Deswali Majhi is a Hinduized section of Santal tribe,[1] distributed in western region of West Bengal and eastern region of Jharkhand. The community took shape after the great Santal rebellion (1855–56) by adoption of Hinduism due oppression faced as a Santal by the Britishers and their proximity to the Kudmi and Bengali people.[2][3][4]

Deswali Majhi
ᱫᱮᱥᱣᱟᱞᱤ ᱢᱟᱺᱡᱷᱤ
দেস্বালি মাঝি
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesSantali, Bengali, Kudmali
Populated statesJharkhand, West Bengal
EthnicitySantal
Family namesMajhi

Tribals known as Deswali Manjhis are those Santhals who, before the current tendency among Santhals to regard themselves as Hindus, came within the Hindu fold. According to H. H. Risley, “Deswali Manjhis are a subtribe of Santhals in the south of Manbhoom, who employ Brahmans (for officiating in religious observances) and have adopted portions of Hindu rituals”.

— West Bengal District Gazetteers : Puruliya (1985), p. 130

References

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  1. ^ Bhattacharya, Birendra Ku (1985). West Bengal District Gazetteers: Puruliya. State editor, West Bengal District Gazetteers. pp. 130–131. Archived from the original on 31 Oct 2018.
  2. ^ Singh, K. S.; India, Anthropological Survey of (1998). "Deswali Majhi". India's Communities. Oxford University Press. pp. 785–832. ISBN 978-0-19-563354-2.
  3. ^ "COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS (THIRTEENTH LOK SABHA) – TWELFTH REPORT" (PDF). Parliament digital library, India. REPRESENTATION REGARDING INCLUSION OF ‘DESWALI ’ COMMUNITY OF WEST BENGAL IN THE LIST OF SCHEDULED TRIBES. 19 Dec 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^