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Patni caste

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Patni
Regions with significant populations
• India •
Languages
BengaliManipuri
Religion
Hinduism, Christianity

The Patni community is a Scheduled Caste who are mainly found in the region of Barak Valley.[1]

History

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Patni might be related to the Domba community of Assam and in some areas their names are used interchangeably. The main occupation of Patnis include ferrying boats, basket-making, trading and cultivating.[2][3] According to Patnis folklore Ishwari Patni ferries Goddess Annapurna on his boat, also mentioned by Bharatchandra.[4]

Patnis are also called Nadiyal and they mainly lived in Sylhet, Dacca, etc and migrated towards districts of Assam, West Bengal and Manipur.[5]

The Patnis are divided into five sub-castes:

  • Jat-Patni, who are agriculturists and small traders.
  • Ghat-Patni, Salami or Ghatwal who work as boatmen and take charge of ferries.
  • Dom-Patni, Machhwa, or Nagarchi, who catch fish.[6]
  • Sansphor and Dagara, who makes baskets of cane, and tie the framework of kancha houses.

References

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  1. ^ Datta-Ray, B. (2000). Population, Poverty, and Environment in North-East India. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-770-0.
  2. ^ Allen, Basil Copleston (1905). Assam District Gazetteers: Cachar. Printed at the Baptist Mission Press.
  3. ^ Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901. Printed at the Government central Press.
  4. ^ Tuṅga, Sudhāṃśu Śekhara (1995). Bengali and Other Related Dialects of South Assam. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-588-3.
  5. ^ Baruah, Amlan; Choudhury, S. B. Roy (1999). Assam State Gazetteer. Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam.
  6. ^ Allen, Basil Copleston (1905). Assam District Gazetteers: Cachar. Printed at the Baptist Mission Press.