The Dusadh are a 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...

 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 states 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...

 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 India.

Etymology

William Crooke

William Crooke

William Crooke was an English orientalist and "the central figure in Anglo-Indian folklore" according to Richard Mercer Dorson. He was a member of a family that had been settled in Ireland for many years, with his father being a doctor in Macroom. County Cork...

 (1896) 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 origin.

History and origin

Among themselves, the Dusadh claim descent from Duhsâsana, or in other stories from Bhîmsen, or from Salhes of the Loric cycle. Those Dusadh living in the hills at the end of the 19th century referred to themselves as Khasiya Rajput.

Occupation

The Dusadh were historically associated with the profession of village watchmen (goraits or chaukidars), though this custom may date back only as far as the British period. In the modern era many are agricultural labourers. British chroniclers also noted the Dusadh as "inveterate thieves".

Distribution

The population of this caste in Uttar Pradesh is 3-5%, and Dusadhs are the second largest Dalit community of undivided Bihar. They are also found in bordering areas of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh with Bihar.

Present circumstances

The community has a traditional caste council, and each village sends representatives to the caste council. The council deals with issues of divorce, adultery, theft and disputes with in the community. The Akhil Bhartiya Dusadh Kalyan Parishad is working for development of this caste.

Notables

• Ram Vilas Paswan
  Ram Vilas Paswan
  Ram Vilas Paswan is the president of the Lok Janshakti Party and a Rajya Sabha MP.-Early life and education:Paswan was born to a Dusadh family...
  
  , President of Lok Janshakti Party
  Lok Janshakti Party
  The Lok Jan Shakti Party is a state political party in the state Bihar , India. It is led by Ram Vilas Paswan. The party was formed in 2000 when Paswan split from Janata Dal . The party has considerable following amongst Dalits in Bihar. The 2004 Lok Sabha elections marked a major break-through for...
  
  and former Central Minister