| Regions with significant populations |
|---|
| • India • Nepal |
| Languages |
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• Awadhi • Khari boli • Hindi |
| Religion |
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• Hinduism |
| Related ethnic groups |
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• Muslim Barhai • Badhiphul• |
The Barhai , or sometimes pronounced Badhai are Hindu caste, found in North India. They are also known as Panchali, Chowrasia,and Kolash. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. [1]
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The word barhai, literally means carpenter in the Hindi and Urdu languages. According to their traditions, they are descended from Lord Vishwakarma, son of Prajapati Daksha son of lord Brahma. There were said to be five sons of Vishwakarma, one of whom engaged in carpentry and was called Barhai. From his other sons are descended the Lohar, Sunar, Thathera and Kumhar communities. But according to some traditions, the Kumhar community are to be descended from lord Prajapari. The community claims descent from this son.
The community is still associated with its traditional occupation of carpentry. Many are now involved in the manufacture of furniture, while some have taken to cultivation. The community have a traditional caste council, but many of its activities have taken over by the Vishwakarma Committee, an all India caste association. The community are distributed all over North India, although their place is taken by the Tarkhan in Punjab and Khati in Rajasthan.[2]
The community are Hindu, and their tribal deity is Vishwakarma.
In Bihar, the Barhai community consists of a number of sub-divisions, the main ones being the Kanaujiya, Koka, Maghaiya, Lohar, Kamarkala and Mathuria. Each of these clans are endogamous. They speak the various local dialects of Hindi.[3]