| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 1.9 million (2011, census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | |
| West Bengal | 1,228,635[1] |
| Odisha | 523,127[2] |
| Jharkhand | 186,356[3] |
| Bihar | 2,233[4] |
| Languages | |
| Regional languages (Bengali, Odia) | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
Bauri is a caste primarily residing in the state ofWest Bengal, India where it is considered as one of theScheduled Castes.[5][6] There are significant populations in the states ofOdisha,Jharkhand andBihar. The Bauris belong to theBhil tribe.[7][better source needed] They are usually involved in activities likefarming. The Bauris of Purbo TilaMoulvibazar inBangladesh are usually involved inmedicinal practices. The prime festivals they celebrate are known asMansa Puja,Durga Puja andKali Puja.
Bauris numbered 1,091,022 in the 2001 census in the state of West Bengal. 37.5 per cent of the Bauris were literate - 51.8 per cent males and 22.7 per cent females were literate. Only 4.7 per cent of the Bauris were matriculates or completed schooling.[8]
They are primarily residing in Bengal found in large numbers inBankura,Birbhum, Purulia and other districts in Indianstate ofWest Bengal,Assam,Tripura and Orissa.[9] The village of Purbo Tila in Chatlapur Tea Garden,Kulaura and Dakchara Tea Garden,Srimangal,Moulvibazar District are also home to Bauri communities inBangladesh.[citation needed] They are also found in many villages likeChhatna andBeliatore.
Bauris are divided into the following subcastes: Mallabhumia, Sikharia or Gobaria, Panchakoti, Mola or Mulo, Dhalia or Dhulo, Malua, Jhatia or Jhetia, and Pathuria. Some of these subcastes appear to be territorial subdivisions. Mallabhumia, Malua and perhaps also Mola, were residents ofMallabhum, the central and eastern parts of Bankura district. Sikharia were Bauris who hailed from Shikharbhum, the tract between theKasai andBarakar rivers. The Dhulia subcaste is supposed to be from Dhalbhum, which is the area inKhatra subdivision. Panchakoti refers to the central area of Panchet estate now inPurulia district.[citation needed]
Traces oftotemism still survive in their reverence for the red-backed heron. The heron is looked upon as the emblem of the community.[10]
The Bauri caste is categorised as aScheduled Caste inWest Bengal,[6]Odisha,Jharkhand, andBihar, while inAssam, they are recognised as anEx Tea garden community and the Bauri of Assam andTripura placed within theOther Backward Classes.[11][12][13]
| Society |
|  | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religion | |||||||
| Culture |
| ||||||
| Folk culture |
| ||||||
| Others | |||||||