Created by Heba Aisha
Last edited June 8, 2026


Dhimar
Dhimar or fisherman’s hut. (Russell, 1916)
Regions with significant populations
Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat and Delhi.
Religion
Hinduism

The Dhimar is a Hindu caste in Central India.[1] The term Dhimar originates from the Sanskrit word "Dhivara," which means a fisherman.[2][3] Dhimars are also known as Kahar, Bhoi, Palewar, Baraua, and Machhandar.[4]

Historically, Dhimars have primarily worked as the fishermen.[2] Dhimars primarily reside in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat and Delhi.

Communities that are related to the Dhimar by occupation include Kanshilya, Koshyal, Dhinwar, Jhinwar, Dhewar, Jhimar, Kashyap, Kahar. Dhimars sometimes referred to as a sub-caste of boatmen.[1]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Citations

  1. 1.0 1.1 Shah, Pankaj (6 April 2013). "Political parties eye Lok Sabha polls, bank on boatmen to claim pole position". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Singh, Kumar Suresh; Bhanu, B. V.; India, Anthropological Survey of (2004). Maharashtra. Anthropological Survey of India. p. 514. ISBN 978-81-7991-100-6.
  3. Gunda, Béla (1984). The Fishing Culture of the World: Studies in Ethnology, Cultural Ecology, and Folklore. Akadémiai Kiadó. pp. 660–661. ISBN 978-963-05-3279-2.
  4. "Gangaputra Fisherman Community". gangaputra.net. Retrieved 25 April 2026.

Bibliography

Further reading[edit | edit source]