Ramdasia
| Ramdasia | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Sikhism |
| Languages | Punjabi,Hindi |
| Populated states | The Punjab region |
The Ramdasia are a Sikh sub-group that has originated from the Hindu caste of weavers known as Julaha.[1] According to Paul Ghuman, Ramdasias are also Chamars who have converted to Sikhism.[2]
They are classified as scheduled castes by the governments of Punjab[3] and Haryana[4].
The states governments of Chandigarh[5], Delhi[6], Haryana[7], Jammu & Kashmir[8] and Punjab [9][10] classify the Ramdasia as sub-category of the Chamar caste.[11]
Terminology
H. S. Singha says that "Ramdasia is a term used in general for Sikhs whose ancestors belonged to backward classes. Originally it meant the descendants and followers of Ramdas who belonged to the weaver (Julaha) community".[1] Julaha Sikhs are also known as the Khalsa biradar (brother of the Khalsa).[12]
Ramdasia Chamars
Gerald Parsons says that "Ravidasis are to be distinguished from the Ramdasias who also belonged to the Chamar caste in Punjab but who were converted to the Sikh community, according to tradition, during the guruship of Ram Das".[13] Kalsi notes that some Chamar's claim to have been Julahas but then reverted to be Chamar. "We are all Chamars (landless labourers and leather workers) - some families chose to take up weaving, they were known as Julahas. My ancestors were weavers, but they reverted to shoe-making during the war. We have common gots and our houses are located on one side of the villages."[14]
The author Paramjit S. Judge in his paper 'CHANGING CASTE RELATIONS AND EMERGING CONTESTATIONS IN PUNJAB" writes that "The caste whose collective actions could be justifiably put under the category of “change in the caste hierarchy” leading to political implications is Chamar/Ad-dharmi. For the sake of clarification and to avoid nomenclatural confusion we may add Ramdasia and Ravidasia also. Since they are all Chamars, the subsequent reference to all these caste names would be covered under the umbrella term, ‘Chamar’'.[15]
Caste status
Ramdasia's are a Scheduled Caste[16] and prefer to be called Sikh only.[14]
Other uses
The word Ramdasia, has also been associated with masands or preachers that were appointed by the Sikh Guru Ram Das.[17]
Notable people
- Lal Singh Dil, a revolutionary poet
See also
References
- ^ a b Singha, H. S. (2009). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. India: Hemkunt Press. p. 171. ISBN 8170103010.
- ^ Ghuman, Paul (May 2011). British Untouchables A Study of Dalit Identity and Education. Ashgate Publishing, Limited. p. iX. ISBN 075464877X.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ "Castes Under SC". http://welfarepunjab.gov.in/.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ "Welfare of Scheduled Caste & Backward Classes Department Government of Haryana". http://haryanascbc.gov.in/.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Scan-0028.jpg.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Scan-0027.jpg.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Scan-0005636052298648822263.jpg.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Scan-0030.jpg.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://welfarepunjab.gov.in/Static/Sccastes.html.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Scan-0015.jpg.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Social Justice and Empowerment Government of India http://socialjustice.nic.in/UserView/index?mid=76750.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Kalsi, Sewa Singh (May 1992). The Evolution of a Sikh Community in Britain. Religious and Social Change among the Sikhs of Leeds and Bradford. England: Leeds University Community Religions Project. p. 99. ISBN 1871363039.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Parsons, Gerald (1994). The Growth of Religious Diversity - Vol 1: Britain from 1945 Volume 1: Traditions. Routledge. p. 227. ISBN 0415083265.
- ^ a b Kalsi, Sewa Singh (May 1989). THE SIKHS AND CASTE A Study of the Sikh Community in Leeds and Bradford (PDF). England: Leeds University Community Religions Project. pp. 171–172. ISBN 1871363039.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Judge, Paramjit S. "CHANGING CASTE RELATIONS AND EMERGING CONTESTATIONS IN PUNJAB" (PDF). University of London. School of Advanced Study.
- ^ http://socialjustice.nic.in/scorder1950.php?pageid=11
- ^ Gandhi, Surjit Singh (2008). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1469 -1606. England: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors Pvt Ltd. p. 331. ISBN 8126908572.
