|
|
by
K. Chetty
While the traditional caste divisions of Brahmin, Ksattriya, Vaisya and Sudra (4 Varnas) is in theory the basis of the caste system, this division has no "distinct and determinate existence". Rather, the caste (jati) segmentation has developed historically around the basic division into hierarchical network of castes and sub-castes. Indian society says the Imperial Gazetteer had always been composed of "diverse and heterogeneous groups" out of which the modern caste system developed "by natural and insensible stages". New castes appeared and broke off connection with the parent stock. Castes arose from tribes that were "Hinduised" (e.g. Dom, Dosadh, Jat, Rajput, Nayar), from the sectarian type (e.g. Lingayats of south India ), from occupational/functional categories (e.g. Ahirs[herdsmen], dhobis [washermen], Goalas[milkmen)] Pods[fishermen]), through inter-tribal marriages (e.g. Shagirdpeshas of Bengal) and National types (e.g. Newars of Nepal and Marathas of Bombay), through original territorial linkages (e.g. Jaunpuris, Barendra), and the last category formed as a result of new ceremonial practices and/or occupations e.g. the Ayodhia Kurmis set themselves apart from other Kurmis and claimed Ksattriya origins.
While Islam accepted no caste distinctions, Muslims in India nevertheless tended to segment themselves in caste-like groups (e.g. Saiyids, Ashrafs, Ajlafs, Jolahas and Rajputs). Many Muslims were Hindu converts e.g. Manihir, Dhobi, Gaddi and Teli are Hindu caste names which Muslims bore. In 1901 there were 2400 castes and tribes in India. The list of caste names below were compiled showing religious and occupational/functional/professional categories. Where a "/'" appears this indicates a synonym or alternate spelling. Where the language or religion could be ascertained this is indicated as well but may not necessarily exclude other religions/language groups from carrying those caste names.
According to a study by Professor Surendra Bhana, at the lowest socio-economic level, those that emigrated to Natal were predominantly agricultural labourers, at the medium level were artisans with skills and at the highest economic level were the landowners.
| CASTE | Meaning/profession |
|---|---|
| Agamudi/Agumudaiyan | Agriculturists |
| Agrawala | Sub-caste of Banias(traders) |
| Ahir | Herdsman |
| Babhans | landowners- (mostly found in Behar) |
| Bagdee | Agricultural labourers |
| Balija/Balji | Traders/merchants or agriculturists (Telugu) |
| Bania/ Vania | Traders and merchants |
| Bansia | Fishermen:bansi meaning bamboo fishing rod |
| Behna | Cotton carders |
| Bhandhaiya | Those making rope and sacking from hemp and fibre |
| Bhangi | Scavengers |
| Bhar/Bhur | labourers |
| Bhooyear | Agricultural labourers |
| Bhuinar/ Bhumihar | Agriculturists/ landowners |
| Bhur/Bhar | Agricultural labourers |
| Boya | |
| Brahmin | Priestly caste although many were farmers/landowners |
| Cavarai/Kavarai | Landowners (Tamil) |
| Chakkiliyan/Chakkiyam | Cobblers and leatherworkers (Telugu) |
| Chamar/Chambhar | leather workers |
| Chetty/ Chetti | Traders (Tamil) |
| Chitara | Painters |
| Chohan | Clan within Rajput caste |
| Christian | Followers of Christ |
| Chuckler | Leather workers (Telugu) |
| Chuhras | Scavengers and village sweepers / menial jobs |
| Chutree | |
| Darzi | Tailor (Muslim) |
| Dhimar | Fishermen and palanquin bearers |
| Dhobi | Washermen |
| Dhuniya | Cotton Carder |
| Dom-Mirzai | Musician |
| Dom/Dumba/Domba | Scavengers/sweepers, arrange pyre at burning ghats,singers/dancer |
| Dosadh | Village Watchmen |
| Ediya | |
| Fakir | Beggar |
| Gaddi | Milkman |
| Gararee | |
| Gauli | Cowherds |
| Gentoo | probably meaning Gentile , first used by the Portuguese (Telugu) |
| Golla/Goala/Gowala | Milkman/herdsman |
| Gounden/Kounden | |
| Idiayan/Konar/Yadhava | Shepherds and cattle breeders (Tamil) |
| Indiga | Toddy-drawing caste (Telugu) |
| Izhava | Toddy-tappers |
| Jat | landowners or tenant cultivators |
| Jingars | saddle-makers |
| Jolaha | Weaver (Muslim) |
| Julahas | Weavers (Muslim) |
| Kabaria | Greengrocer (Muslim) |
| Kachhi | Market gardeners |
| Kahar | Personal servants |
| Kaibarttas | Fishermen and cultivators |
| Kalla/Kallan | Priests (Tamil) |
| Kamma | Agriculture (Telugu) |
| Kammalan/Panchala | Artisans |
| Kandoo | |
| Kapu | Agricultural workers (Telugu) |
| Karan | Writers |
| Katia | Weavers |
| Kavandans | Konga Vellalas (agriculturists) of Salem and Coimbatore |
| Kavari/Cavarai | landowners (Tamil) |
| Kawote/Kewats | Fishermen and cultivators |
| Kayasths | Writers |
| Kewats/Kawote | Fishermen and cultivators |
| Kodikkals | Betel-vine growers |
| Koiree | Weavers (Hindu) |
| Koiri | Market gardeners/ weavers |
| Komati | Trader (Telugu) |
| Koonbi/Kunbi/Kanbi | Agriculturists/cultivators |
| Koormee/Kurmi | Agriculturists |
| Korchamar | descendants of weavers/leatherworkers |
| Kormee | |
| Kounden/Gounden | |
| Kumhar | Potters |
| Kurumban | Herdsmen |
| Lodha | Agriculturists/cultivators |
| Lohar | Blacksmith |
| Lonaria | Salt and lime preparers |
| Lunia | Saltpetre workers |
| Madiga | Leather workers (Telugu) - untouchables |
| Mala/ Mallah | field labourers or herdsmen or fishermen boatsmen (Telugu) |
| Malabar | Generic term referring to South Indian immigrants |
| Malaiyali | Agriculture |
| Mali | Caste with sub-castes eg Phil Mali (florist), Kachu Mali (cotton) |
| Mang | Snake charmers |
| Moodley/Mudaliyar | Title of highest section of Vellalan caste |
| Moosohur | Rodent catchers |
| Muchi/Mochi | Leather workers |
| Murao | landowners or tenant cultivators |
| Muslim | Muslim/Hindu castes :Rajputs, Behna, Nai, Teli, Darzi |
| Muslim/Musselman | Mostly Sunnis (Castes : Shaikhs, Pathans, Saiyids,Mughals, Labba) |
| Nades | Rope-makers; nadas=rope |
| Nai | Barber (Muslim) |
| Naik/Naiken | |
| Noonia/Nuniya/Noniya | Agricultural labourers |
| Odda/Oddar/Oddai | Agriculture (Tamil) |
| Odde | Earthworker (Telugu) |
| Oppara/Wappara/Uppara | Agriculture (Tamil) |
| Padiachy/Padaiyachi | Foot soldiers of Palli caste (Tamil) |
| Palla/Pallan/Palli | Agricultural labourers (Tamil) |
| Panchama/Pancharam | |
| Pandaram | Tamil priests |
| Panka | Weavers |
| Pariah/Paraiya | Labourers in agriculture or industry (Tamil) - untouchables |
| Pasi/Pasee/Pausee | Toddy-makers (e.g. in form of liquor) |
| Pillai | Title of Pandya Vellalas (agricultural labourers) |
| Pods | Fishermen |
| Qassab | Butcher (Muslim) |
| Rajput | Farmers/landowners |
| Reddy | Agriculturists (Telugu) |
| Sali | Weavers |
| Shanar | Toddy-tappers |
| Shepherd | Herdsmen probably cowherds/milkmen |
| Shimpi | Tailors |
| Telaga | Mostly agricultural labourers (Telugu) |
| Teli/Telee | Oil Pressers (oil e.g. from castor seeds) |
| Telugu | Language : caste not given |
| Thakoor/Thakur | Agriculturists /landowners |
| Unknown | Caste not given or is unknown |
| Uppara/Wappara | Agriculture (Tamil) |
| Vakkaliga | Cultivators |
| Vanniah/Vanniar | Oil pressers e.g. from castor seeds or farmers(Tamil) |
| Vanniyan | belong to the Palli caste |
| Velama | Mostly agricultural labourers (Telugu) |
| Vellala/Vellalan | Agricultural labourers (Tamil) |
| Wappara/Uppara | Agriculture (Tamil) |
| Wodda/Odda | Agriculture (Tamil) |