Bind (tribe)
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| Languages | |
| • Hindi | |
| Religion | |
| • Hinduism 100% • | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Panika • Parahiya • Chero |
The Bind are a caste found in North India. They are also known as kewat or nishad.
The Bind are sub-divided into seven occupational groups. These sub-groups are the Suraia, Nisadh, Kulawat, Mallaah, Guria, Kewat and Bind proper. Each of these sub-groups have specialised occupations. The speciality of the Kewat, Nisadh and Kulawat is to catch fish; the Mallaah and Guria are traditionally boatmen.
In Bihar, according to their traditions, the Bind once belonged to the Noniya caste. The Noniya were forced to become grave-diggers by the early Muslim rulers, while the ancestors of the Bind fled to the forests, and evolved into a distinct community. In Uttar Pradesh they are known as Bind, Nunera Chamar and Beldar. They have two sub-divisions, the Jethaut and the Kharaut. They are found in the districts of Samastipur, Begusarai, Darbhanga and Saran.
The Bind are among 17 Other Backwards Class communities that have been proposed for Scheduled Caste status by the Samajwadi Party-controlled Government of Uttar Pradesh. However, this proposal, which relates to votebank politics and has been made in the past, has been stayed by the courts; a prior attempt was also rejected by the Government of India.
The Bind have a traditional caste council and, like other occupational castes, maintain strict social control over members. They are Hindu, and customs similar to other similar groupings such as the Kewat. They are concentrated in eastern Uttar Pradesh, and speak Bhojpuri.
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