Julaha

Last updated

Julaha
Regions with significant populations
  • Indian subcontinent
Languages
Religion
Hindu, Islam, Sikh
Related ethnic groups
Salvi, Panika, Ansari, Devanga, Padmasali (caste), Koshta, Kori/Koli,

The Julaha are a community within the Indian subcontinent, which adopted the profession of weaving. [1] The caste is considered Socially and Educationally Backward. Known under many names, the julahas have been practising this art for ages. [2] Both Hindu and Muslim Julaha (and even Sikh [1] ) groups exist. [3] For the Julahas who are Sikhs, they are known as Ramdasia Sikhs. [1]

Contents

Etymology

The term Julaha may derive from the Persian julah (ball of thread). [4]

Statistics

Although reliable statistics are old, as per survey done in 1990s, the total population of Julahas in India was around 12 million.[ citation needed ] As per Caste Based Survey of Bihar 2022, the total number of Julahas in Bihar was 4.6 million. [5]

Prominent Figures

Prominent Figures from the weaver community include:

Other prominent weaving and handloom communities of Indian subcontinent include the Salvi, Panika, Ansari, Devanga, Padmasali (caste), Koshta and the Kashmiri Kani weavers. [6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kalsi, Sewa Singh (1992). "4.4 Julaha Sikhs". The Evolution of a Sikh Community in Britain: Religious and Social Change Among the Sikhs of Leeds and Bradford (PDF). Community Religions Project Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds. pp. 99–100. ISBN   9781871363036.
  2. "National Commission for Backward Classes" (PDF). National Commission for Backward Classes. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. Gottschalk, Peter (27 October 2005). Beyond Hindu and Muslim: Multiple Identity in Narratives from Village India. Oxford University Press. ISBN   9780199760527.
  4. Singh, Kumar Suresh; India, Anthropological Survey of (1 January 1993). The scheduled castes. Anthropological Survey of India. ISBN   9780195632545.
  5. "Bihar caste survey: groups among backwards the new bone of contention". The Indian Express. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  6. "The Handloom communities of India". The Statesman . 7 August 2018.