https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=GhasiyaGhasiya - Revision history2026-07-31T05:12:25ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Ghasiya&diff=203988&oldid=prev>Dr.Swag Lord, Ph.d at 04:26, 26 May 20212021-05-26T04:26:03Z<p></p>
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The '''Ghasiya''', or sometimes pronounced '''Ghasia''' are a [[Hindu]] [[Caste system in India|caste]] found in the state of [[Uttar Pradesh]] in India. They are also known as '''Ghasiara''' and have [[Scheduled Caste]] status.<br />
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== Origin ==<br />
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According to some traditions, the word ''ghasiya'' is said to mean grasscutter, from the [[Hindi language|Hindi]] word ''ghahus'' meaning grass. They are one of a number of tribal communities found in the hilly region of southern Uttar Pradesh, in particularly [[Mirzapur district|Mirzapur]] and [[Sonbhadra district|Sonbadhra]]. The Ghasiya claim to have immigrated from [[Surguja district]] in what is now [[Madhya Pradesh]]. Their traditions refer to a time when they were rulers, but over time lost their position, and took to cultivation.<ref name="hasan">{{cite book |title=People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Two |editor1-first=A. |editor1-last=Hasan |editor2-first=J. C. |editor2-last=Das |pages=530–534 |publisher=Manohar Publications}}</ref><br />
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The Ghasiya are strictly endogamous community, and practice the principle of clan exogamy. These clans are referred to as '''kuris''', and their main clans include the Arilkhanda, Banger, Bhainsa, Janta, Katihari, Sonwan and Surajbansi. The Sonwan claim a higher status, and derive their name from the Hindi word ''sona'', meaning gold. Other clans are also have their own origin myth. For example, Bhainsa are said to have acquired their name from godling Bhainsasur. They are Hindu, but have their own tribal deities such as Burhimai, Dulhadeo, and Sheetla Devi. The Ghasiya speak the [[Bundelkhandi]] dialect of Hindi.<ref name="hasan"/><br />
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The Ghasiya are a small landowning community. Many Ghasiya are still employed as grass-cutters. Many are also involved in the manufacture of a comb known as a [[mandau]]. They live in their own settlements, interacting little with neighbouring communities.<ref name="hasan"/><br />
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The [[2011 Census of India]] for Uttar Pradesh showed the Ghasiya population, which was classified as a Scheduled Caste, as being 5888.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/SC_ST/PCA-A10/SC-0900-PCA-A-10-ddw.xlsx |title= A-10 Individual Scheduled Caste Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix - Uttar Pradesh |publisher=Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |accessdate=2017-02-06}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
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[[Category:Scheduled Castes of Uttar Pradesh]]</div>>Dr.Swag Lord, Ph.d