Chasa Caste

 

Chasa Caste

Chasa caste is the chief cultivating caste inhabiting the state of Orissa. This caste is also known as Alia in Sonepur. In the past, Chasas were mostly enumerated in the regions of Sambalpur and other adjoining states, but majority of them moved to Bengal in the year 1905. It is said that Chasa caste has a loose organisation making it possible for outsiders to be admitted into the caste. This fact is proved by the names of the sub-divisions of this caste. Like for instance, three of the sub-divisions namely Kolta, Khandait and Ud are actually the names of different castes. The word Chasa in general means 'a cultivator.'

The chief cultivating caste of Orissa, probably for the most part of non- Aryan descent. Chasas are divided into the following sub-castes :-Orhchasa or Mundi-Chasa, Benatiya, Chukuliya, and Sukuliya. The last-named group is a small one found along the sea-coast and mainly engaged in the manufacture of salt. The sections are shown in Appendix I. A man may not marry a woman belonging to his own section, or one who falls within the standard formula for reckoning prohibited degrees ca1¬ Calculated to three generations in the descending line. He may marry two sisters, but may not take to wife an elder sister after being already married to her younger sister. The Chasa caste is an exceedingly numerous one, and is probably made up in great measure of non-Aryan elements. In Orissa the caste system is said to be more loosely organised than in Bengal, and this makes it possible on the one hand for outsiders to be admitted into the CMsa caste, and on the other hand for wealthy OMsas, who give up ploughing with their own hands and assume the respectable title of Mahanti, to raise themselves to membership in the lower classes of Kayasths.

In Chasa community, girls get married before reaching the stage of adolescence. If no suitable match is found then she may be married to a flower or an arrow and when a suitable husband is found she is united with him in the form of widow-marriage. Widow re-marriage and divorce are permitted in Casa community. They bury the dead if unmarried, and burn the dead if married. Chasa caste worships various Hindu deities. Occasionally they also sacrifice animals. Brahmin priests are employed for performing religious ceremonies. They have an enriching culture.

More informative and interesting related different caste are Kumbhakar Caste, Agharia Caste, Mehtar Caste, Chhipa Caste

Beldar Caste

 

Beldar Caste

The Beldar caste, historically a nomadic community from Northern India, is known for their occupation as navvies and their involvement in construction work. They are at present, a scheduled caste in northern part of India and are still engaged in their traditional occupation of navvies.

The Beldar caste traces its roots back to Northern India, particularly in the provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. They are linguistically associated with the Hindi dialect, and their cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with the regions they inhabit. The Beldar community shares ancestral ties with the Odh and Kewat communities, who refer to themselves as Odhs, further enhancing their historical lineage.

The term "Beldar" itself is derived from the combination of "bel," signifying a digging instrument, and "dar," which refers to the individual who handles it. Originally associated with agricultural activities involving soil digging and transportation, the Beldar community has also been recognized for their role in brick-making and clearing agricultural land. Although primarily concentrated in Northern India, a smaller population can also be found in regions such as West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

The Beldar of Uttar Pradesh are still mainly involved in their tradition of navvies. They are employed by the state in the constructions of roads. Generally, whole families participate in the construction industry. Many Beldar are nomadic, shifting from place to place, looking for work at construction sites. A small number of Beldar are also involved in the selling of fruits and vegetables. The Beldar are a Hindu community, and are found throughout the state, speaking a number of dialects of Hindi.

More interesting and informative on Barai Caste, Nayar Caste, Bari Caste, Baniya Community

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

             National Commission for Scheduled Castes

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has been constituted under Article 338 of the Constitution of Indiaas amended by the Constitution (Eighty-Ninth Amendment) Act, in the year 2003. The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other Members.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an Indian constitutional body under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo Indian communities to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests, special provisions were made in the Constitution.Article 338 of the Indian constitution deals with National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Article 338 A deals with National Commission for Scheduled tribes.

The first Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was set up in August 1978 with Bhola Paswan Shastri as chairman and other four members. Members of the commission includes a chairman, a vice chairman and four other members.It was set up as a national level advisory body to advise the government on broad policy issues and levels of development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The president of India appoints the chairman of commission. The fifth schedule of Indian constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Service condition and tenure is determined by president of India. Article 341 deals with notification of Scheduled Castes and Article 342 deals with notification of Scheduled Tribes.