→Etymology and history
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}} | ||
{{For|the Islamic principle|Shura}}{{Infobox caste|caste_name=Chuhra|caste_name_in_local=चुहरा|native_name= | {{For|the Islamic principle|Shura}}{{Infobox caste|caste_name=Chuhra|caste_name_in_local=चुहरा|native_name= chuda|varna=[[Shudra]]|jati=[[Harijan]]|gotra=[[Balmiki]]|religions=[[Hinduism]], [[Islam]], [[Christianity]] and [[Sikhism]]|country=[[India]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Nepal]]|lineage=[[Valmiki]] and [[Gautamiputra Satakarni|Satakarni]]|education_reservation=Yes|status=[[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled Caste category]]|veda=[[Rig Veda]]}} | ||
''' | '''Chuhra''', also known as '''Bhanghi''' and '''Balmiki''',<ref name="Leslie2003"/><ref>{{cite book |title=Hindi schedule Literature and the Politics of Representation |first=Sarah Beth |last=Hunt |publisher=Routledge |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-31755-952-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHc9BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 |page=76}}</ref> is a [[Dalit]] caste in India and Pakistan.<ref name="RobinsonKujur2010">{{cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=Rowena |last2=Kujur |first2=Joseph Marianus |date=17 August 2010|title=Margins of Faith: Dalit and Tribal Christianity in India |publisher=SAGE Publishing India |isbn=978-93-86042-93-4 |language=en |quote=The Chuhras and Bhangis are both Dalit castes, whose 'traditional occupation' has been sweeping.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Lynch |first1=Owen M. |title=Divine Passions: The Social Construction of Emotion in India |date=1990 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |isbn=978-0-520-30467-3 |page=121 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=Rana |year=1995 |title=Bhangi, Scavenger in Indian Society: Marginality, Identity, and Politicization of the Community |publisher=M.D. Publications |page=17 |isbn=978-8-18588-070-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v_aZm_MQjygC&pg=PA17}}</ref> Populated regions include the [[Punjab region]] of [[India]] and [[Pakistan]], as well as [[Uttar Pradesh]] in India, among other parts of the Indian subcontinent such as [[South India|southern India]].<ref name="Singh1998"/><ref name="2002Webster">{{cite book |last1=Webster |first1=John C. B. |title=Religion and Dalit Liberation: An Examination of Perspectives |date=2002 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-327-7 |page=76 |language=English |quote=Pauline Kolenda did field research among Chuhras in the village of Khalapur in north-western Uttar Pradesh shortly before Dr. Ambedkar died.}}</ref><ref name="phan">{{cite book |last=Phan |first=P.C. |year=2011 |title=Christianities in Asia |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1405160896 |page=25|quote=For example, 90 to 95% of Pakistani Christians are Punjabi of the ''chuhra'' (''dalit'') group converted from Hinduism rather than from Islam or local religious systems.}}</ref><ref name="Srivastava1997">{{cite book |last1=Srivastava |first1=B. N. |title=Manual Scavenging in India: A Disgrace to the Country |date=1997 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=978-81-7022-639-0 |page=28 |language=en}}</ref> Their traditional occupation is sweeping, a "polluting" occupation that caused them to be considered [[Untouchability|untouchables]] in the Hindu caste system.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bodley |first=J. H. |year=2011 |title=Cultural Anthropology: Tribes, States, and the Global System |edition=5th |publisher=Rowman Altamira |page=315}}</ref> | ||
In the early twentieth century, Chuhras of the northern Indian subcontinent were divided into the sub-castes including the [[Sahotra]], [[Gill (name)|Gill]], Mattu | In the early twentieth century, Chuhras of the northern Indian subcontinent were divided into the sub-castes including the [[Sahotra]], [[Gill (name)|Gill]], Mattu, Sindhu, [[Ladhar]], [[Untwal]], [[Dharival]], [[Kandabari]], [[Khosar]], [[Borat (caste)|Borat]], [[Chhapriband]], and [[Lal Begi]].<ref name="Singh1995">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Kumar Suresh |title=The Scheduled Castes, Volume 10 |date=1995 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=9780195637427 |page=108 |language=en |quote=Ibbetson (1916) records several Chuhra tribes (divisions), namely Sahotra, Gill, Khokhar, Mattu, Kharu, Kaliyana, Ladhar, Sindhu, Chhapriband, Untwal, Kandabari, Hansi, Khosar, Borat and Dharival.}}</ref><ref name="Singh1998">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=K. S. |title=India's Communities |date=1998 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-563354-2 |page=234 |language=English |quote=The Balmiki (SC) in Haryana are also known as Valmiki, Chuhra, Lal Begi or Khakrobe.}}</ref> | ||
Originally following the [[Balmiki sect]] of [[Hinduism]], many Chuhras converted to Sikhism, Islam and Christianity during the [[colonial India|colonial era in India]].<ref name="Kling2020">{{cite book |last1=Kling |first1=David W. |title=A History of Christian Conversion |date=5 May 2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-991092-2 |page=562 |language=en |quote=Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity represented viable alternatives for the Chuhras, siphoning off a sizable portion of the Hindu population. In 1901, 934,553 Chuhras were registered as Hindus; by 1931, that number had dwindled to about one-third (368,224 people). The socioeconomic factors that prompted some Chuhras to become Muslims or Sikhs propelled others into the Christian fold.}}</ref> Today, Churas in Indian Punjab are largely followers of [[Sikhism]].<ref name="census">{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_sc_punjab.pdf |title=Census}}</ref> A minority continue to follow [[Christianity]], as well as [[Hinduism]], which incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices.<ref name="census" /><ref name="Mannion2008">{{cite book |last1=Mannion |first1=Gerard |title=Church and Religious 'Other' |date=25 September 2008 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-567-04726-7 |page=87=88 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Leslie2003">{{cite book |last=Leslie |first=J. |year=2003 |title=Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=0754634302 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/authoritymeaning00lesl|page=49|quote=In a similar way, 'Chuhras' are often called 'Bhangi', especially in urban areas. ... Today, although not all 'Bhangis' worship Bhagwan Valmik, and by no means all Valmikis were originally called 'Bhangi', the two terms are often used interchangeably. ... 'Valmiki' is explained as 'the now usually preferred name for the Bhangi or community which follows the teachings of the saint Valmiki' (1998: xii, xvi).}}</ref> In [[Pakistani Punjab]] 90-95% of its Christian population are [[Dalit Christians]] of the Chuhra caste; other Chuhras practice Islam or continue to follow Hinduism.<ref name="SinghaAriel2015"/><ref name="phan" /><ref name="Webster2002">{{cite book |last1=Webster |first1=John C. B. |title=Religion and Dalit Liberation: An Examination of Perspectives |date=2002 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-327-7 |page=16 |language=en |quote=For one thing , there were a good number of Chuhra Muslims who were called Musallis and may or may not have been accepted by others as fellow Muslims. Similarly , Chuhra Sikhs were called Mazhabi Sikhs and were generally kept at a distance by other Sikhs, despite being quite scrupulous in their observances as well as giving up polluting work (carrying night soil) and habits (eating carrion)...}}</ref><ref name="Aqeel2018">{{cite web |last1=Aqeel |first1=Asif |title='Untouchable' caste identity haunts Pakistani Christians like Asia Bibi |url=https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2018/11/untouchable-caste-identity-haunts-pakistani-christians-like-asia-bibi/ |publisher=World Watch Monitor |access-date=3 October 2020 |language=en |date=1 November 2018}}</ref> | Originally following the [[Balmiki sect]] of [[Hinduism]], many Chuhras converted to Sikhism, Islam and Christianity during the [[colonial India|colonial era in India]].<ref name="Kling2020">{{cite book |last1=Kling |first1=David W. |title=A History of Christian Conversion |date=5 May 2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-991092-2 |page=562 |language=en |quote=Islam, Sikhism, and Christianity represented viable alternatives for the Chuhras, siphoning off a sizable portion of the Hindu population. In 1901, 934,553 Chuhras were registered as Hindus; by 1931, that number had dwindled to about one-third (368,224 people). The socioeconomic factors that prompted some Chuhras to become Muslims or Sikhs propelled others into the Christian fold.}}</ref> Today, Churas in Indian Punjab are largely followers of [[Sikhism]].<ref name="census">{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_sc_punjab.pdf |title=Census}}</ref> A minority continue to follow [[Christianity]], as well as [[Hinduism]], which incorporates elements of Sikhism in its practices.<ref name="census" /><ref name="Mannion2008">{{cite book |last1=Mannion |first1=Gerard |title=Church and Religious 'Other' |date=25 September 2008 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-0-567-04726-7 |page=87=88 |language=English}}</ref><ref name="Leslie2003">{{cite book |last=Leslie |first=J. |year=2003 |title=Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Valmiki |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=0754634302 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/authoritymeaning00lesl|page=49|quote=In a similar way, 'Chuhras' are often called 'Bhangi', especially in urban areas. ... Today, although not all 'Bhangis' worship Bhagwan Valmik, and by no means all Valmikis were originally called 'Bhangi', the two terms are often used interchangeably. ... 'Valmiki' is explained as 'the now usually preferred name for the Bhangi or community which follows the teachings of the saint Valmiki' (1998: xii, xvi).}}</ref> In [[Pakistani Punjab]] 90-95% of its Christian population are [[Dalit Christians]] of the Chuhra caste; other Chuhras practice Islam or continue to follow Hinduism.<ref name="SinghaAriel2015"/><ref name="phan" /><ref name="Webster2002">{{cite book |last1=Webster |first1=John C. B. |title=Religion and Dalit Liberation: An Examination of Perspectives |date=2002 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-327-7 |page=16 |language=en |quote=For one thing , there were a good number of Chuhra Muslims who were called Musallis and may or may not have been accepted by others as fellow Muslims. Similarly , Chuhra Sikhs were called Mazhabi Sikhs and were generally kept at a distance by other Sikhs, despite being quite scrupulous in their observances as well as giving up polluting work (carrying night soil) and habits (eating carrion)...}}</ref><ref name="Aqeel2018">{{cite web |last1=Aqeel |first1=Asif |title='Untouchable' caste identity haunts Pakistani Christians like Asia Bibi |url=https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2018/11/untouchable-caste-identity-haunts-pakistani-christians-like-asia-bibi/ |publisher=World Watch Monitor |access-date=3 October 2020 |language=en |date=1 November 2018}}</ref> | ||
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In 1932 in [[colonial India]], the Balmiki Sabha was created to advocate for the rights of the Chuhras.<ref name="Singh"/> The Balmiki Sabha was applauded by the [[Indian National Congress]] in the mid-1940s for heralding its political message among the Chuhras.<ref name="Singh">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=K. S. |title=The Scheduled Castes |date=1995 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-563742-7 |page=109 |language=en}}</ref> | In 1932 in [[colonial India]], the Balmiki Sabha was created to advocate for the rights of the Chuhras.<ref name="Singh"/> The Balmiki Sabha was applauded by the [[Indian National Congress]] in the mid-1940s for heralding its political message among the Chuhras.<ref name="Singh">{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=K. S. |title=The Scheduled Castes |date=1995 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-563742-7 |page=109 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
In Pakistan, the word "Chuhra" became a slur directed against poorer people, especially menial workers whose jobs were reserved for Hindus, Christians, and religious minorities. The term later became a slur against religious minorities in general, especially Christians.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khalid |first1=Haroon |title=The language curse: How proud community names have been reduced to insults in Pakistan |url=https://scroll.in/article/817821/the-language-curse-how-proud-community-names-have-been-reduced-to-insults |website=scroll.in |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chaudhry |first1=Kamran |title=Pakistani politician draws censure for Christian slur |url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistani-politician-draws-censure-for-christian-slur/82356 |website=UCA News |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> | |||
== By religion == | == By religion == | ||
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*[[Gill (name)|Gill]]<ref name="Singh1995"/> | *[[Gill (name)|Gill]]<ref name="Singh1995"/> | ||
*Hansi<ref name="Singh1995"/> | *Hansi<ref name="Singh1995"/> | ||
*[[Kandabari]]<ref name="Singh1995"/name="Singh1995"/ | *[[Kandabari]]<ref name="Singh1995"/name="Singh1995"/> | ||
*[[Khosar]]<ref name="Singh1995"/> | |||
*[[Ladhar]]<ref name="Singh1995"/> | |||
*[[Lal Begi]]<ref name="Harding2008">{{cite book |last1=Harding |first1=Christopher |title=Religious Transformation in South Asia: The Meanings of Conversion in Colonial Punjab |date=18 September 2008 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-954822-4 |page=39 |language=en}}</ref> | *[[Lal Begi]]<ref name="Harding2008">{{cite book |last1=Harding |first1=Christopher |title=Religious Transformation in South Asia: The Meanings of Conversion in Colonial Punjab |date=18 September 2008 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-954822-4 |page=39 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
*Mattu<ref name="Singh1995"/> | *Mattu<ref name="Singh1995"/> | ||