https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=SarakSarak - Revision history2026-11-14T19:26:49ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sarak&diff=147387&oldid=previmported>BD2412: Typo fixing for Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss, replaced: ,M → , M, ,N → , N2021-07-31T20:39:47Z<p>Typo fixing for <a href="https://en.bharatpedia.org/wiki/Bharatpedia:Typo_Team/moss" class="extiw" title="wikipedia:Typo Team/moss">Wikipedia:Typo Team/moss</a>, replaced: ,M → , M, ,N → , N</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Jain Community of Eastern India}}<br />
{{other uses}}<br />
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}<br />
{{use Indian English|date=February 2016}}<br />
{{Infobox caste<br />
| caste_name = Sarak<br/>সরাক<br />
| image = Statue_of_Adinath_at_Pakbirra_Jain_Shrine_of_Purulia_05.jpg<br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = Lord [[Rishabhanatha|Adinatha]] at Pakbirra<br />
| populated_states = [[Jharkhand]], [[West Bengal]], [[Bihar]], [[odisa]]<br />
| languages = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]], Nagpuri<br />
| religions = [[Hinduism]], [[Jainism]] <br />
}}<br />
{{Jainism}}<br />
The word Sarak has two meaning one means magical and historical meaning as '''Saraks''' ({{lang-bn|সরাক}}) (from [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] [[Śrāvaka]]) is a community in [[Jharkhand]], [[Bihar]], [[Bengal]], and [[Orissa, India|Orissa]] . They have been followers of some aspects of [[Jainism]], such as vegetarianism, since ancient times, however, were isolated and separated from the main body of the [[Jain community]] in western, northern, and southern India and have been Hindu Bengalis ever since. The governments of India and West Bengal both have classified some of the Saraks under Other Backward Classes since 1994 but many of them have been in the General category from the beginning itself.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anagrasarkalyan.gov.in/htm/obc_list.html |title=Government of West Bengal: List of Other Backward Classes |publisher=Govt. of West Bengal |access-date=December 23, 2011}}</ref><br />
<br />
==History==<br />
[[File:Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 03.jpg|thumb|[[Pakbirra Jain temples]], [[Purulia]] ]]<br />
The Saraks are an ancient community in [[Jharkhand]] and [[Bengal]]. British anthropologist [[Edward Tuite Dalton]] noted that according to the Bhumij tradition in [[Singhbhum]] district, the Saraks were early settlers in the region.<ref name="Ghosh">{{cite book |title=Pashchimbanger Samskriti |trans-title=The Culture of West Bengal |language=bn |last=Ghosh |first=Binay |year=2010 |orig-year=1957 |publisher=Prakash Bhawan |location=Kolkata |edition=2nd |volume=1 |pages=447–449}}</ref> According to Santosh Kumar Kundu, the Saraks arrived from the northwestern region of India, presently in [[Gujarat]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]. In the region between the rivers Barakar and Damodar, two democratic republics, Shikharbhum and Panchakot, flourished. Later they merged and came to be known as Shikharbhum, with the capital at Panchakot. According to Ramesh Chandra Majumder, the Jain scholar [[Bhadrabahu]], the second Louhacharya and the author of Kalpa Sutra may have come from the Sarak community.<ref name="kundu">{{cite book |title=Bangali Hindu Jati Parichay |trans-title=An Introduction of Bengali Hindu Castes |language=bn |last=Kundu |first=Santosh Kumar |year=2008 |publisher=Presidency Library |location=Kolkata |isbn=978-81-89466-13-8 |pages=273–275}}</ref> The Saraks were agriculturists, moneylenders and landlords having landed properties. Many of their rituals and customs are similar to that of [[Brahmins]]. Though the mainstream Saraks are Bengali Hindus, yet they have a touch of Jainism.<br />
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They have continued to remain [[vegetarian]] even though this practice is uncommon among other communities in the region. Saraks have [[Parshva]] as a favored patron and recite the [[Namokar Mantra|Ṇamōkāra mantra]]. They revere both Hindu and some Jain idols.<br />
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The region is called [[Vajjabhumi]] in ancient texts because diamonds were once mined in the region.<ref>[http://purulia.gov.in/district_profile/dist_profile.html Historical Background] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091209215309/http://purulia.gov.in/district_profile/dist_profile.html |date=9 December 2009 }})</ref> The [[Tirthankara]] [[Mahavira]] visited this region according to the [[Kalpasutra (Jainism)|Kalpa Sūtra]]. In rural areas ‘Sarak’ mainly depends on agriculture, moneylending and trade for their livelihood. They have relatively higher standard of living as compared to other communities <br />
surrounding them as most of the lands are in their control. Peaceful and simple by nature, ‘Sarak’ people claim with pride that none of them have ever been to jail for committing any kind of crime. They are well accomplished in the art of arbitration and do not believe in any kind of violence. They do not even use words like, ‘kill’ or ‘cut’ in their daily conversation. They celebrate [[Durga Puja]], other Hindu festivals as well as [[Jain festival]]s like [[Mahavir Jayanti|Mahaveer Janam Kalyanak]].<br />
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A group of Saraks from northern parts of [[Purulia district]] migrated to the Subarnarekha valley and established a small state by the name Ruam. There is a village existing by the same name in [[Musabani]] Block of [[East Singhbhum district]] very close the Uranium town of [[Jaduguda]]. They are the people who started mining of [[Copper ore]] for the first time in [[Singhbhum Shear Zone]] which is now famous for mining of precious metals such as [[Copper]], [[Gold]], [[Silver]] and [[Uranium]]. The Saraks of Ruam also mastered the art of smelting of copper. It is also evident that famous ancient port of [[Tamralipta]] owes its name to the copper mined and processed in the Sarak country of Ruam which was exported to the South East Asian kingdoms in a large scale.<br />
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==Separation and rediscovery==<br />
[[File:Large Statue of Padmaprabha at Pakbirra 03.jpg|thumb|7.5 feet statue of [[Shitalanatha]], [[Purulia]] ]]<br />
The Saraks lost contact with Jains in the rest of India after its conquest by [[Ikhtiyar Uddin Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji]]. Contact with the Digambara [[Jainism in Bundelkhand|Bundelkhand Jains]] was reestablished when the [[Parwar (Jain)|Parwars]] Manju Chaudhary (1720–1785) was appointed the governor of [[Cuttack]] by the [[Maratha Empire]].<br />
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Saraks are concentrated in Purulia, Bankura and Burdwan district of [[West Bengal]] and [[Ranchi]], [[Dumka]] and [[Giridih district]]s and Singhbhum region of [[Jharkhand]]. The Saraks belonging to most of [[Jharkhand]] and [[West Bengal]] are [[Bengali language|Bengali]] speakers while those living in historical Singhbhum region speak Singhbhumi [[Odia language|Odia]]. Educated Saraks speak fluent [[English language|English]].<br />
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In 2009, more than 165 Sarak Jains living in parts of [[West Bengal]], [[Jharkhand]] and [[Bihar]] visited the ancient Jain pilgrimage center of [[Shravanabelagola]]. A special function to welcome the Sarak Jains was organised at Shravanabelagola.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/News/2009/09-Sept/02_News_Updates_001.htm |title=> News Updates |publisher=Www.Jainheritagecentres.Com |date=2009-09-02 |access-date=2012-05-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223043115/http://www.jainheritagecentres.com/News/2009/09-Sept/02_News_Updates_001.htm |archive-date=23 December 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><br />
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A social organization called, 'Sarak Samaj Unnayan Samity' is working for the welfare of sarak community. Its main goals include eradicating the dowry system from the Sarak community. Open-mindedness and good principles are the traits of this community. They are into Bengali Literature, Art, Music and Dance and are nowadays also enjoying western concepts of culture.<br />
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==Professions==<br />
[[File:Statue of Ambika at Pakbirra.jpg|thumb|Statue of [[Ambika (Jainism)|Ambika]] at Pakbirra [[Purulia]] ]]<br />
In the past they were engaged in copper mining in the region.<ref>[http://www.santalsarak.org/index1024.html Prof. V. Ball, 1868, Geological Survey of India]</ref> Most Saraks were farmers engaged in rice cultivation, dairy farm selling milk products. Some of them have shops related to agriculture. Many are well educated. There are many teachers, engineers, doctors, professors, MBA, and Civil Servants in this community.<br />
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==List of villages==<br />
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}<br />
# [[Basudih]]<br />
#Bhuli<br />
#Rupnarayanpur<br />
#Beriathol<br />
#Ledapalash<br />
#Kansai<br />
#Pairasol<br />
#Pabra<br />
#Duburia<br />
#Bishjor<br />
#Dhekia<br />
#Patdoha<br />
#Binoddihi<br />
#Sidabari<br />
# Udaypur<br />
# Dhadkidih<br />
# Mohula<br />
# Upardih<br />
# Ichar<br />
# Bagicha<br />
# Jhapra<br />
# Patharbandh<br />
# Kanshibera<br />
# Mongram<br />
# Gobindapur<br />
# Senera<br />
# Khajra<br />
# Antumajirdih<br />
# Laragora<br />
# Bhagabandh<br />
# Gourangodih<br />
# Metyalsahar<br />
# Raghunathpur<br />
# Nanduara<br />
# Gobindapur<br />
# Ekunja<br />
# Beniasole<br />
# Gosaidanga<br />
# Nutandih<br />
# Durmat<br />
# Bathan<br />
# Kanchkiyari<br />
# Naragoria<br />
# Ghutitora<br />
# Kelahi<br />
# Simlon<br />
# Khajura<br />
# Upar Khajura<br />
# Layekdanga<br />
# Senera<br />
# Sikratanr<br />
# Lachmanpur<br />
# Jumduara<br />
# Bero<br />
# Puraton Bero<br />
# Bagicha<br />
# Kanthalbero<br />
# Brindabanpur<br />
# Kalapathar<br />
# Panchmahali<br />
# Upar Panchpahari<br />
# Nama Panchpahari<br />
# Biltora<br />
# Dhanardanga<br />
# Bangsagram<br />
# Gobag<br />
# Lachiya<br />
# Janardandi<br />
# Hetabahal<br />
# Patharbandh<br />
# Sarapdhar<br />
# Talajuri<br />
# Mohulkoka<br />
# Indrabil<br />
# Gourangdih<br />
# Babirdih<br />
# Rajra<br />
# Murlu<br />
# Radhamadhabpur<br />
# Bodma<br />
# Lalpur<br />
# Metyalsahar<br />
# Bhagabandh<br />
# Kashibera<br />
# Managram<br />
# Barda<br />
# Sundrabandh<br />
# Paranpur<br />
# Alkusa<br />
# Fuliddi<br />
# Choutala<br />
# Mahula<br />
# Palma<br />
# Banbera<br />
# Nimbayd<br />
# Soyar<br />
# Jhapra<br />
# Jabarra<br />
# Sankra<br />
# Para Kelyahi<br />
# Bagatbari<br />
# Fusrabaid<br />
# Asanbani<br />
# Layara<br />
# Ichhar<br />
# Upardih<br />
# Kamargora<br />
# Khamarmahul<br />
# Santaldih<br />
# Balichasa<br />
# Dhadkidi<br />
# Tatogram<br />
# Amchatar<br />
# Bahara<br />
# Darda<br />
# Putlya<br />
# Thakurdih<br />
# Surulia<br />
# Bathanbari<br />
# Bhandarkuli<br />
# Kantabani<br />
# Lakhipur<br />
# Churmi<br />
# Mahal<br />
# Bhajudi<br />
# Choudhuri Bandh<br />
# Shibbabuddi<br />
# Asansole<br />
# Gandharbadih<br />
# Salkunda<br />
# kundahit<br />
# Bindapathar<br />
# Parbatpur<br />
# Uparbandha<br />
# Karmatanr<br />
# Debogram<br />
# Postabari<br />
# Belut<br />
# Belanga<br />
# Kumardih<br />
# Gosaidih<br />
# Lachhmanpur<br />
# Gangajalghati<br />
# Kendrabona<br />
# Bhuinphore<br />
# Balikhun<br />
# Rajamela<br />
# Lachhmanpur<br />
# Haribhanga<br />
# Mallikdihi<br />
# Bhaktabandh<br />
# Chholabaid<br />
# Deshuria<br />
# Chururi<br />
# Barkona<br />
# Bajapathar<br />
# Moulahir<br />
# Sahebdanga<br />
# Khagra<br />
# Jirrah.<br />
# Indrabil <br />
#Bundu<br />
#Tamar<br />
#Ranchi<br />
#Khunti<br />
#Torpa, kashmar<br />
#Dorma, korla<br />
#Mahil, Meral<br />
#Biramkel<br />
#Hansha<br />
#Norih<br />
#Rahe majhidih<br />
#Paramdih<br />
#Sobahatu<br />
#Hundih Nawadih<br />
#Tarai<br />
#Rangamatti<br />
#kharsawan<br />
#Domohani<br />
#Lalbazar<br />
#Punchra<br />
#Lalganj<br />
#Harisadih<br />
#Chotkara<br />
#Roshna<br />
#Achra<br />
#Daskeyari<br />
#Gourangdi<br />
#Itapara<br />
#Khorabar<br />
<br />
{{div col end}}<br />
<br />
==See also==<br />
* [[Śrāvaka (Jainism)]]<br />
* [[Jainism in Bengal]]<br />
* [[Basudih]]<br />
* [[Purulia]]<br />
<br />
==Pakbirra, Purulia Temples and Sculptures==<br />
<gallery> <br />
Statue of couple at Pakbirra.jpg|Divine couple with child, Pakbirra, Purulia<br />
Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 51.jpg|Sahasrakuta, Pakbirra, Purulia<br />
Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 28.jpg|Miniature shrine, Pakbirra, Purulia<br />
Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 25.jpg|Miniature shrine, Pakbirra, Purulia<br />
Statues of Adinath - Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 45.jpg|Adinatha Idols<br />
Pakbirra Jain Shrine of Purulia 31.jpg|Miniature shrine, Pakbirra, Purulia<br />
Pakbirra- Jain Shrine of Purulia district 29.JPG|Miniature shrine, Pakbirra, Purulia<br />
File:KITLV 88203 - Unknown - Sculptures at Pakbira in British India - 1897.tif|Jain Sculptures at Pakbirra<br />
</gallery><br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{Jainism topics}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Indian Jains]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of West Bengal]]<br />
[[Category:Jain communities]]<br />
[[Category:Vegetarian communities]]</div>imported>BD2412