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Turaiha (Turai) is a fishing related Hindu caste, mostly found in Northern Indian states of United Province, Delhi, Bihar, Bengal and Maharashtra. Main population of Turaiha depends on rivers, fish ponds and lakes. In Rohilkhand they known as Turai, Turaha and Turahiya. As similar they found Agra, Gorakhpur, Padrauna (kushinagar) Meerut, Shahjahanpur, Moradabad, Oudh and Benares divisions of United Province.

History

The synonyms of Turaiha people are Turi, Toriya, Turai, Turahiya, Turha or Turaha and Turaiya, These are all fisherman and where they are, they usually engaged in fishing, cultivational and fruit selling job. In Gorakhpur and Benares divisions of United Province, they also grow vegetables, take fruit gardens and fisheries on contract. They are the best fishmongers of India. Turaiha community is near to Bhil tribe and also treated as Dheevara (fishing caste). They worship son god and Chaat mai for their Happiness. They are growing are moving towards the economically stable condition. There is also a small community of Turai people in Sangli, Maharashtra.

Origin

In census report of 1931 A.C. Turner describes, "Turaha are an offshoot (Branch) from Kahar, who have a sub caste Turai in the plains and of Turaha in Hills. Now they form a distinct caste apart from Kahar. They are unknown about their origin but they accept, they have a relation with Sun God(because they workship God Shani as their east dev or kul devta). They form one endogamous group. The Gotra (Clan) of Turaiha People is Kashyap and they have no sub castes. Marriage by exchange is practiced. The dowry is largely prevalent and is paid in cash and kind but little more. Widow remarriage is freely allowed, and younger brother may take his elder brother's widow to wife if he chooses . Polygamy is permissible but is seldom practiced. The Turahas cremate their dead. Turahas take Pakki prepared by Ahirs, Kahar, Nai, Kumhar, Kalwar, Teli, Chamar and Pasi. After independence, Turaiha was declared as scheduled caste in constitution of India."

Belief

The Turaiha are Hindu. They belong to Shiva and Baghwat Sects. Their deities are siloman Baba, Amna Bhawani, Biratiya, Bhairo, Pancho Peer, Ghatoria Baba, Maadho Baba and Kalu Dev. They follows themselves to Guru Machchhendar Nath. They accept Mata Shabari and Veer Eklavya as their ancestors and regards them to frame their pictures in their houses. They celebrate their main festival in the month of Sawan held on last Saturday with offering seven chief grains (Wheat, Rice, Gram, Urd, Barley, Peas and Til) with Bread and Kheer (Jenar). Many people scarifie goats to Sanichar Raja (Sanichara Baba) (Kalaiyan Baba) (Kalu Baba). Sanichar Raja (Kalu Baba)(Kalaiyan Baba) is the chief deity (kul Devta) of Turaihas. They have an impermanent panchayat which consists of the whole biradari. The Chaudhri presides and act as the executive officer of the community. Stern action is taken against anyone who fails to obey the panchayat which does not hesitate to order Hukka-Pani band.

Contemporary problems

The main problems of this community are frequent joblessness, lack of education and lifelong poverty. Turaiha people are mostly Landless labour and live in Kachche Houses. 98% population of Turaiha people are living below poverty level. 0.1% people are educated and Socio-economic condition of the whole community is very poor. In Indian political reference, Caste factor plays an important role in election, so due to minority, lack of organization and disunity, there is no political Sound and Godfather of Turaihas. Although the government has declared Turaiha as schedule caste since 1952, but the beneficiaries are some other majority holding schedule castes only. The main organizations of Turaihas are Bhartiya Turaiha Mahasabha (Regd.) led by Dr. Ram Swaroop Verma {Aligarh}, Akhil Bhartiya Turaiha samaaj (Regd.) headed by Dr. Ram Avtar "Madhur" (Meerut) and Turaiha Machhuaara kanyaan Parishad (Regd.) presided by Dr. Kripaal Singh Turaiha (Rampur). Akhil Bhartiya Turaiha Samaj Bilari (Regd.) presided by Dr. Ajay pal Singh turaiha Vill. Khanduva Khandua (Moradabad)UP.

Population

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• India about 609,000
• Uttar Pradesh 175,000
• Bihar 248,000
• West Bengal 96,000
• Uttaranchal 10,000
• Delhi 55,000
• Jharkhand 25,000
• Maharashtra 10,000

References

1. As described by W. Crooke 1896
2. Census of India 1961 , Appendices to census manual- part 1 Uttar Pradesh , issued by superintendent census operations Uttar Pradesh Lucknow (September 1960 ) में अनुसूचित जाति Name of Scheduled castes के सम्मुख Synonyms पर्यायवाची or generic name का उल्लेख है। जिसके क्रमांक 63 पर Shilpkar अनुसूचित जाति के सामने उसकी Synonyms पर्यायवाची or generic name का उल्लेख है। क्रमांक 64 पर Turaiha अनुसूचित जाति का उल्लेख है -Turaiha . . „ (Symbol „ means The ditto mark ( „ ) is a typographic symbol indicating that the word(s) or figure(s) above its are to be repeated or same as above ) इस प्रकार से Shilpkar अनुसूचित जाति के सामने जो उसकी Synonyms पर्यायवाची or generic name का उल्लेख है वही हु बहु Turaiha अनुसूचित जाति की Synonyms पर्यायवाची or generic name है। जिसमे Turi Synonyms पर्यायवाची or generic name का उल्लेख है।
3. W. Crooke - An ethnographical handbook for North Western Province & Oudh 1890, Page Number 195( 1890 में William Crooke द्वारा लिखित किताब An Ethnographical Hand-Book for the North-Western Provinces & Oudh के page no. 195 में Turi के Synonyms पर्यायवाची or generic name का उल्लेख है जो की Toriya, Turai, Turha or Turaha हैं।)
4. E.J. Kitts, in their compendium of Tribe & Castes of India: 1885

• Crooke, William (1896). The tribes and castes of the North-western Provinces and Oudh. Office of the superintendent of government printing. OCLC 4770515.
• Kitts, Eustace J. (1885). A compendium of the castes and tribes found in India. Education Society's Press. OCLC 221519543.
• Bhattacharya, Jogendra Nath (1896). Hindu castes and sects: an exposition of the origin of the Hindu caste system and the bearing of the sects towards each other and towards other religious systems. Thacker, Spink. OCLC 11383590.
• Turner, A. C. (1933). Census of India, 1931, vol. XVIII. United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Part I. The Superintendent, Printing and stationary, United Provinces. OCLC 79175745.
• Gazetteer of the Rampur State. W.C. Abel, Govt. Press, United Provinces. 1911. OCLC 15933577.
• Rose, H. A. (1911). A glossary of the tribes & castes of the Punjab & North-west frontier province. Superintendent, government printing, Punjab. OCLC 63616288.
• Retrieved January 24, 2019, from http://164.100.129.6/netnrega/state_html/UID_rpt_detail.aspx?DBT=&page=P&type=1&short_name=MH&state_name=MAHARASHTRA&state_code=18&district_name=SANGLI&district_code=1812&block_name=JATH&block_code=&panchayat_name=VHASPETH&panchayat_code=1812005145&fin_year=2014-2015&source=&Digest=NVy2UbhJ4gfnhqi/F4ln+w

• Indian castes
• Fishing castes
• Social groups of Bihar