Domar (caste)
Encyclopedia
The Domar are a Hindu
caste
found in the state of Uttar Pradesh
in India
. They are also known as Mehtar and have scheduled caste status.
, who on an occasion is said to have disguised himself as a Dom
at a funeral pyre in Varanasi
. The Domar are very likely to be of Bhangi
origin, and many are still employed as sweepers and scavengers. They are found mainly in eastern Uttar Pradesh
, principally in the districts of Kanpur
, Raebareli
, and Allahabad
, and speak the Awadhi dialect.
, the Lal Begi
, the Hadi, the Bansphor
, the Dusadh
and the Dhanuk. All these are now distinct communities, and strictly endogamous. The Domar, like other Hindu
communities practice clan exogamy. They are Hindu
, but are rarely visited by Brahmin
priests, and have their own religious specialist.
The Domar are a landless community, providing the bulk of the agricultural labourers in eastern Uttar Pradesh
. Many urban Domars are employed as cleaners in hospitals. The Domar remain one of the most marginalized communities in the Awadh
region. They live in multi-caste villages, but occupy their own distinct quarters. As a Dalit
community, they often suffer from societal discrimination. Each of their settlement contains an informal caste
council, known as a biradari panchayat. The panchayat acts as instrument of social control, dealing with issues such as divorce and adultery.
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...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
found in the state 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...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are also known as Mehtar and have scheduled caste status.
Origin
According to the traditions of the community, they trace their origin to Rajah HarishchandraHarishchandra
Harishchandra, in Hindu religious texts is the 36th king of the Solar Dynasty, Surya Maharishi Gothram . His legend is very popular and often told as a benchmark for an ideal life. He was renowned for his piety and justice. His name is Sanskrit for "having golden splendour".Harishchandra had two...
, who on an occasion is said to have disguised himself as a Dom
Dom
- People :* Dom people, an ethnic group in the Middle East* Doms, people of indigenous origin found in the Indian state of West Bengal* Domba or Dom, an ethnic group of India...
at a funeral pyre in Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
. The Domar are very likely to be of Bhangi
Bhangi
Bhangi is an Indian caste or jāti traditionally treated as untouchable, and was historically restricted to three occupations: cleaning latrines, sweeping, and scavenging . They prefer to be known as Balmiki...
origin, and many are still employed as sweepers and scavengers. They are found mainly in eastern 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...
, principally in the districts of Kanpur
Kanpur District
Kanpur district is one of the districts of the Uttar Pradesh state of India. It is a part of Kanpur division and its district headquarters is Kanpur. Due to increase in population of Kanpur District, for proper administration it has been divided into two. The term Kanpur refers to the combination...
, Raebareli
Raebareli District
Raebareli District is a district of Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. The town of Raebareli is the district headquarters. The district is part of Lucknow Division.-Raebareli District in 1911:...
, and Allahabad
Allahabad District
Allahabad district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and Allahabad town is the district headquarters. Allahabad district is a part of Allahabad Division.As of 2011 it is the most populous district of Uttar Pradesh ....
, and speak the Awadhi dialect.
Present circumstances
The Domar community are said to have originally consisted of seven divisions, the Domar proper, the TurahiyaTurahiya
The Turahiya are a Hindu caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Turah, Turaha & Turaiha and have scheduled caste status.-Origin:The Turahiya are a sub-group within the Nishadha, fishermen comminity caste of India...
, the Lal Begi
Lal Begi
The Lal Begi are a scheduled caste found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India . The Muslim branch of the Lal Begi are known as Hasnati and the Hindu branch are known as Balmiki.-History and origin:...
, the Hadi, the Bansphor
Bansphor
The Bansphor are a Hindu caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Banbasi, and have scheduled caste status.-Origin:...
, the Dusadh
Dusadh
The Dusadh are a Hindu caste, found in the states of Uttar Pradesh Bihar in India.-Etymology:William Crooke noted: attempt has been made to derive the name from the Sanskrit dusk "to be corrupted" and ad "to eat;" or from dauh-sâdhika, "a porter." But the name is more probably of non-Aryan...
and the Dhanuk. All these are now distinct communities, and strictly endogamous. The Domar, like other 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...
communities practice clan exogamy. 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 are rarely visited by Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
priests, and have their own religious specialist.
The Domar are a landless community, providing the bulk of the agricultural labourers in eastern 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...
. Many urban Domars are employed as cleaners in hospitals. The Domar remain one of the most marginalized communities in the Awadh
Awadh
Awadh , also known in various British historical texts as Oudh or Oude derived from Ayodhya, is a region in the centre of the modern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, which was before independence known as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh...
region. They live in multi-caste villages, but occupy their own distinct quarters. As a Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
community, they often suffer from societal discrimination. Each of their settlement contains an informal caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
council, known as a biradari panchayat. The panchayat acts as instrument of social control, dealing with issues such as divorce and adultery.