Churihar

The Churihar are a Muslim community, found in North India.^[1]

Origin[]

The word Churihar is derived from the Hindi words chura hara, literally a manufacturer of bangles. They were traditionally associated with the manufacture of bangles, and have no origin myth. It is likely, that they are amalgam of different groups who took to manufacturing bangles, and are now bound by rules of endogamy. The community may be related to the Manihar, another community of bangle manufacturers. They are Sunni Muslims, and speak Urdu, as well of local dialects of Hindi, such as Khari Boli. The Churihar are further divided into clans, known as biradaris. Traditionally, marriages take place within the biradari.

Present Circumstances[]

The Churihar in Bihar are found mainly in the districts of Bhagalpur, Dumka, Gaya, Munger and Patna. They speak the Angika dialect of Hindi. In Uttar Pradesh, they are found in the districts of Agra, Mathura, Allahabad, Lalitpur and Jhansi. Most Churihar claim to be of Shaikh status. Like other Muslim artisan castes, the community no longer practice their traditional occupations. The Churihar are now mainly farmers, and Uttar Pradesh, many are also hide merchants. They live in multi-caste villages, but occupy their own quarters. Each settlement contains an informal caste council, known as panchayats, which act as instrument of social control.^[2]

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