The Dhakra are a Hindu caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India . They are also known as Dhakad, and have no connection with the neighbouring Dharkar communities.[1]
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The Dhakra are one of a number of quasi-Rajput groups found in western Uttar Pradesh. They are said to be a Rajput clan that immigrated from Ajmer in Rajasthan, and claim to be Suryavanshi. Other Dhakra groups are said to have emigrated from the banks of the Narmada River. There claim to be Rajputs is not accepted by neighbouring Rajput communities, and this is shown by the fact that there is no intermarriage between the Dhakra and other Rajputs. The Dhakra are now found mainly in Agra District, and speak Braj Bhasha.[2]
The Dhakra are strictly endogamous community, and are divided into a large number of exogamous clans, such as the Bagoria, Bajheria, Bhagoria, Bhasinia, Birampuria, Devtia, Dhamrolia, Dorabole, Echolia, Goradhya, Gotaria, Jharisia, Karosole, Kaswat, Kataria, Kharipia, Korabole, Luhasia, Moreria, Nirmoria, Parania, Pirpoli, Pidabolia, Sonethia, Siboria and Sirsia.[3]
The Dhakra are community that is now associated with the manufacture of chain making. A large number are now small to medium sized businessmen. Like most Hindu communities, they have an active caste association, which acts both as an instrument of social control as well as a community welfare.[4]