The Dhor, also known as Kankkaya refers to a specific subgroup within the broader Chamar (leatherworker) caste, primarily located in Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Gujarat.[1] They have been referred as separate community and recognized as Scheduled Castes under Indian government policy of affirmative action.
Culture and Society[edit | edit source]
The Dhor community in Maharashtra follow Hinduism and Lingayat sect.[2] They also revere Bhakti Sant Rohidas and Shiva's disciple Saint Kakkayya.[3] The origin of the Dhor lies in the Marathi caste Chambhar and in the traditionally Dhor caste associated with leather-related occupations such as tanning raw leather, shoe making, and manufacturing of other leather-related products. To uplift and improve the trading skills of the Dhor Charamkar community, the government of Maharashtra set up Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd. (LIDCOM).[4][5]
The members of community has been historical associated with leatherwork[6] and been placed at the bottom of the caste hierarchy, with historically facing significant social discrimination. Like many Dalit communities, the Dhor have endured untouchability, economic marginalisation, and social exclusion.[7]
Demography[edit | edit source]
According to the book named India: Caste, Culture, and Traditions, the population of the Dhor caste in Maharashtra and Karnataka is 68,509 and 22,432, (in 1941) respectively.[8] As per 2011 census of India, they are fifth largest Scheduled Caste community in Maharashtra with a population of 1,16,287.[9]
Notable people[edit | edit source]
- Sushilkumar Shinde - Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra.[10]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Commissioner, India Census (1923). Census of India, 1921: Hyderabad (State). Superintendent Government Printing. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ↑ Desai, Shantinath, ed. (1998). Prateechi - (1992-1993) (Literary Digest Of West Indian Languages). Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0442-3. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ↑ "Dhor Kakkayya Community". dhorkakkayyasamaj.org. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ↑ "Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd (LIDCOM) | Social Justice & Special Assistance Department | India". Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ↑ "Women Empowerment Scheme". Lidcom. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ↑ Pani, Sarayu. "The Missing Artisan – and Their Caste – in the Kohlapuri-Prada Conversation". The Wire. The Wire. The Wire. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ↑ Desai, Shweta (14 August 2024). "Untouchability Continues To Plague India's Dalits". Outlook India. Outlook. Outlook. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ↑ Kumar, B. B. (1 January 2016). India: Caste, Culture and Traditions. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-93-5125-161-3. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ↑ "Top 10 Major Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra by Population (Census 2011) | Commissionerate of Social Welfare | India". Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ↑ "From petty thief to cop to Maharashtra's first Dalit CM". The Times of India. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2025.