Chain (caste)
The Chain, sometimes also pronounced as Chai, are cultivating and fishing caste found in eastern Uttar Pradesh in India. They are a sub-group within the larger Kewat communinity of North India.[1]
Origin
The Chai according to some traditions, were a community of Vaishyas, who lost caste, when they took to fishing. Other traditions make them out to be a branch of the Bind caste, and the two communities intermarry, with suggests a common origin. They are now recognized as a sub-group within the Kewat community, and they intermarry with other Kewat clans such as the Banaphar and Dhivar.[1] The majority of the Chai are now cultivators, with a small number still employed as boatmen on the Ganges. They are Hindu, and have customs similar to other Kewat groups.
The Chai are found mainly in southern and eastern Uttar Pradesh, with concentrations in Mirzapur, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Basti and Faizabad. They speak Awadhi, although most also understand Hindi.