Triveni Sangh: Difference between revisions
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The Triveni Sangh was a socio-political organization founded in Bihar in 1933 by leaders of the Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri (Kushwaha) communities. It emerged in response to the political underrepresentation and social discrimination experienced by these peasant communities under the dominance of the traditional landed elite, particularly Bhumihar and Rajput landlords. The organization sought to promote social equality, improve political representation, and safeguard the economic interests of cultivating castes in colonial Bihar. | The Triveni Sangh was a socio-political organization founded in Bihar in 1933 by leaders of the Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri (Kushwaha) communities. It emerged in response to the political underrepresentation and social discrimination experienced by these peasant communities under the dominance of the traditional landed elite, particularly Bhumihar and Rajput landlords. The organization sought to promote social equality, improve political representation, and safeguard the economic interests of cultivating castes in colonial Bihar. | ||
'''Yadavs, Kurmis, and Koiris began adopting the Bhumihar associated titles 'Rai' & 'Singh'''' and started imitating the Bhumihar Janeu (sacred-thread) ceremony. Angered by this, Bhumihars were involved in two riots in the Sheohar and Belsand areas and a third in Chak Salem village, where Brahmins & Bhumihars rioted against Yadavs, Kurmis, and Koiris. Bhumihars resented that Gwalas (Yadavs) dared to consider themselves their equal so they raped a Yadav girl and left her naked.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.13226/page/n141/mode/2up Subaltern Studies: Writings on South Asian History and Society, Volume 2]</ref>[[File:OBC using Rai.png|thumb|OBCs started using "Rai" surname|center|408x408px]] | |||
==Ahir== | |||
'''Yadavs have historically worked as laborers in the fields of Bhumihars.''' In many parts of Bihar, the traditional occupation of Yadav was bonded labour on Bhumihar owned farms & fields.<ref>[https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/When_Crime_Pays/g0nJDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=For+starters,+many+Bhumihars+favored+Anant+Singh+because+they+per-ceived+that+he+was+the+only+Bhumihar+candidate+(in+a+field+with+at+least+two+other+prominent+caste-mates)+with+the+ability+to+protect+the+economic+interests+of+Mokama%27s+upper+castes.+In+Mokama,+land+is+the+most+highly+prized+economic+asset,+and+Bhumihars+as+a+group+make+up+the+bulk+of+the+landed+gentry,+the+most+powerful+of+whom+are+former+zamindars.+In+Mokama,+backward-caste+Yadavs+traditionally+worked+as+laborers+on+farms+owned+by+Bhumihar+landlords.+As+Yadavs+gradu-&pg=PA187&printsec=frontcover When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics]</ref> | |||
[[File:Yadav labour1.png|center|thumb|515x515px|Yadavs traditionally worked as laborers on farms owned by Bhumihar landlords]] | |||
Bhumihars used to forcibly collect taxes from Yadavs on their milk and curd and made them perform begari (unpaid forced labor). When, in 1925, Bhumihars began facing resistance in continuing these exploitative practices against Yadavs, they allegedly resorted to rioting.<ref>[https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Community_Warriors/num2I4NFGqIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Bhumihars+on+27+May+1925.+The+records+indicate+clearly+that+the+Lakhochak+riot+was+precipitated+by+the+decision+of+local+Bhumihar+zamindars+of+the+district+to+attack+a+caste+council+meeting+of+Yadavs,+which+had+assembled+to+discuss+ongoing+social+reforms+in+their+caste.+According+to+local+police+accounts,+the+Yadavs%27+(popularly+called+Goalas)+meeting+was+called+to+discuss+the+%27right+to+wear+sacred+thread+movement%27,+a+powerful+Brahmanical+privilege,+peculiar+to+the+higher+castes+in+the+local+caste+hierarchy.+The+immediate+cause+of+the+caste+riot,+however,+clearly+indicated+the+continuing+influence+of+the+pollution+barrier+between+the+upper+caste+Hindus+and+the+lower+castes.+It+has+been+inferred+that+the+%27true+motive%27+behind+the+caste+riot+lay+in+the+%27Zamindari+exactions%27+by+the+locally+powerful+Bhumihars+in+the+region.+These+Zamindari+exactions+ranged+from+non-payment+of+rent-receipt+and+begari+(bonded+labour)+to+illegal+levy+of+taxes+on+the+sale+of+milk+and+ghee+by+the+Yadavs.+41+Significantly,+these+caste+riots&pg=PA43&printsec=frontcover Community Warriors: State, Peasants and Caste Armies in Bihar]</ref> | |||
[[File:Yadav labour2.png|center|thumb|513x513px|Yadavs were bonded labour, Bhumihars use to levy heavy taxes on them]] | |||
==Kurmi== | ==Kurmi== | ||
'''Kurmis served as household servants in the residences of Bhumihar.''' They were traditionally prohibited from entering the kitchen, and food & water handled by them were not accepted due to prevailing caste-based social restrictions. These practices gradually declined over time, and Kurmis later came to be permitted to cook meals for the families of former Bhumihar landlords.<ref>[https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Anthropology_of_Weaker_Sections/pjVdJMBeXU8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=ordinarily+used+by+the+Yadav.+Previously,+the+Kurmi+were+serving+in+the+darbar+(the+house+of+the+Bhumihar+Zamindar)+as+household+servant+and+were+not+allowed+to+enter+into+the+kitchen+and+water+was+not+accepted+from+them.+Now+they+are+allowed+to+cook+meals+for+the+family+of+ex-Zamindar.+One+Teli+has+taken+up+agricultural+work+though+he+still+adheres+to+his+traditional+occupation+of+oil+pressing.+This,+however,+did+not+change+his+social+position.&pg=PA207&printsec=frontcover Anthropology of Weaker Sections]</ref> | |||
[[File:Kurmi servant1.jpg|center|thumb|504x504px|Kurmi were serving in the house of the Bhumihar Zamindar as household servant]] | |||
==Koeri== | |||
== References == | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
Latest revision as of 20:35, 1 August 2026
The Triveni Sangh was a socio-political organization founded in Bihar in 1933 by leaders of the Yadav, Kurmi, and Koeri (Kushwaha) communities. It emerged in response to the political underrepresentation and social discrimination experienced by these peasant communities under the dominance of the traditional landed elite, particularly Bhumihar and Rajput landlords. The organization sought to promote social equality, improve political representation, and safeguard the economic interests of cultivating castes in colonial Bihar.
Yadavs, Kurmis, and Koiris began adopting the Bhumihar associated titles 'Rai' & 'Singh' and started imitating the Bhumihar Janeu (sacred-thread) ceremony. Angered by this, Bhumihars were involved in two riots in the Sheohar and Belsand areas and a third in Chak Salem village, where Brahmins & Bhumihars rioted against Yadavs, Kurmis, and Koiris. Bhumihars resented that Gwalas (Yadavs) dared to consider themselves their equal so they raped a Yadav girl and left her naked.[1]
Ahir
Yadavs have historically worked as laborers in the fields of Bhumihars. In many parts of Bihar, the traditional occupation of Yadav was bonded labour on Bhumihar owned farms & fields.[2]
Bhumihars used to forcibly collect taxes from Yadavs on their milk and curd and made them perform begari (unpaid forced labor). When, in 1925, Bhumihars began facing resistance in continuing these exploitative practices against Yadavs, they allegedly resorted to rioting.[3]
Kurmi
Kurmis served as household servants in the residences of Bhumihar. They were traditionally prohibited from entering the kitchen, and food & water handled by them were not accepted due to prevailing caste-based social restrictions. These practices gradually declined over time, and Kurmis later came to be permitted to cook meals for the families of former Bhumihar landlords.[4]
