Paswan

Paswan
ReligionsHinduism
Languages
CountryIndia
Populated states
RegionEastern India
Population6,943,000 (5.3111% of the population of Bihar)

The Paswan, also known as Dusadh, are a Dalit community from eastern India.[1] They are found mainly in the states of Bihar,[2] Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. The Urdu word Paswan means bodyguard or "one who defends". The origin of the word, per the belief of the community, lies in their participation in the battle against Siraj-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Bengal at the behest of British East India Company, after which they were rewarded with the post of Chowkidars and lathi wielding tax collector for the Zamindars. They follow certain rituals such as walking on fire to assert their valour.[3]

  1. ^ Mendelsohn, Oliver; Vicziany, Marika (1998). The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty and the State in Modern India. Cambridge University Press. p. xiii. ISBN 978-0-52155-671-2.
  2. ^ Tewary, Amarnath (27 March 2019). "Hemraj Paswan: A 'centenarian' voter shows political acuity". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Who are the Paswans? 'Upwardly mobile, powerful' Dalit group at centre of Bihar polls buzz". The Print. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.