Kewat
Introduction The '''Kewat''', also spelled '''Kevat''', is a Hindu caste, found in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India. They are the traditional boatmen of northern India, and also in neighbouring country Nepal.Kewats are recognised as Scheduled Caste in the states of Assam, West Bengal and Tripura as Keot, Keyot or Jalkeot.
Origin The name "Kevata" was first appeared in the Pillar Edict V of Emperor Ashoka. "Kevata-bhoga" referred to places or bhuktis where this community resided. The people whose livelihoods centred around water or aquatic bodies used to be called Kevat.
Present circumstances The Kewat are among 17 OBC communities that have been proposed for Scheduled Caste status by the Samajwadi Party-controlled Government of Uttar Pradesh. However, this proposal, which relates to votebank politics and has been made in the past, has been stayed by the courts; a prior attempt was also rejected by the Government of India.
In Nepal The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Kewat as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Other Caste. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 153,772 people (0.6% of the population of Nepal) were Kewat. The frequency of Kewat by province was as follows:* Madhesh Province (1.4%)* Lumbini Province (1.0%)* Koshi Province (0.6%)* Bagmati Province (0.0%)* Gandaki Province (0.0%)* Sudurpashchim Province (0.0%)* Karnali Province (0.0%)The frequency of Kewat was higher than national average (0.6%) in the following districts:* Dhanusha (6.1%)* Parasi (3.5%)* Morang (2.7%)* Rupandehi (2.5%)* Siraha (2.2%)* Kapilvastu (2.1%)* Mahottari (1.1%)
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