https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Kharia_peopleKharia people - Revision history2026-08-01T02:48:52ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Kharia_people&diff=468598&oldid=prevMazzulah Peel at 16:26, 31 January 20262026-01-31T16:26:55Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Austroasiatic speaking ethnic group from India}}<br />
{{Distinguish|Kharia, Jalpaiguri}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox ethnic group<br />
| group = Kharia<br />
| native_name = <br />
| image = Kharia Tribal ladies.jpg<br />
| image_caption = Kharia women in traditional dress<br />
| population = 482,754 (2011)<br />
| total_ref = <ref name="census">{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=13 November 2017}}</ref><br />
| popplace = {{flag|India}}<br />
| region1 = [[Odisha]]<br />
| pop1 = 222,844<br />
| ref1 = <ref name="census"/><br />
| region2 = [[Jharkhand]]<br />
| pop2 = 196,135<br />
| ref2 = <ref name="census"/><br />
| region3 =[[West Bengal]]<br />
| pop3 = 108,707<br />
| ref3 ={{efn|population clustered with the [[Lodha people|Lodhas]]}}<br />
| region4 = [[Chhattisgarh]]<br />
| pop4 = 49,032<br />
| ref4 = <ref name="census"/><br />
| region5 = [[Bihar]]<br />
| pop5 = 11,569<br />
| ref5 = <ref name="census"/><br />
| region6 = [[Madhya Pradesh]]<br />
| pop6 = 2,429<br />
| ref6 = <ref name="census"/><br />
| region7 = [[Tripura]]<br />
| pop7 = 1,409<br />
| ref7 = <ref>{{cite web|title=A-10 Appendix: District wise scheduled caste population (Appendix), Tripura - 2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/42895/download/46563/SC-16-PCA-A10-APPENDIX.xlsx |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}</ref><br />
| langs = {{hlist|[[Kharia language|Kharia]]|[[Kharia Thar language|Kharia Thar]]|[[Odia language|Odia]]||[[Sadri language|Sadri]]}}<br />
| rels = [[Christianity]], [[Hinduism]], [[Sarnaism]]<ref>{{cite web |title=ST-14 Scheduled Tribe Population By Religious Community - Jharkhand |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11908/download/15021/ST-20-00-014-DDW-2011.XLS |website=census.gov.in |access-date=3 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="Religion"/><br />
| related = Other [[Munda peoples]]<br />
}}<br />
<br />
The '''Kharia''' are an [[Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic]] tribal ethnic group from east-central India.{{sfn|Vidyarthi|Upadhyay|1980}} They speak the [[Kharia language]], which belongs to [[Munda languages|Munda]] branch of [[Austroasiatic languages]]. They are sub-divided into three groups known as the Hill Kharia, Delki Kharia and the Dudh Kharia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Khaṛiā people |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kharia |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=[[Britannica]] |language=en}}</ref> Among them, the Dudh Kharia is the most educated community.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kharia-English Lexicon |url=https://escholarship.org/content/qt4566c4bw/qt4566c4bw_noSplash_41d53055418ec7c84c478848097ddafb.pdf|publisher=Himalayan Linguists|year=2009|location=Universität Leipzig, Germany|page= VIII|quote=the (Dudh) Kharia are also one of the most highly educated ethnic groups in all of India, with some estimates as to their rate of literacy running as high as 90%.|via=Open Edition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704030631/https://escholarship.org/content/qt4566c4bw/qt4566c4bw_noSplash_41d53055418ec7c84c478848097ddafb.pdf |archive-date=4 July 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><br />
<br />
==History==<br />
[[File:Kharia of Ranchi, 1903.jpg|thumb|A photograph of Kharia people in Ranchi, 1903]]<br />
According to linguist [[Paul Sidwell]], [[Munda languages]] arrived on the coast of [[Odisha]] from [[Southeast Asia]] about 4000–3500 years ago.<ref>Sidwell, Paul. 2018. [https://www.academia.edu/36689736/Austroasiatic_Studies_state_of_the_art_in_2018 Austroasiatic Studies: state of the art in 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503013417/https://www.academia.edu/36689736/Austroasiatic_Studies_state_of_the_art_in_2018 |date=3 May 2019 }}. Presentation at the Graduate Institute of Linguistics, National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, 22 May 2018.</ref> The [[Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic]] language speaker spread from Southeast Asia and mixed extensively with local Indian populations.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schliesinger |first1=Joachim |title=Origin of the Tai People 3: Genetic and Archaeological Approaches |date=2016 |publisher=Booksmango |isbn=9781633239623 |page=71 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=766hDQAAQBAJ&q=munda+south+east+asia&pg=PA71 |access-date=29 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==Social divisions==<br />
The Kharia comprise three tribes, the Dudh Kharia, Dhelki Kharia, and Hill Kharia. The first two speak an [[Austroasiatic languages|Austroasiatic language]], [[Kharia language|Kharia]], but the Hill Kharia have switched to an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan language]], [[Kharia Thar language|Kharia Thar]]. There has not been any language development efforts made for Kharia Tar.<br />
<br />
The Dudh Kharia and Dhelki Kharia formed together one compact tribe. These Kharia people were attacked by an [[Ahir]] chief and then moved on to the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]].<ref><!--This is the cite according to Google Books EXCEPT that the URL currently (2023-09-21) points to the contents of a different book. {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA132 | title=Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes, Volume 1 | publisher=Discovery Publishing House | author=R. R. Prasad | year=1996 | pages=128 | isbn=9788171412983}}--><!--This is the cite for the book were I found the info for this statement-->{{cite book |title=Tribal Dances of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA129 |publisher=Discovery Publishing House |author1=Robin D. Trubhuwan |author2=Preeti R. Trubhuwan |year=1999 |page=129 |isbn=81-7141-443-5 |oclc=41143548}}</ref><br />
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[[File:Khariya Tribal lady from Jharkhand.jpg|thumb|Kharia tribal woman]]<br />
<br />
In Odisha, the Hill Kharia are mainly found in Jashipur and Karanjia Blocks of Mayurbhanj district. A few villages are also found in Morada block. In Jharkhand, they are concentrated in East Singhbhum, Gumla, Simdega districts. Though widely found in this district, Musabani, Dumaria and Chakulia Blocks are the blocks where they live in large numbers. And in West Bengal, they are in West Midnapur, Bankura and Purulia districts. The majority are in Purulia.{{sfn|Vidyarthi|Upadhyay|1980|pages=7-25}}<br />
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The Hill Kharia are also called Pahari (meaning “Hill”) Kharia, Savara/Sabar, Kheria, Erenga, or Pahar.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} Outsiders call them Kharia but they call themselves as [[Sabar people|Sabar]]. They are called “Pahari (Hill) Kharia” because they live in the midst of forest and depend upon forest produces.{{sfn|Vidyarthi|Upadhyay|1980|page=11}}<br />
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The Hill Kharia community encompasses various gotras (clans), including Alkosi, Baa, Bhunia, Bilung, Dhar, Digar, Dolai, Dungdung, Gidi, Golgo, Kerketta, Kharmoi, Khiladi, Kiro, Kotal, Kullu, Laha, Nago, Pichria, Rai, Sal, Saddar, Sandi, Sikari, Soreng, Suya, Tesa, Tete, and Tolong. Among these, the Bilung clan appears to hold prominence.<ref>{{cite thesis|author=Suvendu Kundu| title= HEALTH CARE PRACTICES AMONG THE HILL KHARIA OF DISTRICT PURULIA AND BANKURA, WEST BENGAL |url=https://ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/3609/14/Full%20thesis%20of%20Suvendu%20Kundu.pdf |access-date=4 March 2023 |work=University of North Bengal}}</ref><br />
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==Distribution==<br />
They mainly inhabit [[Jharkhand]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Odisha]] and [[West Bengal]], [[Maharashtra]]. In [[Tripura]]. Few families can be found in [[Assam]] and [[Andaman Islands]].{{sfn|Vidyarthi|Upadhyay|1980|pages=5, 214}} According to 1981 census, their population in [[Bihar]] (now mostly [[Jharkhand]]) is 141,771, in [[Odisha]] it is 144,178, and in [[Madhya Pradesh]] it is 6892.{{cn|date=September 2023|reason=Previous ref used a source that had nothing to do with population counts.}}<br />
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==Culture==<br />
<br />
===Lifestyle===<br />
The Kharia who were under zamindars during British rule are now land owning farmers in independent India. All Kharia speak their traditional dialect. The Language spoken by them is a part of the [[Munda Languages]], which are part of the [[Austroasiatic languages]]. They are very close to the nature and culture of the tribe is influenced by its ecological and cultural surroundings.<br />
[[File:Roadside gods of the Hill Kharia Tribe.jpg|thumb|Roadside gods of the Hill Kharia Tribe]]<br />
<br />
===Dress===<br />
The Hill Kharia have preserved their traditional dress pattern and rest of the Kharia have been influenced by the modern contacts and changed their dressing style. Traditionally, they wear Dhoti called Bhagwan. women wear saree falling up to the ankles. A part of the saree covers their bosom. The traditional dress is nowadays going out of use. Both men and women wear ornaments generally made of Brass, Nickel, Aluminium, Silver and rarely of Gold. Dudh Kharia women prefer Gold ornaments.{{sfn|Vidyarthi|Upadhyay|1980|pages=50-51}}<br />
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===Economy===<br />
Different levels of economic developments on sectional basis exist among Kharia. The Hill Kharia is a food gathering, hunting and labourer community. The Dhelkis are agricultural labourers and agriculturalists, while Dudh Kharia are exclusively agriculturists in their primary economy.{{sfn|Vidyarthi|Upadhyay|1980|page=26}} <br />
<br />
Kharia people are skilled in cottage industries.<ref name="N. Jayapalan">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gVo1I4SIqOwC&pg=PA270 | title=Indian Society and Social Institutions | publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri | author=N. Jayapalan | year=2001 | pages=270 | isbn=9788171569250}}</ref><br />
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===Religion===<br />
According to the 2011 Census on Kharias in all states of India, 46.1% are [[Christians]], followed by 43.4% [[Hinduism|Hindus]] and [[Sarnaism|Sarnas]]. Minor populations follow [[Islam]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]] and other religions.<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |title=ST-14 Scheduled Tribe Population By Religious Community - Odisha |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/SCST-Series/ST14/ST-21-00-014-DDW-2011.XLS |website=census.gov.in |access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref><br />
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===Dances===<br />
Kharia are said to be the great dancers. Youth of both sexes dance together. sometimes they form two groups each of males and females and sing one after the other. It is like a conversation is going on between boys and girls in the form of the song.<ref><!--This is the cite according to Google Books EXCEPT that the URL currently (2023-09-21) points to the contents of a different book. {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA132 | title=Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes, Volume 1 | publisher=Discovery Publishing House | author=R. R. Prasad | year=1996 | pages=132 | isbn=9788171412983}}--><!--This is the cite for the book were I found the info for this statement-->{{cite book |title=Tribal Dances of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA132 |publisher=Discovery Publishing House |author1=Robin D. Trubhuwan |author2=Preeti R. Trubhuwan |year=1999 |page=132 |isbn=81-7141-443-5 |oclc=41143548}}</ref><br />
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The following dance patterns are prevalent among Kharias: Hario, Kinbhar, Halka, Kudhing and Jadhura.<ref><!--This is the cite according to Google Books EXCEPT that the URL currently (2023-09-21) points to the contents of a different book. {{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&q=Kharia+people&pg=PA132 | title=Encyclopaedic Profile of Indian Tribes, Volume 1 | publisher=Discovery Publishing House | author=R. R. Prasad | year=1996 | pages=133–135 | isbn=9788171412983}}--><!--This is the cite for the book were I found the info for this statement-->{{cite book |title=Tribal Dances of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC |publisher=Discovery Publishing House |author1=Robin D. Trubhuwan |author2=Preeti R. Trubhuwan |year=1999 |isbn=81-7141-443-5 |oclc=41143548 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA133 133], [https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA134 134], [https://books.google.com/books?id=TmDRNTYw49EC&pg=PA135 135]}}</ref><br />
<!--Dance patterns are explaned in source. I am not going to copy them.--><br />
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==Notable people==<br />
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}<br />
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---><br />
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦---><br />
*[[Gladson Dungdung]], tribal right activist<br />
*[[Sylvanus Dung Dung]], hockey player<br />
* [[Rose Kerketta]], writer<br />
* [[Telanga Kharia]], freedom fighter<br />
* [[Jyoti Sunita Kullu]], hockey player<br />
* [[Archana Soreng]], Activist<br />
*[[Salima Tete]], hockey player<br />
<br />
==References==<br />
===Notes===<br />
{{Notelist}}<br />
===Sources===<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
===Bibliography===<br />
{{refbegin}}<br />
*{{Cite book|title=Kharia: Then and Now – A comparative study of Hill, Dhelki and Dudh Kharia of the Central-Eastern region of India |last1=Vidyarthi |first1=L.P. |author-link1=L. P. Vidyarthi |last2=Upadhyay |first2=V. S. |date=1980 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |isbn=0391018388 |location=New Delhi |oclc=948680446 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6xZsvFPca2UC |via=Google Books}} ([https://archive.org/details/khariathennowcom00vidy Via Internet Archive])<br />
{{refend}}<br />
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==Further reading==<br />
*Mukhopadhyay, C. (1998). ''Kharia: the victim of social stigma''. Calcutta: K.P. Bagchi & Co. {{ISBN|81-7074-203-X}}<br />
*Dash, J. (1998). ''Human ecology of foragers: a study of the Kharia (Savara), Ujia (Savara), and Birhor in Similipāl hills''. New Delhi: Commonwealth. {{ISBN|81-7169-551-5}}<br />
*Sinha, A. P. (1989). ''Religious life in tribal India: a case-study of Dudh Kharia''. New Delhi: Classical Pub. Co. {{ISBN|81-7054-079-8}}<br />
*Sinha, D. (1984). ''The hill Kharia of Purulia: a study on the impact of poverty on a hunting and gathering tribe''. Calcutta: Anthropological Survey of India, Govt. of India.<br />
*Banerjee, G. C. (1982). ''Introduction to the Khariā language''. New Delhi: Bahri Publications.<br />
*Doongdoong, A. (1981). ''The Kherias of Chotanagpur: a source book''. [Ranchi]: Doongdoong.<br />
*Biligiri, H. S. (1965). ''Kharia; phonology, grammar and vocabulary''. Poona: [Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute].<br />
*{{Cite book |title=Encyclopaedic profile of Indian tribes |date=1996 |publisher=Discovery Pub. House |author1=Sachchidananda |author2=Prasad, R. R. |isbn=9788171412983 |edition=1st |location=New Delhi, India |oclc=34119387}}<br />
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==External links==<br />
* [http://www.kharia.in For more information]<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225630/http://www.kharia.in/satod.php First Kharia Online Magazine]<br />
* [http://www.ling.hawaii.edu/austroasiatic/AA/Munda/Dictionaries/Kharia.txt Patricia Donegan & David Stampe’s Online Kharia Dictionary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234201/http://www.ling.hawaii.edu/austroasiatic/AA/Munda/Dictionaries/Kharia.txt |date=3 March 2016 }}<br />
{{Commons cat|Kharia people}}<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
[[Category:Kharia people| ]]<br />
[[Category:Culture of Odisha]]<br />
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Odisha]]<br />
[[Category:Social groups of Jharkhand]]<br />
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Odisha]]</div>Mazzulah Peel