Patni caste
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2022) |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| • India • | |
| Languages | |
| • Bengali • Manipuri | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism, Christianity |
The Patni community is a Scheduled Caste who are mainly found in the region of Barak Valley.[1]
History
[edit]Patni might be related to the Domba community of Assam and in some areas their names are used interchangeably. The main occupation of Patnis include ferrying boats, basket-making, trading and cultivating.[2][3] According to Patnis folklore Ishwari Patni ferries Goddess Annapurna on his boat, also mentioned by Bharatchandra.[4]
Patnis are also called Nadiyal and they mainly lived in Sylhet, Dacca, etc and migrated towards districts of Assam, West Bengal and Manipur.[5]
The Patnis are divided into five sub-castes:
- Jat-Patni, who are agriculturists and small traders.
- Ghat-Patni, Salami or Ghatwal who work as boatmen and take charge of ferries.
- Dom-Patni, Machhwa, or Nagarchi, who catch fish.[6]
- Sansphor and Dagara, who makes baskets of cane, and tie the framework of kancha houses.
References
[edit]- ^ Datta-Ray, B. (2000). Population, Poverty, and Environment in North-East India. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-770-0.
- ^ Allen, Basil Copleston (1905). Assam District Gazetteers: Cachar. Printed at the Baptist Mission Press.
- ^ Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901. Printed at the Government central Press.
- ^ Tuṅga, Sudhāṃśu Śekhara (1995). Bengali and Other Related Dialects of South Assam. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-588-3.
- ^ Baruah, Amlan; Choudhury, S. B. Roy (1999). Assam State Gazetteer. Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam.
- ^ Allen, Basil Copleston (1905). Assam District Gazetteers: Cachar. Printed at the Baptist Mission Press.