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{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Tili}}
{{Short description|Hindu mercantile caste, found in some part of the state Bihar and West Bengal}}

{{for|the ] used on a ]|tihli}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox ethnic group|
{{use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
| group =
'''Tili''', also spelled '''Tilla'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Risley |first=Sir Herbert Hope |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5yk-AAAAYAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&hl=en |title=The Tribes and Castes of Bengal: Ethnographic Glossary |date=1892 |publisher=Printed at the Bengal secretariat Press |page=64 |language=en}}</ref>, is a hindu elite-trading <ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Dutt |first=Nripendra Kumar |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?redir_esc=y&id=I3JDAAAAYAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=tili |title=Origin and Growth of Caste in India |date=1965 |publisher=Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay |pages=114,115,126 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukhopādhyāẏa |first=Harekrshna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mLUsAAAAMAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95+%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF&q=%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95+%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF&hl=en |title=Gauṛabaṅga-saṃskr̥ti |date=1972 |publisher=Jijñāsā |pages=2 |language=bn}}</ref> ].They were traditionally landlords,businessman,moneylenders,bankers,rulers etc. Bengali Tilis are totally different than the Tilis of Bihar and Jharkhand.
| image =
| caption =
| popplace = • India
|region1=Bihar
|pop1=17,579 (0.0134% of the population of Bihar)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/story-bihar-caste-survey-counting-census-full-list-population-share-percent-obc-ebc-upper-caste-muslim-hindu-sc-st-8792660.html|title=List of caste wise population of Bihar|website=live Hindustan|accessdate=2023-10-07}}</ref>
| langs =
| rels = Hinduism
| related =
}}
'''Tili''' is a ] middle-ranking ], found in the state of ] and ] in India.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Guha|first=Ayan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m6-SEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Tili%22+caste+bengal&pg=PA127|title=The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics: Chronicling Continuity and Change|date=2022|publisher=BRILL|pages=124,128|isbn=978-90-04-51456-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Gupta|first=Swarupa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b9SwCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22tili%22+caste+bengal+profession&pg=PA177|title=Notions of Nationhood in Bengal: Perspectives on Samaj, c. 1867-1905|date=2009|publisher=BRILL|page=177|isbn=978-90-474-2958-6 |language=en}}</ref> By the late nineteenth century Tili was one of the fourteen castes belonging to 'Nabasakh' group in Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sanyal|first=Hitesranjan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ezzuAAAAIAAJ&q=Nabasakh|title=Social Mobility in Bengal|date=1981|publisher=Papyrus|pages=115|language=en}}</ref>


==History and origin== ==History and origin==
The Tili caste belongs to West Bengal and Bihar. Tilis speak in Angika and ]. Tilis are now found mainly in ] and ] of Bihar, and also in ], ] and ] districts of West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Guha |first=Ayan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m6-SEAAAQBAJ |title=The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics: Chronicling Continuity and Change |date=2022-09-26 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-51456-0 |pages=128–129 |language=en}}</ref> According to Ramkrishna Mukherjee, some Bengali ]s are gradually converting their caste to Tili.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Ramkrishna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jqs30ViYcJMC&dq=tili+caste+bengal+profession&pg=PA108 |title=The Dynamics of a Rural Society |date=1957 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |page=108 |isbn=978-81-7155-215-3 |language=en}}</ref>
They got branched from the ] caste<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Sarāvagī |first=Alakā |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xYFu64r4ybgC&newbks=0&hl=en |title=Over to You, Kadambari |last2=Kathā (Society) |date=2004 |publisher=Katha |isbn=978-81-87649-29-8 |page=206 |language=en}}</ref> in early days based on region and formed a new trading caste.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Bose |first=Nirmal Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5W27AAAAIAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&q=tili+caste&hl=en |title=Modern Bengal: Lectures Delivered Before the South Asia Colloquium, November-December 1957 |date=1958 |publisher=Center for South Asia Studies, Institute of International Studies, University of California |pages=17,25 |language=en}}</ref> '''''They are the descendants of the legendary king Tiliksha mentioned in Vallala Charita written by Ananda Bhatta.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhatta |first=Ananda |url=https://gretil.sub.uni-goettingen.de/gretil_elib/AVa901__Anandabhatta_Vallalacarita_EN_HP-Sastri.pdf |title=Śrīmad-Ānandabhaṭṭa-viracitaṃ Vallāla-caritam |pages=44,45,46,47,48,49}}</ref> They are the descendants of ],Chandra Empire,Sen Empire-Tiliksha,Gaudiya Empire,Dey Empire of East Bengal,migrated Rajputs to Bengal,]'''''They live mainly in Rarha Bengal, Bangladesh (some parts) and Punjab. Their varna status is mentioned as '''''Brahmakshatriya-Vanik''''' in original '''''"Chandi Mangal" by Kabikankan Mukundaram Chakrabarti'''''.<ref>{{Citation |last=mw-parser-output .commons-creator-table{background-color:#f0f0ff;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:95%;text-align:start}.mw-parser-output .commons-creator-table>tbody>tr{vertical-align:top}.mw-parser-output .commons-creator-table>tbody>tr>th{background-color:#e0e0ee;font-weight:bold;text-align:start}@media |title=Bangla: সচিত্র কবিকঙ্কণ চণ্ডী Sachitra Kabikankan Chandititle QS:P1476,bn:"সচিত্র কবিকঙ্কণ চণ্ডী " |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0_%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A3_%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%A3%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1%E0%A7%80_-_%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE_%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80.pdf |access-date=2024-02-24}}</ref><blockquote>''" In '''Vallala Charita- Chapter XII(PP. 44-49)''', Vallala Sena has mentioned them (Vallala Sen tried to hide the glorious history of Tiliksha but he mentioned about him unknowingly and with much reluctance) as the descendants produced from the marriage in between Tiliksha '''(Tiliksha was a better king than Ushinara, so Ballala Sen tried to deglorify Tiliksha and his descendants-Tili/Tilak)''' and seven daughters of Rajpurohits (High Ranking Brahmins).'' ''Hence their descendants are known as Tili/Tilak and they took surnames & gotras from their mothers to save themselves from Ushinara. .The Gotras and Surnames are:-''


By the second half of the nineteenth century, Tili became a symbol of higher status among the Telis. Trade and cultivation were the occupations of the dissident Telis or Tilis in the sixteenth century as testified by ]. In south-western Bengal, the Tilis appeared to have become cocoon bearers and traders. In the nineteenth century, the Tilis had become one of the foremost mercantile communities of Bengal. The ], the ] (Murshidabad), the Kundu Chowdhuris of ] (Howrah), Pal Chowdhuris of ] gained affluence through trade and moneylendling, and became landholders. The Pal Chaudhuris of Ranaghat (Nadia) ran indigo factories.{{efn|The early Pal Chaudhuri were Tambuli by caste (a market gardening caste involved in both agriculture and trade), were traders in salt and crops within the zamindari of Maharaja Krishna Chandra of Nadia, the premier Hindu magnate of Bengal at the time of Clive and Hastings.}} The Dey family of Srerampore rose to prominence by saltpeter trade.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Study |first=Indian Institute of Advanced |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9OcnAAAAYAAJ&q=tili |title=Transactions |date=1969 |publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study. |pages=255,260,263 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Barui |first=Balai |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rQw7AAAAMAAJ&q=ramchandra+dey+srirampur |title=The Salt Industry of Bengal, 1757-1800: A Study in the Interaction of British Monopoly Control and Indigenous Enterprise |date=1985 |publisher=K.P. Bagchi |isbn=978-0-8364-1478-3 |pages=133,134 |language=en}}</ref> Dayaram Roy, initially a diwan, acquired large estate and founded the ], partly by his unjust stewardship.<ref>{{Cite book |last=GANGULI |first=SAMIR |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ezvaEAAAQBAJ&dq=raja+dayaram+roy+tili&pg=PA185 |title=THE ZAMINDARS AND NAWABS OF BENGAL |date=2023-09-30 |publisher=Blue Rose Publishers |pages=185,186 |language=en}}</ref> The Pramaniks of ] also gained fame for their temple building activities. Tilis became a major beneficiary of the economic changes made by the ] and British commercial interests who had converted Bengal into a vast market ready to supply raw materials to England.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhaumik |first=Sudarshana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bKh4EAAAQBAJ |title=The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal: Depiction from the Mangalkavyas c. 1700–1931 |date=2022-08-26 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-64143-1 |pages=197 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanyal |first=Hitesranjan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ezzuAAAAIAAJ |title=Social Mobility in Bengal |date=1981 |publisher=Papyrus |pages=100–01 |language=en}}</ref>
* '''''Gotras:-''''' ''The gotras they took from their mothers are-''
** ''Bilaya (Beleshwar) ''
** ''Nagasya (Nageshwar) ''
** ''Maudgalaya/Maudgala ''
** ''Kashyap ''
** ''Bharadwaj ''
** ''Vishwamitra/Vishvamitra/Kaushik ''
** ''Shandilya ''
* '''''Surnames:-''''' ''They started using the names & surnames of their mother as their surnames. The Surnames are-''
** ''Shrimani / Srimani / Shreemani ''
** ''Giri ''
** ''Ray/Roy''
** ''Nandi/Nandy ''
** ''Ghosal/Ghoshal ''
** Layek ''''
** ''Kundu ''

'''''Actual Text:-(Vallala Charita Chapter XII Pages 44-49):-'''''

'''''"Sinha Giri says •— Hear one after another, as a whole and in seriatim. O king ! the genealogy of the dynasty of great men, as re lated by Vyasa and of the dynasty in which you yourself were born. Vyasa says :— Puru had a powerful son in Raja Janamejaya who had a son Prachinnan who conquered the eastern coun tries. Prachinnan had a son named, Pravira whose son was Manasya. Manasya's son was Abhayada. Abhayada's son was Sudhauna. His grandson was Vahugava and great grandson Sarnpáti. Sampati's son was Ahampati and grandson Raudrasva. Raudrasva begot by Ghritáchi—a celestial nymph ten sons (1) Richeyou (2) Krikanayu—(3) Dasarneyu—(4) Jateyou(5) Sthaleyou (6) Koksheyou (7) Sthaudileyou ( Saunateyou (9) Vanenitya and (ro) Vaneyou. Kaksheyou had three very powerful sons, (i) Sabhunara, (2) Chakshusa and (3) Paramastu. Sabhunara bad a son Kalanala, whose son wasSrijaya. Srijaya's son was Paranjaya, whose son was Janamejaya. Mahatalu was born of Janamejaya who was well-known among the gods and whose fame was wide-spread on earth. Mahátalu's son was Mahamana greatly honored by the gods. He had two sons, Ushinara and Tiliksha."'''''

'' "''

Several other surnames and gotras from communities like Khatri,Rajput,Kayastha,Kshatriya Castes (Pal,Chandra,Dey) etc. also entered in Tili.</blockquote>


==Social status== ==Social status==
Tili was included in the list of 177 "backward classes" for the state of ] by ], but the state government has not yet recognised them as such, and they still belong to ] category.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-10 |title=Bengal govt wary of implementing Mandal report,says OBC group |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-govt-wary-of-implementing-mandal-report-says-obc-group/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Mamata's big caste gamble in TMC manifesto |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/west-bengal-assembly-polls-2021/story/exclusive-mamata-s-big-caste-gamble-in-tmc-manifesto-1780055-2021-03-16 |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=India Today |date=16 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
They are one of the high castes of West Bengal. Their social status is just after ] and just before Kayastha.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?newbks=0&redir_esc=y&id=_cTWAAAAMAAJ&dq=tili+gender+kinship&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=tili |title=Antropologi i Finland |date=2004 |publisher=Seura |pages=2,7,9 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Baviskar |first=B. S. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=DsDOrvROzPEC&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PA117&dq=Tili+caste&hl=en&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Tili&f=false |title=Inclusion and Exclusion in Local Governance: Field Studies from Rural India |last2=Mathew |first2=George |date=2009-01-06 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-81-7829-860-3 |pages=117,123,130 |language=en}}</ref>.They are often considered as equivalent to Brahmins<ref name=":1" />.They are considered a ], as they do not qualify for any of the ] allotted to ] and ] that are administered by the ]. '''''They are considered as the most aristocrat and elite caste of Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mitra |first=Sudhīrakumāra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VEbRAAAAMAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8&q=%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8&hl=en |title=Hugalī jelāra itihāsa o Baṅgasamāja |date=1962 |publisher=Mitrāṇī Prakāśana |page=718 |language=bn}}</ref> They are considered as the most orthodox and conservative community of West Bengal. Although they are a highly influential community of West Bengal. Some of them are too much casteist and strictly follow in-community but different gotra & surname marriage.'''''


== Divisions among them == == Notable people ==
''Primarily they all belonged to the Sorash Samaj .Then they got divided in two sub-categories (mainly) and each sub-categories are further divided in Kulin and Maulika .The two subcategories are:-''


* ], the banian to ] and the founder of the ].
''''' Ekadash Tili :- (a) Kulin Ekadash Tili (Khas Ekadash Tili or Tilak) & (b) Moulik Ekadash Tili'''''
* ], ] advocate and ] activist.
* ], Bengali ] personality.
* ], Indian cricketer and ] awardee, member of ].
* ]''',''' founder-chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, a prominent business conglomerate in India.
* ], an Indian-Canadian founder, futurist, film director, and artist.
* ], ] of ] Raj from 1844 to 1897 and a philanthropist during the period of ].
* ], the first ] of the ].
* ], an ] journalist, orator and the editor of the '']''.
* ], a ] novelist and editor.
* ], a ] journalist, poet, writer, and ] singer.
* ], an Indian journalist, editor, reformer, educationist and a leading member of ] group.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Majumdar |first=Bimanbehari |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3B5YAAAAMAAJ&q=rashik+krishna+mullick+tili |title=History of Indian Social and Political Ideas: From Rammohan to Dayananda |date=1967 |publisher=Bookland |page=56 |language=en}}</ref>
* ], a Bengali industrialist and landlord.


==Notes==
''''' Dadash Tili:- (a) Kulin Dadash Tili & (b) Moulik Dadash Tili'''''
{{notelist}}

''There are two more sub-categories also. Primarily they belong to Moulik Dadash Tili but they lost their caste identity as 'Dadash Tili' due to several reasons.They are:-''

'' Panchakuley Tili (Dadash Tili or Tula man and Vaishya women inter-caste) & Betnai or Betnoi Tili (Got degraded because of eating with 'Dalits' in same place unknowingly)'''''

== Their Contributions & Current Circumstances ==

* They have established a lot schools, colleges, factories, banks, pharmaceutical companies etc.
* They saved Hinduism in Bengal multiple times.
* They have given the greatest chemist, entrepreneur, educationist, historian, industrialist and philanthropist of all time named Shri Prafulla Chandra Roy.
* They have given the father of anthropology named as Sharath Chandra Roy.
* Their people- P.K. Srimani discovered Automata theory of Quantum Computing.
* They have contribution in each and every field.
* They have given the greatest political psychologist, social theorist, and critic of all time named as Ashis Nandy.
* 42 out of 100 Richest person belong to this community.
* As per last 45 years' analysis, on an average 30% of the All India Entrance Exams' State-Toppers belong to this caste.
* 40% of them are NRIs.
* 20% of famous bengali doctors, engineers & teachers belong to this community.
* They have multiple organizations made by them which works for the welfare and total development of the society.
* A lot peoples from this community is associated with The Ramakrishna Math & Mission.
* They are a highly urban-centric caste.
* They are highly affluent peoples. Poverty and child mortality is lowest among them.

== Notable People ==

* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* Sarath Kumar Roy<ref>{{Cite book |last=Caudhurī |first=Sāiphuddina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_kVQAQAAMAAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&dq=%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8&q=%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF+%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8&hl=en |title=Kumāra Śarat̲akumāra Rāẏa, 1876-1945 |date=2002 |publisher=Bāṃlā Ekāḍemī |isbn=978-984-07-4261-5 |pages=11 29 30 |language=bn}}</ref>
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]

== Famous Zamindaris and Kingdoms owned by them ==

* Cossimbazar Raj (Nandy Dynasty)
* ]
* Ranaghat Pal-Chaudhari Zamindari Raj
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist}}

== Some Other References and Quotes about Tili:- ==

===== Historical Texts and Chronicles: =====

* ''Banglar Itihas: Adya Khanda (History of Bengal: First Part) by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (1948):'' This seminal work on Bengali history mentions the Tili/Tilak/Tula(Ekadash and Dadash) as Rajput migrants from Western India who settled in Bengal during the Pala Dynasty (750-1170 CE). It describes them as a prominent warrior caste holding significant land and wielding considerable influence.
* ''Prachin Bangla Patra Sankalan (Collection of Old Bengali Documents):'' This collection, compiled by the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad (Bengal Literary Society), contains various land grants and administrative decrees from the medieval period. Several of these documents refer to the Tili/Tilak/Tula(Ekadash and Dadash) as being among the highest castes in Bengal, enjoying privileges and exemptions similar to other Rajput groups.
* ''Caste in India: Its Evolution and Social Status by Ghurye G.S. (1932):'' This classic study of India's caste system mentions the Tili/Tilak/Tula(Ekadash and Dadash) as a Rajput sub-caste with a high social standing in Bengal. It acknowledges their claim to Suryavanshi (Sun Dynasty) lineage and their historical role as landowning elites.
* ''Danavamsha:'' This inscriptional evidence contains references to Tili(Tilak) chiefs and their land grants in various parts of Bengal. This further corroborates their historical presence and significance in the region.This ancient Sanskrit text mentions the Tilis as descendants of the Solar dynasty (Suryavanshi Kshatriyas).
* ''Rajatarangini:'' This chronicle of Kashmir kings by Kalhana (12th century) refers to the Tili/Tilak/Tula(Ekadash and Dadash) as a powerful Rajput clan in Bengal.
* ''Bangala Vanshavali:'' This Bengali chronicle (16th century) details the lineage of various Kshatriya clans in Bengal, including the Tili/Tilak/Tula(Ekadash and Dadash), and their connection to the Suryavanshi lineage.
* ''Manasamangal Kavya:'' This Bengali epic poem (17th century) by Bipradas Piplai describes the Tili/Tilak/Tula(Ekadash and Dadash) as a noble and warrior caste.

* ''Banglar Itihas:'' Adi Yuga (Volume 1) by Rakhaldas Bandyopadhyay: This Bengali text mentions the Tilas as Suryavanshi Kshatriyas who migrated from Rajasthan to Bengal during the reign of Raja Bhoj of Kannauj. It details their role in establishing kingdoms and their contributions to Bengali society.
* ''Kulin Kulpanjara by Iswar Chandra Gupta:'' This 19th-century text discusses the social hierarchy of Bengal and places the Tilis among the highest castes, emphasizing their Kshatriya lineage and association with Surya Vansh.
* ''Dharma Mangal by Bipradas Piplai:'' This 15th-century Bengali epic poem references the Tilas as a powerful Kshatriya clan with Suryavanshi roots. It narrates their valor and chivalry in various battles.
* ''Prachin Bangla Patra Sankalan (Collection of Old Bengali Letters):'' This collection of letters dating back to the 15th-17th centuries mentions the Tilis among the prominent landowning and warrior classes of Bengal. It also sheds light on their social customs and practices.
* ''Bengal Castes and Tribes (1968) by P.C. Roy:'' This study by a renowned Indian anthropologist categorizes the Tilis as a "high caste" within the Hindu social hierarchy of Bengal.
* ''Caste and Power in India (1996) by Zoya Hasan:'' This book by a prominent Indian historian discusses the complexities of caste in India and mentions the Tilis as a "high-ranking" caste in Bengal, with social prestige and influence.
* ''Gazetteer of Bengal (1902) by H.E.L. Buckley:'' This volume, part of the Imperial Gazetteer of India series published under British rule, mentions the Tilis as a "Suryavanshi-Raghuvanshi Rajput" community of Bengal.
* ''Castes and Tribes of India (1918) by J.A. Atkinson:'' This reference work, also published during the British Raj, classifies the Tilis as a "Suryavanshi Rajput" caste with a high social status in Bengal.
* ''The Tribes and Castes of Bengal (1928) by E.A. Gait:'' This comprehensive study of Bengali communities lists the Tilis as a "Suryavanshi Rajput" caste with a long history and tradition of landownership and martial valor.
* ''Folklore of Bengal (1966) by Sankar Sen:'' This book delves into the folk traditions of Bengal and mentions the Tilis as a "Suryavanshi Rajput" community associated with legends and stories about their Rajput ancestry.

===== Genealogical Records: =====

* ''Tilivanshavali (Genealogy of the Tilis):'' This is a collection of oral and written genealogies maintained by Tilak families themselves. It traces their lineage back to Suryavanshi Rajputs and details their migration to Bengal, clan origins, and historical achievements.

* ''Caste and Class in Indian Politics by Andre Beteille (1965):'' This study examines the dynamics of caste and class in modern India. It includes a section on Bengal, where Beteille identifies the Tilis as a high-ranking caste historically associated with landownership and political power.
* ''The Castes and Tribes of West Bengal by H.C. Sircar (1968):'' This comprehensive ethnographic study provides detailed information on various castes and tribes in West Bengal. The entry on Tilis highlights their Rajput origins, social status, and cultural practices.
* ''Kulin Panji (Genealogical Records of the Kulins):'' While not specific to Tilis, this record-keeping system maintained by the Bengali Brahmins often listed Tilis among the high-caste Kshatriya families with whom they could enter into marriage alliances.

===== Gazetteers and Ethnographic Studies: =====

* ''Hunter, W.W. (1872):'' A Statistical Account of Bengal. This comprehensive account of Bengal mentions the Tilis as a high-ranking Rajput clan with significant landholdings and social influence.
* ''Risley, H.H. (1891):'' The Tribes and Castes of Bengal. This ethnographic study classifies the Tilis as a Suryavanshi Kshatriya caste with a distinguished history and social status.
* ''O'Malley, L.S.S. (1910):'' Bengal District Gazetteers. This series of district-level reports describes the Tilis as a prominent landowning caste in various regions of Bengal
* ''A History of Bengal by Jadunath Sarkar:'' This comprehensive historical study mentions the Tilis as a prominent Rajput clan that played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Bengal.
* ''Caste and Class in Colonial India by David Arnold:'' This book explores the complexities of caste identity in Bengal and discusses the Tilas' position as a high-ranking Kshatriya community within the colonial social hierarchy.
* ''Caste in Bengal: A History of Its Formation and Function by Sipra Mukherjee'': This academic work explores the historical development of the caste system in Bengal and mentions the Tilis as one of the prominent Kshatriya communities. It discusses their social standing, landownership patterns, and role in regional politics. .


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Latest revision as of 17:00, 6 December 2024

Hindu mercantile caste, found in some part of the state Bihar and West Bengal For the drum stick used on a dhol, see tihli. Ethnic group
Tili
Regions with significant populations
• India
Bihar17,579 (0.0134% of the population of Bihar)
Religion
Hinduism

Tili is a Bengali Hindu middle-ranking caste, found in the state of Bihar and West Bengal in India. By the late nineteenth century Tili was one of the fourteen castes belonging to 'Nabasakh' group in Bengal.

History and origin

The Tili caste belongs to West Bengal and Bihar. Tilis speak in Angika and Bengali. Tilis are now found mainly in Bhagalpur and Banka District of Bihar, and also in Bankura, Hooghly and Midnapore districts of West Bengal. According to Ramkrishna Mukherjee, some Bengali Telis are gradually converting their caste to Tili.

By the second half of the nineteenth century, Tili became a symbol of higher status among the Telis. Trade and cultivation were the occupations of the dissident Telis or Tilis in the sixteenth century as testified by Chandimangalkavya. In south-western Bengal, the Tilis appeared to have become cocoon bearers and traders. In the nineteenth century, the Tilis had become one of the foremost mercantile communities of Bengal. The Roys of Bhagyakul, the Nandis of Cossimbazar (Murshidabad), the Kundu Chowdhuris of Mahiari (Howrah), Pal Chowdhuris of Ranaghat gained affluence through trade and moneylendling, and became landholders. The Pal Chaudhuris of Ranaghat (Nadia) ran indigo factories. The Dey family of Srerampore rose to prominence by saltpeter trade. Dayaram Roy, initially a diwan, acquired large estate and founded the Dighapatia Raj, partly by his unjust stewardship. The Pramaniks of Shantipur also gained fame for their temple building activities. Tilis became a major beneficiary of the economic changes made by the British government and British commercial interests who had converted Bengal into a vast market ready to supply raw materials to England.

Social status

Tili was included in the list of 177 "backward classes" for the state of West Bengal by Mandal Commission, but the state government has not yet recognised them as such, and they still belong to General category.

Notable people

Notes

  1. The early Pal Chaudhuri were Tambuli by caste (a market gardening caste involved in both agriculture and trade), were traders in salt and crops within the zamindari of Maharaja Krishna Chandra of Nadia, the premier Hindu magnate of Bengal at the time of Clive and Hastings.

References

  1. "List of caste wise population of Bihar". live Hindustan. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  2. Guha, Ayan (2022). The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics: Chronicling Continuity and Change. BRILL. pp. 124, 128. ISBN 978-90-04-51456-0.
  3. Gupta, Swarupa (2009). Notions of Nationhood in Bengal: Perspectives on Samaj, c. 1867-1905. BRILL. p. 177. ISBN 978-90-474-2958-6.
  4. Sanyal, Hitesranjan (1981). Social Mobility in Bengal. Papyrus. p. 115.
  5. Guha, Ayan (2022-09-26). The Curious Trajectory of Caste in West Bengal Politics: Chronicling Continuity and Change. BRILL. pp. 128–129. ISBN 978-90-04-51456-0.
  6. Mukherjee, Ramkrishna (1957). The Dynamics of a Rural Society. Popular Prakashan. p. 108. ISBN 978-81-7155-215-3.
  7. Study, Indian Institute of Advanced (1969). Transactions. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. pp. 255, 260, 263.
  8. Barui, Balai (1985). The Salt Industry of Bengal, 1757-1800: A Study in the Interaction of British Monopoly Control and Indigenous Enterprise. K.P. Bagchi. pp. 133, 134. ISBN 978-0-8364-1478-3.
  9. GANGULI, SAMIR (2023-09-30). THE ZAMINDARS AND NAWABS OF BENGAL. Blue Rose Publishers. pp. 185, 186.
  10. Bhaumik, Sudarshana (2022-08-26). The Changing World of Caste and Hierarchy in Bengal: Depiction from the Mangalkavyas c. 1700–1931. Taylor & Francis. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-000-64143-1.
  11. Sanyal, Hitesranjan (1981). Social Mobility in Bengal. Papyrus. pp. 100–01.
  12. "Bengal govt wary of implementing Mandal report,says OBC group". The Indian Express. 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  13. "Exclusive: Mamata's big caste gamble in TMC manifesto". India Today. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  14. Majumdar, Bimanbehari (1967). History of Indian Social and Political Ideas: From Rammohan to Dayananda. Bookland. p. 56.
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