Patwa

The Patwa are a mainly Hindu community native to Hindi Belt. Traditionally, they were weavers and engaged in weaving handloom gamcha bedsheet.[1]

This article is about a Hindu ethnic group. For the English Creole language spoken in Jamaica, see Jamaican Patois. For the rural community in West Bengal, see Patua. For the creole language spoken in Macau, see Macanese language.

History

According to the traditions of the Patwa, . Who did the work of Pat means Thread they were called patwa and who did the work of Lakh the called Lakhera. The Patwa are an endogamous community, and follow the principle of gotra exogamy. They are Hindu, and worship the goddess Bhagwati and jagdamba.

Traditionally, they had a caste council to settle issues of divorce, minor disputes and cases of adultery.[1]

Present circumstances

The Patwa are involved in selling women's decorative articles like earrings, necklaces and cosmetics. They also deal in small household items, such as hand fans made of palm. The community was traditionally associated with threading of beads and binding together of silver and gold threads, while others have expanded into other businesses. They are found all over India, mainly in Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, South India (All India Sri Patwa Mahasabha (1953).

In Bihar, the community is sub-divided as Patwa and Tanti. Tanti is another caste. They do not belong to Patwa caste. The Tanti have three sub-groups, the Gouria, Rewar and Jurihar. The Patwa are found mainly in the districts of Nalanda, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Nawada and Patna districts. Their main gotras include the Gorahia, Chero, Ghatwar, Chakata, Supait, Bhor, Pancohia, Dargohi, Laheda and Rankut and the Patwa are found all over Bihar. The Patwa of Bihar is now mainly power loom operators, while others have expanded into other businesses. The Patwa of Bihar have a statewide caste association, the Patwa Jati Sudhar Samiti.[2]

Raja Man Singh, one of the Navaratan of Akbar, shifted Patwa from Rajasthan to Gaya, Bihar and settled them on the other side to Vishnu Pad Temple, of Falgoo (Niranajana River). According to Hindu Mythology, Pind Daan (a custom dedicated to the worship of ancestors) it is mandatory to offer a piece of cloth in the worshipping. To meet this demand Raja Mansingh shifted them and thus the colony of Patwa is known as Manpur, dedicated to Raja Mansingh.Jewellary and style of temples are some proof which can link Gaya's Patwa connection to Rajasthan.

References
  1. People of India Uttar Pradesh, Volume XLII, Part Three, by K.S. Singh, page 1147, Manohar Publications
  2. People of India Bihar, Volume XVI, Part Two, edited by S. Gopal & Hetukar Jha, pages 776 to 781, Seagull Books
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