BabhanBhumihar.com

Overview

In this page, we will highlight the general standing of the Bhumihar caste, showcase their progress over time, and present what credible sources and documented records reveal about them.

There are colonial records and we also consider the perspectives of other Hindu castes, regional communities, and contemporary authors who have written extensively on social affairs, caste relations, and political dynamics. Scholars, journalists, and writers have offered varied interpretations of Bhumihar identity, touching upon aspects such as their cultural practices, political influence, landholding patterns, and social interactions. By compiling and analyzing these viewpoints, this section aims to present a balanced and comprehensive picture of how the Bhumihar community’s character and social standing have been described, debated, and understood across different periods and contexts.

Education and Income
Bhumihars outperform every reserved and unreserved caste, except Kayasthas in the parameters of Education and Average Household Income.
Source: 2023 Bihar Government Caste Survey

2023 Bihar Govt Caste Survey

The Bihar caste–census data [1] 2023 Caste Based Survey Report in Bihar Bihar Govt Go to References (Tables 1, 2 and 3) reveals a clear picture: Bhumihars stand among the top-performing castes in income, education, and organised-sector employment. In fact, on several indicators, Bhumihars perform better than many other upper-caste groups, including Brahmins and Rajputs.

NOTE : The data published by "The Print" given below is actually based on the 2022-23 Caste survey done by the Government Of Bihar


1. Relative High Income Level

When we analyse the “50,000+ family income per month” category. Bhumihars consistently rank at the top within the General caste grouping, only behind Kayasthas.

Income (50k+ monthly):

  • Kayastha: 24.48%
  • Bhumihar: 13.97%
  • Brahmin: 10.57%
  • Rajput: 11.24%

This places Bhumihars firmly in the high-income bracket, well above most other castes in Bihar [2] Income & Assets by Caste The Print Go to References

MAJOR CASTE % POPULATION FAMILY INCOME PER MONTH LAPTOP/ COMPUTER OWNERSHIP VEHICLE OWNERSHIP
0-6K 6K-10K 10K-20K 20K-50K 50K+
GENERAL 15.52 25.09 23.98 19.27 16.95 9.86 3.52 7.64
Bhumihar 2.87 27.58 18.60 16.38 19.05 13.97 4.73 9.89
Brahmin 3.66 25.32 21.75 19.21 18.33 10.57 4.12 8.44
Rajput 3.45 24.89 21.38 18.96 19.06 11.24 3.65 8.97
Kayasth 0.60 13.83 16.08 17.33 24.41 24.48 10.84 15.08

2. Educational Excellence : Higher Than Most Other Forward Castes on Key Indicators

Education data shows that Bhumihars continue to maintain exceptionally high literacy and higher-education levels.

Total PG + Professional Degrees:

  • Bhumihar: 5.39%
  • Brahmin: 4.85%
  • Rajput: 3.73%

This means that Bhumihars have a greater proportion of postgraduates, engineers, doctors, CAs, and PhD holders than other Forward Castes, making them one of Bihar’s most academically successful communities after Kayasthas [3] PG & Quality Degree by Caste The Print Go to References

MAJOR CASTE % POPULATION GENERAL BACHELORS DEGREE BE/ BTech MBBS/ BAMS PG PhD/ CA TOTAL PG + PROF DEGREES
GENERAL 15.52 13.41 0.96 0.16 2.5 0.25 3.87
Bhumihar 2.87 17.70 1.42 0.22 3.41 0.34 5.39
Brahmin 3.66 16.95 1.06 0.17 3.30 0.32 4.85
Rajput 3.45 17.10 0.92 0.22 2.37 0.22 3.73
Kayasth 0.60 29.38 2.74 0.37 7.08 0.70 10.89

3. Strong Footprint in Govt & Private Sector Jobs

In organised sector employment including government and private salaried jobs,Bhumihars again appear near the top.

Government Jobs (% of caste population):

  • Bhumihar: 4.99%
  • Brahmin: 3.60%
  • Rajput: 3.81%

Private Sector Jobs:

  • Bhumihar: 4.21%
  • Brahmin: 4.54%
  • Rajput: 4.01%

Total in organised sector (Govt + Pvt):

  • Bhumihar: 9.20%
  • Brahmin: 8.14%
  • Rajput: 7.82%

This makes Bhumihars one of the most dominant castes in high-quality salaried employment, clearly outperforming most others [4] Jobs in Pvt & Govt Sector The Print Go to References

CASTE/ CATEGORY % IN POPULATION % IN GOVT JOB % IN ORGANISED PVT SECTOR TOTAL IN ORGANISED SECTORS
GENERAL 15.52 3.19 3.49 6.68
Bhumihar 2.87 4.99 4.21 9.20
Brahmin 3.66 3.60 4.54 8.14
Rajput 3.45 3.81 4.01 7.82
Kayasth 0.60 6.68 8.43 15.11

British Reports

John Beames of the Bengal Civil Service, Member of the German Oriental Society, of the Asiatic Societies of Paris and Bengal, and of the Philological Society of London wrote about the physical characteristics of Bhumihars with respect to their neighbours. He described Bhumihars as a fine manly race with delicate Aryan features who are not easily tamed. [5] Memoirs on the History, Folk Lore, and Distribution of the Races of the North Western Provinces of India Sir Henry Miers Elliot Go to References

A fine manly race, with the delicate Aryan type of feature in full perfection, bold and overbearing in character, and decidedly inclined to be turbulent

Brits highlighted the extremely cohesive nature of Bhumihar society. When a Bhumihar was in trouble, other Bhumihars, even from faraway places, would come forward and vehemently oppose his sentencing if he was to be penalized. Wilton Oldham related an incident highlighting this nature of Bhumihars as follows [6] Ghazipur: A Gazetteer H. R. Nevill Go to References :

There is consequently a much closor bond of sympathy and union between thoevarious Bhumihar tribes of the district than between the Rajpoots.
I once had occasion to sentence to a short term of imprisonment a young man of a respectable Bhumihar family. A number of Bhumihars, of a different tribe, and from a distant part of the district, begged that his sentence might be commuted to a fine, as his imprisonment was a di-grace to their entiro community

British noted that Bhumihars were the only cultivators who didn't seek the protection of Kshatriyas or paid them any rent. Bhumihars were their own protectors. In the words of John Collinson Nesfield: [7] Brief View of the Caste System of the North Western Provinces and Oudh Government of the NW Provinces Go to References

Almost all cultivators except the Tyagis and Bhumihars found it necessary to place themselves under the protection of some Kshatriya landlord, who, being of the warrior caste, protected them from aggression from without, on condition of receiving rent in return: whereas the Tyagis and Bhumihars have been their own landlords and protectors

LSS O’ Malley writes about Bhumihars in the Patna Gazetteer in 1907 that Babhans (Bhumihars) are addicted to rioting, violent and very tough to control. [8] Patna District Gazetteers L. S. S. O’Malley Go to References In his words:

Among the agricultural population the Babhans are the most addicted to rioting. When the crops are on the ground, or the reservoirs full of water, the Babhan's opportunity comes, and violent breaches of the peace occur. Besides this taste for rioting, they are remarkable for their litigiousness and are ever ready to contest to the last halfpenny a neighbour's claim or seize upon a poorer man's right. Their crookedness of mind has passed into a proverb, 'Babhan bahut sidha ho, to hasua ke aisa,' i.e., straightest Babhan is as crooked as a sickle

LSS O’ Malley in 1909 contrasted the Mongolian featured local aborigines of Monghyr division with the high-browed Aryan-featured Babhans, highlighting the Aryan features of the Babhans (Bhumihars) of Munger. [9] Bengal District Gazetteers: Monghyr L. S. S. O’Malley Go to References He remarked:

The features of the inhabitants of the hills, with their low brows and flat faces, have a strong resemblance to the Mongolian type, and they contrast strikingly with the high-browed Aryan-featured Babhans of the northern parts of the district

Babhans of Monghyr are described by LSS O’ Malley the British officer as "Bold and having an overhearing character", and they tended to quickly mobilise for a cause, forming a brotherhood in no time, to combat any adversity. The British described this characteristic trait to be found in Bhumihars of Ghazipur as well. [10] Bengal District Gazetteers: Monghyr L. S. S. O’Malley Go to References He said:

The truth appears to be that their bold and overbearing character, and their tendency to combine in 'strong and pugnacious brotherhood,' render them undesirable tenants in the eyes of an exacting landlord. They are described as being absolutely unscrupulous, extremely litigious, and insatiable in their aptitude for appeal

LSS O’ Malley the British officer noted in 1909, of all the castes in Monger Division, only Babhans were opposed to Vaccination, indicating a very rebellious and conservative character of Bhumihars of the region. [11] Bengal District Gazetteers: Monghyr L. S. S. O’Malley Go to References He said:

Vaccination is compulsory only in municipal areas, but it does not appear to be regarded with any great disfavor by the people generally, with the exception of the Babhans, who in this district are usually opposed to it

The British officer Wilton Oldham and MA Sherring both observed that Donwar Bhumihars were more Aryan looking and had lighter skin complexion than Rajputs Donwars. Donwar is a common territorial section (Mool) between Rajputs and Bhumihars. [12] Memoir of the Ghazeepoor District, Part I Wilton Oldham Go to References They said:

Oldham’s observation: Dr. W. Oldham discerns a marked difference between the Donwar Rajpoots and the Donwar Bhumihars of the Ghazipur district. The former are of a dark complexion, and have not Aryan features, while the latter, it would seem, are both of Aryan complexion and feature.

MA Sherring’s Observation: In this district the Rajpoots aro quito distinct from the Bhumihar Donwars. The Donwar Rajpoots whom I have seen are of a dark complexion and have not Aryan features

William Wilson Hunter remarked about the Babhans (Bhumihars) of Magadha that they made good gang robbers, were very mischievous and fond of rioting. [13] A Statistical Account of Bengal, Vol. X W.W. Hunter Go to References He said:

The Babhan (Bhumihar) class supply the leading spirits in a gang robbery, riot or any other mischief

William Crooke, the British colonial officer and an ethnologist, highlighted about the low nasal index of Babhans (Bhumihars) and Brahmins, that Nasal Index (lower index means narrower nose and higher means wider) correlates strongly with the social standing of castes, considering how Bhumihars, an upper caste have the lowest Nasal Index in eastern India and Chamars and Musahars had the highest Nasal Index in that area. [14] The People of India Sir Herbert Hope Risley Go to References To quote him:

The average nasal index runs in an unbroken series from 73 in the Bhumihar or Babhan of Hindustan and 73.2 in the Brahman of Bihar to 86 in the Hindustani Chamar and 88.7 in the Musahar of Bihar. The order thus established corresponds substantially with the scale of social precedence independently ascertained. At the top of the list are the Bhumihars, who rank high among the territorial aristocracy of Hindustan and Bihar

British officer Francis Buchanan reported in 1811 that the terror of Domkatar Bhumihars of Magadh was so severe that they were considered the leaders of anarchy and general public was so fearful that they were cautious of even talking about them, [15] Bihar and Patna in 1811–1812, Vol. II Francis Buchanan Go to References he said:

The complaints that I heard were chiefly against those of the tribe of Domkatars among the Military Brahmans (Babhan/Bhumihar), who, from having been long the leaders in the anarchy which prevailed before the English government, have acquired a name that still conveys a good deal of terror. Although the people of this district are very cautious in speaking of their affairs

LSS O’ Malley described a peculiar situation involving Bhumihars, that even scientists may be oblivious of the disastrous and destructive results when Babhans serve as both landlords and tenants in the same village. They describe the situation as an instance of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object, and every attestation officer who's served in North Munger is familiar with this situation, [16] Final Report on the Survey and Settlement Operations in the District of Monghyr H. Comland Go to References he says:

Thus in a village in which the landlord and tenants are all Babhan, we get an absolute instance of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object. Though the result of this phenomenon may be unknown to scientists, nearly every attestation officer who has worked in North Munger is familiar with it

Local Sayings

There’s a common saying about Bhumihars in Magadha that says that “Babhans, Dogs and Elephants all are ready combatants”, [17] Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879–80 A.M. Cunningham Go to References it goes like this:

Babhan, kutta, hathi, tino jaat ka ghati

Survey of 200 Patna University students stereotyped different castes, with Bhumihars placed alongside nine other groups for comparison. For Bhumihars, the most frequently assigned traits were: casteist (62%), cultured (33%), clever (31%), ambitious (27.5%), good-looking (25.5%), selfish (23.5%), opportunist (23.5%), and dangerous (21.0%).

Taken together, these responses suggest that students saw Bhumihars as a relatively high-status, good looking and capable but also socially exclusive and somewhat self-serving group
Patna University Survey Data

Kailash Bihari Lal in 1943 highlighted the dominance of Bhumihars in Bihar’s social landscape by bringing attention to the fact that how in a state so big, a numerically insignificant Bhumihars were one of two central power blocs that controlled the entire province’s politics. Bihar is depicted as divided into a “Bhumihar Zone” and a “Rajput Zone,” with all “minor” castes compelled to align with one of these two, which implies that Bhumihars (along with Rajputs) set the terms of political participation for others in Bihar. [18] The Hindu Nation: A Solution of the Communal Tangle Kailash Bihari Lal Go to References Kailash Bihari Lal says:

Indifferent to such a poisonous aspect of the national life. Now the result is that the whole province of Bihar is divided into Bhumihar Zone and Rajput Zone and the other minor castes have to cast their lot with either of the two. And woe betides the man who stands out against this combination. In short, thanks to the major issue of Hindustan versus Pakistan that has eclipsed the other minor issues else we would have found ourselves gaged in the right royal battle for Bhumiharistan and Rajputistan, in our own province of Bihar

Nirod Mukerji highlights the animosity between the Rajputs and the Bhumihars of Bihar [19] Standing at the Cross roads Nirod Mukerji Go to References as:

The antagonistic tendency that exists between, say, the Bhumihars and the Chattris in Bihar

Mark Tully remarks about Bhumihars in 1995 that they considered their pride above anything. [20] The Heart of India Mark Tully Go to References He says:

To obey any government order was an insult to a Bhumihar, who always regarded his pride as even more precious than his pocket

Babhans (Bhumihars) are at the at the top of the racial-anthropometric hierarchy of Eastern India. The table is based on Risley’s surveys, the 1901 Census of India, and studies of the Anthropological Survey of India. [21] Geography of the South Asian Subcontinent Aijazuddin Ahmad Go to References

Anthropometric data refers to the physical measurements of caste groups, such as head shape, nose index, height, and body proportions, used by colonial anthropologists to classify "racial types"

A caste’s social status was also judged by how many of its women went out to work, the lesser the number, the higher the status and vice versa. Among Babhans, for every 100 men who worked outside the home, only 8 women did so. The corresponding figures were 10 for Rajputs, 12 for Brahmins, 52 for Kurmis, and for Koeris and Ahirs, it was 54. [22] Subaltern Studies II : Writings on South Asian History and Culture Ranajit Guha (ed.) Go to References

Indicator of a community's razil status was the fact that a far larger proportion of its women went out to work than among the sharif. Thus in Bihar in 1911, whereas there were but 8 female workers to every 100 male workers among the Babhans, 10 to every 100 among Rajputs and 12 among the Brahmans, the numbers were 52 among the Kurmis, 54 among both Abirs and Koeris, and as much as 69 and 71 among the Julahas and Dusadhs respectively

References

ID Book/Article Author Year Snippet
[1] 2023 Caste Based Survey Report in Bihar Bihar Govt 2023
[2] Table 1 The Print 2023
[3] Table 2 The Print 2023
[4] Table 3 The Print 2023
[5] Memoirs on the History, Folk Lore, and Distribution of the Races of the North Western Provinces of India; being an amplified edition of the original Supplemental Glossary of Indian Terms Sir Henry Miers Elliot 1869
[6] Ghazipur: A Gazetteer, being Volume XXIX of the District Gazetteers of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh H. R. Nevill 1909
[7] Brief View of the Caste System of the North Western Provinces and Oudh: together with an examination of the names and figures shown in the Census Report, 1882 Government of the North Western Provinces and Oudh 1885
[8] Patna District Gazetteers L. S. S. O’Malley 1907
[9] Bengal District Gazetteers: Monghyr L. S. S. O’Malley 1909
[10] Bengal District Gazetteers: Monghyr L. S. S. O’Malley 1909
[11] Bengal District Gazetteers: Monghyr L. S. S. O’Malley 1909
[12] Memoir of the Ghazeepoor District, Part I Wilton Oldham 1870
[13] A Statistical Account of Bengal, Vol. X W.W. Hunter 1877
[14] The People of India Sir Herbert Hope Risley 1908
[15] Bihar and Patna in 1811–1812, Vol. II Francis Buchanan 1812
[16] Final Report on the Survey and Settlement Operations in the District of Monghyr H.Comland 1908
[17] Report of a Tour in Bihar and Bengal in 1879–80, from Patna to Sunargaon A.M. Cunningham 1882-83
[18] The Hindu Nation: A Solution of the Communal Tangle Kailash Bihari Lal 1943
[19] Standing at the Cross roads Nirod Mukerji mid 20th
[20] The Heart of India Mark Tullyt 1996
[21] Geography of the South Asian Subcontinent: A Critical Approach Aijazuddin Ahmad 2009
[22] Subaltern Studies II: Writings on South Asian History and Society Ranajit Guha (ed.) 1983