Ambedkar: An Overview

by B.R. Ambedkar

(2) Darzi, Jolaha, Fakir and Rangrez. (3) Barhi, Bhalhiara, Chik, Churihar, Dai, Dhawa, Dhunia, Gaddi, Kalal, Kasai, Kula Kunjara, Laheri, Mahifarosh, Mallah, Naliya and Nikari. (4) Abdal, Bako, Bediya, Bhat, Chamba, Dafali, Dhobi, Hajjam, Mucho, Nagarchi, Nat, Panwaria and Madaria, Tuntia. III. Arzal or degraded class. (1) Bhanar, Halalkhor, Hijra, Kasbi, Lalbegi, Maugta, Mehtar. The Census Superintendent mentions another feature of the Muslim social system, namely, the prevalence of the panchayat system. He states: ‘The authority of the panchayat extends to social as well as trade matters and…marriage with people of other communities is one of the offences of which the governing body takes cognizance. The result is that these groups are often as strictly endogamous as Hindu castes. The prohibition on inter-marriage extends to higher as well as to lower castes, and a Dhuma, for example, may marry no one but a Dhuma. If this rule is transgressed, the offender is at once hauled up before the panchayat and ejected ignominiously from his community. A member of one such group cannot ordinarily gain admission to another, and he retains the designation of the community in which he was born even if he abandons its distinctive occupation and takes to other means of livelihood…thousands of Jolahas are butchers, yet they are still known as Jolahas.’

Caste among muslims 4