Dom ডোম |
|
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Religions | Hinduism |
Languages | Bengali |
Populated states | West Bengal, Bangladesh |
Population | 316,337 (2001 census) |
Family names | Dom, Bansfor,malik |
Doms (Bengali: ডোম)are a Bengali Hindu caste found in large numbers in Birbhum, Bankura and other districts in the western fringe of the Indian state of West Bengal. Traditionally, Doms were basket-makers, cultivators, labourers and drummers; their wives serving as midwives.
The Doms were formerly classified as a criminal tribe under the Criminal Tribes Acts of the British Raj.
Doms numbered 316,337 the 2001 census and were 1.7 percent of the scheduled caste population of West Bengal. 46.0 percent of Doms were literate – 58.9 percent males and 32.6 percent females were literate.