Berwa

The Berwa (Bairwa) are a scheduled caste from Indian state Rajasthan. They used to do shoemaking and repair. ^[1] Their population was 429, 627 at the 1981 census. ^[2] This population increased to 931,030 by 2001, being the third-largest scheduled caste in Rajasthan. ^[3] 62.2 & of their children from 5 to 14 went to school at that point of time. ^[4] Most of their workers were cultivators. ^[5] They speak Dingal and use Devanagari characters. ^[6] They are distributed throughout the state of Rajasthan, but concentrated in Jaipur district. ^[7] They adhere to Hinduism including all of its gods and goddesses. ^[8] They are not vegetarians.^[9] The Berwa are endogamous. Women have a low status among the Berwa. ^[10] The Berwa cremate their dead.^[11] Women and men can seek divorce. ^[12] They were recognized as scheduled caste by the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order in 1950. ^[13] They have a procedure for admission to this caste.^[14] They have a socio-political body of their own, the Chorasi Panchayat.^[15]

It deals with the breach of caste norms and other issues.^[16]

Until the 1930's, they were called Balais.^[17] They claimed Kshatriya status. ^[18] Berwa and Bairwa also are surnames.

References

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