Kirar

The Kirar is a Hindu agricultural caste whose traditional occupation is cultivation.^[1] Kirar, also known as Kerat or Kirad, derive their name from kerat meaning boat sailors. They originated in Kiserkot or Kiradukot of Jaisalmer and migrated to different parts of India. The Kirar recall that, they were a warrior group like Kol and Bhil, and hunting was their way of life. Now they have settled down in different areas where agriculture is their mainstay. There are three major divisions among Kirar viz, Nagar, Karod and Dharod Kirar. All these divisions are divided into various gots or clans. Some common gots are: Tambar, Rathor, Kush, Puru, Chauhan, Jadu, Nagsh and Mehta. They place themselves after Brahmin, Jain and Rajput in local social hierarchy. Sahariyas, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars recognise the Kirar as superior to them. The Kirar are educationally backward. They accept food from upper caste but upper castes do not accept food from Kirar. All India Kirar Samaj Sangh has been constituted in 1966, in which all the sections have been included. The organization stand for the benefit and financial assistance to the community members. They have submitted a memorandum for their inclusion in the list of Scheduled Castes.^[2]

The Kirars are classified as Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category in the Indian states of Rajasthan,^[3] and Madhya Pradesh.^[4]

Notable people[]

• Shivraj Singh Chouhan, incumbent Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh^[5]
• Thakur Malkhan Singh^[6]

References[]

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