Dusadh

The Dusadh are a Hindu caste, found in the states of Uttar Pradesh Bihar in India.^[1]

Etymology

William Crooke (1896) noted: attempt has been made to derive the name from the Sanskrit dusk "to be corrupted" and ad "to eat;" or from dauh-sâdhika, "a porter." But the name is more probably of non-Aryan origin.^[2]

History and origin

Among themselves, the Dusadh claim descent from Duhsâsana, or in other stories from Bhîmsen, or from Salhes of the Loric cycle. Those Dusadh living in the hills at the end of the 19th century referred to themselves as Khasiya Rajput.^[2]

Occupation

The Dusadh were historically associated with the profession of village watchmen (goraits or chaukidars), though this custom may date back only as far as the British period.^[3] In the modern era many are agricultural labourers.^[4] British chroniclers also noted the Dusadh as "inveterate thieves".^[5][6]

Distribution

The population of this caste in Uttar Pradesh is 3-5%,^{[citation needed]} and Dusadhs are the second largest Dalit community of undivided Bihar. They are also found in bordering areas of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh with Bihar.^{[citation needed]}

Culture

The community practice sub-caste endogamy.^[7]

Present circumstances

The community has a traditional caste council, and each village sends representatives to the caste council. The council deals with issues of divorce, adultery, theft and disputes with in the community. The Akhil Bhartiya Dusadh Kalyan Parishad is working for development of this caste.^{[citation needed]}

Notables

• Ram Vilas Paswan, President of Lok Janshakti Party and former Central Minister^[8]
• Chirag Paswan, Bollywood newcomer, Ram Vilas Paswan's son^[9]

References

1. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 464 to 469
2. ^ ^{a b} William Crooke (1896). The tribes and castes of the North-western Provinces and Oudh. Office of the superintendent of government printing. pp. 346–. http://books.google.com/books?id=eb5gEEL2EvoC&pg=PA346. Retrieved 27 July 2011. 
3. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=aqrB_Nzr5QcC&pg=PA54&dq=dusadh+watchmen+uttar+pradesh&hl=en#v=onepage&q=dusadh%20watchmen%20uttar%20pradesh&f=false
4. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=MQFvks7lahoC&pg=PA57&dq=dusadh+watchmen&hl=en#v=onepage&q=dusadh%20watchmen&f=false
5. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=a-QaOP5nK-MC&pg=PA54&dq=dusadh+watchmen&hl=en#v=onepage&q=dusadh%20watchmen&f=false
6. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=00ATAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA186&dq=dusadh+thieves&hl=en#v=onepage&q=dusadh%20thieves&f=false
7. ^ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 108 to 465
8. ^ "Ram Vilas Paswan struggles to stay relevant - Economic Times". indiatimes.com. http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2010-04-03/news/28400804_1_ljp-rjd-assembly-polls. Retrieved 22 November 2011. "Mr Paswan's standing among people other than those belonging to his Dusadh community" 
9. ^ "Ram Vilas Paswan bats for son Chirag's debut movie, accompanies him on promotional tours : Bollywood News - India Today". indiatoday.intoday.in. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-vilas-paswan-chirag-paswan-movie-promotions/1/158265.html. Retrieved 22 November 2011.