Latest revision as of 12:13, 10 November 2017

(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)

[edit] Kewat/Keot/Keuta/Kebot

Synonyms: Machua [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Galchatri, Jalchatri, Nishad [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Jele Kaibarta, Kaibarta, Kewat, Khewat, Machua [Orissa] Groups/subgroups: Ayodhyabasi, Bahiawak, Gaghar, Garbhait, GhiBihar and/or Jharkhand, Jathoc, Machua [ Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Bangali Kewat (territorial), Kosowa (cacoon), Mali, Manjhi Kewat (boat man), Ujali [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Chura Kota, Churakota, Das, Daskaibarrye, Kaibarta, Machuya, Mahishya [Orissa]

• Subcastes: Ayodhyabasi, Bahiawak, Bahiot, Garbhait, GhiBihar and/or Jharkhand, Gorwait, Jathot, Machh

ua, Mahadanda, Saghar [H.H. Risley] Agarwal, Bathama, Bathawa, Bind, Chai (in Mirzapur), Ghogh, Goriya, Jaiswar, Kewat, Kharbind, Kharot, Mallah, Muriyari, Nikhad, Nishada, Sorahiya, Tiyar [W. Croo ke] Titles: Singh [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Behara, Majhi, Paramanik [Orissa] Arindar, Patar, Patra, Seth [West Bengal] Basara, Bhandari (in Behar), Biswas, Chaudhri, Dera dar, Jandar, Kamat, Kapar, Khawas, Mahato, Mandar, Marar [H.H. Risley] Surnames: Chaudhuri, Mandal [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Jalchatri, Kewat, Parkar [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chh attisgarh] Barik, Behara, Das, Mahana, Majhi, Paroda, Shamal, Tarai [Orissa] Dhibar, Majhi [West Bengal] Bhadauria, Biswas, Hazara, Itwar, Kapar, Kasyapa, M aharna, Marar, Mukhia [H.H. Risley]

• Exogamousgroups: Ahira, Bhalwa, Garhtod, Ghughu, J

hagarha, Kala, Karsayal, Rautele, Sonwani, Tuma [Russell & Hiralal] Exogamous units/clans: Machua [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Burha, Ghuguwa, Joria, Kartal, Rawat, Sarpa (snake), Sonwani, Tuma, Vinayak (elephant god) [Madhya Pradesh and/or Chhattisgarh] Benatur, Beneshar, Karkat, Nagesh (snake), Rai, Rauth [Orissa] Anrashi, Nagrashi, Palashi, Shankharashi [West Bengal] Gotra: Kashyap [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Kashyap [West Bengal] Exogamous units/lineages (vansa): [Orissa]

[edit] Notes

A colony of this widely dispersed fisher caste has for centuries been settled in the city of Dacca, where they occupy from twenty to thirty houses; but no traces of them are to be found

1 The only other Hindu inscription in Dacca older than this is one on a Sivalaya at Baishthis, near Manikganj, belonging to the Guha Majumdar family, with the date 1518 Saka, or A.D. 1440.

2 "J.A.S. of Bengal," vol. xliii, 205.

in the interior of the district. A tradition still survives that they were brought from Bihar by the Muhammadan rulers, and employed as messengers and watchmen.

Buchanan was of opinion that the Kewat and Kaibartta originally belonged to one caste, aboriginal to Bengal; but, whether this opinion is well founded, or not, the Dacca Kewats repudiate all relationship with the Kaibarttas, although they do not object to eat or smoke with them. At the present day the Kewat is met with in every part of Bengal. In Orissa it is the most numerous of the fisher tribes, polling 150,387 persons; in Chota Nagpore it comprises 6,191, in Assam 31,300, and in Bihar 135,692. In the Bengal census return the Kewat is included, along with others, under Jeliya, a comprehensive term for all fishermen.

The Kewat caste has three subdivisions, Seo, Rami, Gauri or Gonrhi, and Dhun Kewat, who eat together and intermarry.

In Bihar and Rangpur Kewats are either fishermen or cultivators; in Assam and Orissa fishermen; while in Dacca, having relinquished fishing, they have generally adopted the occupation of fishmongers, although a few are Podars or bankers. The Kewat fishmonger usually makes advances to the fishermen, and finds it more profitable to buy small fish by the basket, and large ones by weight, than haggle for each day's catch. The Kewat generally brings the supply from the fishing ground himself, if it is near; but a servant is sent if it is distant.

In Assam the Kewats have separated into two septs, the Halwah, who are cultivators worshipping Krishna, and Jaliya, or fishermen following the tenets of Muhammadanism.1 Buchanan records2 the curious fact that the Kewats had become Muhammadans in Rangpur. Equally strange the Dacca Kewats have become followers of the Nanak Shahi faith. Their Guru is the Mahant of the Shuja'at-pur Akhara; their Purohit a Maithila Brahman, called Sam-ojha.3 The Kantha Brahman performs their funeral service, and attends at the Sraddha observed fifteen days after death; but he is charged with being extortionate, and with demanding more than poor Kewat families can afford..

The Dacca Kewats are all included in one gotra, the Kasyapa, and though domiciled in Bengal are not excluded from caste privileges when on a visit to Bihar. Owing to association with more enlightened races, widow marriage has been discontinued; but in Mungir Kewat widows still practise it.

1 Robinson's "Assam," p. 263.

2 "Eastern India," iii, 530.

3 Perhaps Sam-yaja.

The great annual festival of the Kewats of Dasca is the Nauami, or ninth lunar day of Paush (December-January) when every one visits the Akhara, and after prayers, receives "Mohan Bhog," a sweetmeat specially prepared for the occasion. The Chhath, on the sixth of Kartik, is a great bathing rite observed by Kewats, and all Hindustani castes; while the Ganga Pujah, as well as the principal Hindu festivals, are kept. Sacrifices, too, are offered at the proper seasons to Bura-Buri.