Patwa

This article is about a Hindu ethnic group. For the English Creole language spoken in Jamaica, see Jamaican Patois. For the rural community in West Bengal, see Patua. For the creole language spoken in Macau, see Macanese language.

The Patwa are a mainly Hindu community native to North India. Traditionally, they were weavers and engaged in jewellery-making business and worked with silver and golden threads.[1]

History

According to the traditions of the Patwa, they descend from a deota (a Hindu god). The Patwa are an endogamous community, and follow the principle of gotra exogamy. They are Hindu and Jain, and worship the goddess Bhagwati and Mahavira. Traditionally, they had a caste council to settle issues of divorce, minor disputes and cases of adultery.[2]

Present circumstances

The Patwa are involved in selling women's decorative articles like earrings, necklaces and cosmetics. They also deal in small household items, such as hand fans made of palm. The community was traditionally associated with threading of beads and binding together of silver and gold threads, while others have expanded into other businesses. They are found all over India, mainly in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, in the districts of Bareilly, Badaun, Mau,Ghazipur,balia, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Hardoi, Jalaun, Shahjahanpur, Sitapur, Lakhimpur-kheri, Jhansi, Bahraich,Varanasi (Benaras) and Lalitpur, ALL INDIA SRI PATWA MAHASABHA (1953)

In Bihar, the community is sub-divided as Patwa and Tantu Patwa. Tantu patwa is another caste they do not belong to Patwa caste. The Patwas are mainly weavers and braid makers. The Tantu Patwa have three sub-groups, the Gouria, Rewar and Jurihar. The Tantu patwa are found mainly in the districts of Nalanda, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Nawada and Patna districts. There main gotras include the Gorahia, Chero, Ghatwar, Chakata, Supait, Bhor, Pancohia, Dargohi, Laheda and Rankut and the patwa are found all over Bihar. The Patwa of Bihar are now mainly power loom operators, while others have expanded into other businesses. The Patwa of Bihar have a statewide caste association, the Patwa Jati Sudhar Samiti.[3]

References

  1. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1147 Manohar Publications
  2. ↑ People of India Uttar Pradesh Volume XLII Part Three by K S Singh page 1147 Manohar publications
  3. ↑ People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 776 to 781 Seagull Books
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