Sarak

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The Saraks (from Sanskrit Shravak, a term for Jain laymen) are a community in Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. They have been follower of Jainism since ancient time.

There are remains of many historical Jain temples specially in Purulia district^[1], where the Saraks have continued to worship. They have continued to remain vegetarian, even thought vegetarianism is uncommon among other communities in the region.

Jainism has been present in this region even before the time of Lord Mahavira. The region is called Vajrabhumi in ancient Jain texts (because diamonds were once mined in the region)^[2]. Lord Mahavira has visited this region according to Kalpasutra. Acharya Bhadrabahu was a native of Pundravardhan region of Bengal.

in 13th century, Porahat in Singhbhum district was conquered by Rashtrakuta (Rathore) chiefs. Their traditional account Vamsa Prabha Lekhana (edited by Raja KASHIRAM SINGH II, 1641) ^[3]mention that the Sarak entered Kolhan before 7 th Century AD.

The Saraks lost contact with Jains in the rest of India after the Khilji conquest. The Parwar Jains discovered them when one of them Manju Chaudhary (1720-1785) was appointed the governer of Cuttock by the Maratha rulers.

The most famous surname of Saraks is Majhi/Manjhi, followed by Mandal. Saraks are concentrated in Purulia district of West Bengal and Ranchi, Dumka and Giridih districts of Jharkhand. Saraks of Jharkhand and West Bengal are Bengali speakers. There are many villages where 50 to 400 Sarak families are found. Sarak is a tribal community and most of them live in remote villages.

In the past they were engaged in copper mining in the region^[4].They look just like Santhals. They are listed as Scheduled Tribe by Governments and they get facilities of STs^[5]. Saraks are worshippers of Parshwanath and they know Namokar Mantra. They visit Shikharji and other teerthkshetras in this region. Most of Saraks are farmers engaged in rice cultivation. Some of them have shops related to agriculture. Many are well educated. There are some teachers, doctors, professors in this community.