Batwal
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The Batwal are a caste found in the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.[1]
History[edit]
In Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra the Batwal are agricultural landlords. Batwal of Jammu were tax collectors of Dogras.[2]
The Batwal are mainly found in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and Jammu districts in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab and the Kangra and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh.[3]
Present Circumstances[edit]
Like other neighbouring Hindu communities, the Batwals are strictly exogamous, never marrying within the clan. The major clans include the Kaith originated from Sialkot, Jhanjhotra and Mottan from Zafarwal, Basae from Hyphasis, Chariya from Shimla, etc.[4] They marry girls at young age but divorce and widow remarriage is permissible. Their marriage is officiated by Brahmin or Megh priest. They either burn or bury the dead bodies and take the ashes to Devika river at Purmandal village in Samba district.[5]
References[edit]
- ^ A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province: A.-K. New Delhi, India, Asia: Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 1997. p. 66. ISBN 978-81-85297-69-9.
- ^ Das, K. C. (2007). Global Encyclopaedia of the North Indian Dalits Ethnography (2 Vols. Set). Global Vision Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8220-238-2.
- ^ People of India Jammu and Kashmir Volume XXV edited by K.N Pandita, S.D.S Charak & B.R. Rizvi page 115 to 120 Manohar Publications
- ^ Excelsior, Daily (9 November 2013). "History of Batwal Community". Jammu Kashmir Latest News | Tourism | Breaking News J&K. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Ibbetson, Sir Denzil; Maclagan (1990). Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North West Frontier Province. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 978-81-206-0505-3.