Kewat
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| India | |
| Languages | |
| • Hindi | |
| Religion | |
| • Hinduism 100% • | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| • Kewat |
The Kewat are a Hindu caste, found in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh ,Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are the traditional boatmen of North India.
Their main sub-groups are the Banaphar, Dhivar, Balavarna, Chay, Sorahiya, Kairata, and Tiar. The Banaphar consider themselves to be superior to the other groups.
The Kewat of Uttar Pradesh mostly live near the river Ganges. They are the traditional businessman. They are among 17 OBC 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 Kewat in Rajasthan are found in along the banks of the rivers Chambal, Benas and Kalinath rivers, in the districts of Kota and Sawai Madhopur. They are divided into eighty four clans, and their origin myth refers to them being created by god Vishnu. The community speak the Hadoti dialect of Rajasthani. There traditional occupation of being boatmen has declined,.
In Bihar, they are both cultivators and businessman. The community are also known as Kewat Kaut. There is considerable difference of opinion as to the origin of the word Kewat. . They are found in the(all districts of bihar )bt mostly in Jhanjharpur, Nawani, Bhagalpur, Purnea, Katihar, Darbhanga, Munger, Muzaffarpur and Khagaria. Their villages are found mainly along the near of the Ganges river, and many have taken to cultivation. They speak Maithili, Magadhi and Bhojpuri.
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