The Balai, Balahi or Bhalay is a caste found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in India.[1] They are a relatively community of Bunkar caste and whose occupation, like theirs, has traditionally revolved around working with weaving.[2]
Acharya Nanesh, the eighth Achayra of Sadhumargi Jain Shravak Sangha had preached among the Balai community in 1963 near Ratlam. His followers are called Dharmapal. [3]
The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh showed the Balai population as 1200, whilst that in Rajasthan numbered 1100. In both states they are listed as a Scheduled Caste under India's reservation system.[4]
Despite occasional errors in the literature, they do not speak a distinct language.[5]
They speak the Nimadi language.[6] There is no distinct Bhalay language, despite one being assigned an ISO code Template:Ethnolink.[6]
References
- ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh. Volume XLII. Part One. edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 153 to 155, Manohar Publications
- ↑ Hierarchies Within Hierarchy: Some Observations on Caste System in Rajasthan. Indian Anthropologist({Template:Date).
- ↑ https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/metro/mumbai/other-news/-/articleshow/6589054.cms
- ↑ A-10 Individual Scheduled Caste Primary Census Abstract Data and its Appendix - Uttar Pradesh. Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
- ↑ Template:Glotto
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hammarström (2015) Ethnologue 16/17/18th editions: a comprehensive review: online appendices