No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}} | ||
The '''Watal''' are a | [[File:Painting of huts of the Watal tribe of Kashmir, during Sikh-rule, by Godfrey Thomas Vigne, 1836.jpg|thumb|Painting of huts of the Watal tribe of Kashmir, during Sikh rule, by Godfrey Thomas Vigne, 1836]] | ||
The '''Watal''' are a community found in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India. The term 'Watal' also means cobbler in the [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]] language. The community is known by many names such as Batal, Battal, and Batul. They natively speak an unclassified Indo-Aryan language called [[Sheikhgal]], or Watali. | |||
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]].<!--p=279--> 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| editor1-last = Devy| editor1-first = G. N.| editor2-last = Koul| editor2-first = 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> | |||
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]].<!--p=279--> 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| | |||
== Present circumstances == | == Present circumstances == | ||
According to 2001 [[Census of India]], the Watal numbered 169, although | According to 2001 [[Census of India]], the Watal numbered 169, although their total numbers are probably underreported, as the name Watal carries a stigma.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/SCCRC_24.pdf | access-date=2023-11-07| title=A-10 STATE PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULED CASTE - 2001}}</ref> This is seen by the fact that their entrance to temples and shrines was restricted, 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]].{{cn|date=March 2023}} | ||
The | == Watals in Hindu Community == | ||
{{original research section|reason=The source only mentions a person with the surname "Wattal" - it does not state that Watal is same as Wattal and the name of a social group found among Kashmiri Brahmins|date=March 2023}} | |||
Watal (or Wattal) is a surname in the Kashmiri Brahmin community as well. It is not clear whether this surname is associated with the profession of scavenging or not. Some people claim that the ancestor of these people was a saint called Wattalnath. However, there is no documented proof for that. | |||
[[Jawahar Wattal]] a music composer of our times, is one of the prominent Kashmiri Hindu Watals.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://shehjar.net/list/85/742/1.html | title=SHEHJAR - Web Magazine for Kashmir :: Jawahar Wattal }}</ref> | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| Line 18: | Line 20: | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| Line 25: | Line 26: | ||
[[Category:Dalit communities]] | [[Category:Dalit communities]] | ||
[[Category:Scheduled Castes of Jammu and Kashmir]] | [[Category:Scheduled Castes of Jammu and Kashmir]] | ||
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of South Asia]] | |||
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]] | |||
Latest revision as of 01:30, 12 February 2026
The Watal are a community found in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The term 'Watal' also means cobbler in the Kashmiri language. The community is known by many names such as Batal, Battal, and Batul. They natively speak an unclassified Indo-Aryan language called Sheikhgal, or Watali.
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 language known as Sheikha gal or Watali.[1]
Present circumstances[edit | edit source]
According to 2001 Census of India, the Watal numbered 169, although their total numbers are probably underreported, as the name Watal carries a stigma.[2] This is seen by the fact that their entrance to temples and shrines was restricted, although this is no longer practiced, there are still occasionally prevented from entering places of worship. They are strictly endogamous, and prefer marrying close relatives. In general, their customs are similar to other Kashmiri Muslims, and the Watal are Sunni.[citation needed]
Watals in Hindu Community[edit | edit source]
 | This section possibly contains original research. The source only mentions a person with the surname "Wattal" - it does not state that Watal is same as Wattal and the name of a social group found among Kashmiri Brahmins (March 2023) |
Watal (or Wattal) is a surname in the Kashmiri Brahmin community as well. It is not clear whether this surname is associated with the profession of scavenging or not. Some people claim that the ancestor of these people was a saint called Wattalnath. However, there is no documented proof for that. Jawahar Wattal a music composer of our times, is one of the prominent Kashmiri Hindu Watals.[3]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Safdar, Rahila (2014). "Sheikha Gal". In Devy, G. N.; Koul, Omkar N. (eds.). The languages of Jammu & Kashmir. People's Linguistic Survey of India. New Delhi: Orient Blackswan. pp. 279–83. ISBN 978-81-250-5516-7.
- ↑ "A-10 STATE PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULED CASTE - 2001" (PDF). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
- ↑ "SHEHJAR - Web Magazine for Kashmir :: Jawahar Wattal".