All about Indian Communities

India is one of the world's oldest civilisations. The Indian culture, often labelled as an amalgamation of several various cultures, spans across the Indian subcontinent and has been influenced and shaped by a history that is several thousand years old. Throughout the history of India, Indian culture has been heavily influenced by Dharmic religions.They have been credited with shaping much of Indian philosophy, literature, architecture, art and music.Greater India was the historical extent of Indian culture beyond the Indian subcontinent. This particularly concerns the spread of Hinduism, Buddhism, architecture, administration and writing system from India to other parts of Asia through the Silk Road by the travellers and maritime traders during the early centuries of the Common Era. To the west, Greater India overlaps with Greater Persia in the Hindu Kush and Pamir Mountains. During medieval period, Islam played a significant role in shaping Indian cultural heritage. Over the centuries, there has been significant integration of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs with Muslims across India

Some of the Hindu communities are:-

Balahi Caste:-  Balahi caste is the functional caste of weavers and village watchmen. They are mostly scattered over several regions of central India. They are practically confined to Hoshangabad District and Nimar District. They are the offshoots of the Kori caste of weavers. Further, it is also believed that in the central provinces, the Balahi caste have received accretions from Katias, the spinner caste and also from the Mahars, the menial caste of Maharashtra. Interestingly, in Hoshangabad District, the Balahi caste is alternatively called as Mahars whereas in Burhanpur, they are called as Bunkar or weavers by outsiders.

Bharbhunja Caste:-  Bharbhunja caste is considered as the occupational caste of grain parchers. The name of the caste has been derived from the Sanskrit term bhrastra, meaning a frying-pan, and bharjaka, meaning a person who fries. The Bharbhunjas chiefly belong to the northern region of the country. Bharbhunja caste is said to have a mixed origin, it is also connected with the Kahars. Bharbhunja caste in Saugor claims that their ancestors were Kankubja Brahmans who were ordered to dry rice.

Bhatia Community:-  Bhatia Community is basically the enterprising mercantile community of India. Originally a warrior race, Bhatia community is now mostly involved in trade and commerce. In the past, Bhatias were called "Bhattis". They claim to be the descendents of Kshatriyas or Rajputs. It is believed that they have originated from the Sindh province.Today, this community is mostly found in the north-western province of the country.

Chitari Caste :-  Chitari caste is a caste of painters. Chiter, Chitrakar and Maharana are the other names used for Chitari caste. Chiter is the Hindustani, and Chitari is the Marathi name of the caste. Both these terms are corruptions of the Sanskrit term 'Chitrakar'. Further, it is also said that Chitari is an occupational term applied to Mochis or leather workers, who lately have adopted the profession of wall-painting. Thus, it is also said that Chitaris from the Mochis. They also claim that their ancestors were Rajputs, whose country was taken by Akbar

Chitrakathi Caste  :-  Chitrakathi is a small group mainly comprising religious mendicants. They are found in several places of Central Provinces of India. The name of Chitrakathi is derived from chitra, which means a picture, and from the term katha, meaning a story. Traditional occupation of Chitrakathi caste is to travel around and exhibit pictures of heroes and gods, and reciting stories about them. It is believed that the community is of mixed functional origin. They have several exogamous sections and their names have been taken from those of Marathas.