CleanupBot at 06:17, 24 July 2023

2023-07-24T06:17:13Z

New page

{{short description|Caste in India and Pakistan}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{infobox ethnic group
| group = [[Kumhar]]
| native_name = [[(Prajapati)]]
| image = Potter Kumhar caste British India 1907.jpg
| rels = [[Hinduism]]{{•}}[[Islam]]{{•}}[[Sikhism]]{{•}}[[Buddhism]]
| related_groups = [[Lohar]]{{•}}[[Khati]]
| langs = [[Hindi language|Hindi]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]], [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]], [[Awadhi]], [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Nagpuri language|Nagpuri]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]],[[Nepali language|Nepali]]
| caption =
| region1 = [[South Asia]]
| pop1 = ~55–60 million ({{circa|2009/10}})
}}
'''Kumhar''' or '''Kumbhar''' is a [[Indian caste system|caste]] or community in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. ''''Kumhar'''' have historically been associated with art of pottery.<ref name="Saraswati1">{{cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=Pottery-Making Cultures And Indian Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC&pg=PA46 |access-date=6 April 2013 |year=1979 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-091-4 |pages=46–47 }}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The Kumhars derive their name from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''Kumbhakar'' meaning earthen-pot maker.<ref name="K. S. Singh">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vm_KCE4XXPMC&pg=PA565 |title=People of India: Rajasthan |publisher=Popular Prakashan |first=S. K. |last=Mandal |chapter=Kumhar/Kumbhar |editor-first=Kumar Suresh |editor-last=Singh |editor-link=Kumar Suresh Singh |year=1998 |pages=565–566 |isbn=978-8-17154-769-2}}</ref> Dravidian languages conform to the same meaning of the term ''Kumbhakar''. The term ''Bhande'', used to designate the Kumhar caste, also means pot. The potters of [[Amritsar]] are called ''Kulal'' or ''Kalal'', the term used in Yajurveda to denote the potter class.<ref name="Saraswati1" />

== Mythological origin ==
[[File:Kumhar.jpg|thumb|Depiction of a Kumhar.]]
A section of Hindu Kumhars honorifically call themselves ''Prajapati'' after Vedic Prajapati, the Lord, who created the universe.<ref name="Saraswati1" />

According to a legend prevalent among Kumhars {{quote|Once [[Brahma]] divided sugarcane among his sons and each of them ate his share, but the Kumhara who was greatly absorbed in his work, forgot to eat. The piece which he had kept near his clay lump struck root and soon grew into a sugarcane plant. A few days later, when Brahma asked his sons for sugarcane, none of them could give it to him, excepting the Kumhara who offered a full plant. Brahma was pleased by the devotion of the potter to his work and awarded him the title ''Prajapati''.<ref name="Saraswati1"/>}}

There is an opinion that this is because of their traditional creative skills of pottery, they are regarded as ''Prajapati''.<ref name="Ke. Āra Bhāratī">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VO9cP6LYR8wC&pg=PA178 |title=Chamba Himalaya: Amazing Land, Unique Culture |publisher=Indus Publishing |first=Ke. Āra |last=Bhāratī |year=2001 |page=178 |isbn=978-8-17387-125-2}}</ref>
== Divisions ==
[[File:Portrait of two unknown Kumhar potters from Lahore, ca.1859–69.png|thumb|Portrait of two unknown Kumhar potters from Lahore, ca.1859–69]]
The potters are classified into Hindu and Muslim cultural groups.<ref name="Saraswati1" /> Among Hindus, inclusion of artisan castes, such as potters, in the Shudra varna is indisputable. They are further divided into two groups-clean caste and unclean caste .<ref>{{cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=Pottery-Making Cultures And Indian Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC&pg=PA48 |access-date=6 April 2013 |year=1979 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-091-4 |page=48 }}</ref>

Among the Kumhars are groups such as the Gujrati Kumhar, Kurali ke Kumhar, Lad, Haral and Telangi. They all, bear these names after different cultural linguistic zones or caste groups but are termed as one caste cluster.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gLAFhJ1cev4C&pg=PA293 |title=Rise of Anthropology in India |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |first=Lalita Prasad |last=Vidyarthi |year=1976 |page=293}}</ref>

== Distribution in India ==

=== Chamba (Himanchal) ===
The Kumhars of Chamba are expert in making pitchers, Surahis, vessels, grain jars, toys for entertainment and earthen lamps. Some of these pots bear paintings and designs also.<ref name="Ke. Āra Bhāratī"/>

=== Maharashtra (Marathe) ===
Kumhars are found in [[Satara district|Satara]], [[Sangli]], [[Kolhapur]], [[Sholapur]] and [[Pune]]. Their language is [[Marathi language|Marathi]]. They use [[Devnagari]] script for communication.<ref name="B. V. Bhanu">{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BsBEgVa804IC&pg=PA1175 |title=People of India: Maharashtra, Part 2 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |first=I. A. |last=Khan |chapter=Kumbhar/Kumhar |editor-first=B. V. |editor-last=Bhanu |year=2004 |pages=1175–1176 |isbn=978-8-17991-101-3}}</ref> There are Kumbhars who do not belong to Maratha clan lives in Maharashtra and have occupation of making idols and pots.<ref name="Saraswati1" /><ref name="B. V. Bhanu" />

=== Madhya Pradesh ===

Hathretie and Chakretie (or Challakad) Kumhars are found in [[Madhya Pradesh]]. Hathretie Kumhars are called so because they traditionally moved the "chak" (potter's wheel) by hands ("hath"). Gola is a common surname among Kumhars in Madhya Pradesh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tdil.mit.gov.in/coilnet/ignca/mrnslp04.htm |title=The Kumhars of Gwalior |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323001836/http://tdil.mit.gov.in/CoilNet/IGNCA/mrnslp04.htm |archive-date=2010-03-23}}</ref>{{clarify|reason=please can we have a translation|date=February 2018}} They are listed among Other Backward Classes in the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncbc.nic.in/User_Panel/GazetteResolution.aspx?Value=mPICjsL1aLuPAiTDwaBMRTkcitPtwFoYM%2fvPkOo88fWK%2fs%2fLWkaxMKHeos%2fc%2fKys |title=Central List of OBCs: State : Madhya Pradesh |publisher=National Commission for Backwards Classes |access-date=2019-05-18}}</ref>

=== Rajasthan ===
In Rajasthan, Kumhars (Also known as Prajapat) have six sub-groups namely Mathera, Kheteri, Marwara, Timria and Mawalia. In the social hierarchy of Rajasthan, they are placed in the middle of the higher castes and the [[Harijan]]s. They follow endogamy with clan exogamy.<ref name="K. S. Singh" />

=== Odisha and Bengal ===
In Bengal Kumhars are one among the ceremonially pure castes. In Odisha they are two types (Odia Kumbhar and Jhadua Kumbhar) who provide vessels for the rice distribution to Jagannath temple.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ijirssc.in/pdf/1483192306.pdf |title=www.ijirssc.in }}</ref> They are belongs to [[Other Backward Classes]] in the state of Odisha.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/obc/faq/orrisa.pdf |title=www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in }}</ref>

=== Uttar Pradesh and Bihar ===
The Kannuaja Kumhars are considered to be a decent caste in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Although they sometimes use the term ''[[Pandit]]'' as their Surname. The Magahiya Kumhars are treated little inferior to the Kanaujias and the Turkaha (Gadhere).<ref>{{cite book |last=Saraswati |first=Baidyanath |title=Pottery-Making Cultures And Indian Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC&pg=PA49 |access-date=6 April 2013 |year=1979 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-091-4 |pages=49–50 }}</ref> They belong to [[Other Backward Class|other backward classes]].

=== Gujarat ===
Kumhars are listed among the Other Backward Classes of Gujarat, where they are listed with the following communities: Prajapati (Gujjar Prajapati, Varia Prajapati, Sorthia Prajapati), Sorathiya Prajapati.<ref>{{cite web|title=CENTRAL LIST OF OBCs FOR THE STATE OF GUJARAT|url=http://www.bcmbcmw.tn.gov.in/obc/faq/gujarat.pdf|publisher=Government of India}}</ref>

==Kumhars in Nepal==
The [[Central Bureau of Statistics (Nepal)|Central Bureau of Statistics]] of Nepal classifies the Kumhar as a subgroup within the broader social group of [[Madheshi people|Madheshi]] Other Caste.<ref> Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II [https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf]</ref> At the time of the [[2011 Nepal census]], 62,399 people (0.2% of the population of Nepal) were Kumhar. The frequency of Kumhars by province was as follows:
* [[Madhesh Province]] (1.0%)
* [[Koshi Province]] (0.1%)
* [[Lumbini Province]] (0.1%)
* [[Bagmati Province]] (0.0%)
* [[Gandaki Province]] (0.0%)
* [[Sudurpashchim Province]] (0.0%)
* [[Karnali Province]] (0.0%)

The frequency of Kumhars was higher than national average (0.2%) in the following districts:<ref>[https://cbs.gov.np/wp-content/upLoads/2018/12/Volume05Part02.pdf 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report]</ref>
* [[Rautahat District|Rautahat]] (1.8%)
* [[Bara District|Bara]] (1.5%)
* [[Sarlahi District|Sarlahi]] (1.4%)
* [[Dhanusha District|Dhanusha]] (1.0%)
* [[Saptari District|Saptari]] (0.9%)
* [[Mahottari District|Mahottari]] (0.6%)
* [[Parsa District|Parsa]] (0.6%)
* [[Banke District|Banke]] (0.3%)
* [[Siraha District|Siraha]] (0.3%)

== See also ==
* [[Pottery]]
* [[Kumal people]]
* [[Nizamabad black clay pottery]]

== References ==
{{commons category|Kumhar}}
{{reflist}}{{Social groups of Rajasthan}}{{Social groups of Maharashtra}}
[[Category:Kumhar| ]]
[[Category:Social groups of Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Social groups of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]
[[Category:Social groups of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Social groups of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Social groups of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Social groups of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Social groups of Haryana]]
[[Category:Sindhi tribes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Sindh]]
[[Category:Indian castes]]
[[Category:Indian pottery]]
[[Category:Other Backward Classes]]
[[Category:Pot-making castes]]
[[Category:Social groups of Odisha]]

Kumhar - Revision history

CleanupBot at 06:17, 24 July 2023