Rautia

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia


Not to be confused with the Raut (caste), a community of Chhattisgarh.
Rautia
Religions Folk Hinduism
LanguagesNative language – Nagpuri
Secondary language – Hindi, Odia, Bengali
CountryIndia
Original stateJharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha
Historical groupingAgricultural caste, Militia

The Rautia is a caste found in the states of Jharkhand, Chhatishgarh and Odisha in India.[1][2][3] They were agriculturalist, estate holder and militia under Nagvanshi kings of Chotanagpur.[4]

History and origin[edit]

According to their traditions, the community helped and protect Rajput prince, who as a reward had given lands in Lohardaga, Jashpur territory.[5] They were agriculturalist, estate holder and militia under the Nagvanshi kings of Chotanagpur.[4]

In 1812 Jagirdar Bakhtar Say along with Parganait Mundal Singh rebelled against excessive tax imposition. They killed tax collector send by Nagvanshi king Govind Nath Shah and defeated an East India Company force. Later they were defeated by company force, captured and hanged in Kolkata.[6][7]

Subdivision[edit]

Rautia have three subdivision Barki, Majhli, Chhotki. The subdivision is based on purity of descent. Barki are of pure descent. Majhli and Chhotki subdivision are descendants of Rautia father and mother of other castes. Offspring were admitted to Majhli group if mother was from Kanwar, Gond and other respectable caste. Offsprings of Rautia father and women from untouchable caste such as Ganda and Ghasia caste were admitted to Chhotki group.[4]

Present circumstances[edit]

They speak the Sadri dialect of Hindi. They have titles like Ganjhu, Baraik, Kotwar, Sai and Singh.[8] The Rautia are divided into three sub-groups, the Bargohri or pure Rautia, the Majhgohri and chhot gohri. This is also divided into gotras (subdivision): Barwan (wild dog), Baghel (tiger), Bira (hawk), Jogi, Kansi (Kans grass), Katwar, Kharakwar, Kharsyal (deer), Khumbhoj, Kumhar (potter), Lathoor, Majhi, Nag (Cobra), Rukhi (Squirrel), Sand (bull), Sonwani (gold water) etc. Marriage is forbidden within same clan and allowed within different clans.[9] These groups are endogamous, with the former considering itself superior over the other. It is said that the Majhli and Chhotki were the descendants of Rautia fathers and mothers of other castes. Traditionally and primarily they are cultivators. They also gather fruits and tubers from the jungles nearby. A small number have begun to emigrate to towns and cities such as Ranchi.[10]

Culture[edit]

The traditional festivals of Rautia are Karam, Jitiya, Nawakhani and Diwali.[11] The traditional dances of Rautia are Jhumar , Domkach and Paiki.[12]

Official classification[edit]

Rautia are included in list of Other Backward Class in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.[13][14][15]

In 2016, The Dr Ram Dayal Munda Tribal Research Institute recommend inclusion of Rautia caste in Schedule Tribe list. According to TRI, Rautia have primitive features, distinctive culture and are backward in social, educational and economical aspects. The Government of Jharkhand had sent the proposal to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.[16] But the proposal have not approved yet by Government of India.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 945 to 947 Seagull Books
  2. ↑ Abbasi, A. A. (2001). Dimensions of Human Cultures in Central India: Professor S.K. Tiwari Felicitation Volume. Sarup & Sons. p. 70. ISBN 81-7625-186-0.
  3. ↑ Orissa (India) (1966). Orissa District Gazetteers: Sundargarh. Superintendent, Orissa Government Press. p. 109.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Russell, Robert Vane (28 September 2020). The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume IV of IV. ISBN 9781465583024.
  5. ↑ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 945 to 947 Seagull Books
  6. ↑ "Raghubar honours Simdega patriots". timesofindia. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  7. ↑ "शहीद मुंडन ¨सह के गांव में बुनियादी सुविधाओं का अभाव". jagran. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. ↑ Singh, K. S. (2008). THE RAUTIA. ISBN 9788170463030.
  9. ↑ James George Frazer (2000). Totemism and Exogamy. Psychology Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0700713387.
  10. ↑ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 945 to 947 Seagull Books
  11. ↑ "सभ्यता व संस्कृती की सुरक्षा के लिए हों एकजुट : कुलदीप". jagran. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  12. ↑ "बख्तर साय मुंडल सिंह के बताए राह पर चलें". livehindustan. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  13. ↑ "Central List of Castes under Category OBC for Jharkhand" (PDF). jharsewa. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  14. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF CHHATISGARH" (PDF). ncbc.nic. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF ORISSA Entry No Caste" (PDF). ncbc.nic. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  16. ↑ "CM nod to include Rautia, Khangar castes in ST list". dailypioneer. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  17. ↑ "पूरी होगी इन जातियों की वर्षों पुरानी मुराद, झारखंड के मुख्यमंत्री ने दिए संकेत". livehindustan. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
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