| Total population |
|---|
| 6,893,000[1] |
| Regions with significant populations |
| • India • Nepal |
| Languages |
|
• Hindi |
| Religion |
|
• Hindusim 100% • |
| Related ethnic groups |
The Pasi (or Passi) are a caste found in India, in the states of Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. A small number of Pasi are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. They are one of the Scheduled caste but not Untouchables. The Pasi are also known as Paswan.[2]
The Pasi claim their descent from a Vedic sage Bhrigu, the founder of the Bhargavas. The community also trace their descent from the Parsuram, the famous Hindu figure. According to their tradition, the etymology of the word Pasi is from the Hindi word pasina meaning sweat. It is said that they are born out of the sweat of Parsurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. The word Pasi comprised two Hindi words pa meaning grip and as meaning sword, implying thereby one who possesses a sword in his hand or in other words, a soldier. The Pasi have a number of exogamous clans, the main ones being Amlak, Bhargav, Jamdagni, Parswa, and Piplak. They have sub-groups viz. Bauriya, Bittiha, Ahirs, Gujjar, Khatik, Rajpasi. A small number of Pasi have converted to Islam, and are known as Turuk Pasi. They were the earliest inhabitants of the Awadh region.[3]
In Haryana, the community has a different tradition to its origin, claiming to be descendants of Paras Ram, the Brahmin destroyer of the kshatriyas, as such belonging to the Brahmin community. They were brought to Punjab by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, from Bihar. The community served as soldiers in the various Sikh armies. Their principal place of settlement was Gujranwala and Lyalpur, both now in Pakistan. At the time of the partition of India, the community moved from Pakistan, and was settled in Haryana. In 1952, the community was granted Scheduled Caste status. There main area of settlement are the districts of Ambala, Karnal and Gurgaon.[4]
The Pasi are found throughout Uttar Pradesh state, but are concenterated in Hardoi, Sitapur, Kheri, Shahjahanpur, Pratapgarh, Lukhnow and Allahabad. In Madhya Pradesh, they are found in Jabalpur.
The Pasi have a caste council, whose role is to deal with divorces, and offences such as disrespect for traditional norms [2] They are a Hindu community, and worship Bajranbali and Devi as their family deities. Linguistically, the speak a variety of Hindi dialects.
The are a community of small peasant farmers. Many have started to migrate to cities, and are now engaged in businesses, private and government service and industrial labour.[5]
In Bihar, the Pasi are also known as the Chaudhary. The community were traditionally connected with toddy tapping. They are found throughout Bihar, and speak the Magadhi dialect of Hindi. They have four sub-divisions, namely the Tirsulia, Gaiduha, Kamani and Byadha. In addition to toddy tapping, the community now are also involved in a number of activities such as petty business.[3]
The Haryana Pasi are still employed mainly as village watchmen and bodyguards. A few are also involved in animal husbandry. As a community, the Haryana Pasi are one of the more successful scheduled caste community, having produced doctors, administrators and military personal. Like other Hindu communities, they are strictly endogamous, and practice clan exogamy. There main clans are the Gujar, Kaithwa and Borasi.