Revision as of 19:10, 5 June 2021 edit2409:4065:d90:7826:a2bd:1933:8a1e:5b71 (talk) Rajkumar SharmaTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit← Previous edit | Revision as of 08:12, 6 June 2021 edit undoAdamantine123 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers28,939 edits Restored revision 1023488234 by Heba Aisha (talk): Non constructive edits revertedTags: Twinkle Undo RevertedNext edit → | ||
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| population = {{Circa|''' |
| population = {{Circa|'''269.3 million'''|lk=yes}}{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} | ||
| popplace = ], ]<br />], ]<br /> various large cities across ] and ] | | popplace = ], ]<br />], ]<br /> various large cities across ] and ] | ||
| langs = ], ], ], ], ] | | langs = ], ], ], ], ] | ||
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] guru ] bowing to ]]] | ] guru ] bowing to ]]] | ||
]]] | ]]] | ||
Bihar is one of the longest inhabited places in the world with a history going back to the ] age.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://yac.bih.nic.in/Da-02.htm#Chirand | title=Directorate of Archaeology - Page 2 |
Bihar is one of the longest inhabited places in the world with a history going back to the ] age.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://yac.bih.nic.in/Da-02.htm#Chirand | title=Directorate of Archaeology - Page 2}}</ref> Since that time, Biharis have long been involved in some of the most important events in South Asian history. Biharis were the founders of many great empires based out of ] including the ] and the ].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=West |first1=Barbara A. |year=2010 |title=Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pCiNqFj3MQsC&pg=PA117 |page=117 |isbn=978-1-4381-1913-7}}</ref> Both of these empires had their capitals in ] (modern-day ]). | ||
Two of India's major religions also have their origins in Bihar. ] who was the founder of ], achieved enlightenment in ], ]. ], the founder of ], was born in ] in North Bihar.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=loQkEIf8z5wC&q=jainism+buddhism+bihar&pg=PA202 |title = Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence|isbn = 9788120815346|last1 = Titze|first1 = Kurt|last2 = Bruhn|first2 = Klaus|year = 1998}}</ref> The tenth Guru of ]s, Gobind Singh who was the only son of ], the ninth ], and ]. He was born in ] on 22 December 1666, ] in the ] ] family<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.learnpunjabi.org/eos/index.aspx | Two of India's major religions also have their origins in Bihar. ] who was the founder of ], achieved enlightenment in ], ]. ], the founder of ], was born in ] in North Bihar.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=loQkEIf8z5wC&q=jainism+buddhism+bihar&pg=PA202 |title = Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-violence|isbn = 9788120815346|last1 = Titze|first1 = Kurt|last2 = Bruhn|first2 = Klaus|year = 1998}}</ref> The tenth Guru of ]s, Gobind Singh who was the only son of ], the ninth ], and ]. He was born in ] on 22 December 1666, ] in the ] ] family<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.learnpunjabi.org/eos/index.aspx | ||
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==Clothing== | ==Clothing== | ||
] district (1915)]] | ] district (1915)]] | ||
] | |||
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⚫ | The traditional dress of Bihari people includes the ]-] (a modified form of the flowing jama)<ref>Winer, Lise (2009) Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago: On Historical Principles {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510200339/https://books.google.com/books?id=_n82hsbDJBMC&pg=PA504&dq=punjabi+kurta+bihar&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WjV3VazaGYPsUtWagOgE&ved=0CFEQ6AEwBQ |date=10 May 2018 }}</ref> or the ] (replacing the older outfit of the dhoti and chapkan which is a robe fastened on the right)<ref name="google4">{{cite book|title=Bihar And Orissa Gazetteers Shahabad|author=O`malley, L.S.S.|publisher=Logos Press|isbn=9788172681227|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iftaR6DVxIAC&pg=PA51|page=51|access-date=2017-02-17|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063342/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=iftaR6DVxIAC&pg=PA51|archivedate=18 February 2017}}</ref> for men and ] for women. In everyday life women wear ] or ]-]. The saree is worn in "Seedha Aanchal" style traditionally.<ref name="Web India 123-Bihari Dress">{{cite web|url = http://www.webindia123.com/bihar/people/language.htm#O|title = Bihari Clothing|publisher = Web India 123|access-date = 2007-02-16|url-status = live|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20061121082905/http://www.webindia123.com/bihar/people/language.htm#O|archivedate = 21 November 2006}}</ref> Nevertheless, Western shirts and trousers are becoming popular among the both rural and urban male population.<ref name="Web India 123-Bihari Dress" /> And Salwar-Kameez for women in urban Bihar. Jewellery such as rings for men and bangles for women are popular. However, there are some traditional Bihari jewelries like "Chhara", "Hansuli", "Kamarbandh", etc.<ref name="Web India 123-Bihari Dress" /> | ||
==Language and literature== | ==Language and literature== | ||
{{Main|Languages in Bihar|Literature in Bihar}} | {{Main|Languages in Bihar|Literature in Bihar}} | ||
{{See also|Maithili language|Bhojpuri|Angika|Magahi|Magadhi Prakrit|Hindi in Bihar|Urdu Language in Bihar}} | {{See also|Maithili language|Bhojpuri|Angika|Magahi|Magadhi Prakrit|Hindi in Bihar|Urdu Language in Bihar}} | ||
] |
] ] is the official language of the State.<ref name=CSDOffLang1950>{{cite web |title=The Bihar Official Language Act, 1950 |url=http://csd.bih.nic.in/Act&rule/Act1english.pdf |year=1950 |website=Cabinet Secretariat Department, Government of Bihar |access-date=9 April 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413072041/http://csd.bih.nic.in/Act%26rule/Act1english.pdf |archivedate=13 April 2015}}</ref> Maithili (61 million speakers including ] which has 11 million speakers in India),<ref name=Chitransh2012>{{cite news |last=Chitransh |first=Anugya |title=Bhojpuri is not the only language in Bihar |url=http://hillpost.in/2012/09/bhojpuri-is-not-the-only-language-in-bihar/50489/ |date=1 September 2012 |newspaper=Hill Post |access-date=10 April 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228200009/http://hillpost.in/2012/09/bhojpuri-is-not-the-only-language-in-bihar/50489/ |archivedate=28 December 2014}}</ref> and Urdu<ref name=Benedikter2009>{{cite book |last=Benedikter |first=Thomas |title=Language Policy and Linguistic Minorities in India: An Appraisal of the Linguistic Rights of Minorities in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vpZv2GHM7VQC&pg=PA89 |date=2009 |page=89 |location=Münster |publisher=] |isbn=978-3-643-10231-7 |access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref> are other recognised languages of the state. Unrecognised languages of the state are Bhojpuri (60 million), Angika (30 million) and Magahi (20 million).<ref name="Chitransh2012" /><ref name=Cardona2003>{{cite book |editor1-last=Cardona |editor1-first=George |editor1-link=George Cardona |editor2-last=Jain |editor2-first=Dhanesh |title=The Indo-Aryan Languages |date=11 September 2003 |page=500 |publisher=Routledge |series=Routledge Language Family Series |isbn=978-0-415-77294-5 |quote=...the number of speakers of Bihari languages are difficult to indicate because of unreliable sources. In the urban region most educated speakers of the language name Hindi as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of lack of awareness. The uneducated and the urban population of the region return Hindi as the generic name for their language.}}</ref> ] and ] are sociolinguistically a part of the ] languages fold, thus they were not granted official status in the state.The number of speakers of the ] is difficult to count because of unreliable sources. In the urban region, most educated speakers of the language name Hindi as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of unawareness. The uneducated and the rural population of the region regards Hindi as the generic name for their language.<ref name="Dhanesh" >{{cite book |last1=Jain |first1=Dhanesh |last2=Cardona |first2=George |date=2003 |title=The Indo-Aryan Languages |publisher=Routledge |page=500 |quote=The number of speakers of Bihari languages are difficult to indicate because of unreliable sources. In the urban region, most educated speakers of the language name either Hindi or Urdu as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of unawareness. The uneducated and the rural population of the region regards Hindi or Urdu as the generic name for their language.}}</ref> | ||
Despite of the large number of speakers of ], they have not been constitutionally recognized in ], except ] which is recognised under the ]. Hindi is the language used for educational and official matters in Bihar.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226234832/http://www.diehardindian.com/demogrph/moredemo/histlang.htm |date=26 February 2012 }}, "Bihari is actually the name of a group of three related languages—Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi—spoken mainly in northeastern India in Bihar."</ref> These languages was legally absorbed under the subordinate label of Hindi in the 1961 Census. Such state and national politics are creating conditions for language endangerment.<ref>{{cite conference | Despite of the large number of speakers of ], they have not been constitutionally recognized in ], except ] which is recognised under the ]. Hindi is the language used for educational and official matters in Bihar.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226234832/http://www.diehardindian.com/demogrph/moredemo/histlang.htm |date=26 February 2012 }}, "Bihari is actually the name of a group of three related languages—Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi—spoken mainly in northeastern India in Bihar."</ref> These languages was legally absorbed under the subordinate label of Hindi in the 1961 Census. Such state and national politics are creating conditions for language endangerment.<ref>{{cite conference | ||
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The first success for spreading Hindi occurred in Bihar in 1881, when Hindi displaced Urdu as the sole official language of the province. In this struggle between competing Hindi and Urdu, the potential claims of the three large mother tongues in the region – ], ] and ] were ignored. After independence Hindi was again given the sole official status through the Bihar Official Language Act, 1950.<ref>Brass Paul R., ''The Politics of India Since Independence'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 183</ref> Urdu became the second official language in the undivided State of Bihar on 16 August 1989. Bihar also produced several eminent Urdu writers including ], ], ], Paigham Afaqui, ], Sohail Azimabadi, ], Dr. Shamim Hashimi,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://urduliterature.org/shamimhashimi.aspx |title=Dr. Shamim Hashimi |website=Urdu Literature |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002040811/http://urduliterature.org/shamimhashimi.aspx |archive-date=2 October 2013 |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> Wahab Ashrafi<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biharanjuman.org/bio/wahab.htm |title=Professor Dr. Syed Abdul Wahab Ashrafi |website=Biharanjuman.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928013618/http://www.biharanjuman.org/bio/wahab.htm |archive-date=28 September 2013 |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> etc. | The first success for spreading Hindi occurred in Bihar in 1881, when Hindi displaced Urdu as the sole official language of the province. In this struggle between competing Hindi and Urdu, the potential claims of the three large mother tongues in the region – ], ] and ] were ignored. After independence Hindi was again given the sole official status through the Bihar Official Language Act, 1950.<ref>Brass Paul R., ''The Politics of India Since Independence'', Cambridge University Press, pp. 183</ref> Urdu became the second official language in the undivided State of Bihar on 16 August 1989. Bihar also produced several eminent Urdu writers including ], ], ], Paigham Afaqui, ], Sohail Azimabadi, ], Dr. Shamim Hashimi,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://urduliterature.org/shamimhashimi.aspx |title=Dr. Shamim Hashimi |website=Urdu Literature |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002040811/http://urduliterature.org/shamimhashimi.aspx |archive-date=2 October 2013 |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> Wahab Ashrafi<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biharanjuman.org/bio/wahab.htm |title=Professor Dr. Syed Abdul Wahab Ashrafi |website=Biharanjuman.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928013618/http://www.biharanjuman.org/bio/wahab.htm |archive-date=28 September 2013 |access-date=18 July 2013}}</ref> etc. | ||
Bihar has produced a number of writers of Hindi, including Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Shiva Pujan Sahay, Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy, ], ], ], ] and Baba ]. ], the great writer and ] scholar, was born in ] but spent his life in the land of ], i.e., Bihar. ] and Neeraj Singh (from Ara) are the prominent writer of the new generation. They are short story writer, playwright and theatre critic. Arun Kamal and Aalok Dhanwa are the well-known poets. Different regional languages also have produced some prominent poets and |
Bihar has produced a number of writers of Hindi, including Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Shiva Pujan Sahay, Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy, ], ], ], ] and Baba ]. ], the great writer and ] scholar, was born in ] but spent his life in the land of ], i.e., Bihar. ] and Neeraj Singh (from Ara) are the prominent writer of the new generation. They are short story writer, playwright and theatre critic. Arun Kamal and Aalok Dhanwa are the well-known poets. Different regional languages also have produced some prominent poets and authors. ], who is among the greatest writers in ], resided for some time in Bihar. ] also hails from Patna in Bihar. ], who rose to fame at the beginning of the 20th century on account of his novels such as '']'' and ''Chandrakanta Santati'', was born in ], Bihar. ] is the most renowned poet of Maithili (c. 14–15th century). ]<ref name="indiatimes">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/After-11-novels-Bihar-lad-set-for-Bollywood-debut/articleshow/20938614.cms|work=The Times of India|title=After 11 novels, Bihar lad set for Bollywood debut - Times of India|access-date=2017-02-17|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228122118/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/After-11-novels-Bihar-lad-set-for-Bollywood-debut/articleshow/20938614.cms|archivedate=28 February 2017}}</ref> has written many English bestseller novels and he is one of India's emerging young writer. | ||
==Castes and ethnic groups== | ==Castes and ethnic groups== | ||
] in Bihar.]] | ] in Bihar.]] | ||
] | |||
Bihari society follows a very rigid caste system, which influences daily life and politics.<ref name="google5">{{cite book|title=Land and caste politics in Bihar|author=Barik, R.|date=2006|publisher=Shipra Publications|isbn=9788175413054|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGNuAAAAMAAJ|access-date=2017-02-17|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063552/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lGNuAAAAMAAJ|archivedate=18 February 2017}}</ref> | Bihari society follows a very rigid caste system, which influences daily life and politics.<ref name="google5">{{cite book|title=Land and caste politics in Bihar|author=Barik, R.|date=2006|publisher=Shipra Publications|isbn=9788175413054|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGNuAAAAMAAJ|access-date=2017-02-17|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063552/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lGNuAAAAMAAJ|archivedate=18 February 2017}}</ref> | ||
The ] indicated that ] constituted 15% of Bihar's 10.4 crores population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LCNhWGd3SjS5P1eAV5nogP/Foreign-diplomats-line-up-for-Bihar-elections.html |title=Foreign diplomats line up for Bihar elections |author=Utpal Bhaskar |website=livemint.com |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221081744/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LCNhWGd3SjS5P1eAV5nogP/Foreign-diplomats-line-up-for-Bihar-elections.html |archivedate=21 February 2016|date=2015-08-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nk-singh/how-bihar-elections-could_b_8195114.html|title=How Bihar Elections Could Shape India's Future|work=HuffPost|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227081724/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nk-singh/how-bihar-elections-could_b_8195114.html|archivedate=27 February 2016|date=2015-09-26}}</ref> The census identified 21 of 23 Dalit sub-castes as ''Mahadalits''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-elections-jitan-ram-manjhi-announces-alliance-with-bjp-says-no-decision-yet-on-seats/article1-1357520.aspx|title=Bihar polls: Jitan Ram Manjhi announces alliance with BJP|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818032456/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-elections-jitan-ram-manjhi-announces-alliance-with-bjp-says-no-decision-yet-on-seats/article1-1357520.aspx|archivedate=18 August 2015|date=2015-06-11}}</ref> The ''Mahadalit'' community consists of the following sub-castes: Bantar, Bauri, Bhogta, Bhuiya, Chaupal, Dabgar, Dom (Dhangad), Ghasi, Halalkhor, Hari (Mehtar, Bhangi), Kanjar, Kurariar, Lalbegi, Musahar, Nat, Pan (Swasi), Rajwar, Turi, Dhobi, Chamar and Dusadh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/politics/ram-vilas-paswan-jitan-ram-manjhi-battle-for-mahadalit-leadership-making-it-tough-for-bjp-in-bihar-1099046.html|title=Ram Vilas Paswan-Jitan Ram Manjhi battle for Mahadalit leadership making it tough for BJP in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/politics/ram-vilas-paswan-jitan-ram-manjhi-battle-for-mahadalit-leadership-making-it-tough-for-bjp-in-bihar-1099046.html|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref> The Paswan caste was initially left out of the Mahadalit category, to the consternation of Ram Vilas Paswan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/noninclusion-of-paswans-in-maha-dalit-list-angers-paswan/article51356.ece|title=Non-inclusion of Paswans in Mahadalit list angers Paswan|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/noninclusion-of-paswans-in-maha-dalit-list-angers-paswan/article51356.ece|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2009-11-19|last1=Banerjee|first1=Shoumojit}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bihar-cm-includes-paswan-caste-in-mahadalit-category-115021500440_1.html|title=Bihar CM includes Paswan caste in Mahadalit category|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305163041/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bihar-cm-includes-paswan-caste-in-mahadalit-category-115021500440_1.html|archivedate=5 March 2016|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2015-02-15}}</ref> ]s (]) constituted around 1.3% of the Bihari population.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/does-bihar-know-how-many-tribals-live-in-the-state/article3612.ece|title=Does Bihar know how many tribals live in the State?|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/does-bihar-know-how-many-tribals-live-in-the-state/article3612.ece|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2009-08-16|last1=Banerjee|first1=Shoumojit}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/27-lakh-sc-st-families-to-benefit-from-food-law-in-bihar-114121000897_1.html|title=27 lakh SC & ST families to benefit from Food Law in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/27-lakh-sc-st-families-to-benefit-from-food-law-in-bihar-114121000897_1.html|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2014-12-10|last1=India|first1=Press Trust of}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/2015/09/bihar-assembly-elections-2015-experiments-in-the-caste-lab-of-bihar/|title=Bihar assembly elections 2015: Experiments in the caste lab of Bihar|work=Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926062446/http://www.tehelka.com/2015/09/bihar-assembly-elections-2015-experiments-in-the-caste-lab-of-bihar/|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> They include the Gond, Santhal and Tharu communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/special-package-for-tharu-tribals-in-bihar/article378597.ece|title=Special package for Tharu tribals in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/special-package-for-tharu-tribals-in-bihar/article378597.ece|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2009-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141009/jsp/bihar/story_18907903.jsp|title=Stage set for tribal all-woman battalion|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618172907/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141009/jsp/bihar/story_18907903.jsp#.VYLODIuUdyw|archivedate=18 June 2015}}</ref> There are about 130 Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) in Bihar.<ref name="EBCBihar130">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/nitish-kumars-gambit-temple-fund-2-ebcs-added-to-scst-list/|title=Nitish Kumar's gambit: temple fund, 2 EBCs added to SC/ST list|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/nitish-kumars-gambit-temple-fund-2-ebcs-added-to-scst-list/|archivedate=25 January 2016|date=2015-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gad.bih.nic.in/Circulars/CN-01-10-09-2015.pdf|title=Bihar state EBC list |
The ] indicated that ] constituted 15% of Bihar's 10.4 crores population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LCNhWGd3SjS5P1eAV5nogP/Foreign-diplomats-line-up-for-Bihar-elections.html |title=Foreign diplomats line up for Bihar elections |author=Utpal Bhaskar |website=livemint.com |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221081744/http://www.livemint.com/Politics/LCNhWGd3SjS5P1eAV5nogP/Foreign-diplomats-line-up-for-Bihar-elections.html |archivedate=21 February 2016|date=2015-08-27 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nk-singh/how-bihar-elections-could_b_8195114.html|title=How Bihar Elections Could Shape India's Future|work=HuffPost|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227081724/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/nk-singh/how-bihar-elections-could_b_8195114.html|archivedate=27 February 2016|date=2015-09-26}}</ref> The census identified 21 of 23 Dalit sub-castes as ''Mahadalits''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-elections-jitan-ram-manjhi-announces-alliance-with-bjp-says-no-decision-yet-on-seats/article1-1357520.aspx|title=Bihar polls: Jitan Ram Manjhi announces alliance with BJP|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818032456/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-elections-jitan-ram-manjhi-announces-alliance-with-bjp-says-no-decision-yet-on-seats/article1-1357520.aspx|archivedate=18 August 2015|date=2015-06-11}}</ref> The ''Mahadalit'' community consists of the following sub-castes: Bantar, Bauri, Bhogta, Bhuiya, Chaupal, Dabgar, Dom (Dhangad), Ghasi, Halalkhor, Hari (Mehtar, Bhangi), Kanjar, Kurariar, Lalbegi, Musahar, Nat, Pan (Swasi), Rajwar, Turi, Dhobi, Chamar and Dusadh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/politics/ram-vilas-paswan-jitan-ram-manjhi-battle-for-mahadalit-leadership-making-it-tough-for-bjp-in-bihar-1099046.html|title=Ram Vilas Paswan-Jitan Ram Manjhi battle for Mahadalit leadership making it tough for BJP in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/politics/ram-vilas-paswan-jitan-ram-manjhi-battle-for-mahadalit-leadership-making-it-tough-for-bjp-in-bihar-1099046.html|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref> The Paswan caste was initially left out of the Mahadalit category, to the consternation of Ram Vilas Paswan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/noninclusion-of-paswans-in-maha-dalit-list-angers-paswan/article51356.ece|title=Non-inclusion of Paswans in Mahadalit list angers Paswan|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/noninclusion-of-paswans-in-maha-dalit-list-angers-paswan/article51356.ece|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2009-11-19|last1=Banerjee|first1=Shoumojit}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bihar-cm-includes-paswan-caste-in-mahadalit-category-115021500440_1.html|title=Bihar CM includes Paswan caste in Mahadalit category|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305163041/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/bihar-cm-includes-paswan-caste-in-mahadalit-category-115021500440_1.html|archivedate=5 March 2016|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2015-02-15}}</ref> ]s (]) constituted around 1.3% of the Bihari population.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/does-bihar-know-how-many-tribals-live-in-the-state/article3612.ece|title=Does Bihar know how many tribals live in the State?|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/does-bihar-know-how-many-tribals-live-in-the-state/article3612.ece|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2009-08-16|last1=Banerjee|first1=Shoumojit}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/27-lakh-sc-st-families-to-benefit-from-food-law-in-bihar-114121000897_1.html|title=27 lakh SC & ST families to benefit from Food Law in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/27-lakh-sc-st-families-to-benefit-from-food-law-in-bihar-114121000897_1.html|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2014-12-10|last1=India|first1=Press Trust of}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/2015/09/bihar-assembly-elections-2015-experiments-in-the-caste-lab-of-bihar/|title=Bihar assembly elections 2015: Experiments in the caste lab of Bihar|work=Tehelka - Investigations, Latest News, Politics, Analysis, Blogs, Culture, Photos, Videos, Podcasts|access-date=10 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926062446/http://www.tehelka.com/2015/09/bihar-assembly-elections-2015-experiments-in-the-caste-lab-of-bihar/|archive-date=26 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> They include the Gond, Santhal and Tharu communities.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/special-package-for-tharu-tribals-in-bihar/article378597.ece|title=Special package for Tharu tribals in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/special-package-for-tharu-tribals-in-bihar/article378597.ece|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|date=2009-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141009/jsp/bihar/story_18907903.jsp|title=Stage set for tribal all-woman battalion|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150618172907/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141009/jsp/bihar/story_18907903.jsp#.VYLODIuUdyw|archivedate=18 June 2015}}</ref> There are about 130 Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) in Bihar.<ref name="EBCBihar130">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/nitish-kumars-gambit-temple-fund-2-ebcs-added-to-scst-list/|title=Nitish Kumar's gambit: temple fund, 2 EBCs added to SC/ST list|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/nitish-kumars-gambit-temple-fund-2-ebcs-added-to-scst-list/|archivedate=25 January 2016|date=2015-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gad.bih.nic.in/Circulars/CN-01-10-09-2015.pdf|title=Bihar state EBC list}}</ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%;font-size: 95%;align:center;" | {| class="wikitable" style="width: 75%;font-size: 95%;align:center;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 74: | Line 77: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ]/EBC | | ]/EBC | ||
|| |
|| 52% | ||
||]s - 12%<br />]s - 4% | |||
||]s (Including ]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Singh|first=Kumar Suresh|title=People of India|publisher=]|year=1994|isbn=9788173040917|location=New Delhi|pages=430}}</ref>) - 12%<br />]s - 4% | |||
(] Kurmi with 1.5% population are included under EBCs)<br />] (],]) - 8%<br />(EBCs - 26%<ref name="EBCBihar130"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150814/jsp/bihar/story_37176.jsp|title=Voice of unity for EBC voters|work=The Telegraph|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925164504/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150814/jsp/bihar/story_37176.jsp#.VfO999Kqqko|archivedate=25 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/bihar-elections-still-remain-about-slicing-and-dicing-caste-ebcs-are-the-wild-card/|title=Bihar elections still remain about slicing and dicing caste, EBCs are the wild card|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912080250/http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/bihar-elections-still-remain-about-slicing-and-dicing-caste-ebcs-are-the-wild-card/|archivedate=12 September 2015|date=2015-09-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/frenemies-bjps-tie-up-with-jitan-ram-manjhi-could-give-it-edge-in-bihar-polls/|title=Frenemies: BJP's tie-up with Jitan Ram Manjhi could give it edge in Bihar polls|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/frenemies-bjps-tie-up-with-jitan-ram-manjhi-could-give-it-edge-in-bihar-polls/ |archivedate=25 January 2016|date=2015-06-08}}</ref>{{relevance inline|reason=Article describes a percentage of votes, which is neither the same as eligible voters (not every eligible voter votes) nor the same as population (some people are too young to vote)|date=December 2019}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/bihar-voters-in-dilemma-110102800030_1.html|title=Bihar voters in dilemma|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/bihar-voters-in-dilemma-110102800030_1.html|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2010-10-27|last1=Chatterji|first1=Saubhadra}}</ref> -includes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-ties-up-with-OBC-leader-Upendra-Kushwaha-in-Bihar/articleshow/30534465.cms|title=BJP ties up with OBC leader Upendra Kushwaha in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-ties-up-with-OBC-leader-Upendra-Kushwaha-in-Bihar/articleshow/30534465.cms|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jitan-Ram-Manjhi-emerges-critical-player-in-poll-bound-Bihar/articleshow/47437850.cms|title=Jitan Ram Manjhi emerges critical player in poll-bound Bihar|work=The Times of India|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jitan-Ram-Manjhi-emerges-critical-player-in-poll-bound-Bihar/articleshow/47437850.cms|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/bjp-may-bring-in-kushwaha-as-obc-face|title=BJP may bring in Kushwaha as OBC face|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/bjp-may-bring-in-kushwaha-as-obc-face|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref> ]-3.2%) | (] Kurmi with 1.5% population are included under EBCs)<br />] (], ], ], etc.) - 8%<br />(EBCs - 26%<ref name="EBCBihar130"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150814/jsp/bihar/story_37176.jsp|title=Voice of unity for EBC voters|work=The Telegraph|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925164504/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150814/jsp/bihar/story_37176.jsp#.VfO999Kqqko|archivedate=25 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/bihar-elections-still-remain-about-slicing-and-dicing-caste-ebcs-are-the-wild-card/|title=Bihar elections still remain about slicing and dicing caste, EBCs are the wild card|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912080250/http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/bihar-elections-still-remain-about-slicing-and-dicing-caste-ebcs-are-the-wild-card/|archivedate=12 September 2015|date=2015-09-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/frenemies-bjps-tie-up-with-jitan-ram-manjhi-could-give-it-edge-in-bihar-polls/|title=Frenemies: BJP's tie-up with Jitan Ram Manjhi could give it edge in Bihar polls|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/et-commentary/frenemies-bjps-tie-up-with-jitan-ram-manjhi-could-give-it-edge-in-bihar-polls/ |archivedate=25 January 2016|date=2015-06-08}}</ref>{{relevance inline|reason=Article describes a percentage of votes, which is neither the same as eligible voters (not every eligible voter votes) nor the same as population (some people are too young to vote)|date=December 2019}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/bihar-voters-in-dilemma-110102800030_1.html|title=Bihar voters in dilemma|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/bihar-voters-in-dilemma-110102800030_1.html|archivedate=25 January 2016|newspaper=Business Standard|date=2010-10-27|last1=Chatterji|first1=Saubhadra}}</ref> -includes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-ties-up-with-OBC-leader-Upendra-Kushwaha-in-Bihar/articleshow/30534465.cms|title=BJP ties up with OBC leader Upendra Kushwaha in Bihar|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/BJP-ties-up-with-OBC-leader-Upendra-Kushwaha-in-Bihar/articleshow/30534465.cms|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jitan-Ram-Manjhi-emerges-critical-player-in-poll-bound-Bihar/articleshow/47437850.cms|title=Jitan Ram Manjhi emerges critical player in poll-bound Bihar|work=The Times of India|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jitan-Ram-Manjhi-emerges-critical-player-in-poll-bound-Bihar/articleshow/47437850.cms|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/bjp-may-bring-in-kushwaha-as-obc-face|title=BJP may bring in Kushwaha as OBC face|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125125707/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/bjp-may-bring-in-kushwaha-as-obc-face|archivedate=25 January 2016}}</ref> ]-3.2%) | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] (Dalit+Mahadalit) | | ] (Dalit+Mahadalit) | ||
Line 87: | Line 90: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
|| |
||15% | ||
<br /> | |||
|| Four upper-castes - ]s |
|| Four upper-castes - ]s -4% ]s - 6%, ]s - 3 | ||
% and ]s -1 |
% and ]s -1% constitute around 15% of the state's population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/729395/is-nitish-kumar-working-on-a-new-bihar-poll-strategy-that-excludes-laloo-and-mulayam|title=Is Nitish Kumar working on a new Bihar poll strategy that excludes Laloo and Mulayam?|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123192910/http://scroll.in/article/729395/is-nitish-kumar-working-on-a-new-bihar-poll-strategy-that-excludes-laloo-and-mulayam|archivedate=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.150067/page/n729 |title=Bihar Through The Ages by |last=Diwakar |first=R. R.}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ]s(STs) | | ]s(STs) | ||
Line 118: | Line 121: | ||
==Bihari politics== | ==Bihari politics== | ||
{{main|Politics of Bihar}} | {{main|Politics of Bihar}} | ||
The politics of Bihar is influenced by ] and religion based consciousness to a large extent. The upper castes dominated the politics and political parties till 1967. But after 1967, resurgence of middle castes took place and the castes like ], ] and ] replaced the upper castes in political scenario. Some ] caste like ] and ] also performed well in politics. Politics of Bihar since 1990s is dominated by regional political parties like ], and ] whilst a number of small parties like |
The politics of Bihar is influenced by ] and religion based consciousness to a large extent. The upper castes dominated the politics and political parties till 1967. But after 1967, resurgence of middle castes took place and the castes like ], ] and ] replaced the upper castes in political scenario. Some ] caste like ] and ] also performed well in politics. Politics of Bihar since 1990s is dominated by regional political parties like ], and ] whilst a number of small parties like ] and ] are also active.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kumar|first=Sanjay |title=Post mandal politics in Bihar:Changing electoral patterns|publisher=SAGE publication|isbn=978-93-528-0585-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2zhODwAAQBAJ|date=2018-06-05}}</ref> | ||
==Bihari sub-nationalism== | ==Bihari sub-nationalism== |
Revision as of 08:12, 6 June 2021
Demonym for the inhabitants of Bihar, India For other uses, see Bihari (disambiguation). For Bihari Muslims who settled in Pakistan, see Muhajir people.Ethnic group
Total population | |
---|---|
c. 269.3 million | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Bihar, India Karachi, Pakistan various large cities across India and Pakistan | |
Languages | |
Bhojpuri, Maithili, Magahi, Hindi, Urdu | |
Religion | |
Majority: Hinduism Minority: Islam | |
Related ethnic groups | |
other Indo-Aryan peoples |
The Biharis (listen) is a demonym given to the inhabitants of the Indian state of Bihar. Bihari people can be separated into three main Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic groups, Bhojpuris, Maithils and Magadhis. They are also further divided into a variety of hereditary caste groups. In Bihar today, the Bihari identity is seen as secondary to caste/clan, linguistic and religious identity but nonetheless is a subset of the larger Indian identity.
Biharis can be found throughout India, and in the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. During the Partition of India in 1947, many Bihari Muslims migrated to East Bengal (renamed to East Pakistan; later became Bangladesh). Bihari people are also well represented in the Muhajir people of Pakistan (formerly West Pakistan) because of Partition.
History
Main article: History of BiharBihar is one of the longest inhabited places in the world with a history going back to the Neolithic age. Since that time, Biharis have long been involved in some of the most important events in South Asian history. Biharis were the founders of many great empires based out of Magadh including the Maurya Empire and the Gupta Empire. Both of these empires had their capitals in Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
Two of India's major religions also have their origins in Bihar. Gautama Buddha who was the founder of Buddhism, achieved enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, was born in Vaishali in North Bihar. The tenth Guru of Sikhs, Gobind Singh who was the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, and Mata Gujri. He was born in Patna on 22 December 1666, Bihar in the Sodhi Khatri family The founder of Sur Empire, Sher Shah Suri was born in Sasaram, a city in the state of Bihar in present-day India into a Pashtun family.
Martial tradition
Many academics including Dirk Kolff and Walter Hauser have noted that Bihar has a history of armed activism among its peasantry. For centuries, Purbiya soldiers from Western Bihar have long served as soldiers in the armies of Kings in Western regions of India. Mughal sources also record that many peasant soldiers were recruited from Northern parts of Bihar (Tirhut). The Bihari Soldiers of British army played a major role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British following the suppression of the uprising, British authorities decided not to recruit troops from Bihar. Then they decided to recruit troops from Sikh and Muslim Communities of the Punjab. This martial heritage continued into the late 20th century with the formation of private armies or senas that were formed to maintain the interests of specific castes.
Servan-Schreiber described this martial tradition as follows:
For any traveler on the roads of Bihar, an inescapable image comes to mind. That of a peasant who always keeps his wooden club or lathi at hand, under no circumstances letting it out of his reach. The Biharis, who constitute a martial race in India similar to the Sikhs or the Pathans, in keeping with the role conceived by the British colonial administration, were a mother lode for Monghol and English army recruiters. Their independent fighting spirit, which has earned them a reputation for toughness, has been in evidence throughout their history.
Clothing
The traditional dress of Bihari people includes the dhoti-mirjai (a modified form of the flowing jama) or the kurta (replacing the older outfit of the dhoti and chapkan which is a robe fastened on the right) for men and Saree for women. In everyday life women wear saree or Kameez-Salwar. The saree is worn in "Seedha Aanchal" style traditionally. Nevertheless, Western shirts and trousers are becoming popular among the both rural and urban male population. And Salwar-Kameez for women in urban Bihar. Jewellery such as rings for men and bangles for women are popular. However, there are some traditional Bihari jewelries like "Chhara", "Hansuli", "Kamarbandh", etc.
Language and literature
Main articles: Languages in Bihar and Literature in Bihar See also: Maithili language, Bhojpuri, Angika, Magahi, Magadhi Prakrit, Hindi in Bihar, and Urdu Language in BiharHindi is the official language of the State. Maithili (61 million speakers including Bajjika dialect which has 11 million speakers in India), and Urdu are other recognised languages of the state. Unrecognised languages of the state are Bhojpuri (60 million), Angika (30 million) and Magahi (20 million). Bhojpuri and Magahi are sociolinguistically a part of the Hindi Belt languages fold, thus they were not granted official status in the state.The number of speakers of the Bihari languages is difficult to count because of unreliable sources. In the urban region, most educated speakers of the language name Hindi as their language because this is what they use in formal contexts and believe it to be the appropriate response because of unawareness. The uneducated and the rural population of the region regards Hindi as the generic name for their language.
Despite of the large number of speakers of Bihari languages, they have not been constitutionally recognized in India, except Maithili which is recognised under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Hindi is the language used for educational and official matters in Bihar. These languages was legally absorbed under the subordinate label of Hindi in the 1961 Census. Such state and national politics are creating conditions for language endangerment. The first success for spreading Hindi occurred in Bihar in 1881, when Hindi displaced Urdu as the sole official language of the province. In this struggle between competing Hindi and Urdu, the potential claims of the three large mother tongues in the region – Bhojpuri, Maithili and Magahi were ignored. After independence Hindi was again given the sole official status through the Bihar Official Language Act, 1950. Urdu became the second official language in the undivided State of Bihar on 16 August 1989. Bihar also produced several eminent Urdu writers including Sulaiman Nadvi, Manazir Ahsan Gilani, Abdul Qavi Desnavi, Paigham Afaqui, Jabir Husain, Sohail Azimabadi, Hussain Ul Haque, Dr. Shamim Hashimi, Wahab Ashrafi etc.
Bihar has produced a number of writers of Hindi, including Raja Radhika Raman Singh, Shiva Pujan Sahay, Divakar Prasad Vidyarthy, Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar', Ram Briksh Benipuri, Phanishwar Nath 'Renu', Gopal Singh "Nepali" and Baba Nagarjun. Mahapandit Rahul Sankrityayan, the great writer and Buddhist scholar, was born in U.P. but spent his life in the land of Lord Buddha, i.e., Bihar. Hrishikesh Sulabh and Neeraj Singh (from Ara) are the prominent writer of the new generation. They are short story writer, playwright and theatre critic. Arun Kamal and Aalok Dhanwa are the well-known poets. Different regional languages also have produced some prominent poets and authors. Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, who is among the greatest writers in Bengali, resided for some time in Bihar. Upamanyu Chatterjee also hails from Patna in Bihar. Devaki Nandan Khatri, who rose to fame at the beginning of the 20th century on account of his novels such as Chandrakanta and Chandrakanta Santati, was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Vidyapati Thakur is the most renowned poet of Maithili (c. 14–15th century). Satyapal Chandra has written many English bestseller novels and he is one of India's emerging young writer.
Castes and ethnic groups
Bihari society follows a very rigid caste system, which influences daily life and politics.
The 2011 Census of India indicated that Scheduled Castes constituted 15% of Bihar's 10.4 crores population. The census identified 21 of 23 Dalit sub-castes as Mahadalits. The Mahadalit community consists of the following sub-castes: Bantar, Bauri, Bhogta, Bhuiya, Chaupal, Dabgar, Dom (Dhangad), Ghasi, Halalkhor, Hari (Mehtar, Bhangi), Kanjar, Kurariar, Lalbegi, Musahar, Nat, Pan (Swasi), Rajwar, Turi, Dhobi, Chamar and Dusadh The Paswan caste was initially left out of the Mahadalit category, to the consternation of Ram Vilas Paswan. Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes) constituted around 1.3% of the Bihari population. They include the Gond, Santhal and Tharu communities. There are about 130 Extremely Backward Castes (EBCs) in Bihar.
Castes of Bihar | ||
---|---|---|
Caste | Population (%) | Notes |
OBC/EBC | 52% | Yadavs - 12% Kurmis - 4% (Dhanuk Kurmi with 1.5% population are included under EBCs) |
S.C (Dalit+Mahadalit) | 15% | includes Dusadh- 5%, Chamar - 5%, Musahar- 2.8% and others |
Muslims | 16.9% | includes (Ashrafi) Sayyid, Sheikh Mughal Pathan castes |
Forward caste | 15%
|
Four upper-castes - Brahmins -4% Bhumihars - 6%, Rajputs - 3
% and Kayasthas -1% constitute around 15% of the state's population. |
Adivasis(STs) | 1.3% | |
Others | 0.4% | Includes Christians, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists |
Religion
Main article: Religion in BiharAccording to the 2011 census, 82.7% of Bihar's population practiced Hinduism, while 16.9% followed Islam.
Religion | Population |
---|---|
Hindu | 82.7 |
Muslim | 16.9 |
Others | 0.4 |
Bihari politics
Main article: Politics of BiharThe politics of Bihar is influenced by caste and religion based consciousness to a large extent. The upper castes dominated the politics and political parties till 1967. But after 1967, resurgence of middle castes took place and the castes like Koeri, Yadav and Kurmi replaced the upper castes in political scenario. Some Dalit caste like Paswan and Chamar also performed well in politics. Politics of Bihar since 1990s is dominated by regional political parties like Janata Dal (United), and Rashtriya Janata Dal whilst a number of small parties like Rashtriya Lok Samta Party and Jan Adhikar Party are also active.
Bihari sub-nationalism
According to social scientist Dr. Shaibal Gupta, the beating of students from Bihar in Mumbai in October 2008 has consolidated Bihari sub-nationalism.
See also
- Anti-Bihari sentiment
- Bihari diaspora
- Bihari Mauritian
- List of people from Bihar
- List of people from Jharkhand
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