Kachhi (caste)
Encyclopedia
The Kachhi are a Hindu
caste
, found in the states of Bihar
, Rajasthan
, gujarat and Uttar Pradesh
in India
. They are also known as the Shakya.
tribe. There are various theories as to the etymology of the word Kacchi. Some connect it with the Sanskrit
word kaksha, which means a flank or enclosure; others with karsha, a furrow; and according to another theory the name comes from kacchna, the term for collecting the opium from capsules of poppy. The Kacchi were historically connected with the growing of opium. They have common origin with another Hindu
peasant community, the Murao
.
, while the other 10% are Budhist.
In Rajasthan
, the Kachhi are found mainly in Dholpur
and Sawai Modhupur districts. The community is divided into a number of exogamous clans, which are named after their villages. Some of the main clans are the Piproniya, Agahpuriya, Dengaiya, Malaihya, Barthuniya, Mewaliya and Anijariya. The Kacchi in Rajasthan are agriculturists. Their main economic resource is land, and they cultivate the land and grow a number of crops, such as wheat, gram, pea and a variety of lentils.
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 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....
, Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, gujarat and 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 the Shakya.
History and origin
The tribe claims descent from King Ichhvaku of Kapilvastu. According to some traditions, the Kacchi are a branch of the KurmiKurmi
The Kurmi are a Hindu agricultural Jāti in India.The group has been associated with the Kunbi, though scholars differ as to whether the terms are synonymous. In 2006, the Indian government announced that Kurmi was considered synonymous with the Kunbi and Yellam castes in Maharashtra...
tribe. There are various theories as to the etymology of the word Kacchi. Some connect it with the Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word kaksha, which means a flank or enclosure; others with karsha, a furrow; and according to another theory the name comes from kacchna, the term for collecting the opium from capsules of poppy. The Kacchi were historically connected with the growing of opium. They have common origin with another 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...
peasant community, the Murao
Murao
The Murao or Maurya are a Hindu Kshatriya caste, who are agriculturists, found in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya State in India.- History and origin :The Murao claim descent from the ancient Maurya dynasty...
.
Present circumstances
The Kachhi are a community of peasant farmers. They are involved in the cultivation of vegetables. Many are also involved in the sale of vegetables and fruit. The Kachhi have their own caste association, the Akhil Bharitya Shakya Chatriya Mahasabha. About 90% of the Kachhi are HinduHindu
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...
, while the other 10% are Budhist.
In Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, the Kachhi are found mainly in Dholpur
Dholpur district
Dholpur District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The town of Dholpur is the district headquarters.Dholpur District has an area of 3084 km². The Chambal River forms the southern boundary of the district, across which lies the state of Madhya Pradesh...
and Sawai Modhupur districts. The community is divided into a number of exogamous clans, which are named after their villages. Some of the main clans are the Piproniya, Agahpuriya, Dengaiya, Malaihya, Barthuniya, Mewaliya and Anijariya. The Kacchi in Rajasthan are agriculturists. Their main economic resource is land, and they cultivate the land and grow a number of crops, such as wheat, gram, pea and a variety of lentils.