Raut (caste)

Raut (also spelled as Rout) is an Indian caste, whose traditional occupation is herding. The Rauts are mainly found in the Chhattisgarh state, and the neighbouring states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Traditionally, they were predominantly distributed in the districts of Durg, Raipur, Bastar, Nagpur and Bhandara. On the other hand, it is important to note that there are also other Rauts who are of Chhetri caste found in both Nepal and India, with a significant history of military service in both countries. The Chhetri community in Nepal traces its origins back to the Sinjha Valley, located in Jumla of the Karnali province. It is believed that the Khas Aryans, from which the Chhetris descended, scattered from this valley and eventually settled throughout the region. The Raut caste, as part of the Chhetri community, has a strong tradition of military involvement, reflecting their historical role as warriors. This tradition has been maintained in both Nepal and India, with many members of the Raut caste serving in the armed forces of both nations. Raut may have been a tribal militia in Chhota Nagpur, originating from the Kawar and Kol tribes The Raut caste originated as a result of land rewards granted to warriors serving in the armies of royal families. Many of these warriors belonged to the Chhetri caste and, over time, became associated with the land they received, adopting the surname Raut. The Raut caste is predominantly found in western Nepal and Uttarakhand, India. Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces (2019–2021) general Bipin Rawat was among these. Though spell different the actual word is रौत which means the land as reward. They are particularly concentrated in Udaipur in eastern Nepal, the southeastern region of the Kathmandu Valley, and Lamjung district, which neighbors the Gurkhas. The Gurkhas played a significant role in the unification of Nepal, and as skilled army personnel, the Rauts dispersed and settled in various parts of Nepal alongside them.