Bind (caste)

The Bind are a caste found in North India. They are also known as kewat or nishad.^[1]

History and origin

The Bind are sub-divided into seven occupational groups. These sub-groups are the Suraia, Nisadh, Kulawat, Mallaah, Guria, Kewat and Bind proper. Each of these sub-groups have specialised occupations. The speciality of the Kewat, Nisadh and Kulawat is to catch fish; the Mallaah and Guria are traditionally boatmen.^[2]

In Bihar, according to their traditions, the Bind once belonged to the kewat caste. The evolved into a distinct community. In Uttar Pradesh they are known as Bind, Nunera . They have two sub-divisions, the Jethaut and the Kharaut. They are found in the districts of Samastipur, Begusarai, Darbhanga and Saran.^[3]

Present circumstances

The Bind are among 17 Other Backwards Class communities that have been proposed for Scheduled Caste status by the Samajwadi Party-controlled Government of Uttar Pradesh. However, this proposal, which relates to votebank politics and has been made in the past, has been stayed by the courts; a prior attempt was also rejected by the Government of India.^[4][5]

The Bind have a traditional caste council and, like other occupational castes, maintain strict social control over members. They are Hindu, and customs similar to other similar groupings such as the Kewat. They are concentrated in eastern Uttar Pradesh, and speak Bhojpuri.^[6]

In Bihar, the Jethaut are mainly engaged in fishing, well sinking and basket making, the Noniya are salt manufacturers, while the Kharaut are mainly farmers. They speak the Maithili dialect of Hindi.^[3]

See also

• Beldar
• Majhwar
• Parahiya
• Tiar

References