Caste system in Goa

The following castes are generally referred to as the high castes, and follow Brahminical religion. Almost all of them claim higher status than others and dispute the social status of the others. Brahmins are considered religious aristocracy amongst the Hindus of Goa.[1]

• Pancha Gowda Brahmins
  • Gaud Saraswat Brahmins popularly known as GSBs. They are landowning though most were engaged in clerical jobs, trade, priests and landlords. They played an important role in politics and other administrative jobs for many centuries, also were one of the first classes to have modern education.[2]
  • Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman were landowning class generally associated with agriculture and trade.
  • Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin were associated with trade, priests and played important role in politics.
  • Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins Also known as Bhalavalikar Saraswat Brahmins.
• Pancha Dravida Brahmins
  • The two sub-castes was known as the Padye Brahmins and Bhatt Prabhus, popularly known as Bhatt and Prabhu respectively, they generally associate themselves with Karhade Brahmins. They are landowning castes and were engaged as temples priests and in agriculture, some into money landing.[2]
  • Chitpavan Brahmins known as Konkanastha and have migrated to Goa from Northern Konkan in ancient times, mostly were employed as priests, astrologers and are well-known horticulturists.[2]
  • Kramavanta Joshi or Kriyavant Joshi, they were a class of priests who officiated Hindu funeral ceremony and were looked down upon by the above-mentioned castes.
• Daivadnya Brahmin popularly known as Shett who are traditional jewellers and mercantile caste.Few of them are Astrologers and some perform priestly functions for their caste only[3] [4][2] [5][2]

The following castes are generally referred to as intermediate castes :

Konkani Marathas: The Marathas historically belonged to different groups such as Chardo, Ranes, and Marathas. Now all these sub-groups identify themselves as Kshatriya Maratha. They are politically and financially influential primary landlords caste. Most of them have been erstwhile gentry. Some of them have descended from the erstwhile ruling and oligarchic families.Some families were into trade. They are commonly known as"Patil" Desai/Dessai and Ranes in different parts of Goa.[2]

Bhandaris (commonly known as Bhanaryas or as Naiks) form the largest caste group in the state of Goa, reportedly being over 30% of that state's Hindu population, and play a major role in deciding the future of any political party there.Although they are considered among the Kshatriyas they are categorized as Other Backward Class as majority of the families are economically backward.[6] They are the prominent peasant class of Goa and Konkan.

Vaishya/Vaishya Vani: are the traditional community of traders, and are commonly known as Vanis.

The rest of the castes are generally referred to as the Bahujan samaj or the masses.[7] Almost all of them follow Folk Hinduism. These include:

Commonly known as Kalavants and now known as Gomantak Maratha Samaj is a group of various sub-castes who served the temples and the aristocrats in the olden days. Gomantak Maratha is relatively a new ameliorative name (coined in the late 20th century[8]) given to these groups for uniting and emancipating them.[9]

Konkani Kharvi: They term themselves as Gomantak Kshatriya Maratha Samaj. Kharvis are largely involved in fisheries. Though they are presently a fishing community, their origin has been high caste Kshatriyas. Many of the Goan ancient literature confirms this including R.E Enthoven's "The Tribes and Castes of Bombay". In this book he says the Kharvis are majorly the martial class and the sailors till Maratha empire. They are one of the few communities who hold a right of sacred thread.

These include Charis, Chitaris who call themselves Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmin, Sutars and Kasars. They are included in the Other Backward Class list of the Government of India.

Rest of castes generally referred to as Shudras or Sudirs in Konkani do not really follow the four-fold varna system, but have recently started claiming higher status. Most of them have been practicing different occupations historically and now are categorized as Other Backward Class by Govt of Goa, these include Madval (Rajak, Dhobi), Dhangar, Gosavi, Shimpi, Khumbar, Teli, Nathjogi, this list also includes Roman Catholic counterparts of few Hindu castes too].[2][10]

Following castes are commonly known as Harijans or Dalits.

• Bhangi, Chambhar (Hadi), Mahar, Mahyavanshi (Vankar), Mang

• Dhodia (Halpati, Naikda (Nayaka), Siddi, Varli Kunbi, Gavda, Velip.

The Gauda and Kunbi are considered as aboriginals by some historians though this claim is disputed.