Devy| editor-first1 = G. N.| editor-last2 = Koul| editor-first2 = Omkar N.| title = The languages of Jammu & Kashmir| series = People's Linguistic Survey of India| publisher = Orient Blackswan| location = New Delhi| isbn = 978-81-250-5516-7| pages = 279–83}}</ref>

== Present circumstances ==

According to 2001 [[Census of India]], the Watal numbered 169, although there total numbers are probably underreported, as the name Watal carries a stigma.<ref>http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/SCCRC_24.pdf</ref> This is seen by the fact that their entrance to temples and shrines was restricted to the Watal, although this is no longer practiced, there are still occasionally prevented from entering places of worship. They are strictly [[endogamy|endogamous]], and prefer marrying close relatives. In general, their customs are similar to other [[Kashmiri Muslims]], and the Watal are [[Sunni]].

The Watal are a landless community, and most rural Watal are still employed as scavengers and sweepers, with agriculture labour being an important subsidiary occupation. In the cities, many are employed by the municipalities as cleaners, while many are also specifically employed to clear snow from roads in the winter. The Watal are an extremely marginalized group, with the majority of the community being illiterate.

== See also ==

*[[List of Scheduled Castes in Jammu and Kashmir]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Kashmiri tribes]]
[[Category:Dalit communities]]
[[Category:Scheduled Castes of Jammu and Kashmir]]

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Watal