An occupation based caste system

evolved around 15th century

System

was

related

mainly

to

agriculture.

It was inter dependent.

It was essential for socio-economical

harmony in villages (but not in towns).

 The word Baloot

means remuneration or wages for

the work done.

The person who earns it was known as Balootedar
.

All balootedars had equal social status.

The balootedars were village Servants

But the person was master of only one particular

profession.
The profession became hereditary.

The name of the profession became his caste.

Name

Profession

1 Sonar (goldsmith)

To prepare gold and silver ornaments.

2 Gurav (temple servants)

To perform pooja and maintain temple

3 Nhawi (barbers)

Hair cutting, shaving, massage.

4 Parit (washers)

To wash and dye clothes.

5 Kumbhar (potters)

To cast bricks, tiles and pots.

6 Sutar (carpenters)

Prepare & repair agricultural

implements , doors, pillars and beams
etc of houses.

Name

Profession

7 Lohar (blacksmiths)

Repair wheels, sharpen tools, fix iron shoe

to horses and bullucks.

8 Chambhar (cobblers)

Prepare and repair shoes

9 Dhor ( Tin smith)

makers of ornaments for cattle

10 Koli (water carriers)

To supply water

11Chaugula (Drumer)

To beat drum during religious procession

12 Maang (watchpeople) Vasectomise bulls and buffoelwes

 Balutedars had certain rights and privileges at

ceremonies, etc.
Their

services

were

remunerated

by

the

cultivators in the shape of an annual payment in

sheaves of corn and a few seers of other grain
grown in the field, such as wheat, rice, gram,
pulses, groundnut, etc.
For special services rendered on ceremonial
occasions payments are made in cash, corn or

clothes. Sometimes food is given.

Nhavi - The Barber

He takes the bridegroom to temple by

holding the horse and receives a turban as

present.
Acts
as
messenger
during
marriage
negotiations .
Acts as head cook in marriage parties.
Receives the guests in marriage ceremony.
Massages dignitaries.
Entertains guests with musical instruments.

Koli - The water-carrier

Koli means spider in Marathi. It also means

fishermen. (because he weaves fishing nets)
He supplies water to the villages.
He keeps watch during floods .
He takes them across the river with the help
of a floats joined together ( sangad).

Sonar The Goldsmith

Goldsmith used to pierce ears of a new born baby.

(KarNachhedan Sanskar).
He also used to piece nose or ears of girls and
women so the can use nose and ear ornaments.
Goldsmiths were also known as Daivadnya and
descendents of Sage Vishwakarma.
Many

Books

related

to

(Shilpasamhita) are preserved by them.

Shilpashastra

The

castes

whose

work

was

considered less important by the

farmers were known as alutedar.

Names and professions of Elutedaars

SN

Name

Profession

Teli

Oil Merchant

Tamboli

Tin Smith

Sali

weaving, designing and Dyeing of cloth

Sangar

cattle herder, wool and blanket weavers

Mali

Gardner

Shimpi

Tailor

Gondhali

Performing artist

Bhat

Priest

Davarya

Herd man

SN

Name

Profession

10

Thakar

adivasi tribe originally living in forest areas

11

Mulani

cotton carding or ginning, weaving

12

Gosavi

Sannyasi who abandons the desires of the

world and the body.

13

Vajantri

Playing musical instruments at the time of

marriage

14

Ghadasi

Sharpening of hand tools

15

Kalawant

Folk artists

16

Taral

Public announcement with drum

17

Korav

18

Bhoi

descendants of Kuru
palanquin-bearers fishermen and watercarriers

Black Smith

Potter

Cobbler

Bamboo Craftsman

Carpenter

Barbar

Fisherman

Butcher

Oil Extracter

Panwala and Tailor

Gardener and Sheferd

Techniquea and Skills

associated with Balootedars
Shilpashastra

comprises

of

10

shastras, 32 Vidyas and 64 Kalas.

For

centuries

Elutedars

Balootedars

preserved

techniques and skills.

and
these

Person

Technique/Skill

Mahar

K01-Siradyakarshan-Ploughing

Mahar

K02-VriksharohaNa-Tree climbing

Burad

K04-VeNutruNadikruti -Cane arts

Chambhar

K08-PalyataNkriya -Saddle making

Chambhar

K10-Charmamardawakriya -Leather
Tanning

Nhavi

K11-Kshurkarma -Shaving

Shimpi

K12-Kanchukadisiwan -Tailoring

Person

Technique/Skill

Parit

K14-Vastrasamarjan -Laundry

Nhavi

K15-Manokulseva -Amusement

Mali

K20-Pushpadigranthan -Flower garlands

Mahar

K26-Pashucharma -Removal of skins

Mahar

K26-Samabhumikriya -Ground leveling

Teli

K26-Snehaniskashan -Oil extraction

Maang

K26-Sutradirajjukaran -Rope
preparation

Person
Kumbhar
Lohar
Tambat
Koli
Patharvad
Sonar
Gavandi

Technique/Skill
K27-Ishtikabhajan-Brick making
K30-Lohabhisar-Smithy
K31-Bhanda kriya -Making metal pots
K35-Balhadibhirjaldarshan-Floats &
Buoys
K40-Shilarcha-Breaking stones
K46-SwarNalepadikriya-Gold plating
K49-TruNadyachhan-Grass Roofing

Person
Rangari
Rangari
Sutar
Kumbhar

Gavandi
Nhavi

Mali

Technique/Skill
K50-ChurNopalepa-White washing
K51-VarNakarma - Painting
K52-Darukarma -Carpentry
K53-Mrutkarma -Soil conditioning
K57-Shikharkarma -Roof
construction
K63-Vrananirakaran -Wound
Dressing
V01-Vrikshya -Plantation

Person

Technique/Skill

Chambhar

V02-Pashu -Cattle Handling

Kumbhar

V08-Bhasmkaran -Calsination

Koli

V11-Tari-Raft making

Gavandi

V21-Kutti -Huts

Gavandi

V23-Prasad -Houses

Mali

V31-Vanopawan -Gardening

According
to
Dr.
Ambedkar,
Balootedari was slave system of
20th century.
In 1927 he started agitation
against this system and demanded a
law prohibiting it.
But instead of scrapping the
system British Governor of Bombay
in 1939 limited the duties of
Balootedars to notified 19 duties.

 Ultimately
Government
of
Maharashtra passed an act in 1959
to end the system.

The system was otherwise also

coming to end due to following
reasons.

 Balootedars had no land of their

own. Land acquisition law forced
the residents out of their land.
New materials like cement, nylon
and plastic, synthetic leather etc
captured the local market.
There was no other source of
income in villiage.
New industries opened jobs for
youths in cities for this community.

Noted Saints from various

castes

Sena Nhavi
Gora Kumbhar
Sawata Mali
Narahari Sonar
Tukaram Vani
Jaganada Teli
Chokha Chambhar

References
Marathi
Vaze K V Hindi Shilpashastrasaar
Ravindra Guruji Lectures
Shankar Sakharam- Balootedar
Kharat Sahankar- Balootedars and Alootedars

English
Ruin of Indian Trade & Industries, Major B D Basu.

www.ikenstore.com

To
suggest
improvements
corrections contact ,

or

Dr. A.S. Nene

E Mail prof.ashok.nene@gmail.com