Bari (caste)

For the Italian city and capital of the Apulia region, see Bari.

The Bari are a Hindu caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.[1]

Origin

The community get their name from the Sanskrit word vari meaning water. According to their traditions, they were the lords of the waterways. The Bari are likely to be sub-group of the Kewat community. They claim descent from Kirat Bari, an soldier in the army of Maharana Pratap. The community is now found mainly in eastern and southern Uttar Pradesh, and speak the Awadhi dialect.[2]

Present circumstances

The Bari are strictly endogamous community, and marry close kin. They are a landless community, and earn their living by collecting forest products. A majority of the community are now mainly daily wage labourers. Each of their settlement contains an informal caste council, known as a biradari panchayat. The panchayat acts as instrument of social control, dealing with issues such as divorce and adultery.[3]

References

  1. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 194 to 199 Manohar Publications
  2. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 194 to 199 Manohar Publications
  3. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part One edited by A Hasan & J C Das pages 194 to 199 Manohar Publications
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