The Dusadh are a Hindu caste, found in the states of Uttar Pradesh Bihar in India.[1]
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William Crooke (1896) noted: attempt has been made to derive the name from the Sanskrit dusk "to be corrupted" and ad "to eat;" or from dauh-sâdhika, "a porter." But the name is more probably of non-Aryan origin.[2]
Among themselves, the Dusadh claim descent from Duhsâsana, or in other stories from Bhîmsen, or from Salhes of the Loric cycle. Those Dusadh living in the hills at the end of the 19th century referred to themselves as Khasiya Rajput.[2]
The Dusadh were historically associated with the profession of village watchmen (goraits or chaukidars), though this custom may date back only as far as the British period.[3] In the modern era many are agricultural labourers.[4] British chroniclers also noted the Dusadh as "inveterate thieves".[5][6]
The population of this caste in Uttar Pradesh is 3-5%, and Dusadhs are the second largest Dalit community of undivided Bihar. They are also found in bordering areas of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh with Bihar.
The community practice sub-caste endogamy.[7]
The community has a traditional caste council, and each village sends representatives to the caste council. The council deals with issues of divorce, adultery, theft and disputes with in the community. The Akhil Bhartiya Dusadh Kalyan Parishad is working for development of this caste.