Balai

The Balai, or Bhalay is a caste found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh in India. A small number of Balai are also found in the neighbouring areas of Rajasthan.

The Balai are strictly endogamous community and practice the principle of clan exogamy. These clans are referred to as gotras. Their main gotras include the Bhagirath and Soosa, which is also a Meena gotra. The Balahar are a landless community; the majority are agricultural labourers. They were once a community of weavers, but few are now involved in weaving. They have customs similar to Meena tribe.

The Balai are now mainly farmers, although a few still practice their traditional craft of manufacturing plates and cups from leaves. Their customs are similar to neighboring communities such as the Jats and Meenas. They live in multi-caste villages, although they are residentially segregated, occupying their own distinct quarters.

The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh showed the Balai population as 1200. They are a Scheduled Caste in that state.

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