Caste system in Goa

The following castes are generally referred to as the high castes, and follow Brahminical religion. Almost all of them claim higher status than others and dispute the social status of the others. Brahmins are considered religious aristocracy amongst the Hindus of Goa.[1]

• Pancha Gowda Brahmins
  • Gaud Saraswat Brahmins popularly known as GSBs. They are landowning though most were engaged in clerical jobs, trade, priests and landlords. They played an important role in politics and other administrative jobs for many centuries, also were one of the first classes to have modern education.[2]
  • Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahman were landowning class generally associated with agriculture and trade.
  • Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin were associated with trade, priests and played important role in politics.
  • Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins Also known as Bhalavalikar Saraswat Brahmins.
• Pancha Dravida Brahmins
  • The two sub-castes was known as the Padye Brahmins and Bhatt Prabhus, popularly known as Bhatt and Prabhu respectively, they generally associate themselves with Karhade Brahmins. They are landowning castes and were engaged as temples priests and in agriculture, some into money landing.[2]
  • Chitpavan Brahmins known as Konkanastha and have migrated to Goa from Northern Konkan in ancient times, mostly were employed as priests, astrologers and are well-known horticulturists.[2]
  • Kramavanta Joshi or Kriyavant Joshi, they were a class of priests who officiated Hindu funeral ceremony and were looked down upon by the above-mentioned castes.
• Daivadnya popularly known as Shett who are traditional jewellers and mercantile caste.They come next to Brahmins in social status [3] [4][2] [5]

The following castes are generally referred to as intermediate castes :

Konkani Marathas historically belonged to different groups and popularly called as chardo. Now all these sub-groups identify themselves as Maratha. They were farmers in general but some families were into trade. Most of them have been erstwhile gentry. They are commonly known as “Chardos” in different parts of Goa.[2]

Bhandari originally were also called as (Bhavaguna's) form the largest caste group in the state of Goa, reportedly being over approximately 30% of that state's Hindu population. They consider themselves as the Kshatriyas in the Hindu varna system, but are categorized as Other Backward Class as majority of the families are economically backward.[6]

Vaishya/Vaishya Vani: are the traditional community of traders, and are commonly known as Vanis.

The rest of the castes are generally referred to as the Bahujan samaj or the masses.[7] Almost all of them follow Folk Hinduism. These include:

Commonly known as Kalavants and now known as Gomantak Maratha Samaj is a group of various sub-castes who served the temples and the aristocrats in the olden days. Gomantak Maratha is relatively a new ameliorative name (coined in the late 20th century[8]) given to these groups for uniting and emancipating them.[9]

Konkani Kharvi: They term themselves as Kharvis are largely involved in fisheries. Though they are presently a fishing community.

These include Charis, Chitaris who call themselves Vishwakarma Manu Maya Brahmin, Sutars and Kasars. They are included in the Other Backward Class list of the Government of India.

Rest of castes generally referred to as Shudras or Sudirs in Konkani do not really follow the four-fold varna system, but have recently started claiming higher status. Most of them have been practicing different occupations historically and now are categorized as Other Backward Class by Govt of Goa, these include Madval (Rajak, Dhobi), Gosavi, Shimpi, Khumbar, Teli, Nathjogi, this list also includes Roman Catholic counterparts of few Hindu castes too].[2][10]

Following castes are commonly known as Dalits.

• Bhangi, Chambhar (Hadi), Mahar, Mahyavanshi (Vankar), Mang

• Dhodia (Halpati, Naikda (Nayaka), Siddi, Varli Kunbi, Gavda, Velip.

The Gauda and Kunbi are considered as aboriginals by some historians though this claim is disputed.

Dhangar, also referred as Gouly or Gavli, is the state’s only ancient pastoral community. In Goa under colonialism, the community shied away from the rest of society as they wanted to escape grazing tax and ban on Kumeri introduced by the Portuguese Empire. Dhangar leaders claim that they had fled to remote hilly and forested areas to avoid religious persecution. They were not part of the Comunidade anywhere in Goa. It is claimed that throughout the Portuguese rule in Goa they were so insulated that not a single Dhangar got converted to Christianity. A study carried out by Government of Goa in 2013 stated that the community had a unique identity, low literacy rate (approximately half the state average) and are known for their martial prowess.[11][12]

Dhangars regard themselves as belonging to the Kshatriya varna and to support this they give the example of the role played by the Holkar dynasty in the Maratha Empire.[13][14] In Goa, they are classified as Other Backward Classes category in India's system of reservation.[15]