Tili (caste)

Tili is a Bengali Hindu middle-ranking caste, found in the state of Bihar and West Bengal in India. By the late nineteenth century they were one of the fourteen castes belonging to 'Nabasakh' group in Bengal.

History and origin
The Tili caste belongs to West Bengal and Bihar. Tilis speak in Angika and Bengali. Tilis are now found mainly in Bhagalpur and Banka District of Bihar, and also in Bankura, Hooghly and Midnapore districts of West Bengal. According to Ramkrishna Mukherjee, some Bengali Telis are gradually converting their caste to Tili.

Social status
Tilis was included in the list of 177 "backward classes" for the state of West Bengal by Mandal Commission, but the state government has not yet recognised them as such, and they still belong to General category.