Veth (India)

Veth (or Vethi or Vetti-chakiri, from Sanskrit visti), also known as begar (from Persian), was a system of forced labour practised in India, in which members of populace were compelled to perform corvee labour for the government.[1][2]

In the Maratha Confederacy, Veth-begar was practised on a wide scale during the Peshwa regime. Certain groups of people, such as Brahmins (priests), Kayasthas (scribes), Marathas, and Kasars (coppersmiths) of Saswad region, were exempted from veth-begar.[1]

The system continued to be practised in the princely states during the British Raj.[3] For example, in the Mewer State, peasants (including those from the upper-caste) were forced to engage in begar. As part of veth, the peasants and low-caste people were forced to supply water to the ruler's family; construct buildings, roads, and dams; and carry dead and wounded soldiers.[2] The British government exempted Christians from veth-begar.[4]

  1. ^ a b P. A. Gavali (1988). Society and Social Disabilities Under the Peshwas. National Publishing House. p. 136. ISBN 978-81-214-0157-9.
  2. ^ a b Ghanshyam Shah (2004). Social Movements in India: A Review of Literature. SAGE Publications. pp. 52–. ISBN 978-81-321-1977-7.
  3. ^ Harshad R. Trivedi (1993). Tribal Land Systems: Land Reform Measures and Development of Tribals. Concept Publishing Company. p. 312. ISBN 978-81-7022-454-9.
  4. ^ Amita Baviskar (2004). In the Belly of the River: Tribal Conflicts Over Development in the Narmada Valley. Oxford University Press. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-19-567136-0.