Mal (caste)

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Mal
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesBengali, Assamese, Maithili, Hindi
Populated statesWest Bengal, Jharkhand, Bangladesh
Population205,000 (West Bengal, 1981 census)
273,641 (West Bengal, 2001 census)[1]
306,234 (West Bengal, 2011 census)[2]

The Mal is a Hindu caste found in the state of West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Mal and Malla are derived from the Sanskrit word malla, meaning wrestler.[3][4]

Paharia Mal or Mal Paharia is considered as Scheduled Tribe while the other Mal groups are considered as Scheduled Castes by the Government of West Bengal.[5][6][7]

Demographics[edit]

Mal numbered 273,641 in the 2001 census and were 1.5 per cent of the total Scheduled Caste population of West Bengal. 39.6 per cent of the Mal were literate - 51.9 per cent males and 26.8 per cent females were literate.[8]

Divisions[edit]

Raja Mals were rulers of Bengal-Jharkhand junction area. Chatradhari Mals were supposed to be ministers of Raja Mals.[citation needed] Sapure Mals are mainly snake charmers. Paharia Mals generally live in hilly areas, and have their own distinct language. Raja Mals do not practice widow marriage like other orthodox Hindus.[3]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "West Bengal, Census of India 2001, Data Highlights - The Scheduled Castes" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General, India. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
  2. ↑ "(SC)2011census". censusindia.gov.in.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Singh, Kumar Suresh (29 Aug 2008). The scheduled castes (2, illustrated ed.). Anthropological Survey of India, 1993. ISBN 9780195632545.
  4. ↑ Dasgupta, Biswas & Mallik 2009, p. 19.
  5. ↑ "Scheduled Caste List Of West Bengal State". anagrasarkalyan.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2015-03-08.
  6. ↑ "Scheduled Caste Welfare - List of Scheduled Castes". socialjustice.nic.in(Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment). Archived from the original on 2012-09-13.
  7. ↑ "Scheduled Tribe List Of West Bengal State". anagrasarkalyan.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2009-08-29.
  8. ↑ "West Bengal, Census of India 2001, Data Highlights - The Scheduled Castes" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General, India. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
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