Turha

The Turha (not Turaiha)^[1] are Hindu caste, found in the state of Bihar in India.

History and origin

The Turha claim to have belonged to the Tomar Rajput community, who arrived from Rajasthan some five hundred years ago. Their ancestors were soldiers of Maharana Pratap.After suffering a defeat in the war with Smrat Akbar, they all were to leave their native places to survive their life. The Tomar took growing and selling vegetables, to disguise their Rajput identity. Over time Tomar was corrupted to Turha. They are found mainly in Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur districts of Bihar, with a few also found in the neighbouring Terai region of Nepal, eastern U.P., West Bengal and western Bihar. They speak Bajjika, Maithili, Bhojpuri and Hindi.^[2]

Present circumstances

The Turha are divided into a number of lineages known as khandans. Marriages are forbidden within the khandan. The largest khandan is the Palak Turha. They use Sah, Sahu, Sau, tura etc. as surnames and considered as bania.^[2]

References