The Bhogta (also known as Ganjhu, Pradhan) is an agricultural community, primarily inhabiting in the state of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. They speak Sadri language as mother tongue except Bhogta of West Bengal, who are adopted Bengali as mother tongue and use Hindi Language as link language.[5]

Bhogta
Late 18th century photographs of Bhogta man
(2011, census)
Regions with significant populations
India
Jharkhand223,453[1]
West Bengal18,269[2]
Bihar15,103[3]
Assam12,058 (1951 est.)[4]
Languages
Sadri  • Hindi • Regional languages
Religion
Hinduism  • Tribal religion
Related ethnic groups
Kharwar

Social structure

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The Bhogta are traditionally cultivators and Hindu by religion. The Bhogta of Bihar divided into eight clan, i.e. Damajhwar, Saichumair (Saichuniar), Bhumchuriar (Bhumchuniar), Rimrimria, Pathbhandhi, Musuar, Kmariar (Kawliar), Beharwar and the Bhogta of West Bengal divided into Hans, Mur, Kaua, etc. They use surname like Bhogta, Ganjhu and Singh.[5]

Official classification

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As per 1981 census the Bhogta population in Bihar (include Jharkhand) was 137,175 and as per 1952 census their population was 13,807 in West Bengal. They were previously classified as Scheduled Castes for affirmative action.[6] But in 2022, the Bhogta of Jharkhand state are classified as a Scheduled Tribe, as a synonym of Kharwar.[7][8][9]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ "A-10 STATE PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULED CASTE (JHARKHAND)". censusindia.gov.in. 16 November 2022.
  2. ^ "A-10 STATE PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULED CASTE (West Bengal)". censusindia.gov.in. 16 November 2022.
  3. ^ "A-10 STATE PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHEDULED CASTE (BIHAR)". censusindia.gov.in. 16 November 2022.
  4. ^ "Estimated Population by Castes, 5. Assam – Census 1951" (PDF). Office of the Registrar General, India. 1954. p. 12.
  5. ^ a b Singh, K. S. (1992). People of India: The scheduled castes. Anthropological Survey of India. pp. 253–256. Alt URL
  6. ^ Ambedkar, Dr B. R. (2014-10-21). THE UNTOUCHABLES. Ssoft Group, INDIA.
  7. ^ "Rajya Sabha passes bill to remove Bhogta caste from Scheduled Castes list". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  8. ^ "Parliament passes bill to include Bhogta and other communities in Jharkhand's ST list". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  9. ^ "Big Decision: झारखंड में ढाई लाख की आबादी..अब भोगता जात‍ि के लोग कहलाएंगे अनुसूच‍ित जनजात‍ि". jagran. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2022.