Nepali Muslims
Encyclopedia
Nepali Muslims, while they are mainly Sunni, constitute a heterogeneous group. Their ancestors arrived in Nepal from different parts of South Asia
and Tibet
during different epochs, and have since lived amidst the numerically dominant Hindus. About 97% of the Muslim community live in the Terai
region, while the other 3% are found mainly in the city of Kathmandu and the western hills. The community numbers 971,056, about 4.2% of the total population of Nepal
. Districts with large Muslim population include Rautahat
(17.2%), Bara
(11.9%), and Parsa
(17.3%) in the central Terai bordering the state of Bihar
, Kapilbastu
(16.8%) and Banke
(16%) in the western Terai and Sirahi
(7%) and Sansari
(10%) in eastern Terai.
Muslims have lived Nepal for long period of time and have shared common historical experiences with the Hindu
majority, and as such have developed a stronger identification with the Nepali state. However, the Tarai Muslims, on the other hand, like other Tarai communities, also continue to have strong ties -across the border and receive cultural sustenance from the larger Muslim population of Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar
.
is in fact the history of four distinct groupings, the Tibetans, Kashmiris, the Chaurate and the Madhesi
.
arrived in Kathmandu during the reign of King Rama Malla (1484-1520 AD). They built a mosque, the Kashmiri Takia, and engaged in different occupations such as scribes to correspond with the Delhi Sultanate, and as scent manufacturers, musicians and bangle suppliers. Some were admitted as courtiers to the Malla durbar, and many traded with Tibet
. The descendants of these migrants live in Kathmandu, numbering about two thousand. They tend to be well-educated and speak a mixture of Nepali
and Urdu
at home rather than Kashmiri. Many Kashmiri Muslims of Kathmandu are also fluent in Newari. While many work as petty businessmen, some have joined government service or entered politics.
Then there are the Kashmiri merchants who first arrived in the 1970s to set up curio shops in Kathmandu´s tourist quarters. There has been a spurt in arrivals from Srinagar since the political turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir
escalated in 1990. Many shopkeepers arrived with their stocks of handicrafts, rugs and furs. These recent arrivals have little or no interaction with the older Muslim residents, and most do not even know that there is an old Kashmiri Muslim stock in Kathmandu.
The Churaute hill Muslims have been greatly influenced by the Hindu hill milieu. Although they follow Islamic customs such as circumcision
of and ritual burial of the dead, but other Islamic practises like nihth (bride price) and zakat (charity collected during religious festivals) are unequally observed. The Churaute speak Nepali and in their dress, food habits and some customs the Churaute are indistinguishable from their Bahun
and Chhetri neighbors.
origin include both Ladakhis and those from Tibet
proper. The latter arrived mostly after the Chinese takeover in 1959, and in their language and dress these Tibetan Muslims are indistinguishable from their Tibetan Buddhist counterparts. Today, many are engaged in the trade of Chinese consumer durables and selling curios. On the whole, this groups tends to be more affluent than the other Muslim communities.
The story of the Tibetan Muslims
is that of a unique community, that has blended different cultural strains to forge a distinct identity, that has been kept alive even in the face of adversity. According to the community,s traditions, Islam arrived almost a thousand years ago in Tibet, a region that has always been synonymous with a monolithic Buddhist culture. Sometime in the 12th century, it is believed, a group of Muslim traders from Kashmir and Ladakh came to Tibet as merchants. Many of these traders settled in Tibet and married Tibetan women, who later converted to the religion of their husbands. Author Thomas Arnold, in his book, The Preaching of Islam says that gradually, marriages and social interactions led to an increase in the Tibetan Muslim population until a sizable community came up around Lhasa, Tibet’s capital.
region, a narrow plain lying between the lower hills of the Himalaya and the border with India
. Concentrated in the Tarai districts of Banke, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Parsa, Bara and Rauthat, some of the Tarai Muslims were present here at the time of Nepal´s unification while others migrated from British India from the 19th century onwards as wage labourers. While most are small-time proprietor farmers, a substantial number still work as tenants and agricultural labourers. At home they do not speak Urdu, but Awadhi
and Bhojpuri
depending on whether they are of the Western or Central Tarai.
The Muslim society in the Terai region is organized along the principles of caste, but differs in many respects from the caste
system found among the Madhesi Hindus. Although Muslim groupings are endogamous
, and there are elements of hierarchy, there is no religious and ideological principles providing foundation for the concept of caste. For example, there is no question of ritual pollution by touch or restriction on interdinning. But each grouping does maintain a separate and distinct identity, especially with regards intermarriage. Below is a brief description of the larger groupings:
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
during different epochs, and have since lived amidst the numerically dominant Hindus. About 97% of the Muslim community live in the Terai
Terai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
region, while the other 3% are found mainly in the city of Kathmandu and the western hills. The community numbers 971,056, about 4.2% of the total population of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. Districts with large Muslim population include Rautahat
Rautahat District
-Village Development Committees :*Ajagabi*Akolawa*Auraiya*Badharwa*Bagahi*Bahuwa Madanpur*Bairiya*Banjaraha*Bariyarpur*Basantapatti*Basatpur*Basbiti Jingadiya*Bhalohiya*Bhediyahi*Birtipraskota*Bishrampur*Bisunpurwa Manpur*Brahmapuri...
(17.2%), Bara
Bara District
Bara District of 559,135. Pasaha, Dudhaura and Bangari are the main rivers of Bara. Gamahariya is one of the villages of Bara District which is situated near the border area of India....
(11.9%), and Parsa
Parsa District
-Village Development Committees :*Alau*Amarpatti*Auraha*Bagahi*Bagbana*Bageswori*Bahauri Pidari*Bahurbamatha*Basadilwa*Basantpur*Belwa Parsouni*Beriya Birta*Bhawanipur*Bhedihari*Bhisawa*Bijbaniya*Bindabasini*Biranchibarba*Birganj...
(17.3%) in the central Terai bordering the state 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....
, Kapilbastu
Kapilvastu District
Kapilvastu district of 481,976.-Geography:The district situated at the height of 93 to 1491 meters from sea level. Geographically, the district can be divided into plain low lands of terai and low Chure hills.Kapilvastu is bounded by-...
(16.8%) and Banke
Banke District
-Geography:Banke is bordered on the west by Bardiya district. Rapti zone's Salyan and Dang Deukhuri Districts border to the north and east. To the south lies Uttar Pradesh, India; specifically Shravasti and Bahraich districts of Awadh. East of Nepalganj the international border follows the...
(16%) in the western Terai and Sirahi
Siraha District
-Village Development Committees :*Arnama Lalpur*Arnama Rampur*Asanpur*Ashokpur Balkawa*Aurahi*Ayodhyanagar*Badharamal*Barchhawa*Bariyarpatti*Basbita*Bastipur*Belaha*Belhi*Betauna*Bhadaiya*Bhagawanpur*Bhagawatipur*Bhawanipur...
(7%) and Sansari
Sunsari District
Sunsari District of 625,633.The area was originally part of Morang but became its own district in 1962 when Nepal was divided into 14 zones and 75 districts....
(10%) in eastern Terai.
Muslims have lived Nepal for long period of time and have shared common historical experiences with the 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...
majority, and as such have developed a stronger identification with the Nepali state. However, the Tarai Muslims, on the other hand, like other Tarai communities, also continue to have strong ties -across the border and receive cultural sustenance from the larger Muslim population 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...
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....
.
History
The history of the Muslim community in NepalNepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
is in fact the history of four distinct groupings, the Tibetans, Kashmiris, the Chaurate and the Madhesi
Madhesi
The Madhesi are the native people of Nepal who reside in the southern, plains region the Terai which they refer to as Madhesh. Madhesis comprise about 40% of the total population of Nepal...
.
The Kashmiris
According to the Vamshavalis, Kashmiri MuslimsKashmiri Muslims
Kashmiri Muslims are Kashmiri people who are Muslims, currently living in Kashmir or those originally with Kashmiri kinship and descent living in Pakistan. Kashmiris are ethinically and culturally closer to central asian culture than Indian or Pakistani culture with significant influence of the...
arrived in Kathmandu during the reign of King Rama Malla (1484-1520 AD). They built a mosque, the Kashmiri Takia, and engaged in different occupations such as scribes to correspond with the Delhi Sultanate, and as scent manufacturers, musicians and bangle suppliers. Some were admitted as courtiers to the Malla durbar, and many traded with Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. The descendants of these migrants live in Kathmandu, numbering about two thousand. They tend to be well-educated and speak a mixture of Nepali
Nepali language
Nepali or Nepalese is a language in the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family.It is the official language and de facto lingua franca of Nepal and is also spoken in Bhutan, parts of India and parts of Myanmar...
and Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
at home rather than Kashmiri. Many Kashmiri Muslims of Kathmandu are also fluent in Newari. While many work as petty businessmen, some have joined government service or entered politics.
Then there are the Kashmiri merchants who first arrived in the 1970s to set up curio shops in Kathmandu´s tourist quarters. There has been a spurt in arrivals from Srinagar since the political turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the...
escalated in 1990. Many shopkeepers arrived with their stocks of handicrafts, rugs and furs. These recent arrivals have little or no interaction with the older Muslim residents, and most do not even know that there is an old Kashmiri Muslim stock in Kathmandu.
The Chaurate
Another group of Muslims to settle in Nepal came from different parts of northern India during the 16th and 17th centuries, invited by hill rulers to manufacture military armament (including canons). They remained in the hills as makers of agricultural implements, utensils and ornaments. Though the descendants of these migrants are known as the Churaute, or bangle-sellers, a majority survive as farmers. There is a fair sprinkling of these hill Muslims in Nepal´s central and western districts of Gorkha, Tanahu, Kaski, Syangja, Palpa, Arga-khanchi, Pyuthan and Dailekh.The Churaute hill Muslims have been greatly influenced by the Hindu hill milieu. Although they follow Islamic customs such as circumcision
Circumcision
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
of and ritual burial of the dead, but other Islamic practises like nihth (bride price) and zakat (charity collected during religious festivals) are unequally observed. The Churaute speak Nepali and in their dress, food habits and some customs the Churaute are indistinguishable from their Bahun
Bahun
Bahun is a colloquial Nepali term for a member of the Pahari or "hill" Brahmin caste, who are traditionally educators, scholars and priests of Hinduism. They are also known as Barmu in Newari. By tradition—and by civil law until 1962—they represented the highest of the four Hindu...
and Chhetri neighbors.
Tibetan Muslims
Muslim migrants of TibetanTibetan people
The Tibetan people are an ethnic group that is native to Tibet, which is mostly in the People's Republic of China. They number 5.4 million and are the 10th largest ethnic group in the country. Significant Tibetan minorities also live in India, Nepal, and Bhutan...
origin include both Ladakhis and those from Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
proper. The latter arrived mostly after the Chinese takeover in 1959, and in their language and dress these Tibetan Muslims are indistinguishable from their Tibetan Buddhist counterparts. Today, many are engaged in the trade of Chinese consumer durables and selling curios. On the whole, this groups tends to be more affluent than the other Muslim communities.
The story of the Tibetan Muslims
Tibetan Muslims
The Tibetan Muslims, also known as the Kachee , form a small minority in Tibet. Despite being Muslim, they are classified as Tibetans, unlike the Hui Muslims, who are also known as the Kyangsha or Gya Kachee...
is that of a unique community, that has blended different cultural strains to forge a distinct identity, that has been kept alive even in the face of adversity. According to the community,s traditions, Islam arrived almost a thousand years ago in Tibet, a region that has always been synonymous with a monolithic Buddhist culture. Sometime in the 12th century, it is believed, a group of Muslim traders from Kashmir and Ladakh came to Tibet as merchants. Many of these traders settled in Tibet and married Tibetan women, who later converted to the religion of their husbands. Author Thomas Arnold, in his book, The Preaching of Islam says that gradually, marriages and social interactions led to an increase in the Tibetan Muslim population until a sizable community came up around Lhasa, Tibet’s capital.
The Madhesi Muslims
While the smaller groups provide diversity, the largest community of Islam adherents, more than 90 percent—are the Muslims are found in the TeraiTerai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
region, a narrow plain lying between the lower hills of the Himalaya and the border with 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...
. Concentrated in the Tarai districts of Banke, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, Parsa, Bara and Rauthat, some of the Tarai Muslims were present here at the time of Nepal´s unification while others migrated from British India from the 19th century onwards as wage labourers. While most are small-time proprietor farmers, a substantial number still work as tenants and agricultural labourers. At home they do not speak Urdu, but Awadhi
Awadhi language
Awadhi is an Indo-Aryan language, part of the Hindi-Urdu continuum. It is spoken chiefly in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh, although its speakers are also found in Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Nepal. Furthermore, the Fiji Hindi dialect spoken by Indo-Fijians is considered a variant of Awadhi,...
and Bhojpuri
Bhojpuri language
Bhojpuri is a language spoken in parts of north-central and eastern India. It is spoken in the western part of state of Bihar, the northwestern part of Jharkhand, and the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh , as well as adjoining parts of the Nepal Terai. Bhojpuri is also spoken in Guyana,...
depending on whether they are of the Western or Central Tarai.
The Muslim society in the Terai region is organized along the principles of caste, but differs in many respects from the 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...
system found among the Madhesi Hindus. Although Muslim groupings are endogamous
Endogamy
Endogamy is the practice of marrying within a specific ethnic group, class, or social group, rejecting others on such basis as being unsuitable for marriage or other close personal relationships. A Greek Orthodox Christian endogamist, for example, would require that a marriage be only with another...
, and there are elements of hierarchy, there is no religious and ideological principles providing foundation for the concept of caste. For example, there is no question of ritual pollution by touch or restriction on interdinning. But each grouping does maintain a separate and distinct identity, especially with regards intermarriage. Below is a brief description of the larger groupings:
| Community | Traditional Occupation | Distribution |
| Sayyid Sayyid Sayyid is an honorific title, it denotes males accepted as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husain ibn Ali, sons of the prophet's daughter Fatima Zahra and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib.Daughters of sayyids are given the titles Sayyida,... |
None | throughout the Terai Terai The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion... region |
| Shaikh | None | throughout the Terai Terai The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion... region |
| Pathan Pashtun diaspora Pashtuns , also called Pathans have many communities around the world. Pukhtuns have long history to conquer and colonizing several regions especially the ancient regions of Sub-continent in duration of past few centuries... |
mainly landowners and cultivators | throughout the Terai |
| Thakurai Thakurai The Thakurai are a Muslim Rajput community found in the state of Bihar in India. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal.- Origin :... |
mainly landowners and cultivators | Parsa Parsa District -Village Development Committees :*Alau*Amarpatti*Auraha*Bagahi*Bagbana*Bageswori*Bahauri Pidari*Bahurbamatha*Basadilwa*Basantpur*Belwa Parsouni*Beriya Birta*Bhawanipur*Bhedihari*Bhisawa*Bijbaniya*Bindabasini*Biranchibarba*Birganj... and Bara Bara District Bara District of 559,135. Pasaha, Dudhaura and Bangari are the main rivers of Bara. Gamahariya is one of the villages of Bara District which is situated near the border area of India.... districts |
| Ansari Momin Ansari The Momin Ansari or Ansari, are a Muslim community, found mainly in West and North India, and the province of Sindh in Pakistan. A small number of Ansaris are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. The community were once known as al ansar, although the term is now obsolete. In North India, the... |
traditionally weavers, most are cultivators | throughout the Terai Terai The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion... |
| Chikwa Chik The Chik are a Muslim community, found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Bakar Qasab, Buz Qassab and Chikwa. The Chik have been granted Other Backward Class status in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.... |
butchers | Mid-west Terai |
| Faqir Faqir (caste) The Faqir are a Muslim ethnic group found in India. They are also known as Shah Alvi or Sain in North India, which is now their preferred self-designation and in West Bengal, they are known as Sahajia... |
traditionally mendicants | throughout the Terai |
| Jat | landowners and cultivators | Mid-west Terai |
| Kabaria Kabaria The Kabaria, sometimes pronounced as Kabariya are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, mainly in the Awadh region. A small number of Kabaria are also found in the Terai region of Nepal... |
traditionally fruit and vegetable sellers | Mid-west and CentraL Terai |
| Gaddi Muslim Gaddi The Muslim Gaddi are a Muslim community found mainly in North India. After the partition of India in 1947, the Gaddi of the states of Haryana and Delhi migrated to Pakistan and are now found in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. In Pakistan, the community is often referred to as Gadi Rajput, and... |
traditionally cattle herders, most now cultivators | Mid-west Terai |
| Hajjam Hajjam Hajjam , alternately pronounced and spelled as Hajaam , are a ethnic group found in North India and Pakistan. In Pakistan, they are settled in Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. The word Hajaam is derived from the Urdu word Hajaamat which in Urdu means barber and hairdresser... |
barbers | throughout the Terai |
| Patihar | selling threads, needles and ribbons | throughout the Terai |
| Kawasi | selling threads, needles as well as fruits and vegetables | throughout the Terai |
| Churihar Churihar -Origin:The word Churihar us derived from the Hindi word chura hara, literally a manufacturer of bangles. They were traditionally associated with the manufacture of bangles, and have no origin myth. It is likely, that they are amalgam of different groups who took to manufacturing bangles, and are... |
bangle makers and sellers | Central Terai |
| Teli Muslim Teli The Muslim Teli are an ethnic group found in Pakistan and India. The word Tel means oil and Teli means person dealing with manufacture and sale of cooking oil in Urdu... |
traditionally oil manufacturers, some are cultivators, and are petty traders | Central Terai |
| Dhuniya Behna The Behna are a Muslim community, found in North India . In eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, they were known as Dhuna or Dhunia. They also known as Naddaf in South India and Pinjara in Gujarat and Rajasthan... |
traditionally cotton carders, most are now cultivators | Central Terai |
| Darzi Darzi The Darzi are a Muslim community, found in North India and Pakistan. Darzi means tailor in Urdu. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. They are also known as Idrisi or Idrisi Shaikh.-History and origin:... |
tailors and thread manufacturers | Central Terrai |
| Kasgar Kasgar The Kasgar are a Muslim community, found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India . After independence of Pakistan in 1947, many Kasgar migrated and resettled in Pakistan... |
traditionally potters | Central TerraI |
| Halwai Muslim Halwai The Muslim Halwai are a Muslim community found in Pakistan and in the Uttar Pradesh state, in India. They were former members of the Hindu Halwai caste, who have converted to Islam. Halva means sweets in Urdu and Halvai or Halwai are sweet makers... |
traditionally sweet makers, most are petty traders and landowners | throughout the Terai |
| Rangrez Muslim Rangrez The Rangrez are a Muslim community found in North India. They are also known as Sabagh. Many members of Muslim Rangrez community have migrated to Pakistan after independence and have settled in Karachi, Sindh.-History and origin:... |
traditionally cloth dyers and calico printers | throughout the Terai |
| Dhobi Muslim Dhobi The Muslim Dhobi are a Muslim community that is traditionally involved in washing clothes in South Asia. They are considered to be Muslim converts from the Hindu Dhobi caste, and are found in North India and Pakistan... |
traditionally washermen | throughout the Terai |
| Dharkar | weavers and manufacturers of cane chairs | throughout the Terai |
| Natuwa | labourers | throughout the Terai |
| Nat Nat (Muslim) The Nat are a Muslim community found in North India. A few are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Nat caste.-History and origin:... |
traditionally tumblers and acrobats | throughout the Terai |
| Halalkhor Halalkhor The Halalkhor are a Dalit Muslim community , found in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India . They are mostly Shias. The Halalkhor are also known as Shaikhra or Shahani in Bihar and Muslim Bhangi and Mehtar in Uttar Pradesh.... |
scavengers and labourers | throughout the Terai |