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Kalita (caste)

2026-09-11T07:16:33Z

Vishal:

{{short description|Indian Hindu caste in Assam}}
{{for|the Kuilta or Kulta of Odisha|Kuilta}}

{{EngvarB|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{infobox ethnic group
| group = Kalita
| image =
| caption =
| regions = [[Assam]]
| region1 = {{spaces|14}}[[India]]
| langs = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| rels =
| related_groups = [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] professional caste, [[Koch (caste)|Koch]], [[Boro people|Boro]], [[Tiwa (Lalung)|Tiwa]] , [[Karbi people|Karbi]]
}}
{{Culture of Assam}}
'''Kalita''' is an ethnic group or a caste of [[Hindus]] belonging to the state of [[Assam]] in [[North East India]].<ref group=web>Kangkan Kalita (6 October 2020). [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/study-traces-kalitas-to-himachal-in-4122-bc/articleshow/78509179.cms "Study traces Kalitas to Himachal in 4122 BC"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008141029/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/study-traces-kalitas-to-himachal-in-4122-bc/articleshow/78509179.cms |date=8 October 2021 }} ''The Times of India''.</ref> Kalita is a forward caste and belongs to General or Unreserved category.<ref group=web>{{Cite news |title=Centre supports Assam government's proposal to grant ST status to six communities: Ramdas Athawale |date=8 October 2017 |agency=Press Trust of India |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/08/centre-supports-assam-governments-proposal-to-grant-st-status-to-six-communities-ramdas-athawale-1668725.html |access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008155358/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/08/centre-supports-assam-governments-proposal-to-grant-st-status-to-six-communities-ramdas-athawale-1668725.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kalita represents a category of [[Assamese people|Assamese society]] that is placed just after [[Brahmin]] .{{sfn|Sharma|2009|p=358}}{{sfn|Cantile|1980|p=234}}According to historians like S.L.Barua, Kalitas started migrating from North and East India to Assam during the 11th century rule of Dharmapal.<ref>S.L. Barua, ''A Comprehensive History of Assam'', p. 15.</ref> There are many people who are not kalita but still they bear the kalita title just to larp. A true kalita can be identified by the way they look

==Origin==
===Legendary origins===
According to the [[Purana]] tradition, the Kalitas are considered as pure [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Aryan]], though this is not accepted as absolute truth.<ref name="gbookA1">{{cite book |author=Manilal Bose |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=kalita++kshatriya+origin&pg=PA29 |title=Social and Cultural History of Ancient India |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |work=Hindu civilization |date=1998 |pages=29 |isbn=9788170225980 |access-date=24 October 2014 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121112520/https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=kalita++kshatriya+origin&pg=PA29 |url-status=live }}</ref> Though the Aryan descent theories endorse the arrival of the Kalitas "before the rise of the existing professional castes", the Kalitas generally claim to belong to the [[Kshatriya]] caste, and call themselves ''kulalupta'',<ref name="googlebook3">{{cite book |author=Col Ved Prakash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&q=kalita++kshatriya+caste&pg=PA150 |work=Encyclopaedia of North-East India, Volume 1 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |title=India, Northeastern |date=2007 |page=150 |isbn=9788126907038 |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122180115/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&q=kalita++kshatriya+caste&pg=PA150 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''kula'' meaning caste and ''lupta'' meaning gone ("lost caste") in the context of the legend that the Kalitas "were Ksatriyas who fled from the wrath of [[Parasurama]] who was determined to exterminate the Ksatriya and later concealed themselves in the forest of Assam.<ref name="sharma2005discovery1">{{cite book |editor1=S. K. Sharma |editor2=U. Sharma |title=Discovery of North-East India: Geography, History, Culture, Religion, Politics, Sociology, Science, Education and Economy. North-East India. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpMAQe5bRM8C&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA93 |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-83-24035-2 |page=93 |access-date=15 November 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417200922/https://books.google.com/books?id=rpMAQe5bRM8C&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA93 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other hypothesis of origins===
According to the legends, they are "the non-Vedic Aryans" who are responsible for bringing Aryan culture to Assam. Having mingled with local population, they still preserve certain elements of Aryan culture even after localising their culture to some extent.<ref name="googlebook1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA184 |title=Bamboo: The Wonderful Grass |publisher=APH Publishing |date=2008 |access-date=12 October 2014 |author=G.K. Ghosh |pages=184 |isbn=9788131303696 |archive-date=23 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123231308/https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA184 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Biraja Sankar Guha|B.S. Guha]] has found similarities between some surnames of "Alpine [[Nagar Brahmin]]s" of Gujarat with those of North East India, as referred in the Nidhanpur land grants of Kamarupa King Bhaskaravarman (6th century A.D.) such as ''Datta, Dhara, Deva, Nandi, Sena, and Vasu,'' etc. and connects them with the ''Kalitas'' of Assam.<ref name="P Deka">Phani Deka. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DPWGpVvBvx8C&dq=kalitas+++Nagar+Brahmins+++Nidhanpur&pg=PA46 ''The great Indian corridor in the east''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413084156/https://books.google.com/books?id=DPWGpVvBvx8C&dq=kalitas+++Nagar+Brahmins+++Nidhanpur&pg=PA46 |date=13 April 2023 }}.</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2022}} Again, historian [[Kanaklal Barua]] mentions these surnames while referring to the [[Nidhanpur copperplate inscription|Nidhanpur inscription]] and says that these surnames "now belong almost exclusively to the [[Bengali Kayastha]]s".<ref name="sharma2005discovery2">{{cite book |editor1=S. K. Sharma |editor2=U. Sharma |title=Discovery of North-East India: Geography, History, Culture, Religion, Politics, Sociology, Science, Education and Economy. North-East India. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JUozqyA2e90C |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-83-24035-2 |page=182 |access-date=22 September 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701150938/https://books.google.com/books?id=JUozqyA2e90C |url-status=live }}</ref>

Few scholars including [[Kaliram Medhi|K.R. Medhi]], [[Kanaklal Barua|K.L. Barua]], P.C. Choudhuri, [[Maheswar Neog|M. Neog]], B. K. Kakati made speculations by drawing the references of ''Greek'' records, words like ''Kakatiai, Kalaiai, Kaltis, Koudontai, Kudutai, Gurucharitis'' and few early religious literatures to establish the ''Kalitas'' through materials not based on ethnology or anthropology. According to B.C. Allen, all the Hinduised people except Brahmins were Kalita barring other aboriginal groups like [[Bodo-Kachari people|Bodo-Kachari]].<ref>{{harvcol|Chatterjee|1998|p=442}}</ref>

Mirroring the history of [[lower Assam]], the Kalitas were regarded to be a part of the Koches.<ref>"He has divided Koches of Assam into three groups–Kamkhali, Madai and Kalita"{{harvcol|Adhikary|2009|p=59}}</ref> They are considered to be the original priestly class of the [[Koch people|Koch]] ethnic group<ref>"Before Biswa Singha the Koches were not Hindus, most probably they followed tribal religion and Kalitas were their priest...He [Biswa Singha] sought to introduce the formal structure of Brahminical faith. The Brahmana priests replaced everywhere the old village priest (Kalitas)"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}</ref> but with the introduction of Brahmins by [[Biswa Singha]], the Kalitas were replaced from their original priesthood position.<ref>"On the account of their geographical proximity to Bengal, the Koches were made to feel the influence of Hinduism , soon after the establishment as a strong political power in the region covered by the modern Rangpur, Jalpaiguri, Koch Bihar as well as part of Dinajpur. They soon discarded the tenets inculcated by the Kolitas, the original priesthood of the tribe and came under the fold of Brahminical faith"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref><ref>"The power of the Kolitas received a severe blow by the introduction of Kamrupi Brahmans by Visu [Biswa Singha]"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref><ref>"Yet the conflict between the local priest like Kalitas, Deosis [Deodhai] and Brahmanas for religious supremacy continued for a long time"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref> In [[Upper Assam Division|Upper Assam]], Kalita represents the highest category in the [[Assamese people#Tribe-Caste continuum|tribe-caste continuum]] of [[Assamese people|Assamese society]]. In this process, a tribal neophyte usually belonging to Kachari, Garo, Lalung, Mikir peoples,<ref>{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|pp=237–239}}</ref> takes initiation in a [[Sattra]] under a Guru and successively discards his own beliefs and habits to be replaced by the Hindu social code.<ref>"By undergoing a 'renunciation' (of certain erstwhile tribal customs) and enunciation (of certain Hindu customs), the tribal neophytes could move to higher stages. A saru Koch become a Koch by abandoning the habit of eating pork and drinking liquor and observing the religious customs prescribed by the guru. If this lifestyle is followed for three generations a Koch could acquire the status of a bor Koch (Raichoudhury,2005:37) By undergoing a similar process a bor Koch could become a saru Keot or a bor Keot and a bor Keot a Kalita. In the process, in a matter of a few generations it even became possible for many tribal neophytes to enter into the coveted fold of caste system (Sharma,2006:36)"{{harvcol|Sharma|2009|p=358}}</ref> It is also observed that lowercaste groups such as the Sut and even Duliya (a section of Nath Jogis) in an attempt for upward mobility in the caste hierarchy describe themselves as Sut Kalita and Duliya Kalita<ref>"The Kalita caste has acted as a refuge for other castes seeking to improve their status by adopting the prestigious title of Kalita, a tendency which contributes to the internal differentiation of the caste....In the vicinity of Panbari there were groups of Borias or Suts who described themselves as Sut Kalita, a development that has occurred in recent years."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=235}}</ref><ref>Duliya Kalitas are said originally to have been Jugis and they are recorded in the 1891 Census as one of the five principal subdivisions of that caste..... and in February 1890 a monster purification ceremony was performed. Since then the Duliyas have taken to calling themselves Kalitas, but their claims are recognized by no one except themselves...The Duliya Kalitas in Panbari have dropped the appellation 'Duliya' and describe themselves simply as Kalita,'"{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=21}}</ref><ref>"They (Duliya) have severed all association with the Jugis or Naths and describe themselves as Kalita. The rest of the village usually refer to them as Duliya Kalita and to the other Kalitas in the village as Kalita or Great Kalita.The Duliya Kalita case is typical of the many recorded instances of successful caste mobility throughout India."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=223}}</ref> and this is true for artisan caste like the Kumar, Komar, Sonari, Katani, Nat (Dancers) who attach the term Kalita to their name for similar purposes.<ref>"The independent economic organisation of the specialist castes, however, who usually live apart in their own villages, has contributed to a high degree of upward mobility. Many now claim to be Kalita, which is the highest of the Shudra castes: e.g. Kumar Kalita (Potters), Kamar Kalita (Blacksmiths), Sonari Kalita (Goldsmiths), Nat Kalita (Dancers), Duliya Kalita (Palki-bearers), Katani Kalita (Silk-rearers), etc"{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=17}}</ref><ref>"From the earliest Census reports two features of the Kalita caste were noted. Firstly, that the caste occupies an undisputed rank as the highest of the Shudra castes native to the Assam Valley, and secondly, that a number of artisan castes attach the term Kalita to their names, although they are not permitted to eat or marry with the agriculturalists."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=233}}</ref><ref>"Alternatively they may derive from lower caste artisans, who styled themselves Kalita, and most of the Census Commissioners are of opinion that this was true at any rate of some members of the sub-castes."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=235}}</ref> But those lower caste groups are not true kalita. It is just like ahir and yadav try to steal the Singh surname from Rajput.

==Demand of reservation==
Since 1988, few people of the Kalita community has been demanding [[Scheduled Tribe]] status.<ref group=web name="prag"/> All Assam Kalita Janogosthi Student Union (AAKJSU) has demanded 50% reservation in government sector jobs and demanded reservation of 25 MLA seats in Assam, 3 in Lok Sabha and 2 in Rajya Sabha seats from Assam.<ref group=web name="prag">{{Cite news |date=23 December 2019 |title=After six indigenous communities now Kalita community demands ST status, 50% reservations in jobs |publisher=[[Prag News]] |language=en |url=https://pragnews.com/regional/after-six-indigenous-communities-now-kalita-community-demands-st-status-50-reservations-in-jobs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226231549/https://pragnews.com/regional/after-six-indigenous-communities-now-kalita-community-demands-st-status-50-reservations-in-jobs/ |archive-date=28 February 2020 |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> They also demanded the formation of a Kalita Development Council and the Pagjyotishpur Autonomous Council.<ref group=web>{{cite news |title=All Kalita Students' Union (AKSU) to fight poll {{!}} Assam Assembly election in 2021 |date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Sentinel (Guwahati)|The Sentinel]] |location=Assam |language=en |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/all-kalita-students-union-aksu-to-fight-poll-assam-assembly-election-in-2021-486302?infinitescroll=1 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710140223/https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/all-kalita-students-union-aksu-to-fight-poll-assam-assembly-election-in-2021-486302?infinitescroll=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> But a true kalita does not want reservation by lowering his or her blood status.

==Notable Kalitas==

*[[Maniram Dewan]], Freedom fighter, one of the first people to establish tea garden in Assam.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=Jayeeta |title=Empire's Garden: Assam and the Making of India |date=August 2011 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-5049-1 |page=46 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2dtxgZba6MC&q=kalita+caste+assam&pg=PA46 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701150639/https://books.google.com/books?id=W2dtxgZba6MC&q=kalita+caste+assam&pg=PA46 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Rana Pratap Kalita]].

==See also==
*[[Kayastha]]
*[[Nai (caste)|Napit (caste)]]
*[[Chandala]]
*[[Dhobi|Dhupi]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
===Printed sources===
*{{cite thesis|type=Ph.D.|last=Cantile|first=Audrey|title=CASTE AND SECT IN AN ASSAMESE VILLAGE|publisher=University of London|year=1980}}
*{{cite thesis|type=Ph.D.|last=Adhikary|first=Madhab Chandra|title=Ethno Cultural Identity Crisis of the Rajbanshis of North Eastern Part of india and Nepal and Bangladesh during the period of 1891 to 1979|publisher=University of North Bengal|year=2009|hdl=10603/137486}}
*{{Cite book|last=Chatterjee|first=Suhas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA443|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|date=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|language=en}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Baruah
| first = Swarnalata
| title = A Comprehensive History of Assam
| publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
| place= New Delhi
| year=1985
}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Amiruzzaman|title=The 16th century Koch kingdom: Evolving patterns of sankritization|date=2012|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=73|pages=249–254|jstor=44156212|issn=2249-1937}}
*{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Chandan Kumar |chapter=Tribe Caste Continuum and the Formation of Assamese Identity |year=2009 |title=Tribes of North-East India: Issues and Challenges |editor-last=Medhi |editor-first=B.K |pages=354–366 |location=Delhi|publisher =Omsons Publications}}

===Internet===
{{reflist|group=web}}

{{Assam}}

[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Assam]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Politics of Assam]]
[[Category:Social groups of Assam]]
[[Category:Assamese-language surnames]]

Kalita (caste)

2026-09-11T07:15:47Z

Vishal:

{{short description|Indian Hindu caste in Assam}}
{{for|the Kuilta or Kulta of Odisha|Kuilta}}

{{EngvarB|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{infobox ethnic group
| group = Kalita
| image =
| caption =
| regions = [[Assam]]
| region1 = {{spaces|14}}[[India]]
| langs = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| rels =
| related_groups = [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] professional caste, [[Koch (caste)|Koch]], [[Boro people|Boro]], [[Tiwa (Lalung)|Tiwa]] , [[Karbi people|Karbi]]
}}
{{Culture of Assam}}
'''Kalita''' is an ethnic group or a caste of [[Hindus]] belonging to the state of [[Assam]] in [[North East India]].<ref group=web>Kangkan Kalita (6 October 2020). [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/study-traces-kalitas-to-himachal-in-4122-bc/articleshow/78509179.cms "Study traces Kalitas to Himachal in 4122 BC"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008141029/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/study-traces-kalitas-to-himachal-in-4122-bc/articleshow/78509179.cms |date=8 October 2021 }} ''The Times of India''.</ref> Kalita is a forward caste and belongs to General or Unreserved category.<ref group=web>{{Cite news |title=Centre supports Assam government's proposal to grant ST status to six communities: Ramdas Athawale |date=8 October 2017 |agency=Press Trust of India |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/08/centre-supports-assam-governments-proposal-to-grant-st-status-to-six-communities-ramdas-athawale-1668725.html |access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008155358/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/08/centre-supports-assam-governments-proposal-to-grant-st-status-to-six-communities-ramdas-athawale-1668725.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kalita represents a category of [[Assamese people|Assamese society]] that is placed just after [[Brahmin]] .{{sfn|Sharma|2009|p=358}}{{sfn|Cantile|1980|p=234}}According to historians like S.L.Barua, Kalitas started migrating from North and East India to Assam during the 11th century rule of Dharmapal.<ref>S.L. Barua, ''A Comprehensive History of Assam'', p. 15.</ref> There are many people who are not kalita but still they bear the kalita title just to larp. A true kalita can be identified by the way they look

==Origin==
===Legendary origins===
According to the [[Purana]] tradition, the Kalitas are considered as pure [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Aryan]], though this is not accepted as absolute truth.<ref name="gbookA1">{{cite book |author=Manilal Bose |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=kalita++kshatriya+origin&pg=PA29 |title=Social and Cultural History of Ancient India |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |work=Hindu civilization |date=1998 |pages=29 |isbn=9788170225980 |access-date=24 October 2014 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121112520/https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=kalita++kshatriya+origin&pg=PA29 |url-status=live }}</ref> Though the Aryan descent theories endorse the arrival of the Kalitas "before the rise of the existing professional castes", the Kalitas generally claim to belong to the [[Kshatriya]] caste, and call themselves ''kulalupta'',<ref name="googlebook3">{{cite book |author=Col Ved Prakash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&q=kalita++kshatriya+caste&pg=PA150 |work=Encyclopaedia of North-East India, Volume 1 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |title=India, Northeastern |date=2007 |page=150 |isbn=9788126907038 |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122180115/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&q=kalita++kshatriya+caste&pg=PA150 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''kula'' meaning caste and ''lupta'' meaning gone ("lost caste") in the context of the legend that the Kalitas "were Ksatriyas who fled from the wrath of [[Parasurama]] who was determined to exterminate the Ksatriya and later concealed themselves in the forest of Assam.<ref name="sharma2005discovery1">{{cite book |editor1=S. K. Sharma |editor2=U. Sharma |title=Discovery of North-East India: Geography, History, Culture, Religion, Politics, Sociology, Science, Education and Economy. North-East India. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpMAQe5bRM8C&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA93 |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-83-24035-2 |page=93 |access-date=15 November 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417200922/https://books.google.com/books?id=rpMAQe5bRM8C&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA93 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other hypothesis of origins===
According to the legends, they are "the non-Vedic Aryans" who are responsible for bringing Aryan culture to Assam. Having mingled with local population, they still preserve certain elements of Aryan culture even after localising their culture to some extent.<ref name="googlebook1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA184 |title=Bamboo: The Wonderful Grass |publisher=APH Publishing |date=2008 |access-date=12 October 2014 |author=G.K. Ghosh |pages=184 |isbn=9788131303696 |archive-date=23 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123231308/https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA184 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Biraja Sankar Guha|B.S. Guha]] has found similarities between some surnames of "Alpine [[Nagar Brahmin]]s" of Gujarat with those of North East India, as referred in the Nidhanpur land grants of Kamarupa King Bhaskaravarman (6th century A.D.) such as ''Datta, Dhara, Deva, Nandi, Sena, and Vasu,'' etc. and connects them with the ''Kalitas'' of Assam.<ref name="P Deka">Phani Deka. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DPWGpVvBvx8C&dq=kalitas+++Nagar+Brahmins+++Nidhanpur&pg=PA46 ''The great Indian corridor in the east''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413084156/https://books.google.com/books?id=DPWGpVvBvx8C&dq=kalitas+++Nagar+Brahmins+++Nidhanpur&pg=PA46 |date=13 April 2023 }}.</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2022}} Again, historian [[Kanaklal Barua]] mentions these surnames while referring to the [[Nidhanpur copperplate inscription|Nidhanpur inscription]] and says that these surnames "now belong almost exclusively to the [[Bengali Kayastha]]s".<ref name="sharma2005discovery2">{{cite book |editor1=S. K. Sharma |editor2=U. Sharma |title=Discovery of North-East India: Geography, History, Culture, Religion, Politics, Sociology, Science, Education and Economy. North-East India. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JUozqyA2e90C |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-83-24035-2 |page=182 |access-date=22 September 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701150938/https://books.google.com/books?id=JUozqyA2e90C |url-status=live }}</ref>

Few scholars including [[Kaliram Medhi|K.R. Medhi]], [[Kanaklal Barua|K.L. Barua]], P.C. Choudhuri, [[Maheswar Neog|M. Neog]], B. K. Kakati made speculations by drawing the references of ''Greek'' records, words like ''Kakatiai, Kalaiai, Kaltis, Koudontai, Kudutai, Gurucharitis'' and few early religious literatures to establish the ''Kalitas'' through materials not based on ethnology or anthropology. According to B.C. Allen, all the Hinduised people except Brahmins were Kalita barring other aboriginal groups like [[Bodo-Kachari people|Bodo-Kachari]].<ref>{{harvcol|Chatterjee|1998|p=442}}</ref>

Mirroring the history of [[lower Assam]], the Kalitas were regarded to be a part of the Koches.<ref>"He has divided Koches of Assam into three groups–Kamkhali, Madai and Kalita"{{harvcol|Adhikary|2009|p=59}}</ref> They are considered to be the original priestly class of the [[Koch people|Koch]] ethnic group<ref>"Before Biswa Singha the Koches were not Hindus, most probably they followed tribal religion and Kalitas were their priest...He [Biswa Singha] sought to introduce the formal structure of Brahminical faith. The Brahmana priests replaced everywhere the old village priest (Kalitas)"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}</ref> but with the introduction of Brahmins by [[Biswa Singha]], the Kalitas were replaced from their original priesthood position.<ref>"On the account of their geographical proximity to Bengal, the Koches were made to feel the influence of Hinduism , soon after the establishment as a strong political power in the region covered by the modern Rangpur, Jalpaiguri, Koch Bihar as well as part of Dinajpur. They soon discarded the tenets inculcated by the Kolitas, the original priesthood of the tribe and came under the fold of Brahminical faith"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref><ref>"The power of the Kolitas received a severe blow by the introduction of Kamrupi Brahmans by Visu [Biswa Singha]"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref><ref>"Yet the conflict between the local priest like Kalitas, Deosis [Deodhai] and Brahmanas for religious supremacy continued for a long time"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref> In [[Upper Assam Division|Upper Assam]], Kalita represents the highest category in the [[Assamese people#Tribe-Caste continuum|tribe-caste continuum]] of [[Assamese people|Assamese society]]. In this process, a tribal neophyte usually belonging to Kachari, Garo, Lalung, Mikir peoples,<ref>{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|pp=237–239}}</ref> takes initiation in a [[Sattra]] under a Guru and successively discards his own beliefs and habits to be replaced by the Hindu social code.<ref>"By undergoing a 'renunciation' (of certain erstwhile tribal customs) and enunciation (of certain Hindu customs), the tribal neophytes could move to higher stages. A saru Koch become a Koch by abandoning the habit of eating pork and drinking liquor and observing the religious customs prescribed by the guru. If this lifestyle is followed for three generations a Koch could acquire the status of a bor Koch (Raichoudhury,2005:37) By undergoing a similar process a bor Koch could become a saru Keot or a bor Keot and a bor Keot a Kalita. In the process, in a matter of a few generations it even became possible for many tribal neophytes to enter into the coveted fold of caste system (Sharma,2006:36)"{{harvcol|Sharma|2009|p=358}}</ref> It is also observed that lowercaste groups such as the Sut and even Duliya (a section of Nath Jogis) in an attempt for upward mobility in the caste hierarchy describe themselves as Sut Kalita and Duliya Kalita<ref>"The Kalita caste has acted as a refuge for other castes seeking to improve their status by adopting the prestigious title of Kalita, a tendency which contributes to the internal differentiation of the caste....In the vicinity of Panbari there were groups of Borias or Suts who described themselves as Sut Kalita, a development that has occurred in recent years."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=235}}</ref><ref>Duliya Kalitas are said originally to have been Jugis and they are recorded in the 1891 Census as one of the five principal subdivisions of that caste..... and in February 1890 a monster purification ceremony was performed. Since then the Duliyas have taken to calling themselves Kalitas, but their claims are recognized by no one except themselves...The Duliya Kalitas in Panbari have dropped the appellation 'Duliya' and describe themselves simply as Kalita,'"{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=21}}</ref><ref>"They (Duliya) have severed all association with the Jugis or Naths and describe themselves as Kalita. The rest of the village usually refer to them as Duliya Kalita and to the other Kalitas in the village as Kalita or Great Kalita.The Duliya Kalita case is typical of the many recorded instances of successful caste mobility throughout India."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=223}}</ref> and this is true for artisan caste like the Kumar, Komar, Sonari, Katani, Nat (Dancers) who attach the term Kalita to their name for similar purposes.<ref>"The independent economic organisation of the specialist castes, however, who usually live apart in their own villages, has contributed to a high degree of upward mobility. Many now claim to be Kalita, which is the highest of the Shudra castes: e.g. Kumar Kalita (Potters), Kamar Kalita (Blacksmiths), Sonari Kalita (Goldsmiths), Nat Kalita (Dancers), Duliya Kalita (Palki-bearers), Katani Kalita (Silk-rearers), etc"{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=17}}</ref><ref>"From the earliest Census reports two features of the Kalita caste were noted. Firstly, that the caste occupies an undisputed rank as the highest of the Shudra castes native to the Assam Valley, and secondly, that a number of artisan castes attach the term Kalita to their names, although they are not permitted to eat or marry with the agriculturalists."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=233}}</ref><ref>"Alternatively they may derive from lower caste artisans, who styled themselves Kalita, and most of the Census Commissioners are of opinion that this was true at any rate of some members of the sub-castes."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=235}}</ref> But those lower caste groups are not true kalita. It is just like ahir and yadav try to steal the Singh surname from Rajput.

==Demand of reservation==
Since 1988, few people of the Kalita community has been demanding [[Scheduled Tribe]] status.<ref group=web name="prag"/> All Assam Kalita Janogosthi Student Union (AAKJSU) has demanded 50% reservation in government sector jobs and demanded reservation of 25 MLA seats in Assam, 3 in Lok Sabha and 2 in Rajya Sabha seats from Assam.<ref group=web name="prag">{{Cite news |date=23 December 2019 |title=After six indigenous communities now Kalita community demands ST status, 50% reservations in jobs |publisher=[[Prag News]] |language=en |url=https://pragnews.com/regional/after-six-indigenous-communities-now-kalita-community-demands-st-status-50-reservations-in-jobs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226231549/https://pragnews.com/regional/after-six-indigenous-communities-now-kalita-community-demands-st-status-50-reservations-in-jobs/ |archive-date=28 February 2020 |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> They also demanded the formation of a Kalita Development Council and the Pagjyotishpur Autonomous Council.<ref group=web>{{cite news |title=All Kalita Students' Union (AKSU) to fight poll {{!}} Assam Assembly election in 2021 |date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Sentinel (Guwahati)|The Sentinel]] |location=Assam |language=en |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/all-kalita-students-union-aksu-to-fight-poll-assam-assembly-election-in-2021-486302?infinitescroll=1 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710140223/https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/all-kalita-students-union-aksu-to-fight-poll-assam-assembly-election-in-2021-486302?infinitescroll=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable Kalitas==

*[[Maniram Dewan]], Freedom fighter, one of the first people to establish tea garden in Assam.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=Jayeeta |title=Empire's Garden: Assam and the Making of India |date=August 2011 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-5049-1 |page=46 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2dtxgZba6MC&q=kalita+caste+assam&pg=PA46 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701150639/https://books.google.com/books?id=W2dtxgZba6MC&q=kalita+caste+assam&pg=PA46 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Rana Pratap Kalita]].

==See also==
*[[Kayastha]]
*[[Nai (caste)|Napit (caste)]]
*[[Chandala]]
*[[Dhobi|Dhupi]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
===Printed sources===
*{{cite thesis|type=Ph.D.|last=Cantile|first=Audrey|title=CASTE AND SECT IN AN ASSAMESE VILLAGE|publisher=University of London|year=1980}}
*{{cite thesis|type=Ph.D.|last=Adhikary|first=Madhab Chandra|title=Ethno Cultural Identity Crisis of the Rajbanshis of North Eastern Part of india and Nepal and Bangladesh during the period of 1891 to 1979|publisher=University of North Bengal|year=2009|hdl=10603/137486}}
*{{Cite book|last=Chatterjee|first=Suhas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA443|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|date=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|language=en}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Baruah
| first = Swarnalata
| title = A Comprehensive History of Assam
| publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
| place= New Delhi
| year=1985
}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Amiruzzaman|title=The 16th century Koch kingdom: Evolving patterns of sankritization|date=2012|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=73|pages=249–254|jstor=44156212|issn=2249-1937}}
*{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Chandan Kumar |chapter=Tribe Caste Continuum and the Formation of Assamese Identity |year=2009 |title=Tribes of North-East India: Issues and Challenges |editor-last=Medhi |editor-first=B.K |pages=354–366 |location=Delhi|publisher =Omsons Publications}}

===Internet===
{{reflist|group=web}}

{{Assam}}

[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Assam]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Politics of Assam]]
[[Category:Social groups of Assam]]
[[Category:Assamese-language surnames]]

Kalita (caste)

2026-09-11T07:12:35Z

Vishal:

{{short description|Indian Hindu caste in Assam}}
{{for|the Kuilta or Kulta of Odisha|Kuilta}}

{{EngvarB|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{infobox ethnic group
| group = Kalita
| image =
| caption =
| regions = [[Assam]]
| region1 = {{spaces|14}}[[India]]
| langs = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| rels =
| related_groups = [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan]] professional caste, [[Koch (caste)|Koch]], [[Boro people|Boro]], [[Tiwa (Lalung)|Tiwa]] , [[Karbi people|Karbi]]
}}
{{Culture of Assam}}
'''Kalita''' is an ethnic group or a caste of [[Hindus]] belonging to the state of [[Assam]] in [[North East India]].<ref group=web>Kangkan Kalita (6 October 2020). [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/study-traces-kalitas-to-himachal-in-4122-bc/articleshow/78509179.cms "Study traces Kalitas to Himachal in 4122 BC"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008141029/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/study-traces-kalitas-to-himachal-in-4122-bc/articleshow/78509179.cms |date=8 October 2021 }} ''The Times of India''.</ref> Kalita is a forward caste and belongs to General or Unreserved category.<ref group=web>{{Cite news |title=Centre supports Assam government's proposal to grant ST status to six communities: Ramdas Athawale |date=8 October 2017 |agency=Press Trust of India |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/08/centre-supports-assam-governments-proposal-to-grant-st-status-to-six-communities-ramdas-athawale-1668725.html |access-date=8 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008155358/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/oct/08/centre-supports-assam-governments-proposal-to-grant-st-status-to-six-communities-ramdas-athawale-1668725.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kalita represents a category of [[Assamese people|Assamese society]] that is placed just after [[Brahmin]] .{{sfn|Sharma|2009|p=358}}{{sfn|Cantile|1980|p=234}}According to historians like S.L.Barua, Kalitas started migrating from North and East India to Assam during the 11th century rule of Dharmapal.<ref>S.L. Barua, ''A Comprehensive History of Assam'', p. 15.</ref> There are many people who are not kalita but still they bear the kalita title just to larp. A true kalita can be identified by the way they look

==Origin==
===Legendary origins===
According to the [[Purana]] tradition, the Kalitas are considered as pure [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Aryan]], though this is not accepted as absolute truth.<ref name="gbookA1">{{cite book |author=Manilal Bose |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=kalita++kshatriya+origin&pg=PA29 |title=Social and Cultural History of Ancient India |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |work=Hindu civilization |date=1998 |pages=29 |isbn=9788170225980 |access-date=24 October 2014 |archive-date=21 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121112520/https://books.google.com/books?id=t_PpdZosif4C&q=kalita++kshatriya+origin&pg=PA29 |url-status=live }}</ref> Though the Aryan descent theories endorse the arrival of the Kalitas "before the rise of the existing professional castes", the Kalitas generally claim to belong to the [[Kshatriya]] caste, and call themselves ''kulalupta'',<ref name="googlebook3">{{cite book |author=Col Ved Prakash |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&q=kalita++kshatriya+caste&pg=PA150 |work=Encyclopaedia of North-East India, Volume 1 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Dist |title=India, Northeastern |date=2007 |page=150 |isbn=9788126907038 |access-date=12 October 2014 |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122180115/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ic4UCdaxbHIC&q=kalita++kshatriya+caste&pg=PA150 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''kula'' meaning caste and ''lupta'' meaning gone ("lost caste") in the context of the legend that the Kalitas "were Ksatriyas who fled from the wrath of [[Parasurama]] who was determined to exterminate the Ksatriya and later concealed themselves in the forest of Assam.<ref name="sharma2005discovery1">{{cite book |editor1=S. K. Sharma |editor2=U. Sharma |title=Discovery of North-East India: Geography, History, Culture, Religion, Politics, Sociology, Science, Education and Economy. North-East India. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rpMAQe5bRM8C&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA93 |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-83-24035-2 |page=93 |access-date=15 November 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417200922/https://books.google.com/books?id=rpMAQe5bRM8C&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA93 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other hypothesis of origins===
According to the legends, they are "the non-Vedic Aryans" who are responsible for bringing Aryan culture to Assam. Having mingled with local population, they still preserve certain elements of Aryan culture even after localising their culture to some extent.<ref name="googlebook1">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA184 |title=Bamboo: The Wonderful Grass |publisher=APH Publishing |date=2008 |access-date=12 October 2014 |author=G.K. Ghosh |pages=184 |isbn=9788131303696 |archive-date=23 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123231308/https://books.google.com/books?id=FH4Bb7dD4qYC&q=kalita+caste&pg=PA184 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Biraja Sankar Guha|B.S. Guha]] has found similarities between some surnames of "Alpine [[Nagar Brahmin]]s" of Gujarat with those of North East India, as referred in the Nidhanpur land grants of Kamarupa King Bhaskaravarman (6th century A.D.) such as ''Datta, Dhara, Deva, Nandi, Sena, and Vasu,'' etc. and connects them with the ''Kalitas'' of Assam.<ref name="P Deka">Phani Deka. [https://books.google.com/books?id=DPWGpVvBvx8C&dq=kalitas+++Nagar+Brahmins+++Nidhanpur&pg=PA46 ''The great Indian corridor in the east''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413084156/https://books.google.com/books?id=DPWGpVvBvx8C&dq=kalitas+++Nagar+Brahmins+++Nidhanpur&pg=PA46 |date=13 April 2023 }}.</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2022}} Again, historian [[Kanaklal Barua]] mentions these surnames while referring to the [[Nidhanpur copperplate inscription|Nidhanpur inscription]] and says that these surnames "now belong almost exclusively to the [[Bengali Kayastha]]s".<ref name="sharma2005discovery2">{{cite book |editor1=S. K. Sharma |editor2=U. Sharma |title=Discovery of North-East India: Geography, History, Culture, Religion, Politics, Sociology, Science, Education and Economy. North-East India. Volume 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JUozqyA2e90C |publisher=Mittal Publications |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-83-24035-2 |page=182 |access-date=22 September 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701150938/https://books.google.com/books?id=JUozqyA2e90C |url-status=live }}</ref>

Few scholars including [[Kaliram Medhi|K.R. Medhi]], [[Kanaklal Barua|K.L. Barua]], P.C. Choudhuri, [[Maheswar Neog|M. Neog]], B. K. Kakati made speculations by drawing the references of ''Greek'' records, words like ''Kakatiai, Kalaiai, Kaltis, Koudontai, Kudutai, Gurucharitis'' and few early religious literatures to establish the ''Kalitas'' through materials not based on ethnology or anthropology. According to B.C. Allen, all the Hinduised people except Brahmins were Kalita barring other aboriginal groups like [[Bodo-Kachari people|Bodo-Kachari]].<ref>{{harvcol|Chatterjee|1998|p=442}}</ref>

Mirroring the history of [[lower Assam]], the Kalitas were regarded to be a part of the Koches.<ref>"He has divided Koches of Assam into three groups–Kamkhali, Madai and Kalita"{{harvcol|Adhikary|2009|p=59}}</ref> They are considered to be the original priestly class of the [[Koch people|Koch]] ethnic group<ref>"Before Biswa Singha the Koches were not Hindus, most probably they followed tribal religion and Kalitas were their priest...He [Biswa Singha] sought to introduce the formal structure of Brahminical faith. The Brahmana priests replaced everywhere the old village priest (Kalitas)"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=251}}</ref> but with the introduction of Brahmins by [[Biswa Singha]], the Kalitas were replaced from their original priesthood position.<ref>"On the account of their geographical proximity to Bengal, the Koches were made to feel the influence of Hinduism , soon after the establishment as a strong political power in the region covered by the modern Rangpur, Jalpaiguri, Koch Bihar as well as part of Dinajpur. They soon discarded the tenets inculcated by the Kolitas, the original priesthood of the tribe and came under the fold of Brahminical faith"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref><ref>"The power of the Kolitas received a severe blow by the introduction of Kamrupi Brahmans by Visu [Biswa Singha]"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref><ref>"Yet the conflict between the local priest like Kalitas, Deosis [Deodhai] and Brahmanas for religious supremacy continued for a long time"{{harvcol|Sheikh|2012|p=253}}</ref> In [[Upper Assam Division|Upper Assam]], Kalita represents the highest category in the [[Assamese people#Tribe-Caste continuum|tribe-caste continuum]] of [[Assamese people|Assamese society]]. In this process, a tribal neophyte usually belonging to Kachari, Garo, Lalung, Mikir peoples,<ref>{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|pp=237–239}}</ref> takes initiation in a [[Sattra]] under a Guru and successively discards his own beliefs and habits to be replaced by the Hindu social code.<ref>"By undergoing a 'renunciation' (of certain erstwhile tribal customs) and enunciation (of certain Hindu customs), the tribal neophytes could move to higher stages. A saru Koch become a Koch by abandoning the habit of eating pork and drinking liquor and observing the religious customs prescribed by the guru. If this lifestyle is followed for three generations a Koch could acquire the status of a bor Koch (Raichoudhury,2005:37) By undergoing a similar process a bor Koch could become a saru Keot or a bor Keot and a bor Keot a Kalita. In the process, in a matter of a few generations it even became possible for many tribal neophytes to enter into the coveted fold of caste system (Sharma,2006:36)"{{harvcol|Sharma|2009|p=358}}</ref> It is also observed that lowercaste groups such as the Sut and even Duliya (a section of Nath Jogis) in an attempt for upward mobility in the caste hierarchy describe themselves as Sut Kalita and Duliya Kalita<ref>"The Kalita caste has acted as a refuge for other castes seeking to improve their status by adopting the prestigious title of Kalita, a tendency which contributes to the internal differentiation of the caste....In the vicinity of Panbari there were groups of Borias or Suts who described themselves as Sut Kalita, a development that has occurred in recent years."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=235}}</ref><ref>Duliya Kalitas are said originally to have been Jugis and they are recorded in the 1891 Census as one of the five principal subdivisions of that caste..... and in February 1890 a monster purification ceremony was performed. Since then the Duliyas have taken to calling themselves Kalitas, but their claims are recognized by no one except themselves...The Duliya Kalitas in Panbari have dropped the appellation 'Duliya' and describe themselves simply as Kalita,'"{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=21}}</ref><ref>"They (Duliya) have severed all association with the Jugis or Naths and describe themselves as Kalita. The rest of the village usually refer to them as Duliya Kalita and to the other Kalitas in the village as Kalita or Great Kalita.The Duliya Kalita case is typical of the many recorded instances of successful caste mobility throughout India."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=223}}</ref> and this is true for artisan caste like the Kumar, Komar, Sonari, Katani, Nat (Dancers) who attach the term Kalita to their name for similar purposes.<ref>"The independent economic organisation of the specialist castes, however, who usually live apart in their own villages, has contributed to a high degree of upward mobility. Many now claim to be Kalita, which is the highest of the Shudra castes: e.g. Kumar Kalita (Potters), Kamar Kalita (Blacksmiths), Sonari Kalita (Goldsmiths), Nat Kalita (Dancers), Duliya Kalita (Palki-bearers), Katani Kalita (Silk-rearers), etc"{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=17}}</ref><ref>"From the earliest Census reports two features of the Kalita caste were noted. Firstly, that the caste occupies an undisputed rank as the highest of the Shudra castes native to the Assam Valley, and secondly, that a number of artisan castes attach the term Kalita to their names, although they are not permitted to eat or marry with the agriculturalists."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=233}}</ref><ref>"Alternatively they may derive from lower caste artisans, who styled themselves Kalita, and most of the Census Commissioners are of opinion that this was true at any rate of some members of the sub-castes."{{harvcol|Cantile|1980|p=235}}</ref>

==Demand of reservation==
Since 1988, few people of the Kalita community has been demanding [[Scheduled Tribe]] status.<ref group=web name="prag"/> All Assam Kalita Janogosthi Student Union (AAKJSU) has demanded 50% reservation in government sector jobs and demanded reservation of 25 MLA seats in Assam, 3 in Lok Sabha and 2 in Rajya Sabha seats from Assam.<ref group=web name="prag">{{Cite news |date=23 December 2019 |title=After six indigenous communities now Kalita community demands ST status, 50% reservations in jobs |publisher=[[Prag News]] |language=en |url=https://pragnews.com/regional/after-six-indigenous-communities-now-kalita-community-demands-st-status-50-reservations-in-jobs/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226231549/https://pragnews.com/regional/after-six-indigenous-communities-now-kalita-community-demands-st-status-50-reservations-in-jobs/ |archive-date=28 February 2020 |access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> They also demanded the formation of a Kalita Development Council and the Pagjyotishpur Autonomous Council.<ref group=web>{{cite news |title=All Kalita Students' Union (AKSU) to fight poll {{!}} Assam Assembly election in 2021 |date=2 July 2020 |work=[[The Sentinel (Guwahati)|The Sentinel]] |location=Assam |language=en |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/all-kalita-students-union-aksu-to-fight-poll-assam-assembly-election-in-2021-486302?infinitescroll=1 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710140223/https://www.sentinelassam.com/guwahati-city/all-kalita-students-union-aksu-to-fight-poll-assam-assembly-election-in-2021-486302?infinitescroll=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable Kalitas==

*[[Maniram Dewan]], Freedom fighter, one of the first people to establish tea garden in Assam.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sharma |first1=Jayeeta |title=Empire's Garden: Assam and the Making of India |date=August 2011 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-5049-1 |page=46 |language=en |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2dtxgZba6MC&q=kalita+caste+assam&pg=PA46 |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701150639/https://books.google.com/books?id=W2dtxgZba6MC&q=kalita+caste+assam&pg=PA46 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Rana Pratap Kalita]].

==See also==
*[[Kayastha]]
*[[Nai (caste)|Napit (caste)]]
*[[Chandala]]
*[[Dhobi|Dhupi]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
===Printed sources===
*{{cite thesis|type=Ph.D.|last=Cantile|first=Audrey|title=CASTE AND SECT IN AN ASSAMESE VILLAGE|publisher=University of London|year=1980}}
*{{cite thesis|type=Ph.D.|last=Adhikary|first=Madhab Chandra|title=Ethno Cultural Identity Crisis of the Rajbanshis of North Eastern Part of india and Nepal and Bangladesh during the period of 1891 to 1979|publisher=University of North Bengal|year=2009|hdl=10603/137486}}
*{{Cite book|last=Chatterjee|first=Suhas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KItocaxbibUC&pg=PA443|title=Indian Civilization and Culture|date=1998|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7533-083-2|language=en}}
* {{Cite book
| last = Baruah
| first = Swarnalata
| title = A Comprehensive History of Assam
| publisher= Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
| place= New Delhi
| year=1985
}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Amiruzzaman|title=The 16th century Koch kingdom: Evolving patterns of sankritization|date=2012|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=73|pages=249–254|jstor=44156212|issn=2249-1937}}
*{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Chandan Kumar |chapter=Tribe Caste Continuum and the Formation of Assamese Identity |year=2009 |title=Tribes of North-East India: Issues and Challenges |editor-last=Medhi |editor-first=B.K |pages=354–366 |location=Delhi|publisher =Omsons Publications}}

===Internet===
{{reflist|group=web}}

{{Assam}}

[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Assam]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Politics of Assam]]
[[Category:Social groups of Assam]]
[[Category:Assamese-language surnames]]