Patni caste

The Patni community is a Scheduled Caste who are mainly found in the region of Barak Valley.[1]

Patni
Regions with significant populations
• India •
Languages
• Bengali • Manipuri
Religion
Hinduism, Christianity

History

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]

Present Circumstances

Total population of Patni community in Assam is around 1,36,661 which accounts for 8.2 percent of the Scheduled Caste population of state.

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 catcg fish, rear pigs, and work as musician.[6]
  • Sansphor and Dagara, who makes baskets of cane, and tie the framework of kancha houses.

During marriage bride-price is paid by the parents of the bridegroom, polygamy is recognized and women are not allowed to divorce or remarry.

Notable Patnis

References
  1. Datta-Ray, B. (2000). Population, Poverty, and Environment in North-East India. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-7022-770-0.
  2. Allen, Basil Copleston (1905). Assam District Gazetteers: Cachar. Printed at the Baptist Mission Press.
  3. Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901. Printed at the Government central Press.
  4. Tuṅga, Sudhāṃśu Śekhara (1995). Bengali and Other Related Dialects of South Assam. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-588-3.
  5. Baruah, Amlan; Choudhury, S. B. Roy (1999). Assam State Gazetteer. Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam.
  6. Allen, Basil Copleston (1905). Assam District Gazetteers: Cachar. Printed at the Baptist Mission Press.
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