Beldar Caste

The Beldar caste, historically a nomadic community from Northern India, is known for their occupation as navvies and their involvement in construction work. They are at present, a scheduled caste in northern part of India and are still engaged in their traditional occupation of navvies.

The Beldar caste traces its roots back to Northern India, particularly in the provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. They are linguistically associated with the Hindi dialect, and their cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with the regions they inhabit. The Beldar community shares ancestral ties with the Odh and Kewat communities, who refer to themselves as Odhs, further enhancing their historical lineage.

The term “Beldar” itself is derived from the combination of “bel,” signifying a digging instrument, and “dar,” which refers to the individual who handles it. Originally associated with agricultural activities involving soil digging and transportation, the Beldar community has also been recognized for their role in brick-making and clearing agricultural land. Although primarily concentrated in Northern India, a smaller population can also be found in regions such as West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

The Beldar of Uttar Pradesh are still mainly involved in their tradition of navvies. They are employed by the state in the constructions of roads. Generally, whole families participate in the construction industry. Many Beldar are nomadic, shifting from place to place, looking for work at construction sites. A small number of Beldar are also involved in the selling of fruits and vegetables. The Beldar are a Hindu community, and are found throughout the state, speaking a number of dialects of Hindi.

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