Ramdasia
The Ramdasia were historically a Sikh sub-group that originated from the Hindu caste of weavers known as Julaha but the term has expanded to become one referring to Sikhs who form a part of the backwards classes in general.[1]
| Ramdasia | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Sikhism |
| Languages | Punjabi, Hindi |
| Populated states | Punjab region |
Terminology
H. S. Singha says that "Ramdasia is a term used in general for Sikhs whose ancestors belonged to backward classes. Originally it meant the descendants and followers of Ramdas who belonged to the weaver (Julaha) community".[1]
Ramdasia's are a Scheduled Caste[2] and prefer to be called Sikh only.[3]
Ramdasia Chamars
Gerald Parsons says that "Ravidasis are to be distinguished from the Ramdasias who also belonged to the Chamar caste in Punjab but who were converted to the Sikh community, according to tradition, during the guruship of Ram Das".[4] Kalsi notes that some Chamar's claim to have been Julahas but then reverted to be Chamar. "We are all Chamars (landless labourers and leather workers) - some families chose to take up weaving, they were known as Julahas. My ancestors were weavers, but they reverted to shoe-making during the war. We have common gots and our houses are located on one side of the villages."[3]
Paramjit S. Judge says that: "The caste whose collective actions could be justifiably put under the category of “change in the caste hierarchy" leading to political implications is Chamar/Ad-dharmi. For the sake of clarification and to avoid nomenclatural confusion we may add Ramdasia and Ravidasia also. Since they are all Chamars, the subsequent reference to all these caste names would be covered under the umbrella term, Chamar".[5]
Neeru Sharma says "Chamars (including the Ramdasias and AdDharmis) and Mazhabhis (including Chuhras and Balmikis) together constitute nearly three-fourths of the total scheduled caste population in Punjab."[6]
Other uses
The word Ramdasia, has also been associated with masands or preachers that were appointed by the Sikh Guru Ram Das.[7]
See also
References
- Singha, H. S. (2009). The Encyclopedia of Sikhism. India: Hemkunt Press. p. 171. ISBN 8170103010.
- http://socialjustice.nic.in/scorder1950.php?pageid=11
- Kalsi, Sewa Singh (May 1989). THE SIKHS AND CASTE A Study of the Sikh Community in Leeds and Bradford (PDF). England: Leeds University Community Religions Project. pp. 171–172. ISBN 1871363039.
- Parsons, Gerald (1994). The Growth of Religious Diversity - Vol 1: Britain from 1945 Volume 1: Traditions. Routledge. p. 227. ISBN 0415083265.
- Judge, Paramjit S. "CHANGING CASTE RELATIONS AND EMERGING CONTESTATIONS IN PUNJAB" (PDF). University of London. School of Advanced Study.
- Sharma, Neeru (2012). "Caste in Punjab: Political Marginalization and Cultural Assertion of Scheduled Castes in Punjab" (PDF). Journal of Punjab Studies. 19 (1): 27–47.
- Gandhi, Surjit Singh (2008). History of Sikh Gurus Retold: 1469 -1606. England: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors Pvt Ltd. p. 331. ISBN 8126908572.