List of Indian castes
Encyclopedia
A list of Indian castes
:
These are the Hindu
castes, which form the root of Indian society. The Christian, Muslim and castes in other religions in India, are a result of the extension of the Hindu caste system into the society of the people of these religions even after conversion. An example of non-Hindu caste system, is the caste system in Kerala, among the Christians, which is considered to be more highly polarized than that of Hindus, due to the absence of jatis. Examples of endogamous ethno-religious castes among Christians, are the Syrian Malabar Nasranis, who are of Jewish origin, and the Latin-rite Catholics, who are a scheduled caste, i.e., a lower caste.
Caste system in India
The Indian caste system is a system of social stratification and social restriction in India in which communities are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups called Jātis....
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- Brahmin Or Aiyar
- Smartha or Advaitic Brahmins
- South Indian Smartha (Advaitic) Brahmins
- Vaidiki BrahminsVaidiki BrahminsVaidiki Brahmins are a sect of Telugu speaking Smartha Brahmins. They are predominantly followers of Adi Shankaracharya. The term Vaidika derives itself from the term Vedas. Vaidikis are people who mastered Vedas, also called Ghanaapaathi...
- Vaidiki Kasalanadu
- Vaidiki Mulukanadu
- Vaidiki Velanadu
- Vaidiki Veginadu
- Vaidiki Telanganya
- Namboothiri
- BadaganaduBadaganaduBadaganadu's are a Brahmin community that mainly reside in Karnataka, and now due to the advent of globalization they are spread throughout the world. Badaganadu Community is one of the three main streams of adherents to the Advaita Vedanta propounded by Sri Shankaracharya and are followers of the...
- Hoysala Karnataka
- Sthanika BrahminsSthanika BrahminsSthānika Brāhmins are Smartha Brahmins, and come under the classification of Tuluva Brahmins; The belong to Pancha-Drāvida Brahmin Community. The Kuladevatha of Sthānika Brahmin's is Subramanya...
- HavyakaHavyakaHavyaka Brahmins are a Hindu Pancha Dravida Brahmin subsect primarily from the Indian state of Karnataka and Northern Kerala. Havyakas profess the Advaita philosophy propounded by Adi Shankaracharya.-Etymology:...
- Shivalli Smartha Brahmins
- Koti Brahmin
- Babboor KammeBabboor KammeThe Babburkamme community is a caste of Smarta Brahmins whose members mainly reside in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states in India...
- Assamese BrahminsAssamese BrahminsIn Assam, out of many sects of Hindu people which include Brahmins , Kalitas, Ahoms amongst others; the Brahmin community is comparatively small. Brahmins are found everywhere in Assam and surrounding areas. However most predominantly in Jorhat, Nalbari, Barpeta, Goalpara and Darrang districts....
- Kamrupi BrahminsKamrupi BrahminsKamrupi Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
- AmbalavasiAmbalavasiAmbalavasi is a generic name for a collection of castes among Hindus in Kerala who render temple services.-Etymology:The term Ambalavasi is derived from two Malayalam words, being Ambalam and Vasi...
Brahmins - Aruvela NiyogiNiyogiNiyogis are a sect of Hindu Brahmins who gave up priestly occupations and are predominantly Telugu language speakers, from Andhra Pradesh, India.-Theories of origin:...
Brahmins - Maharashtrian Smartha (Advaitic) Brahmins
- KarhadeKarhade BrahminKarhade Brahmins are a predominantly Pancha Dravida Brahmins Marathi and Konkani speaking Hindu community in India.-Etymology and Origin:*The name Karháda or Karáda, is the...
- DeshasthaDeshastha BrahminDeshastha Brahmins are the original and the oldest Hindu Brahmin sub-caste mainly from the Indian state of Maharashtra and some districts of northern Karnataka. The word Deshastha comes from the Sanskrit words Desha and Stha which mean inland or country and resident respectively...
- Konkanastha or Chitpavan
- Maharashtrian Devrukhe Brahmins
- Sarola BrahminsSarola brahminSarola brahmin is the highest Garhwali Brahmin subcaste from Uttarakhand, India. Sarola Brahmins were the earliest authenticated Brahmin casts in the then small Garhwal Kingdom of 1200 years ago. The capital of this kingdom was Chandpur Garhi and 12 casts of Brahmins were settled in 12 villages...
- HatwalHatwalHatwal is a Garhwali Brahmin family name from the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Hatwals were primarily a priestly class who served as pandits at the many Hindu temples in the Himalayan Kingdom of Garhwal, including Badrinath which is part of the auspicious Hindu pilgrimage circuit...
- Saraswat Brahmins
- Gaud Saraswat Brahmins
- Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins
- DaivadnyaDaivadnya*दाते पंचांग,गोत्रावळी "Gotravali" published by "Date Panchang", Date's Almanac Pvt Ltd, Solapur,India **"Genetics of Castes and Tribes of India:Indian Population Milieu" by M. K. Bhasin, Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India...
- Sri Vaishnava or Sri SampradayaSri SampradayaSri Sampradaya or Sri Vaishnavism is a Vaishnava sect within Hinduism. Its origin and codification is generally traced back to Sri, Mahalakshmi eternal consort of Lord Vishnu. Around the 10th century when a collection of the devotional hymns and songs by Alvars was organized by Sri Nathamuni, who...
- IyengarIyengarIyengar or Ayyangar is a caste given to Hindu Brahmins of Tamil origin who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Sri Ramanujacharya. They are found mostly in Tamil Nadu as they are generally native to the Tamil Nadu state of the Republic of India...
or VishishtadvaiticVishishtadvaitaVishishtadvaita Vedanta is a sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy, the other major sub-schools of Vedānta being Advaita, Dvaita, and Achintya-Bheda-Abheda. VishishtAdvaita is a non-dualistic school of Vedanta philosophy...
Brahmins - Vadagalai
- Tengalai
- Hebbar
- Mysore
- Mandyam
- MadhvaMadhwasThe Madhwa are one community of Brahmins of India, whose members follow the doctrine of Dvaita or Dualism as codified by Madhwa Acharya ....
or DvaiticDvaitaDvaita is a school of Vedanta founded by Shri Madhvacharya....
Brahmins - Madhva Deshasta
- Shivalli Madhwa Brahmin
- Madhva Kannada BrahminsKannada BrahminsKannada Brahmins are Brahmins whose mother-tongue is the Kannada language. Nearly all of them hail from the south Indian state of Karnataka. Kannada Brahmins are known to have preserved the purest form of Vedic Hinduism...
- Telugu Madhwa Brahmin
- Anavil BrahminAnavil BrahminAnavil Brahmin is one of the sub-caste of Brahmin caste, and they get their name from a village called of Anaval. Anavil Brahmins are from southern Gujarat,and the majority of them are still located in the area, including Valsad District, Navsari District and Surat District in India.-History:The...
- Bhumihar BrahminBhumiharBhumihar or Babhan or Bhuin-har is a Brahmin Hindu community mainly found in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh.- Varna status :...
- Tyagi Brahmin
- Audichya Brahmin
- Maithil BrahminMaithil BrahminMaithil Brahmins form part of ancient Vedic Brahmins. Maithil s are a part of Panch-gauda , a group of highest-ranking castes among Brahmin, who still strive to follow rites and rituals according to ancient Hindu canons. Maithil Brahmin is a community of highly cohesive, and traditional Brahmins...
- Bengali Brahmin
- Bengali Vaid Brahmin
- Kanyakubja Brahmin
- Shivalli Brahmins
- Mukkolathur
- Kallar
- Servai
- Thevar
- Maravar
- Pillai
- Thodaiman
- Kongu VellalarKongu VellalarGounders also known as Kongu Vellalars are Kshatriyas native to the western region of Tamil Nadu known as Kongu Nadu. They were known as a noble, feudal and land owning caste of Tamil Nadu from the Sangam age...
- VanniyarVanniyarVanniyar , refers to a very large social group of people spread all across South India. Vanniyars primarily live in modern Tamil Nadu where they speak Tamil, while in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala they speak their native South Indian Dravidian languages namely, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam...
- Padayatchi
- Gounder
- PallarPallarThe Pallar are a caste from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They are mostly agriculturalists in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and amongst the Tamil diaspora...
- Mudalayar
- Nadar
- BhuiyarBhuiyarThe Bhuiyar or Bhuyiar are a Hindu caste found in North India, and those in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi have scheduled caste status. They are also known as Bhanyar Julaha; Kabirpanthi and Kori. The traditional occupation of Bhuiyar Caste is weaving...
/ Bhuyiar (Hindu Julaha, Bhaiyar Julaha, Kabir panthi, KoriKori (people)The Kori are a Hindu caste, found mainly in North India, who are traditional associated with weaving. They are known as Bhuiyar in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Koli in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh.- History :...
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) - MalaMala (caste)Mala or Malla is a social group or caste mostly from Andhra Pradesh state of India. Mala or Malla is derived from the Sanskrit word "Malla" which means wrestler. They are one of the dominant Dalit castes of Andhra the other being Madigas.They constitute around 8.5% of the total state population...
- MadigaMadigaMadiga is a social group or caste group of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra etc. found almost in all Indian states with different names. The people belonging to this community are most oppressed and exploited in the society. The term Madiga is derived from Sanskrit word Maha-Adiga which can be...
- Adi KarnatakaAdi KarnatakaAdi Karnataka is term used by the Ministry of Home Affairs to denote members of one of the Kannadigas who are primarily indigenous to the Karnataka state, as opposed to the Kannadigas whose ancestors came to present-day Karnataka from other areas like North India.Adi Karnataka is not synonymous...
- Kshatriya or RajputsKshatriya*For the Bollywood film of the same name see Kshatriya Kshatriya or Kashtriya, meaning warrior, is one of the four varnas in Hinduism...
- AhirsAbhira KingdomSura and Abhira tribe were mentioned as two kingdoms where the river Saraswati existed only as a dried up river bed during the time of Kurukshetra War. They were sometimes referred to as Surabhira also, combining both Sura and Abhira kingdoms...
| AbhirasAbhira KingdomSura and Abhira tribe were mentioned as two kingdoms where the river Saraswati existed only as a dried up river bed during the time of Kurukshetra War. They were sometimes referred to as Surabhira also, combining both Sura and Abhira kingdoms...
- DhangarDhangarThe Dhangar caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra...
- Dhangar
- DhobiDhobiThe Dhobi are a caste group found in Pakistan and India who specialize in washing clothes. The word Dhobi is derived from Hindi word dhona, which means to wash. They are found throughout North India, Gujarat, Maharashtra as well as the Punjab province of Pakistan, where they are known as Gazar...
- SainiSainiSaini is a Rajput descent caste of India. Sainis, also known as Shoorsaini in Puranic literature, are now found by their original name only in Punjab and in the neighboring states of Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh...
- Ayyaraka Pathrulu
- Slathia
- KambojKambojThe Kambojs , also Kamboh, are an ethnic community of the Punjab region. They may relate to the Kambojas, an Iranian tribe known to the people of Iron Age India and mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts and epigraphy. Kamboj is frequently used as a surname in lieu of the sub-caste or the gotra name...
| KambojasKambojasThe Kambojas were a kshatriya tribe of Iron Age India, frequently mentioned in Sanskrit and Pali literature.They were an Indo-Iranian tribe situated at the boundary of the Indo-Aryans and the Iranians, and appear to have moved from the Iranian into the Indo-Aryan sphere over time.The Kambojas...
| Kamboh - KhashKhasasThe Khasas / Khas or Khasiyas are an ancient people, believed to be a section of the Indo-Iranians who originally belonged to Central Asia from where they had penetrated, in remote antiquity, the Himalayas through Kashgar and Kashmir and dominated the whole hilly region...
| KhasasKhasasThe Khasas / Khas or Khasiyas are an ancient people, believed to be a section of the Indo-Iranians who originally belonged to Central Asia from where they had penetrated, in remote antiquity, the Himalayas through Kashgar and Kashmir and dominated the whole hilly region... - Pahlav
- Yadavs | Yadavas
- Ahluwalia | Walia | PaulPaulPaul may refer to:*Paul , a given name or surname -Christianity:*Paul the Apostle Paul may refer to:*Paul (name), a given name or surname (includes a list of people with that name)-Christianity:*Paul the Apostle Paul may refer to:*Paul (name), a given name or surname (includes a list of people with...
| Kalal - ArainArainThe Arain , are a Muslim agricultural caste settled mainly in the Punjab, with significant numbers also in Sindh. They are chiefly associated with farming, traditionally being landlords or zamindars.- Origin :...
- AroraAroraArora is an Indo-Aryan community of the Punjab region. Commentators differ in their opinions regarding the relationship between the Arora and the Khatri community....
- Gera
- Arya Vysyas
- AwanAwan (Pakistan)Awan , is a South Asian Zamindar tribe, putatively of Arab origin, living predominantly in northern, central, and western parts of Punjab, Pakistan...
- Bahi
- Balija NaiduBalijaBalija is a social group spread across the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh , Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala...
- Boyar caste
- Boyar/Boya/Boyan
- Boya Naidu/Boya Nayak
- Talwar Boya/Taliari Boya/Talari Boya
- NayakaNayak dynastyNayak dynasties emerged after the downfall of Vijayanagara Empire. The Nayaks were originally military governors under the supervision of the Vijayanagara Empire. After the battle of Talikota, several of them declared independence...
- Boya Palegar/Boya Palaigarar
- BaniaBania (caste)Bania is an occupational caste of bankers, money-lenders, dealers in grains, spices and in modern times numerous commercial enterprises. Baniya is a distinct caste mostly coming from Western India and Central India but spread now all over India...
- Agarwal
- BarnwalBarnwalBarnwal , also spelt as Baranwal, Varanwal or Barnawal, is a Baniya community in India and Nepal.-Legend:According to a Hindi-language historical account Baranwal Darshan, the Baranwal community is descended from King Ahibaran, a Suryavanshi Kshatriya and the great grandson of the legendary king...
- GargGargGarg may refer to:It is a popular surname of the Agarwal Vaishya community. Gargs are mostly from Uttar Pradesh and other parts of northern India like Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi and Haryana...
- GuptaGuptaGupta is a common surname of Indian origin.According to some academicians, the name Gupta is derived from Sanskrit goptri, meaning military governor. A more direct translation of the Sanskrit word gupta is 'secret' or 'hidden'. According to prominent historian R. C...
- Bhurji / Bharbhunja (Hindu)Bharbhunja (Hindu)The Bharbhunja are a largely Hindu caste found in North India and Maharashtra. They are also known as Kalenra in Maharashtra, Mehra in Punjab and in Uttar Pradesh. A small number are also found in the Terai region of Nepal. - Origin :...
/Bhojwal/Bhuj - Sahu Vaishya
- MahuriMahuriMahuri is a Hindu caste under Vaisya varna.Mahuri Vaisya people are reported to have migrated from the city of Mathura and surrounding rural locations to the then suba of Bengal under the Mughal Empire...
- MaheshwariMaheshwariMaheshwari are a business community of Vaishnava, originating from Khandela, Rajasthan in western India. They are a sub-group within the Marwaris community. The community is found throughout North India.- History & Origin :...
- Rajbhar
- Bahti CasteBahti CasteThe Bahti caste is an agricultural caste found in the State of Himachal Pradesh in India, particularly in Una district; in the Punjab district of Hoshiarpur; in the region of Nangal, Haryana; and in some parts of Rajasthan and Delhi.They are so called because they acquired 62 acres each men in...
- Baurias
- BhandariBhandariFor other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
- Bhatia
- BillavaBillavaThe Billava, or Ilava people make up one of the largest Hindu communities of the Tulu ethnic group in India. They are also found in the Kannada-speaking Kundapura region of Karnataka and some parts of Kerala, including Kasaragod district...
- BuntBunt (caste)Bunt , previously spelled Bant, are a community of erstwhile nobility, feudatory and gentry from the region of Tulu Nadu in the south west of India which comprises the districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada in the Indian state of Karnataka and Kasaragod taluk of Kerala...
- Chandraseniya Kayastha PrabhuChandraseniya Kayastha PrabhuChandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu or , abbreviated CKP, is an ethno-religious community which is part of Kayastha. The mother tongue of this community is Marathi...
- CharanCharanChāraṇ is the term for a caste living in the Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India. According to Shrimada Bhagwata Skand Charans were created along with other divine forms such as Yaksha, Gandharvas, Kinnara, Sidhdhas, Apsara, etc. and lived with them in Heaven...
- ChamarChamarChamar |tanner]]"; from the Sanskrit Charmakara) is a prominent occupational caste in India, Pakistan and Nepal. Chamar is a Dalit sub-caste mainly found in the northern states, such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and in Nepal at least north to the Himalayas...
| Ravidasia - Chambhar (Marathi cobbler caste)
- ChettiarChettiarChettiar , also spelled Chetty, is a title used by various castes in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. In Kannada, it appears as Setty, Shettar and Shettigar, who are Padmashalis in Andhra Pradesh....
- Chhimba
- Chuhra
- Dalit (outcaste)
- Devendrar
- DhangarDhangarThe Dhangar caste is primarily located in the Indian state of Maharashtra...
- Ediga
- ArayaArayaAraya is a town located on Venezuela's Caribbean coast, on the easternmost extremity of the Araya Peninsula.-Araya Fortress:The Araya Fortress is a beige-brown stone masonry fortification. The fortification was built in order to defend Araya and the Araya Peninsula against Caribbean...
- EzhavaEzhavaThe Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
- GoudGoudThe Goud are caste found mostly in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa and Maharastra. Gouds were involved in soma development in ancient days.-Origin:...
- GangaPutra
- Irani
- Jambavas
- Jats
- jamwalJamwalJamwal is a suryavanshi Rajput clan of Chattari lineage in Jammu and Kashmir that claims solar origin by direct descent from Sri Rama Chandra of Raghav Rajput clan. Jamwal traditions state that their ancestor, Raja Agnigarba, came from Ayodhya and founded a small state on the banks of River Tawi...
- Kapu (caste)Kapu (caste)Kapu refers to a social grouping of the sub-castes Telaga, Balija found primarily in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The etymology of the name is variously given as "to protect",, "agricultor" , "watchman", or "watching"...
- Kalal
- Konar
- KoiryKoiryKoiry or Koiri is an agricultural Hindu caste name and a Kshatriya sub-varna. People from the Koiry community are found in North India and Nepal.-History and Present Circumstances:...
- Kharwar(kharagvanshi kshatriya)
- Khangar(Arkawanshi kshatriya)
- Kumhar | PrajapatiPrajapatiIn Hinduism, Prajapati "lord of creatures" is a Hindu deity presiding over procreation, and protector of life. He appears as a creator deity or supreme God Viswakarma Vedic deities in RV 10 and in Brahmana literature...
- Kumbhar Marathi potter caste
- KurmiKurmiThe Kurmi are a Hindu agricultural Jāti in India.The group has been associated with the Kunbi, though scholars differ as to whether the terms are synonymous. In 2006, the Indian government announced that Kurmi was considered synonymous with the Kunbi and Yellam castes in Maharashtra...
| KanbiKunbiKunbi is a generic term applied to castes of traditionally non-elite tillers in Western India. These include the Dhonoje, Ghatole, Hindre, Jadav, Jhare, Khaire, Lewa , Lonari and Tirole communities of Vidharbha. The communities are largely found in the state of Maharashtra but also exist in the...
| KumbiKunbiKunbi is a generic term applied to castes of traditionally non-elite tillers in Western India. These include the Dhonoje, Ghatole, Hindre, Jadav, Jhare, Khaire, Lewa , Lonari and Tirole communities of Vidharbha. The communities are largely found in the state of Maharashtra but also exist in the...
| KunbiKunbiKunbi is a generic term applied to castes of traditionally non-elite tillers in Western India. These include the Dhonoje, Ghatole, Hindre, Jadav, Jhare, Khaire, Lewa , Lonari and Tirole communities of Vidharbha. The communities are largely found in the state of Maharashtra but also exist in the...
| Kudumbis - Kurni
- Kamma (caste)Kamma (caste)Kamma or the Kammavaru is a social group that are classed as Upper Shudras is found largely in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. The Kamma population was 795,732 in the year 1881. According to 1921 census they constituted about 4.8% of Andhra Pradesh...
- Kir/keer
- KayasthaKayasthaKayastha or Kayasth or Kayeth is a caste or community of Hindus originating in India. Kayastha means "scribe" in Sanskrit, and has traditionally denoted members of the writer caste....
- Khatris | MahajanMahajanMahajan is an Indian surname or title, found among several castes and communities.The word "Mahajan" is an amalgam of two Sanskrit words: Maha meaning great, and Jan meaning people or individuals...
| LalaLalaLala VC was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth soldiers.-Details:...
| Shahs(jaggi)- RajputRajputA 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 - Lonia Rajput/Loniya/ Luni
- Lodhi Rajput/ Lodha
- RajusRajusThe Raju are a Telugu caste inhabiting Andhra Pradesh, India.-Etymology:Raju is a Telugu variation of the Sanskrit word Raj and Raja meaning king, prince or lord...
- Rajput
- Kuravar
- KoriKori (people)The Kori are a Hindu caste, found mainly in North India, who are traditional associated with weaving. They are known as Bhuiyar in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand and Koli in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh.- History :...
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(BhuiyarBhuiyarThe Bhuiyar or Bhuyiar are a Hindu caste found in North India, and those in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi have scheduled caste status. They are also known as Bhanyar Julaha; Kabirpanthi and Kori. The traditional occupation of Bhuiyar Caste is weaving...
, KabirKabirKabīr was a mystic poet and saint of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement...
Panthi, Hindu Julaha) - Kuruba Gowda | Kuruman | KurumbarKurumbarKurumbar or Kurumans or Kurubaru caste are shepherds of South India. They are indigenous people of India. Even though they are called in different names like 'Kurumans', 'Kurumbar' or 'Kuruba' and these names are synonyms and one and the same. They speak Kuruman tribal Kannada language. Their God...
| Kurumar | kurumba | kurichan | kurumba gounder - Laheri/Lahiri
- Leva PatilLeva PatilThe Leva Patil is a community found in India.- Leva :Leva Patel/Kambi/ Patils claim Suryavanshi origin from Lava , the son of Rama in the Hindu epic Ramayana....
- LabanaLabanaLabanas are a Punjabi tribe. The Labanas of Punjab region are mostly Sikhs, with a small minority of Muslims and Hindus.- History:According to British records 33% of the Labana were baptised Sikhs and were found primarily in the Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sialkot areas...
- Lingayat
- LohanaLohanaThe Lohana also referred to as Luvana are an Indian caste,largely classified as merchants and are categorized as Vaishya or Bania caste although their ancient history proves that they are Kshatriya of Suryavanshi descant, claiming their lineage from Lava, son of Rama...
- LoharLoharLohar 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,...
- Mahadiga
- MadigaMadigaMadiga is a social group or caste group of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra etc. found almost in all Indian states with different names. The people belonging to this community are most oppressed and exploited in the society. The term Madiga is derived from Sanskrit word Maha-Adiga which can be...
- Mogaveera
- Madar
- Maher
- Mahar, Meharaa,Taral, Dhegu-Megu
- MangMang (caste)The Mang community, whose origins lie in the Narmada Valley of India, was formerly classified as a criminal tribe under the Criminal Tribes Acts of the British Raj....
- Mangali (Mangali/Nayee/Nayi-brahmin/hajjam)
- Garudi (Marathi snake charmer caste)
- Kolhati (Marathi caste)
- Mali (phul)Mali (phul)Mali, the functional caste of vegetable of flower gardeners, derives the name from the Sanskrt Mala, a garland. The caste has numerous endogamous groups, varying in different localities.- The Phul Malis :...
(Marathi gardener caste) - MarathaMarathaThe Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
(Kshatriyas) - Mazabhi
- MersMersThe Mer population of Kathiawar region in Saurashtra also known as the Maher, Mihir, Mair or Mehr are a community of people who have evolved from the Kshatriya Rajput varna within Hinduism. They are believed to be of Indo-Aryan descent, and have a rich and diverse history involving many battles,...
(Kshatriyas) - MistryMistri (caste)The Mistri or Mistris are a Hindu caste found in state of Gujarat in India.-Names of casts known as Mistri:There are two different casts by same name:-...
- Nadar caste
- NaiduNaiduNaidu is a title used by various social groups of the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states of India. It is also used in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa and Chattisgarh...
- NaiNai (caste)The word Nai refers to a particular profession, that of cutting hair, running beauty salons, makeup or facelift clinics, beauty parlours, etc. among Hindus, Sikhs or Muslims in India. They are also referred to as Nai and Nai-Thakur, Sains. In Pakistan, the Nai or hairdresser were following it as a...
- NairNairNair , also known as Nayar , refers to "not a unitary group but a named category of castes", which historically embody several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom bore the Nair title. These people historically live in the present-day Indian state of Kerala...
- OntariKapu (caste)Kapu refers to a social grouping of the sub-castes Telaga, Balija found primarily in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The etymology of the name is variously given as "to protect",, "agricultor" , "watchman", or "watching"...
- PadmashaliPadmashaliPadmashali or Padmasali is a Telugu weavers caste, predominantly residing in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. They are identified by different names in various regions throughout India.-Origin:...
- ParkavakulamParkavakulam-Parkavakulam:Parkavakulam ,பார்க்கவகுலம் a Tamil-speaking community from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The main sub-divisions of the community are Nathaman, Nainar, Malaiyaman, Suruthiman, Moopanar...
- ParekhParekhParekh is a widely used surname amongst Gujarati Hindu people. However, it can also be seen in the Jain and Swaminarayan religions, which were also founded in India...
- PrajapatiPrajapatiIn Hinduism, Prajapati "lord of creatures" is a Hindu deity presiding over procreation, and protector of life. He appears as a creator deity or supreme God Viswakarma Vedic deities in RV 10 and in Brahmana literature...
(Kshatriya Kumhar) Sandip Sunil Prajapati - ParavasParavasParava or Paravar , also known as Parathavar , Bharathar , Bharathakula Pandyar or Bharathakula Kshathriyar is a caste in southern India that in ancient times were subordinate Tamil chiefs and coastal fishermen, as well as, according at least to one modern writer, "ferocious...
or Bharathar or Fernandos - RaisRaisRaees, Raeesha, is a title used by the rulers of Muslim states in the Middle East and South Asia. It is translated as president in Arabic and wealthy in Persian...
- ReddiarReddiarReddiar also Reddiyar is caste title of prominent land owning, farming and mercantile social group of Tamil Nadu and abroad. Most of the reddiars are Zamindars and Landlords. They are a group with very rich cultural heritage...
- GavaraGavaraGavaras or Gavara Naidu are one of the many small communities or caste of Andhra who live mostly in the north coastal districts. Large concentrations of Gavara population are distributed in and around Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam district...
- ReddyReddyReddy is a social group or caste of India, predominantly inhabiting Andhra Pradesh. They are enlisted as a forward caste by the government. Traditionally, they are a high-caste community of nobility, warriors and cultivators. According to academics, they were a warrior caste in the remote past and...
- Phool Mali
- Ror Maratha also known as Maratha
- Shivajyothi
- SagarSagar (caste)The Sagar are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India.-History and origin:The Sagar claim to be of the Kshatriya varna, whose ancestors arrived in Kathiawar from Rajasthan. They are one of a number of quasi-Rajput groups such as the Kathi found in Saurashtra, and are concentrated in...
- SansiSansiSansi is a nomadic tribe originally located in the Rajasthan area of northwestern India, but expelled in the 13th century by Muslim invaders and now living in states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab as well as scattered throughout India.Their language is Sansiboli, Sansi or Bhilki that is a highly...
- SekhriSekhriSekhri is a well known Khatri clan in India. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, was born into a khatri family...
- SenguntharSenguntharSengunthar or Kaikolar is a Tamil community found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and also in some parts of Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Sengunthars use the title of Mudaliar after their names...
- Shettigar
- Sourashtra
- Somvanshi Kshatriya Pathare PrabhuPathare prabhuPathare Prabhu is one of the Hindu communities in the city of Mumbai . These people are among earliest settlers in the city. They are known to have one of the oldest academic traditions amongst Hindus on par with Brahmins. They were amongst the first of the Hindus to adopt to British educational...
- SonarSonarSonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
(Marathi Goldsmith caste) - Sonjhari (Marathi caste associated with collecting gold dust from river beds)
- Suryavanshi Aare KatikaSuryavanshi Aare KatikaSuryavanshi Aare Katika is a caste found in India. It is a division of the traditional warrior caste called Kshatriya, although in modern times members of this caste also engage in a variety of other professions.-History of the caste:...
- SutharSutharThe Suthar or Sutar is a Hindu caste within the Vishwakarma community of India. They are also found in the province of Sindh in Pakistan . They are also known as Mistry in Saurashtra.-The Origin :...
(carpenter caste in Rajasthan and Gujarat) / Sutar (Marathi carpenter caste) - Shimpi (Marathi tailor caste)
- Swakula SaliSwakula SaliSwakula Sali is one of the castes listed in the list of Indian castes among Hindus in India. Lord Shri Jihveshwara is believed to be the originator of this caste and all the Swakulasalis are his descendants. Marathi is the primary language spoken by the Swakulasalis...
(Marathi weaver caste) - Vada BalijaVada balijaVada balija is a caste widely found in coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Actually it is Voda balija but not Vada balija. The ancestors used to be as ship captains. They are ship navigators and in those days navigation is done by captains. So due to this they were skilled in trading. You may...
- Tarkhan
- Telaga NayuduTelagaTelaga is a community of Andhra and concentrated primarily in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh. The Telagas are one of the ancient Warrior Clans and Feudal Landlords of India who had links to all the major Ruling Dynasties of South India like Chalukya,Chola,Kakateeya and Vijayanagar...
- TeliTeliTeli is a business caste of oil pressers in India and Pakistan. Members may be either Hindu or Muslim; Muslim Teli are called Roshandaar or Teli Malik....
- Tili
- Satgope
- TigalaTigalaThigalas, also known as Thigalaru it is a relatively new name of an endogamous social group or caste of people native to southern Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and border regions of Tamil Nadu...
- Twashta Kansar/Tambat
- VaishyaVaishyaVaishya is one of the four varnas of the Hindu social order. According to Vedic tradition, this caste primarily comprises merchants, farmers, cattle-herders and artisans.-Duties of Vaishyas:...
- ValmikiValmikiValmiki is celebrated as the poet harbinger in Sanskrit literature. He is the author of the epic Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka i.e...
- VelamaVelamaVelama or the Velama Doralu is a social group found mainly in Andhra Pradesh. Velamas are classed as "Upper Shudras". The history of Velama's is as old as Telugu bravery. Military exploits of Velamas form an important part of Telugu tradition, history and folklore...
- Koppala Velama
- Padmanayaka Velama
- Vishwakarma
- Kannada VaishyaKannada VaishyaThe Kannada Vaishya in Uttara Kannada are a small sect of people. They are mainly found in Ankola and Karwar taluks of the district.They say their ancestors came from Goa. They are different from Arya Vaishyas of Mysore area. Some are engaged in small business like preparation of beaten rice, its...
- VokkaligaVokkaligaThe Vokkaligas are an Indian caste or social group found mainly in the Old Mysore Region of southern Karnataka state. In Tamil Nadu they are known as Okkaligar and use Gowder as a title...
- YerukalaYerukalaYerukala, Yerukula, Erukala, Erukula, or Kurru is a community found largely in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Karnataka. Yerukalas are indigenous people of South India. They call themselves ‘Kurru’. They are called as ‘Yerukula’ in Andhra Pradesh after their women’s...
- Yadav
- GangwarGangwarGangwar, or Ganguar is a Hindu Subcaste within the Kurmi caste.Gangwars are mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India. In the districts of Rampur, Bareilly, Pillibhit & Farukhabad, they were mercenaries in the army of Shiva Ji and later settled around Ganga in Uttar Pradesh hence the...
- GujjarGujjarThe Gurjar are an ethnic group in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Alternative spellings include Gurjara, Gujar, Gurjjara and Gūrjara. The spelling Gurjara or Gurjar is preferable to the rest....
(or Gurjaras) - Gondhali
- GadariyaGadariyaGadariya is a village development committee in Kailali District in the Seti Zone of western Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 7355 living in 726 individual households.-External links:*...
- Kacher
- UpparaUpparaUppara is the name of a caste or minority group in India. By tradition, their occupation is agriculture.Uppara is the name of a caste or minority group in India. By tradition, their occupation is agriculture.Upaara caste is called as Sagara...
- Uniyal (Brahmin jati of Garhwal)(Gotra: Kashyap and Bhardwaj)
- GhardhoraGhardhoraGhardhora is a last name. People of this surname are usually Punjabi. Today, these people are founded in Maharastra, and other parts of Nothern India. It is closely related to Ghatorhe.-Ghatorhe:...
- Adi DravidaAdi DravidaAdi Dravidar is term used by the state of Tamil Nadu in India to denote Dalits. It means Original natives or indigenous people of Dravida land . The term was coined by Tamil social activist Periyar Ramasami who worked against casteism and division among the people based on castes...
- Arunthathiyar
- Chakkili
- Paraiah
These are the 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...
castes, which form the root of Indian society. The Christian, Muslim and castes in other religions in India, are a result of the extension of the Hindu caste system into the society of the people of these religions even after conversion. An example of non-Hindu caste system, is the caste system in Kerala, among the Christians, which is considered to be more highly polarized than that of Hindus, due to the absence of jatis. Examples of endogamous ethno-religious castes among Christians, are the Syrian Malabar Nasranis, who are of Jewish origin, and the Latin-rite Catholics, who are a scheduled caste, i.e., a lower caste.