The Untouchables of J&K are listed under 13- subcastes:
(1) Barwala, (2) Basit, (3) Batwal, (4) Chura, (5) Chamar/Ramdasia, (6) Dhyar, (7) Doom/Mahasha, (8) Gardi, (9) Jolaha, (10) Meigh/Kabirpanthi, (11) Ratal, (12) Saryara, (13) Watal.
They form about 8-10% of the total 1-crore state population. Of this, Meighs (Bhagats) are 30-35%, Chamars 25-30%, Dooms 25-30% and rest are Batwal and other castes. All these castes are found in Jammu province (Jammuys/Udhampur, Doda, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch districts) only except for Ratal and Watal present in Kashmir. In the Ladakh (Leh, Kargil, Ladakh districts) province, the people are Budhists and Muslims.
Chamar subcastes: Chamars are concentrated in Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur districts. They are of two sects:
(1), Jatoi Chamars do skinning of dead animals and make shoes. They also eat beef. After the 60s they stopped eating beef and skinning of dead animals. Presently a good number of them are in govt. service with a small number in leather work. They form the majority Chamars. (2) Chandal: Their population is smaller and deal with the skin. They were excluded by the Jato’s considering them inferior. Lately, things have improved.
The Jatoi Chamar subcastes are:
- Attar (Attri): Digra (Dingra, Dhingra), Tuppar (Thapar), Bavouria, Bavaria, Gadgotra (Gandhotra), Kanaithia, Tajuria, Badgal. (2) Agastam: Chadpanthia. (3) Bhardwaj: Thappe-Bakaria/Bavaria (Thapa, Thapar), Meenia-Sikh/Charak, Chalotra, Loch (Lachotra, Loachan); Katru (Kotru), Kalsi (Kalsotra), Badyal, Katial (Kotwal), Balal, Bhogia, Bambool, Jarmal, Dhabia (Dhalia). (4) Devai: Karlupia, Kabte, Chur, Panoch. (5) Kundal/Kandal: Bassan (Basnotra, Bhasin), Kanchre (Kachroo), Sangral/Sarangal, Hansa, Mund (Munde), Soorde (Sood), Bandhotra, Samyal, Pusse, Angurale (Angral), Angurana, (Rana). (6). Vasisth: Jarangal/ Jangral (Jangwal). (7) Saral: Bains (Bali), Khangan (Khanna). (8) Sohan: Phonsa. (9) Vashal: Banotra, Bloach, Chagdal/Chadgal. (10) Uttam: Khinder (Langeh), Kai, Chober (Chopra). (11) Ragh: Bhogia. (12) Chandan: Seria (13) Kashyap: Khallad (Khullar), Phallad. (14) Sandal/Agni: Lunia/Luna. (15) Yadav: Gorka (Gorkha). (16) Chetan/Chaitanya: Banal/Banalia. Other Subcastes are Giddu, Dadool, Chaandal, Sarmal, Saloch, Sabgotre (Shivgotra). Kanal, Bandral, Bajyal, Bandotra. Majority of Jatoi Chamars population belong to Angurale, Thappe, Digra and Tuppar subcastes.
The Chamar subcaste surnames shown within bracket are hinduised (enslaved). Many Chamars use their gotras as surnames (clan name) to hide their caste. Many of the original subcaste names and gotras of Chamars are found among Rajputs and Brahmins of Jammu also. My inquiries revealed that not very lately, Chamars and upper castes (Rajputs/Brhamins) used to worship the same family deity together. Most of the subcastes names akin to those of Chamars are also found among so-called middle and low cast among the upper castes.
Almost all the Chamar subcastes are proud of their jati feeling and their “caste identity”. That is why they flaunt their surnames. With the sharpening of caste contradictions, even uneducated Chamars have become conscious of their “caste identity”.
Elite hiding caste: However, it is the elites among Chamars who are hiding their caste. Two intercaste marriages took place between Chamars (both doctors) and upper castes.
A Bhagat thinks he is at the top among Dalits, but a Chamar thinks he is above others except the Bhagats. It is a paradox that among the worst victims of the caste system, the caste contradictions are so strong and defeat all efforts for their unity and brotherhood.
Blood groups: About 95% of patients attending my private clinic are Chamars. They provide lot of information on various aspects of Chamar problems and history. What I observed is the Chamar blood group and its relationship to their physical and mental makeup. The blood groups distribution among Chamars is B-40%, O-27.25%, A-20% and AB-8.45%. This pattern is almost identical with others of Jammu. Over 90% of the Chamars have wheat complexion and their average height (males) is 5.5 ft or more. But the Chamars (both male and female) with blood groups A and AB show very distinguishing characters. Most of them are tall, have sharp features, very fair and aggressive. However, the general intelligence level of Chamars does not seem to vary relation to their blood groups. Various studies have established that persons with blood group antigen A are mostly of Aryan origin and therefore, in Chamars with A and AB groups, this antigenic character may be partially responsible for their peculiar behaviour.
