Shimpi

Shimpi is an umbrella term for the Indian caste traditionally involved in the business of clothing and tailoring. Saint Namdev of the Bhakti movement is revered as the patron of the community.

Occupation[]

The traditional occupation of the community is tailoring or cloth printing. They are referred to as "Shimpi" in Marathi or "Chimpi" in Hindi.^[1]

Government classification[]

The Shimpi are included in the central list of Other Backward Classes (OBC) by the government of Maharashtra.^[2]

Varna[]

The group was considered to be in the Shudra varna in the traditional Hindu caste system, hence being considered members of Other Backward Classes; however, followers of Namdev in the Shimpi community commonly claim to be Kshatriya.^[3]^[1]

Notables[]

Namdev - revered 14th-century saint of the Bhakti movement and Varkari sect^[1]
Chandrakant Mandare - Marathi actor^{[citation needed]}
Shashikala - Indian actress^{[citation needed]}
Wamanrao Mahadik - First Shiv Sena legislator in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly^{[citation needed]}
Anand Lal Shimpi - Founder of the technology website AnandTech

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c Anne Murphy (12 March 2012). Time, History and the Religious Imaginary in South Asia. Routledge. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-136-70729-2.
^ "Central List of OBCs For the State of Maharashtra" (PDF).
^ Novetzke, Christian Lee (2013). Religion and Public Memory: A Cultural History of Saint Namdev in India. Columbia University Press. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-23151-256-5.

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[Murphy2012-1] Anne Murphy (12 March 2012). Time, History and the Religious Imaginary in South Asia. Routledge. p. 122. ISBN 978-1-136-70729-2.

[2] "Central List of OBCs For the State of Maharashtra" (PDF).

[3] Novetzke, Christian Lee (2013). Religion and Public Memory: A Cultural History of Saint Namdev in India. Columbia University Press. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-23151-256-5.

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