Chero

Total population
161,000 [1]
Regions with significant populations
•  India
Languages
• Hindi
Religion
• Hinduism 100% •
Related ethnic groups
• Panika • Parahiya • Bind

The Chero are scheduled caste, found in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, in North India.^[2]

History and origin[link]

The community claim to have originally been Chandravanshi Rajputs. Other members of the tribe claim to be Nagvanshi. The Chero are essentially one of many tribal communities, such as the Bhar and Kol, that inhabit the southeastern corner of Uttar Pradesh. They were the traditional rulers of north Bihar, until they were disposed by the Rajputs. They are now found in a territory extending from Allahabad in the west, and Muzaffarpur in the east. The Chero have two sub-divisions, the Mahto and Chaudhary.^[3]

In Bihar, the Chero are known as Charwa or Cheru. In Palamau, they are known as the Barahazari. The community are found mainly in Jharkhand, especially in Ranchi and Monghyr. Those of Palamau were substantial landowners, and were effective rulers of this region. These Cheros claim descent from the sage Chyavana, and speak the Sadri dialect. ^[4]

Present circumstances[link]

The Chero are an agriculture community, with animal husbandry also being an important component. They are also involved in the collection of the local mahua flower, which is sold in the local market. The Chero are also involved in wage labour, and like other scheduled castes, are an economically marginal.

The community have a traditional caste council, that maintains a strong social control on the community. They are Hindu, but also worship several tribal deities, such as Sairi-ma, Ganwar Bhabhani and Dulha Deo. The community are not endogamous, and marry neighbouring communities such as the Kol and Baiga.^[5]

The Chero of Jharkhand have two sub-divisions, the Barahazari and the Terahazari. These two groups are endogamous, and do not intermarry. They practice clan exogamy, and their main clans are the Mawar, Kuanr, Mahato, Rajkumar, Manjhia, Wamwat, and Hantiyas. These clans are of unequal status, and the Chero practice clan hypergamy. The Chero of Jharkhand are mainly farmers, with many were substantial landowners. ^[6]

See also[link]

• Baiga
• Bhar
• Bind
• Chamar
• Kol

References[link]