Matang is a Dalit

Dalit

Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...

 caste in the 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...

n states of 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...

, Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...

, and 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...

. Matangs are known as Madigas in Andhra Pradesh.

Matang originally belong to Nagvansh, an ancient race of North India. This race was staunch follower of Shramanic religions like Jainism and Buddhism. We can trace the origin of Matangs in Indus valley civilization

Indus Valley Civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that was located in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, consisting of what is now mainly modern-day Pakistan and northwest India...

.

References to Matang can be found in ancient Jain literature. According to Jain literature, Vinami, the great grandson of Rishabh the first Teerthankar of Jainism

Jainism

Jainism is an Indian religion that prescribes a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state...

, was the founder of Matang race. Suparshvanath

Suparshvanath

Suparshvanath was the seventh Jain Tirthankar of the present age . According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Suparshvnath was born to King Prathisth Raja and Queen Prithvidevi at Banaras in the Ikshvaku clan...

, the 7th Teerthankar of Jainism himself was a Matang. His Yaksha

Yaksha

Yaksha is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is ' or Yakshini .In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology,...

 (attendant god) was also a Matang. The Yaksha of Mahavir the 24th Teerthankar was also a Matang.

Matang Yaksha is Jain God of Prosperity

Prosperity

Prosperity is the state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune and/or successful social status. Prosperity often encompasses wealth but also includes others factors which are independent of wealth to varying degrees, such as happiness and health....

.

Occupation

In rural areas, they manufacture items like ropes, brooms etc and supply to farmers. To obtain a sight of a Matang is considered as a holy sign in villages.

Religion

In ancient times, they were staunch followers of Jainism. At present day, they are divided in following religions:
Population-
According to the 2001 Census, the Matang community constitutes 2.07 percent of the State Population. The community constitutes 20.27 percent of the Dalits in the state.

• Hinduism
• Christianity
• Buddhism

A small number of people from this community in Karnataka follow Veershaivism and Jainism.

Sages

• Acharya Harikeshi, a Jain Achraya of ancient India

• Muni Chitta-Sambhuti Vijay,two brothers who were disciple monks of Teerthankar Mahaveer

Historical

• Yampal Matang, a famous lay follower of Jainism mentioned in ancient Jain Literature

Revolutionaries

• Lahuji Raghoji Salve
  Lahuji Raghoji Salve
  Lahuji Raghoji Salve , also known as Krantiveer Lahuji Vaastad Raghoji Salve, Krantiveer Lahujibuwa Salve, was an activist, thinker, social reformer and revolutionary from Maharashtra...
  
   (Lahuji Ustad), Activist, Thinker,Social Reformer and Revolutionary from Maharashtra.
• Mukta Salve

Singers

• Shahir Vitthal Umap
  Shahir Vitthal Umap
  Shahir Vitthal Umap was a folk singer who died while performing at a function in Nagpur on a Friday evening, November 2010. Umap, a follower of BR Ambedkar, collapsed while he was onstage at Nagpur’s famous Dikshabhoomi. He was rushed to a private nursing home where he was declared dead...
  
  , A famous Marathi folk singer. Also, known for his songs on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
  Ambedkar
  - People :* Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar ,Indian jurist, political leader, Buddhist activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, scholar, editor, revolutionary and a revivalist for Buddhism in India....
  
  .
• Shahir Nangare