Mal (caste)
| Mal | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Bengali, Assamese, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Hindi |
| Populated States | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Bangladesh |
| Population | 273,641 (West Bengal, 2001 census) 306,234 (West Bengal, 2011 census)[1] |
| Family names | Mal, Mall, & Malla. |
The Mal are a Hindu caste found in the state of West Bengal & Jharkhand.They are also known as the Mal/Malla Kshatriya.[2][3][4] Mal, Mall & Malla are derived from the Sanskrit word malla, meaning wrestler.
Paharia Mal or Mal Paharia is considered as Scheduled Tribe while the other Mal groups are considered as Scheduled Castes by the Government of West Bengal.[5][6]
Demographics
Mal numbered 273,641 in the 2001 census and were 1.5 per cent of the total Scheduled Caste population of West Bengal. 39.6 per cent of the Mal were literate - 51.9 per cent males and 26.8 per cent females were literate.[7]
Divisions
The Mal have four sub-divisions, the Raja Mal, the Chhatradhari Mal, the Sapure Mal and the Paharia Mal. They are said to be Dravidian tribes found in the Rajmahal hills that was Hinduized over time. The community is now found mainly in Birbhum District.[8] Raja Mals were rulers of Bengal-Jharkhand junction area. Chatradhari Mals were supposed to be ministers of Raja Mals. Sapure Mals are mainly snake charmers. Paharia Mals generally live in hilly areas, and have their own distinct language. Raja Mals do not practice widow marriage like other orthodox Hindus.[9]
References
- ↑ "(SC)2011census". censusindia.gov.in.
- ↑ People of India West Bengal Volume XXXXIII edited by Shekhar Bandopadhyay, Tilsk Bagchi and R. K Bhattacharya pages 834-840
- ↑ "'39.Type of Lok Sabha Debate : SPECIAL MENTION, Participant(s) : Shri Ajay Kumar '". loksabha.nic.in. 22 March 2012.
- ↑ "'39.Type of Lok Sabha Debate Detail'". indiankanoon.org. 22 March 2012.
- ↑ "Scheduled Caste List Of West Bengal State". anagrasarkalyan.gov.in.
- ↑ "Scheduled Tribe List Of West Bengal State". anagrasarkalyan.gov.in.
- ↑ "West Bengal, Census of India 2001, Data Highlights - The Scheduled Castes". Office of the Registrar General, India. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
- ↑ People of India West Bengal Volume XXXXIII edited by Shekhar Bandopadhyay, Tilsk Bagchi and R. K Bhattacharya pages 834-840
- ↑ 'Birbhumer Itihas'
