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KHADURA (ଖଡୁରା ବା ଖରୁଡ଼ା)

The Khadura (ଖଡୁରା ବା ଖରୁଡ଼ା)is a caste group Hindu Religion mainly inhabitant of Odisha.

Etymology

The word, "Khadura" comes from the main word "Khadu" with "ra' pratya. "Khadu" means bangle - metal bangles worn by Odia people. Traditionally, they are an artisan caste-group in the socio-cultural region of Odisha. Their traditional occupation is the manufacturing and selling of bangles and ornaments of brass and other non-ferrous metals and their alloys.

Demography

It is said that the original home of this caste was Odisha. They are residing in many parts in Ganjam, Puri, Cuttack and other districts and also in Odia speaking areas of neighbouring states, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand.

Occupations

The occupation on which the members of the caste/community mainly depend for livelihood is bangle making and selling, which involves manual labour. The women and children of the caste/community as a general practice are also engaged in bangle selling. The caste is in terms of the caste system, identified/linked with traditional craft of bangle making.

Some people belonging of this caste have now shifted their occupation to other ones with the change of time and slow dying of the traditional profession. Increasing price of raw materials such as brass, copper etc is also another reason. Most of the people belonging the caste are now doing repairing of utensils, lock and keys, small business like hawking of utensils, opening small shops. Of course, some people have large utensil stores and factories.

Socio-Economic Status

They are being an artisan caste-group and as their representation in Legislative Assembly and other Election bodies is nearly Zero, nobody has bothered about the caste. Though they are vey backward, this caste was not enlisted as per Mandal Commission Backward Class until 1998. After efforts of some people of this caste, their caste has been enlisted in the OBC List. As some people, even in Odisha itself, do not know about the caste, people of this caste call themselves as Kansari.

As Servitors of Lord Jagannath

People of this community especially from Puri Town serves Lord Jagannath during His car festivals as Ghantua. They offer their service during journey of deities on Snan Purnima, on the day Car Festival, Entry of Lord Jagannath to Adap Mandap, on the day of Bahuda, the return Journey and on the day of their journey from cars to Bada Deula, the Srimandir. At least, they feels proud for this seva.

Ethnographic Literature

The ethnographic literature available in "Castes and Tribes of Southern India" by Edgar Thurston, K Rangachari (vol. III, Asian Educational Services, Madras, first published 1909, reprint 1993, p.288) as "Khodura - The name is derived from Khodu, bangle. The Khoduras, Mr Francis writes are "manufacturers of the brass and bell-metal bangles and rings ordinarily worn by the lower class Odiyas. Their headman is called Nahako Sahu, and under him there are deputies called Dhoyi Nahako and Behera............ It is said that the original home of the caste was Odisha, and that it came to Ganjam with Purushottam Deva, the Maharaja of Puri. In its general customs it resembles the Badhoyis.” I Risley in “The Tribes and Castes of Bengal” (Ethnographic Glossary Vol. I, published by Firma Mukhopadhyay, Calcutta, First edition 1891, Reprint 1981, p.472) has mentioned about the cast as “Kharura, makers of brass ornaments in West Bengal”

Reference : DO NCBC Advice No. 16 Orissa/98 dated 11.08.1998