Chero
Encyclopedia
The Chero are scheduled caste, found in the states of Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar
, in North India
.
and Kol
, that inhabit the southeastern corner of Uttar Pradesh
. They were the traditional rulers of north Bihar
, until they were disposed by the Rajput
s. They are now found in a territory extending from Allahabad
in the west, and Muzaffarpur
in the east. The Chero have two sub-divisions, the Mahto and Chaudhary.
In Bihar
, the Chero are known as Charwa or Cheru. In Palamau, they are known as the Barahazari. The community are found mainly in Jharkhand
, especially in Ranchi
and Monghyr. Those of Palamau were substantial landowners, and were effective rulers of this region. These Cheros claim descent from the sage Chyavana, and speak the Sadri dialect.
The community have a traditional caste council, that maintains a strong social control on the community. They are Hindu
, but also worship several tribal deities, such as Sairi-ma, Ganwar Bhabhani and Dulha Deo. The community are not endogamous, and marry neighbouring communities such as the Kol
and Baiga
.
The Chero of Jharkhand
have two sub-divisions, the Barahazari and the Terahazari. These two groups are endogamous, and do not intermarry. They practice clan exogamy, and their main clans are the Mawar, Kuanr, Mahato, Rajkumar, Manjhia, Wamwat, and Hantiyas. These clans are of unequal status, and the Chero practice clan hypergamy. The Chero of Jharkhand
are mainly farmers, with many were substantial landowners.
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
and Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
.
History and origin
The community claim to have originally been Chandravanshi Rajputs. Other members of the tribe claim to be Nagvanshi. The Chero are essentially one of many tribal communities, such as the BharBhar
The Bhar are a Hindu caste found in North India. They are also known as Rajbhar. British historian General Cunningham said that Bhars are branch of the Ahir tribe.-History and origin:...
and Kol
Kol
Kol may refer to:* Kol people, tribes of eastern India* Kol language * Kol, an earlier name of the city Aligarh* Kol, Nepal, geographic & administrative subdivision* Kol , a dinosaur from Mongolia...
, that inhabit the southeastern corner of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
. They were the traditional rulers of north Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, until they were disposed by the Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s. They are now found in a territory extending from Allahabad
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
in the west, and Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur
Muzaffarpur Town is a town in Muzaffarpur district in the Indian state of Bihar. It serves as the headquarters of Muzaffarpur district and Tirhut division....
in the east. The Chero have two sub-divisions, the Mahto and Chaudhary.
In Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, the Chero are known as Charwa or Cheru. In Palamau, they are known as the Barahazari. The community are found mainly in Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
, especially in Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
and Monghyr. Those of Palamau were substantial landowners, and were effective rulers of this region. These Cheros claim descent from the sage Chyavana, and speak the Sadri dialect.
Present circumstances
The Chero are an agriculture community, with animal husbandry also being an important component. They are also involved in the collection of the local mahua flower, which is sold in the local market. The Chero are also involved in wage labour, and like other scheduled castes, are an economically marginal.The community have a traditional caste council, that maintains a strong social control on the community. They are Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, but also worship several tribal deities, such as Sairi-ma, Ganwar Bhabhani and Dulha Deo. The community are not endogamous, and marry neighbouring communities such as the Kol
Kol
Kol may refer to:* Kol people, tribes of eastern India* Kol language * Kol, an earlier name of the city Aligarh* Kol, Nepal, geographic & administrative subdivision* Kol , a dinosaur from Mongolia...
and Baiga
Baiga
Baiga is a tribe found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand states of India. The largest number of Baigas is found in Baiga-chuk in Mandla district and Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. They have sub-castes – Bijhwar, Narotia, Bharotiya, Nahar, Rai Bhaina, and Kadh Bhaina...
.
The Chero of Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
have two sub-divisions, the Barahazari and the Terahazari. These two groups are endogamous, and do not intermarry. They practice clan exogamy, and their main clans are the Mawar, Kuanr, Mahato, Rajkumar, Manjhia, Wamwat, and Hantiyas. These clans are of unequal status, and the Chero practice clan hypergamy. The Chero of Jharkhand
Jharkhand
Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It was carved out of the southern part of Bihar on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the west, Orissa to the south, and West Bengal to the east...
are mainly farmers, with many were substantial landowners.