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{{Short description|Bengali Hindu trading caste}} {{Short description|Bengali Hindu trading caste}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
⚫ '''Baishya Saha''' ({{langx|bn|বৈশ্য সাহা}}) or '''Saha''', is a ] trading caste traditionally known to have the occupation of grocers, shopkeepers, dealers, moneylenders, and farmers.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hashmi|first=Taj ul-Islam|title=Pakistan as a Peasant Utopia|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1992|isbn=978-0-367-28215-8|pages=35,43,105,109,111,112,148}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Ganguly|first=Jibamitra|url=https://www.insaindia.res.in/pdf/Megnad_Saha.pdf|title=Meghnad saha : his science and persona through selected letters and writings|publisher=INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY|year=2019|isbn=978-81-939482-5-5|pages=12}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Saha |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Saha|access-date=2022-01-29|website=]}}</ref>

⚫ '''Baishya Saha''' or '''Saha''', though not considered ] in the caste structure of Bengal, is a ] trading caste traditionally known to have the occupation of grocers, shopkeepers, dealers moneylenders, and farming.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hashmi|first=Taj ul-Islam|title=Pakistan as a Peasant Utopia|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=1992|isbn=978-0-367-28215-8|pages=35,43,105,109,111,112,148}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Ganguly|first=Jibamitra|url=https://www.insaindia.res.in/pdf/Megnad_Saha.pdf|title=Meghnad saha : his science and persona through selected letters and writings|publisher=INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY|year=2019|isbn=978-81-939482-5-5|pages=12}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Saha |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Saha|access-date=2022-01-29|website=]}}</ref>


== Origin == == Origin ==
Śauṇḍik (vintner) finds mention in one image inscription of Pāla period along with some other occupational groups.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Furui |first=Ryosuke |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Land_and_Society_in_Early_South_Asia/lM6gDwAAQBAJ?hl=en |title=Land and Society in Early South Asia: Eastern India 400–1250 AD |date=2019-07-02 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-000-08480-1 |pages=169, 186 |language=en}}</ref>
The ] played a significant role to create the caste origin and hierarchy in Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sengupta |first=Saswati |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/10.1093/oso/9780190124106.001.0001/oso-9780190124106 |title=Mutating Goddesses: Bengal's Laukika Hinduism and Gender Rights |date=2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-012410-6 |location=Delhi |doi=10.1093/oso/9780190124106.001.0001}}</ref> The name Saha (or Sadhu) is not found in 13th-century works like ].<ref name=":2" /> According to historians, Sahas were originally wine sellers ]. In later period they tried to break away from their parent caste.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Sanyal|first=Hitesranjan|date=1971|title=Continuities of Social Mobility in Traditional and Modern Society in India: Two Case Studies of Caste Mobility in Bengal|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2942917|journal=The Journal of Asian Studies|volume=30|issue=2|pages=315–339|doi=10.2307/2942917|jstor=2942917|s2cid=163001574 |issn=0021-9118}}</ref>
The ]s played a significant role in creating the caste origin and hierarchy in Bengal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sengupta |first=Saswati |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/10.1093/oso/9780190124106.001.0001/oso-9780190124106 |title=Mutating Goddesses: Bengal's Laukika Hinduism and Gender Rights |date=2021 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-012410-6}}</ref>


== History == == History ==
Before the seventh or the eighth centuries A.D. when historical evidence indicates that the society was based largely on trade and commerce, the merchant classes had a notably high position in society. The low rank experienced by the Subarnabanik (gold merchants), ] (winemakers), Teli (oil producers), and in later times also by the ] (the dealers in spices), possibly indicates that the primary economic activities of the Bengali society shifted from trade and capital producing devices to cottage industries and agriculture. The caste ranks of the merchant classes became more and more lowered and reached a decidedly low stage at the beginning of the Sena and Varman periods.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarma |first=Jyotirmoyee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hfE_AAAAMAAJ |title=Caste Dynamics Among the Bengali Hindus |date=1980 |publisher=Firma KLM |isbn=978-0-8364-0633-7 |pages=15 |language=en}}</ref> Saha as a distinct sub-caste did not flourish in Bengal before the mid-nineteenth century.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Saha |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Saha |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=]}}</ref> Saha is a merchant caste like ], which has a low ceremonial rank, but a high secular rank. As of 1921, Suvarnabaniks and Sahas had a good literacy rate which was in the order mentioned.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarma |first=Jyotirmoyee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hfE_AAAAMAAJ |title=Caste Dynamics Among the Bengali Hindus |date=1980 |publisher=Firma KLM |isbn=978-0-8364-0633-7 |pages=107 |language=en}}</ref> According to historian Jyotirmoyee Sarma, before the seventh or the eighth centuries A.D. when historical evidence indicates that the society was based largely on trade and commerce, the merchant classes had a notably high position in society. The low rank experienced by the trading communities including ] (winemakers and sellers), possibly indicates that the primary economic activities of the Bengali society shifted from trade and capital producing devices to cottage industries and agriculture. The caste ranks of the merchant classes became more and more lowered and reached a decidedly low stage at the beginning of the Sena and Varman periods.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarma |first=Jyotirmoyee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hfE_AAAAMAAJ |title=Caste Dynamics Among the Bengali Hindus |date=1980 |publisher=Firma KLM |isbn=978-0-8364-0633-7 |pages=15 |language=en}}</ref>
Saha as a distinct sub-caste did not flourish in Bengal before the mid-nineteenth century.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Saha |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Saha |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=]}}</ref> Saha is a merchant caste, which has a low ritual rank, but notably good literacy and secular rank.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sarma |first=Jyotirmoyee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hfE_AAAAMAAJ |title=Caste Dynamics Among the Bengali Hindus |date=1980 |publisher=Firma KLM |isbn=978-0-8364-0633-7 |pages=107 |language=en}}</ref>

Sahas were included in the list of 177 "backward classes" for the state of ] by ], but the state government hasn't yet recognised Saha as such, and they still belong to ] category.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-10 |title=Bengal govt wary of implementing Mandal report,says OBC group |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/bengal-govt-wary-of-implementing-mandal-report-says-obc-group/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Mamata's big caste gamble in TMC manifesto |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/west-bengal-assembly-polls-2021/story/exclusive-mamata-s-big-caste-gamble-in-tmc-manifesto-1780055-2021-03-16 |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=India Today |date=16 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>


== Varna Status == == Varna status ==
Traditionally the Bengal society is divided into two varna, ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Kunal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVOFAAAAQBAJ|title=Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis|last2=Chakrabarti|first2=Shubhra|date=2013-08-22|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8024-5|pages=116|language=en}}</ref> Sahas who belonged to the Shudra community started to claim ] status in the 1931 censuses report, but the evidence of history, literature, and scriptures suggest nothing in favour of their claim.<ref>{{Cite book|last=SIRCAR|first=D. C.|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12965|title=STUDIES IN THE SOCIETY AND ADMINISTRATION OF ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL INDIA VOL. 1|date=1959|publisher=FIRMA K. L. MUKHOPADHYAY, CALCUTTA|pages=115}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Banerjee |first=Somaditya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2bnDwAAQBAJ&dq=saha+caste+origin&pg=PT98 |title=The Making of Modern Physics in Colonial India |date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-02469-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite report|title=The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal|last=Mitra|first=A.|date=1953|publisher=Land and Land Revenue Department, Government of West Bengal|page=34|series=Census 1951|chapter=SAHA, SUNRI}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Traditionally the Bengal society is divided into two varnas, ] and ].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Kunal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVOFAAAAQBAJ|title=Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis|last2=Chakrabarti|first2=Shubhra|date=2013-08-22|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8024-5|pages=116|language=en}}</ref> The Sahas belong to the Jal-achal Shudra category, whose water was not accepted by the upper castes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukhapadhayay |first=Subodh Kumar |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.299291 |title=Prak-palashi Bangla |date=1958 |pages=13–16}}</ref> Sahas started to claim ] status in the 1931 censuses report, but the evidence of history, literature, and scriptures suggest nothing in favour of their claim.<ref>{{Cite book|last=SIRCAR|first=D. C.|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12965|title=Studies in the Society and Administration of Ancient and Medieval India Vik. 1|date=1959|publisher=Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay|location=Calcutta|pages=115}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Banerjee |first=Somaditya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W2bnDwAAQBAJ&dq=saha+caste+origin&pg=PT98 |title=The Making of Modern Physics in Colonial India |date=2020-05-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-02469-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite report|title=The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal|last=Mitra|first=A.|date=1953|publisher=Land and Land Revenue Department, Government of West Bengal|page=34|series=Census 1951|chapter=Saha, Sunri}}</ref><ref name=":1" />


==See also== ==See also==
] *]


==References== ==References==
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Latest revision as of 17:58, 22 December 2024

Bengali Hindu trading caste

Baishya Saha (Bengali: বৈশ্য সাহা) or Saha, is a Bengali Hindu trading caste traditionally known to have the occupation of grocers, shopkeepers, dealers, moneylenders, and farmers.

Origin

Śauṇḍik (vintner) finds mention in one image inscription of Pāla period along with some other occupational groups. The Upapuranas played a significant role in creating the caste origin and hierarchy in Bengal.

History

According to historian Jyotirmoyee Sarma, before the seventh or the eighth centuries A.D. when historical evidence indicates that the society was based largely on trade and commerce, the merchant classes had a notably high position in society. The low rank experienced by the trading communities including Shunri (winemakers and sellers), possibly indicates that the primary economic activities of the Bengali society shifted from trade and capital producing devices to cottage industries and agriculture. The caste ranks of the merchant classes became more and more lowered and reached a decidedly low stage at the beginning of the Sena and Varman periods.

Saha as a distinct sub-caste did not flourish in Bengal before the mid-nineteenth century. Saha is a merchant caste, which has a low ritual rank, but notably good literacy and secular rank.

Sahas were included in the list of 177 "backward classes" for the state of West Bengal by Mandal Commission, but the state government hasn't yet recognised Saha as such, and they still belong to General category.

Varna status

Traditionally the Bengal society is divided into two varnas, Brahmin and Shudra. The Sahas belong to the Jal-achal Shudra category, whose water was not accepted by the upper castes. Sahas started to claim Vaishya status in the 1931 censuses report, but the evidence of history, literature, and scriptures suggest nothing in favour of their claim.

See also

References

  1. Hashmi, Taj ul-Islam (1992). Pakistan as a Peasant Utopia. Taylor & Francis. pp. 35, 43, 105, 109, 111, 112, 148. ISBN 978-0-367-28215-8.
  2. Ganguly, Jibamitra (2019). Meghnad saha : his science and persona through selected letters and writings (PDF). INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY. p. 12. ISBN 978-81-939482-5-5.
  3. ^ "Saha". Banglapedia. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  4. Furui, Ryosuke (2 July 2019). Land and Society in Early South Asia: Eastern India 400–1250 AD. Taylor & Francis. pp. 169, 186. ISBN 978-1-000-08480-1.
  5. Sengupta, Saswati (2021). Mutating Goddesses: Bengal's Laukika Hinduism and Gender Rights. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-012410-6.
  6. Sarma, Jyotirmoyee (1980). Caste Dynamics Among the Bengali Hindus. Firma KLM. p. 15. ISBN 978-0-8364-0633-7.
  7. "Saha". Banglapedia. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  8. Sarma, Jyotirmoyee (1980). Caste Dynamics Among the Bengali Hindus. Firma KLM. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-8364-0633-7.
  9. "Bengal govt wary of implementing Mandal report,says OBC group". The Indian Express. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  10. "Exclusive: Mamata's big caste gamble in TMC manifesto". India Today. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  11. Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (22 August 2013). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-8108-8024-5.
  12. Mukhapadhayay, Subodh Kumar (1958). Prak-palashi Bangla. pp. 13–16.
  13. SIRCAR, D. C. (1959). Studies in the Society and Administration of Ancient and Medieval India Vik. 1. Calcutta: Firma K. L. Mukhopadhyay. p. 115.
  14. Banerjee, Somaditya (14 May 2020). The Making of Modern Physics in Colonial India. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-02469-9.
  15. Mitra, A. (1953). "Saha, Sunri". The Tribes and Castes of West Bengal (Report). Census 1951. Land and Land Revenue Department, Government of West Bengal. p. 34.
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