Berwa

The Bairwa (Berwa) are a scheduled caste from Indian state Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and OBC in Delhi.[1] Their main occupations include agriculture and animal husbandry.

Bairwa's and Meena Tribe have similar customs and traditions.[2] Their population in 1981 census was 429, 627,[2] Which has increased to 1,260,685 in 2011 census in State of Rajasthan and also have fair amount of population in state of Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and parts of UP,[3] being the second-largest scheduled caste in Rajasthan. They are mainly concentrated in the Tonk, Kota, Bundi, and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan and also have a significant population in Indore and Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. They are classified as OBC in Delhi state.

The Berwa are influential despite their relatively smaller population. Feeling exploited by the higher castes, they have been involved in the struggle for social rights for the poor and farmers. Education has become an important means of progress, so the Berwa emphasize education for their children. They follow Hindu marriage practices. However, widows are allowed to marry, there is no child betrothal and polygyny is allowed. Vermilion, bangles and toe rings are some symbols of marriage for women.[4] Most of their workers were cultivators.[4] They speak Dingal and use Devanagari characters.[2] They are distributed throughout the state of Rajasthan, but concentrated in Jaipur district.[2] They adhere to Hinduism including all of its gods and goddesses.[2] They are not vegetarians.[2] The Berwa are endogamous.[2] The Berwa cremate their dead.[2] Women and men can seek divorce.[2] They were recognized as scheduled caste by the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order in 1950.[5] They have a procedure for admission to this caste.[6] They have a socio-political body of their own, the Chorasi Panchayat.[6]

It deals with the breach of caste norms and other issues.[6][7]