| Total population |
|---|
| 841,000-1,450,000[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| • India • Pakistan • England |
| Languages |
| Religion |
Hinduism • Islam • Sikhism • Christianity[2] |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
other Ramdasia |
The Julaha are an ethnic group of India, which adopted the profession of weaving. This occupational class is called Ramdasia in Sikhs, Momin Ansari, Malik (Julaha) in Muslims, Bhuiyar in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand and Vankar in Gujrati Hindus. The total population of this community is about 841,000 (non-Muslims) to 1,450,000 (including Muslims) but precise figures are not available. Some 80% of Julahas reside in Punjab alone. The remaining 20% are found in the states of Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The Sikh Light Infantry draws its manpower from the Mazhabi and Ramdasia elements amongst the Sikhs. The Julaha are counted as a scheduled caste in the Constitution of India. The majority of Julahas have adopted alternative professions like health care and business, and have migrated to other countries.
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The term Julaha may derive from the Persian julah (ball of thread).[3] Other explanation put forth by Julaha themselves include "jal (net), jils (decorated) or uila (lighted up, or white)".[4]
The Bhanyar Julaha or Bhuiyar or Bhuyiar are a Hindu Caste mainly found in North India, and those in Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand and Delhi have scheduled caste status. The traditional occupation of Bhuiyar Caste is weaving. But the Bhuiyar are victims of mechanization, as their traditional occupation is no longer viable. They are now taking up agriculture, which is their primary occupation.
Parallel Muslim weaving occupational groups exist; a number of the Muslim Julaha later changed their group name to terms such as Ansari[5] (the prophet Mohammed's term for the Muslims of Medina) or Nurbaf (, Persian being a prestigious language amongst area Muslims).[6]
Some members of the Chamar (a Dalit caste) have abandoned their traditional leatherworking occupation, taken up weaving, and identify as Julaha.[7]
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