Dhor (caste)

The Dhor caste refers to a specific subgroup within the broader Chamar (leatherworker) caste, primarily located in Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Gujarat.[1]

Culture and Society

The Dhor community in Maharashtra follow Hinduism and Lingayat sect.[2] They also revere Bhakti Sant Rohidas and Shiva's disciple Saint Kakkayya.[3]

Discrimination

The Dhor caste’s historical association with leatherwork[4] placed them at the bottom of the caste hierarchy. So they have historically faced significant social discrimination rooted in the rigid Hindu caste hierarchy. Like many Dalit communities, the Dhor have endured untouchability, economic marginalisation, and social exclusion.[5]

Occupation

The origin of the Dhor lies in the Marathi caste Chambhar and in the traditionally Dhor caste associated with leather-related occupations such as tanning raw leather, shoe making, and manufacturing of other leather-related products. To uplift and improve the trading skills of the Dhor Charamkar community, the government of Maharashtra set up Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd. (LIDCOM).[6][7]

Demography

According to the book named India: Caste, Culture, and Traditions, the population of the Dhor caste in Maharashtra and Karnataka is 68,509 and 22,432, respectively.[8]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ Commissioner, India Census (1923). Census of India, 1921: Hyderabad (State). Superintendent Government Printing. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  2. ^ Desai, Shantinath, ed. (1998). Prateechi - (1992-1993) (Literary Digest Of West Indian Languages). Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0442-3. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Dhor Kakkayya Community". dhorkakkayyasamaj.org. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  4. ^ Pani, Sarayu. "The Missing Artisan – and Their Caste – in the Kohlapuri-Prada Conversation". The Wire. The Wire. The Wire. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  5. ^ Desai, Shweta (14 August 2024). "Untouchability Continues To Plague India's Dalits". Outlook India. Outlook. Outlook. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Sant Rohidas Leather Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation Ltd (LIDCOM) | Social Justice & Special Assistance Department | India". Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Women Empowerment Scheme". Lidcom. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  8. ^ Kumar, B. B. (1 January 2016). India: Caste, Culture and Traditions. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-93-5125-161-3. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  9. ^ "From petty thief to cop to Maharashtra's first Dalit CM". The Times of India. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
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