Barhai
Encyclopedia
The Barhai , or sometimes pronounced Badhai are Hindu
caste
, found in North India
. They are also known as Panchali, Chowrasia,and Kolash. A small number are also found in the Terai
region of Nepal
.
. There were said to be five sons of Vishwakarma, one of whom engaged in carpentry and was called Barhai. From his other sons are descended the Lohar
, Sunar, Thathera
and Kumhar
communities. But according to some traditions, the Kumhar
community are to be descended from lord Prajapari. The community claims descent from this son.
association. The community are distributed all over North India
, although their place is taken by the Tarkhan
in Punjab
and Khati
in Rajasthan
.
The community are Hindu
, and their tribal deity is Vishwakarma.
In Bihar
, the Barhai community consists of a number of sub-divisions, the main ones being the Kanaujiya, Koka, Maghaiya, Lohar, Kamarkala and Mathuria. Each of these clans are endogamous. They speak the various local dialects of Hindi
.
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
caste
Caste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
, found in North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
. They are also known as Panchali, Chowrasia,and Kolash. A small number are also found in the Terai
Terai
The Terai is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests located south of the outer foothills of the Himalaya, the Siwalik Hills, and north of the Indo-Gangetic Plain of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. The Terai belongs to the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands ecoregion...
region of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
History and origin
The word barhai, literally means carpenter in the Hindi and Urdu languages. According to their traditions, they are descended from Lord Vishwakarma, son of Prajapati Daksha son of lord BrahmaBrahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
. There were said to be five sons of Vishwakarma, one of whom engaged in carpentry and was called Barhai. From his other sons are descended the Lohar
Lohar
Lohar is an ethnic sub-caste found among Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims in Northern India and Northern Pakistan. Originally this community was a warrior tribe living in provinces of Kermanshah in Iran right up to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. In India the Lohars are also known as Vishwakarma, Sharma,...
, Sunar, Thathera
Thathera
The Thathera are a Hindu community, found mainly in North India, who are involved in the production of household utensils made from various kinds of metal alloys.- History :...
and Kumhar
Kumhar
Kumhar or Kumbhar ; also known as Prajapati, is a caste or community of India, mainly belonging to the Hindu religion. The word "Kumhar" literally means "potter" in Indian languages, pottery being the traditional occupation of the Kumhars....
communities. But according to some traditions, the Kumhar
Kumhar
Kumhar or Kumbhar ; also known as Prajapati, is a caste or community of India, mainly belonging to the Hindu religion. The word "Kumhar" literally means "potter" in Indian languages, pottery being the traditional occupation of the Kumhars....
community are to be descended from lord Prajapari. The community claims descent from this son.
Present circumstances
The community is still associated with its traditional occupation of carpentry. Many are now involved in the manufacture of furniture, while some have taken to cultivation. The community have a traditional caste council, but many of its activities have taken over by the Vishwakarma Committee, an all India casteCaste
Caste is an elaborate and complex social system that combines elements of endogamy, occupation, culture, social class, tribal affiliation and political power. It should not be confused with race or social class, e.g. members of different castes in one society may belong to the same race, as in India...
association. The community are distributed all over North India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
, although their place is taken by the Tarkhan
Tarkhan
Tarkhan is an ancient Central Asian title used by various Indo-European Tarkhan (Old Turkic Tarqan; Mongolian: Darkhan; ; ; ; alternative spellings Tarkan, Tarkhaan, Tarqan, Tarchan, Tarxan, Tarcan or Targan) is an ancient Central Asian title used by various Indo-European Tarkhan (Old Turkic...
in Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
and Khati
Khati
Khati is a community within the Vishwakarma community, found in North India.-Distribution:Members of this community are spread widely in northern and are also known as jangid brhamins...
in Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
.
The community are Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, and their tribal deity is Vishwakarma.
In Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, the Barhai community consists of a number of sub-divisions, the main ones being the Kanaujiya, Koka, Maghaiya, Lohar, Kamarkala and Mathuria. Each of these clans are endogamous. They speak the various local dialects of Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
.