Rajbanshi
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Briefly
The Rajbanshi community is an ethnic group found in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar, as well as in the neighboring country of Nepal. They are also known as Koch Rajbanshi, or simply Rajbanshi, and are said to be descendants of the ancient Kshatriya warrior caste.
The Rajbanshis are primarily an agrarian community and are known for their traditional agricultural practices, including wet rice cultivation. They also engage in fishing, weaving, and other cottage industries. The Rajbanshis have their distinct language called Rajbanshi, which belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family.
In terms of religion, the Rajbanshis are mainly Hindus, although there is also a significant population that follows Buddhism and Christianity. They have their unique cultural practices, including folk songs and dances, such as the Baul and Bhawaiya.
The Rajbanshis have been historically marginalized and have faced social and economic discrimination. They have been demanding for the recognition of their community as a Scheduled Tribe, which would provide them with constitutional protections and affirmative action benefits. In recent years, there have been movements advocating for their rights and welfare, including the formation of political parties and organizations representing their interests.
Rajbanshi
Synonyms: Bahey, Deshi, Deshibahe, Rajbanshi Kshatriya [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Bahey, Desi, Rajbanshi, Rajbanshi Khattriya [West Bengal]
Groups/subgroups: Bara Bhag, Chota Bhag [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Bara Bhag, Choto Bhag [West Bengal]
- Sub-divisions: Kudlukara in South Canara, Kudalderkkara [E. Thurston]
Titles: Adhikari, Bhang in Jalpaiguri, Bhanga Kehatiya, Eastern Bengal [H.H. Risley]
Surnames: Rajbanshi, Singh [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Barman, Dev, Roy, Sarkar [West Bengal]
Gotra: Vasishr, Savarna, Vatsya [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Alambyan, Batsya, Kashyapa, Moudgaulya, Parasar, Sandilya [West Bengal]
