Chhaparband
Encyclopedia
The Chhaparband are a Hindu
caste
found in the states of Karanataka and Maharashtra
in India
. They are also known as Chhaparbasi, Chhaparwale and Rajput Chhaparband.
s from North India
who migrated to the Deccan region in search of employment. They were given land in Pune
by the Peshwa
, around an area that was known as Kala Wawar, which is a black farm in Marathi
. This area then became known as the Chhaparband’s lane. The community then took the occupation of building roofs out of the grass and bamboo, and the word Chhaparband literally means a roofer. The community still speak Hindi
at home, although the Karnataka
Chhaparband also speak Kannada
and the Maharashtra
Chhaparband also speak Marathi
. A section of the Chhaparband have converted to Islam
, and formed a distinct community of Muslim Chharband
.
They are divided into thirty clans, known as kuls. Every clan has its own origin myth. The main clans are the Baite, Bisen, Chandel, Chauhan, Janakwar, Pasihat, Dalawale Rajput, Paithanwale, Rajput Pardeshi and Sengar. Many of these are famous Rajput
clans found in North India
. The community is strictly endogamous, and each of the clan is exogamous.
s. The Chhaparband are Hindu
, and have their own clan goddesses. Their customs are similar to other Maharashtra
Hindu
s.
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 the states of Karanataka and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are also known as Chhaparbasi, Chhaparwale and Rajput Chhaparband.
Origin
The community claim to be RajputRajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
s from 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...
who migrated to the Deccan region in search of employment. They were given land in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
by the Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
, around an area that was known as Kala Wawar, which is a black farm in Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
. This area then became known as the Chhaparband’s lane. The community then took the occupation of building roofs out of the grass and bamboo, and the word Chhaparband literally means a roofer. The community still speak 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...
at home, although the Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
Chhaparband also speak Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
and the Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
Chhaparband also speak Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
. A section of the Chhaparband have converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, and formed a distinct community of Muslim Chharband
Chhaparband (Muslim)
The Chhaparband are a Muslim community found in the states of Karanataka and Maharashtra in India. They are Muslim converts from the Hindu Chhaparband community.-Origin:...
.
They are divided into thirty clans, known as kuls. Every clan has its own origin myth. The main clans are the Baite, Bisen, Chandel, Chauhan, Janakwar, Pasihat, Dalawale Rajput, Paithanwale, Rajput Pardeshi and Sengar. Many of these are famous Rajput
Rajput
A Rajput is a member of one of the patrilineal clans of western, central, northern India and in some parts of Pakistan. Rajputs are descendants of one of the major ruling warrior classes in the Indian subcontinent, particularly North India...
clans 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...
. The community is strictly endogamous, and each of the clan is exogamous.
Present circumstances
The Chhapraband no longer practice their traditional occupation. They are mainly a community of small businessmen, although as education spreads, the community is involved in a number of occupation. Despite urbanization, the sense of community identity remains strong, with little intermarriage with other communities or 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...
s. The Chhaparband 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 have their own clan goddesses. Their customs are similar to other Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
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...
s.