Bagal (caste)

In the Hindu social structure, Bagal people fall in lower section of the Varna system but they perceive themselves in the middle range of caste hierarchy following tribal characteristics and considered as a clean caste by the Adivasi community.[17][18][19] There are four endogamous subdivision of Bagal society namely Ahir Bagal, Khanroal (Khandait) Bagal (inhabitants of Jharkhand and Odisha) and Krishna Bagal, Mogodha Bagal (inhabitants of West Bengal and Odisha). There are no lineage in Ahir Bagal and Khanroal (Khandait) Bagal but in Mogodha Bagal and Krishna Bagal there are approximately 23–25 mejor lineage i.e., Arikula, Banardiha, Bankuar, Bhatua, Bukuria, Chardiha, Danadiha, Deolia, Gutisukri/ Butisukri, Hajombanda, Jetuar/ Jegoar, Kulmahtu, Kurkutia, Lakul, Manikdiha, Patkam, Punihasa, Samdia/ Samdiha, Sanahatu, Satbhaya, Sikaria, Tetla. Those bigger lineage have sub-lineage also and every lineage has some number of clans (gotra). Nag [Snake], Sal, Kachim [Tortoise], Siyal, Boni [Indian Myna], Singai are totemic clans while Kashyapa and Sandilya are non-totemic clans.[7] Buru Bhatua and Deolia are the community level priest lineage of the Bagal caste.[7] Most of the Bagal people use their caste name Bagal as a surname while others use Rout, Khilar, Gop.[19][8]

The mythological story about their origin is that they originated from the sweat of Lord Krishna. Therefore, they claim themselves to be 'Krishna Gop'.[14]

Bagal people migrated from central India and they are one of the original settlers of Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.[19] Over a while, some of them migrated to Bengal province and Mayurbhanj Princely State. Bagal settlement is mostly found on both sides of the Subarnarekha river which is the borderline of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Origin of this community remained unclear but Mayurbhanj State census 1931 noted that;

The Bagals are the cattle–herds. Herding cattle is their principal occupation. In the census of 1901, the Bagals of Medinapore ware included in the Ahir and Gohala, and those of Bankura in Bauri.

..... But a note has been left to the effect that they form a real caste in Mayurbhanj and Saraikela State, which is a fact. Through the large number of Bagals still follow their traditional occupation, many of them have taken to agriculture.

– Mayurbhanj State census 1931[20][21]

As a herder caste, they are always in search of forest, hills and grazing land for their animals. At a later date, they started to live near the Subarnarekha river. To make agricultural land people used to occupy forest land by Podu farming but due to modernization, they switched to different occupations from their racial occupation. Now Agriculture, Saltwater fishing, Daily labour are the main sources of income for them.

Humans go through various stages of age, and those steps are observed in a variety of social disciplines. Although the social customs of the Bagal people are inspired by Hinduism, the methods and purposes of observance are different.

When a baby is born in the Bagal race, they immediately announce the good news to their relatives and celebrate a festival on the ninth day of the baby's birth, called Narta Ghar, and the baby is named in the twenty-first day. In adolescence, the boy grazes domestic animals, assists his parents with household chores. During puberty, the boy tries to learn agricultural and other sustainable work. When a boy or girl reaches their marriage age, the family seeks out a suitable spouse for them, but they don't practice same lineage marriage. There are three types of marriage for the people of Bagal, namely Dekha Chahan Behaghar, Palaniya (Sindur ghasa) Behaghar, Kuta Mala Behaghar and Sanga Behaghar. During pregnancy, a woman has to follow a variety of traditions, as well as a variety of rituals. At seven months of pregnancy, the woman's family member happily brings a variety of food and organizes a small feast with the neighbours which they call the Shad Khia.

There are two types of festivals based on how they give importance to those festivals.

Bangsa puja / Gotar puja/ Ghar puja, Gan puja, Asali puja, Mag puja, Jantal puja, Nua khai are community level festivals, which are celebrated within their lineage, sublineage, clan or family. Meanwhile, Makar parab, Durga puja, Bandhna/ Kali puja, Tusu puja, Raja parab, Gamha parab festivals are celebrated with the neighbouring communities of their locality.

Karam Puja is an important festival for the youth of Bagal. In which their elders inform them about their race, tradition and ancestor.[22]

Bagal people dance to a variety of songs during the festival to make life more enjoyable. Their songs often contain stories and experiences from their lives. Karam dance and song are unique to them.[7]