Bari (caste)

The Bari are a Hindu =caste found in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan in India.[1] The Bari community get their name from the Sanskrit word “vari” meaning water. They are also called Rawat and Paanwhale (Betel leaf sellers) and are a community of household servants and makers of leaf-plates.[1] The Bari mainly speak Hindi and write in Devanagari, but also speak Awadhi in Uttar Pradesh, Marathi in Maharashtra, Bhojpuri in Bihar and Mewari in Rajasthan.[2]

History

According to mythological texts, The Bari were also known as sharaswat Brahmins in the era of Rama Of Ayodhya. They used to cook for Rama and be called as “Bar”. Due to social problems The Bari shifted to other sub clans associated with “Sisodiya” of Rajput in the middle age of India. The Bari spent many years living in the forest because of fear of being killing by Mughals. They started selling leaves and started making “Leafware”.[3]

The Bari are now classified as OBC (Other backward class) in Uttar Pradesh , Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi.[3]

Practically in olden times, Bari people used to collect and dispose the pattals/petals(leaves) on which food was served in massive BHOJ(feeding ritual) to the brahmins and other upper caste people conducted by Kings, and used to get paid for that. Presently bari community just like all other backward communities has grown up and came out to do all sorts of jobs.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bari – People Groups of India". www.peoplegroupsindia.com. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  2. ↑ Project, Joshua. "Bari (Hindu traditions) in India". Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  3. 1 2 "Bari Samaj - History". www.barisamaj.in. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
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