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Concept
Paswan
Summary
The Paswan, also known as Dusadh, are a Dalit community from eastern India. They are found mainly in the states of Bihar, 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.
The Paswans claim their origin from a number of folk and epic characters in order to seek upliftment in their social status. Some Paswan believe that they have originated from Rahu, a superhuman and one of the planets in Hindu mythology, while others claim their origin from Dushasana, one of the Kaurava princes. Claims regarding origin from "Gahlot Kshatriya" are also persistent among some of the castemen, but others view such claims with disdain, as they do not like to be associated with Rajputs.
It has also been argued by some Bhumihars, that the Paswan are hybrid scions of cross marriages between men and women of two different castes. The Paswan community rejects these theories, and argues the origin of the name 'Dusadh' lies in Dusadhya, meaning "who is difficult to be defeated".
They have been considered to be an untouchable community. In Bihar, they are primarily landless, agricultural labourers and have historically been village watchmen and messengers. They are one of the most discriminated caste group in the feudal society of rural Bihar. Reports indicates that the Dusadh landless women were often subjected to undignified teasings like "pinching on breast" by their landlords who were primarily Rajputs. The landlords also raped these women frequently in order to keep their men in submissive position.
Prior to 1900, they also used to rear pigs particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Official source
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