Chambhar is

caste Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultura ...

from Indian state of Maharashtra, and Northern Karnataka. Their traditional occupation was

leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, ...

work. Historically subject to

untouchability Untouchability is a form of social institution that legitimises and enforces practices that are discriminatory, humiliating, exclusionary and exploitative against people belonging to certain social groups. Although comparable forms of discrimin ...

, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of

castes Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultura ...

known as

varna Varna may refer to: Places Europe *Varna, Bulgaria, a city in Bulgaria **Varna Province **Varna Municipality ** Gulf of Varna **Lake Varna **Varna Necropolis *Vahrn, or Varna, a municipality in Italy *Varniai, a city in Lithuania * Varna (Šaba ...

. Castes with similar traditional occupation are found throughout the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a list of the physiographic regions of the world, physiographical region in United Nations geoscheme for Asia#Southern Asia, Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian O ...

such as

Chamar Chamar is a Dalit community classified as a Scheduled Caste under modern India's system of affirmative action. Historically subject to untouchability, they were traditionally outside the Hindu ritual ranking system of castes known as varna. ...

in Northern india, and Mochi in Gujarat.

History

Chambhars have made many contributions in religious and reform movements by Santbai.

Maratha era

Chambhars as the cobbler of the village formed one of the twelve hereditary village servants under the

Bara Balutedar The Bara Balutedar (English: Twelve Balutedar) system was a hereditary system of twelve trades used historically in villages of regions that is now the Indian state of Maharashtra. The used get paid for the services provided with village produce ...

system of Maharashtra. . Historically, Chambhars are related to leather work and are landless but gradually their women engaged in midwifery and agricultural labour.

Culture and society

Chambhars in Maharashtra follow hinduism.They also revere Bhakti Sant Rohidas.

Social status

Chambhars enjoyed better position unlike their counterparts of other states, e.g –

s of North India,

Madiga Madiga, also known as Maadiga, Maatangi, Makkalu and Mahadiga, are an artisan community from southern India. They mainly live in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, with a small minority in Tamil Nadu. Madigas are historic ...

s of Andhra Pradesh, etc. Even they were part of mainstream business of local markets and economically well-off. Currently, Chambhars are in different fields and after the introduction of the reservation policy in India it helped a lot of them to improve their lifestyle. They fall under

Scheduled Caste The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are officially designated groups of people and among the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups in India. The terms are recognized in the Constitution of India and the groups are designa ...

category in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Notables

* Milind Kamble, founder of the

Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry The Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) is an Indian association that promotes business enterprises for Dalits. It was founded in 2005 by Milind Kamble. Some of the key members of DICCI are Kalpana Saroj, Chandra Bhan Prasad an ...

and chairman of Fortune Constructions (Mumbai) *

Vithal Palwankar Vithal Palwankar (1884 or 1886 – 26 November 1971) was an Indian cricketer and a captain of the Hindus team. Vithal led the team to victories over the Mohammedan and European teams, where his captaincy and personal performance were praise ...

, cricketer who captained an Indian team at Bombay Quadragular. *

Palwankar Baloo Palwankar Baloo was an Indian cricketer and political activist. In 1896, he was selected by Parmanandas Jivandas Hindu Gymkhana and played in the Bombay Quadrangular tournaments. He was employed by the Bombay Berar and Central Indian Railways, a ...

, cricketer of India and leader of Hindu Mahasabha. * Palwankar Ganpat, Indian cricket player * Palwankar Shivram, Indian cricket player of Hindu Gymkhana. *

Ramanand Dass , Title = Sant Of Ravidassia Religion , Period = 1973-74 to 2009 , ordination = , post = Sant , birth_date = , birth_place = Alawalpur , death_date = , death_place ...

, was a leader of the Dera Sach Khand, and a follower of Guru Ravidas. * Ashok Khade, Chairman of DAS Offshore (Mumbai), one of the biggest oil platform makers of India

References