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{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
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'''Khandayat or Khandait''' is a landed militia caste from [[Odisha]], [[East India|East india]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Behuria|first=N. C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2EKAQAAIAAJ&q=Khandayat|title=Orissa State Gazetteer|date=1990|publisher=Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Behura|first1=Nab Kishore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o6Gz0ZDw7PQC&q=Khandayat&pg=PA42|title=Family Welfare in India: A Cross-cultural Study|last2=Mohanty|first2=Ramesh P.|date=2005|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-920-3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Patnaik|first=Nihar Ranjan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AA9W9_4Z9gC&q=Land+militia&pg=PA155|title=Economic History of Orissa|date=1997|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-075-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Pati|first=Rabindra Nath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&q=Khandayat+landed+militia&pg=PA116|title=Family Planning|date=2008|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-313-0352-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LjQXYzVn_GYC&q=Landed+militia|title=Regional Development Dialogue|date=2009|publisher=United Nations Centre for Regional Development.|language=en}}</ref> They were feudal chiefs, military generals, zamindars, large land holders and agriculturalists.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhola|first=Sudhira Chandra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4eLsAAAAMAAJ&q=Khandayat|title=British Economic Policy in Orissa|date=1990|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-075-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Samal|first=J. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NO4xIxxt0kYC&q=khandait+|title=Economic History of Orissa, 1866-1912|date=1990|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-218-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=Waltraud|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eKbW3ukh9oC&q=Privileged+tenure+holders+&pg=PA89|title=India's Princely States: People, Princes and Colonialism|last2=Pati|first2=Biswamoy|date=2007-10-18|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-11988-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Bailey|first=Frederick George|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNHRWtDWsRIC&pg=PA132|title=Politics and Social Change|publisher=University of California Press|year=1970|page=132}}</ref> During British raj, they ruled many tributary states in odisha including [[Khordha district|Khordha]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Samal |first=J. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NO4xIxxt0kYC |title=Economic History of Orissa, 1866-1912 |date=1990 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-218-9 |pages=37 |language=en}}</ref> Numerically they are the largest caste of the state.<ref>{{cite book|title=Punjab Journal of Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ktksAAAAIAAJ&q=khandayat+largest+caste+in+odisha|year=1986|publisher=Department of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University}}</ref>
'''Khandayat or Khandait''' is a landed militia caste from [[Odisha]], [[East India|East india]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Behuria|first=N. C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2EKAQAAIAAJ&q=Khandayat|title=Orissa State Gazetteer|date=1990|publisher=Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Behura|first1=Nab Kishore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o6Gz0ZDw7PQC&q=Khandayat&pg=PA42|title=Family Welfare in India: A Cross-cultural Study|last2=Mohanty|first2=Ramesh P.|date=2005|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-920-3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Patnaik|first=Nihar Ranjan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1AA9W9_4Z9gC&q=Land+militia&pg=PA155|title=Economic History of Orissa|date=1997|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-075-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Pati|first=Rabindra Nath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&q=Khandayat+landed+militia&pg=PA116|title=Family Planning|date=2008|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-313-0352-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LjQXYzVn_GYC&q=Landed+militia|title=Regional Development Dialogue|date=2009|publisher=United Nations Centre for Regional Development.|language=en}}</ref> They were feudal chiefs, military generals, zamindars, large land holders and agriculturalists.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhola|first=Sudhira Chandra|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4eLsAAAAMAAJ&q=Khandayat|title=British Economic Policy in Orissa|date=1990|publisher=Discovery Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7141-075-0|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Samal|first=J. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NO4xIxxt0kYC&q=khandait+|title=Economic History of Orissa, 1866-1912|date=1990|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-218-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=Waltraud|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eKbW3ukh9oC&q=Privileged+tenure+holders+&pg=PA89|title=India's Princely States: People, Princes and Colonialism|last2=Pati|first2=Biswamoy|date=2007-10-18|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-11988-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Bailey|first=Frederick George|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VNHRWtDWsRIC&pg=PA132|title=Politics and Social Change|publisher=University of California Press|year=1970|page=132}}</ref> During British raj, they ruled many tributary states in Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Samal |first=J. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NO4xIxxt0kYC |title=Economic History of Orissa, 1866-1912 |date=1990 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-218-9 |pages=37 |language=en}}</ref> They are largest caste by population in [[Odisha]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Punjab Journal of Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ktksAAAAIAAJ&q=khandayat+largest+caste+in+odisha|year=1986|publisher=Department of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University}}</ref>



{{Infobox caste
{{Infobox caste
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| image =
| image =
| caption =
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| related = [[Paika (community)|Paika]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pati |first=Rabindra Nath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&pg=PA117 |title=Family Planning |date=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0352-8 |language=en}}</ref>
| related = [[Paika (community)|Paika]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pati |first=Rabindra Nath |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_5seKkk3GkIC&pg=PA117 |title=Family Planning |date=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-313-0352-8 |language=en}}</ref> [[Chasa (caste)|Chasa]]
|classification =
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}}
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== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
The name Khandayat is originated from the word "[[Khanda (sword)|Khanda]]" which means Sword and khandayat means sword wielding.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ghosh|first=G. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6eBAAAAMAAJ&q=Khandayat+sword|title=Legends of Origin of the Castes and Tribes of Eastern India|date=2000|publisher=Firma KLM|isbn=978-81-7102-046-1|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Pati|first=Biswamoy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GDpuAAAAMAAJ&q=Khandayat+sword|title=Identity, Hegemony, Resistance: Towards a Social History of Conversions in Orissa, 1800-2000|date=2003|publisher=Three Essays Collective|isbn=978-81-88789-04-7|language=en}}</ref>
The name Khandayat is originated from the word "[[Khanda (sword)|Khanda]]" which means Sword and khandayat means sword wielding.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ghosh|first=G. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6eBAAAAMAAJ&q=Khandayat+sword|title=Legends of Origin of the Castes and Tribes of Eastern India|date=2000|publisher=Firma KLM|isbn=978-81-7102-046-1|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Pati|first=Biswamoy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GDpuAAAAMAAJ&q=Khandayat+sword|title=Identity, Hegemony, Resistance: Towards a Social History of Conversions in Orissa, 1800-2000|date=2003|publisher=Three Essays Collective|isbn=978-81-88789-04-7|language=en}}</ref>

According to [[Gopal Chandra Praharaj|G.Praharaj]], in old days who came forward to save the native kingdom with their swords when it was in trouble were granted the title of "Khandayat". Since then people of Oda (Peasants) & Gauda (cowherds) castes enjoyed the title, it can be said khandayat is only a title.<ref name="Pani Das Kar 1988 p. ">{{cite book | last1=Pani | first1=S. | last2=Das | first2=H.C. | last3=Kar | first3=I.B. | title=Glimpses of History and Culture of Balasore | publisher=Orissa State Museum | year=1988 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=im1DAAAAYAAJ&q=khandayat+title+oda+gauda | access-date=2022-08-24 | page=24}}</ref>

== Origin ==
Rampant invasions took place in medieval period which prompted the Odia rulers to accumulate the large population of farmers and tribals into their army, such accumulation led to the emergence of Khandayat caste.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Chaudhuri |first1=B. B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pHuAAAAAMAAJ&q=%20new%20sub%20castes%20khandayats |title=Tribes, Forest, and Social Formation in Indian History |last2=Bandopadhyay |first2=Arun |date=2004 |publisher=Manohar |isbn=978-81-7304-551-6 |language=en}}</ref> Khandayat title was used by people of various communities and classes in medieval period for their participation in military activities.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Das |first=H. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cPgEAAAAMAAJ&q=enjoy |title=Resources and Responses in Two Orissan Villages: The Influence of the New State Capital, 1950-1970 |date=1979 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |language=en}}</ref> According to Das they originated from [[Chasa (caste)|Oda]] & [[Gopal (caste)|Gauda]] castes.<ref name="Das 1979 p.">{{cite book |last=Das |first=H.C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cPgEAAAAMAAJ&q=khandayat+title+oda+gauda |title=Resources and Responses in Two Orissan Villages: The Influence of the New State Capital, 1950-1970 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |year=1979 |series=Orissan studies project |page=45 |access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>

'''Classification'''

Khandayats were considered [[Shudra|Shudras]] by the Brahmins of medieval period however rich Khandayats associate themselves with [[Kshatriya]] varna for upward mobility.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Congress |first=Indian History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZfltAAAAMAAJ&q=sudra |title=Proceedings |date=1997 |publisher=Indian History Congress |language=en}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
=== Medieval Odisha ===
=== Medieval Odisha ===
Early mention of Khandayats as feudal chief and military personnel is found during the rule of Eastern Ganga Dynasty.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Miśra, Kr̥shṇacandra|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/555529354|title=Land system and land reforms|publisher=Himalaya Pub. House|year=1990|pages=103|oclc=555529354}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sankar|first=Das, Binod|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/251964827|title=Studies in the economic history of Orissa from ancient times to 1833|publisher=Firma KLM|year=1978|pages=56|oclc=251964827}}</ref> According to Odia historian K. N. Mohapatra, Khandayat strategies were established in Bhubaneswar and near by areas to protect the Lingaraja Temple.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1x5uAAAAMAAJ|title=The Orissa Historical Research Journal|publisher=Superintendent, Research and Museum, Orissa|year=1975|pages=23|language=en}}</ref> During the mediaeval period the Landed militia Khandayats acquired good amounts of Agricultural land and became local zamindars.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mohanty |first1=Ramesh P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kl66OPnClpoC&dq=khandayat+peasant&pg=PA40 |title=Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal |last2=Biswal |first2=Durgesh Nandini |date=2007 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-8324-199-1 |language=en}}</ref>
Early mention of Khandayats as feudal chief and military personnel is found during the rule of Eastern Ganga Dynasty.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Miśra, Kr̥shṇacandra|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/555529354|title=Land system and land reforms|publisher=Himalaya Pub. House|year=1990|pages=103|oclc=555529354}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sankar|first=Das, Binod|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/251964827|title=Studies in the economic history of Orissa from ancient times to 1833|publisher=Firma KLM|year=1978|pages=56|oclc=251964827}}</ref> According to Odia historian K. N. Mohapatra, Khandayat strategies were established in Bhubaneswar and near by areas to protect the Lingaraja Temple.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1x5uAAAAMAAJ|title=The Orissa Historical Research Journal|publisher=Superintendent, Research and Museum, Orissa|year=1975|pages=23|language=en}}</ref> During the mediaeval period Khandayats received good amounts of agricultural lands from the kings and became local zamindars.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mohanty |first1=Ramesh P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kl66OPnClpoC&dq=khandayat+peasant&pg=PA40 |title=Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal |last2=Biswal |first2=Durgesh Nandini |date=2007 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-8324-199-1 |language=en}}</ref>
Fakir Mohan Senapati while Quoting Abul Fazal mentioned Khandayats as a landowning caste that dominated the politics and military of Gajapati Empire.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Senapati|first=Fakir Mohan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rZeYAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT118|title=Six Acres And A Third: Chaa Mana Atha Guntha|date=2006-02-01|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-251-1|language=en}}</ref> Mughal chronicle Ain-i-Akbari gave a clear picture of Odisha after the broke down of Gajapati Empire. It mentioned about different forts ruled by Khandayat Zamindars along with their King Mukund Dev.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_vst2u9kBxgC|title=Mughal India According to European Travel Accounts: Texts and Studies|publisher=Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University|year=1997|pages=111–112|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mubārak|first=Abū al-Faz̤l ibn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0TZuAAAAMAAJ|title=The Ā-īn-i Akbarī|publisher=Low Price Publications|year=1997|isbn=978-81-86142-26-4|pages=156–157|language=en}}</ref>
Fakir Mohan Senapati while Quoting Abul Fazal mentioned Khandayats as a landowning caste that dominated the politics and military of Gajapati Empire.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Senapati|first=Fakir Mohan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rZeYAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT118|title=Six Acres And A Third: Chaa Mana Atha Guntha|date=2006-02-01|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-251-1|language=en}}</ref> Mughal chronicle Ain-i-Akbari gave a clear picture of Odisha after the broke down of Gajapati Empire. It mentioned about different forts ruled by Khandayat Zamindars along with their King Mukund Dev.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_vst2u9kBxgC|title=Mughal India According to European Travel Accounts: Texts and Studies|publisher=Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University|year=1997|pages=111–112|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mubārak|first=Abū al-Faz̤l ibn|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0TZuAAAAMAAJ|title=The Ā-īn-i Akbarī|publisher=Low Price Publications|year=1997|isbn=978-81-86142-26-4|pages=156–157|language=en}}</ref>


=== Modern Odisha ===
=== Modern Odisha ===
British conquered Odisha in 1803 & started new land reforms to increase tax revenue. Khandayats enjoyed tax free lands in Khurda Kingdom in strictly military tenure. British abolished these tax free jagirs and that led to Paika Rebellion in 1817.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Hayami|first1=Yōko|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-VeAAAAAMAAJ|title=Gender and Modernity: Perspectives from Asia and the Pacific|last2=Tanabe|first2=Akio|last3=Tokita-Tanabe|first3=Yumiko|date=2003|publisher=Kyoto University Press|isbn=978-4-87698-451-0|pages=68|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mansinha|first=Mayadhar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T7USAAAAMAAJ|title=Fakirmohan Senapati|date=1976|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|pages=61|language=en}}</ref> However according to 1897 land settlement report, Khandayats still owned highest number of zamindaris in odisha. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Pati |first=Biswamoy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aDZuAAAAMAAJ |title=Resisting Domination: Peasants, Tribals, and the National Movement in Orissa, 1920-50 |date=1993 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-027-6 |pages=5 |language=en}}</ref>
British conquered Odisha in 1803 and started new land reforms to increase tax revenue. Khandayats enjoyed tax free lands in Khurda Kingdom in return for military services. British abolished these tax free jagirs which led to the Paika Rebellion of 1817.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Hayami|first1=Yōko|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-VeAAAAAMAAJ|title=Gender and Modernity: Perspectives from Asia and the Pacific|last2=Tanabe|first2=Akio|last3=Tokita-Tanabe|first3=Yumiko|date=2003|publisher=Kyoto University Press|isbn=978-4-87698-451-0|pages=68|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mansinha|first=Mayadhar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T7USAAAAMAAJ|title=Fakirmohan Senapati|date=1976|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|pages=61|language=en}}</ref> According to a land settlement report of 1897, they owned the highest number of Zamindaris in Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pati |first=Biswamoy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aDZuAAAAMAAJ |title=Resisting Domination: Peasants, Tribals, and the National Movement in Orissa, 1920-50 |date=1993 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=978-81-7304-027-6 |pages=5 |language=en}}</ref>


During British rule, some wealthy people from peasant castes started identifying themselves as Khandayat in order to gain social status and Zamindar land rights in some princely states of west odisha.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=Waltraud|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eKbW3ukh9oC|title=India's Princely States: People, Princes and Colonialism|last2=Pati|first2=Biswamoy|date=2007-10-18|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-11988-2|pages=89|language=en}}</ref>
During British rule, some rich [[Adivasi|Adibasis]], Chasas, and Agharias started identifying themselves as Khandayats in order to gain social status and Zamindari land rights in some princely states of west Odisha. The number of Khandayats increased 45.4% from 1901 to 1921, the highest of any caste.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ernst |first1=Waltraud |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eKbW3ukh9oC |title=India's Princely States: People, Princes and Colonialism |last2=Pati |first2=Biswamoy |date=2007-10-18 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-11988-2 |pages=87–90 |language=en}}</ref>


== Society and culture ==
== Society and culture ==


Khandayats were the land-owning & Socio-economically dominant caste in most of the villages of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Behuria |first=N. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2EKAQAAIAAJ |title=Orissa State Gazetteer |date=1990 |publisher=Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa |pages=287 |language=en}}</ref> In coastal Odisha Khandayats treat Brahmins as Priests, Service castes (washermen, barbers, herders etc.) as servants & untouchable castes as agricultural labourers. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Berger |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hvJeCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA158 |title=Feeding, Sharing, and Devouring: Ritual and Society in Highland Odisha, India |date=2015-02-17 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG |isbn=978-1-61451-363-6 |pages=158 |language=en}}</ref> Such age old customs & dominance often lead to violence against marginalized castes and seen as customary bondage system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DAS |first=PRAFULLA |title=Casteist terror |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30206973.ece |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Puri, 'Lower' Castes Face Ostracism for Defying Customary Bondage System |url=https://thewire.in/caste/in-puri-lower-castes-face-ostracism-for-defying-customary-bondage-system |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=thewire.in |language=en}}</ref>
Khandayats were the land-owning & Socio-economically dominant caste in most of the villages of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Behuria |first=N. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2EKAQAAIAAJ |title=Orissa State Gazetteer |date=1990 |publisher=Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa |pages=287 |language=en}}</ref> In coastal Odisha Khandayats treat Brahmins as Priests, Service castes (washermen, barbers, herders etc.) as servants & untouchable castes as agricultural labourers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Berger |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hvJeCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA158 |title=Feeding, Sharing, and Devouring: Ritual and Society in Highland Odisha, India |date=2015-02-17 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG |isbn=978-1-61451-363-6 |pages=158 |language=en}}</ref> Such age old customs & dominance often lead to violence against marginalized castes and seen as customary bondage system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DAS |first=PRAFULLA |title=Casteist terror |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/article30206973.ece |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Puri, 'Lower' Castes Face Ostracism for Defying Customary Bondage System |url=https://thewire.in/caste/in-puri-lower-castes-face-ostracism-for-defying-customary-bondage-system |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=thewire.in |language=en}}</ref>

Khandayats are also known as [[Kshatriya|Kshatriyas]] in the traditional social hierarchy of Odisha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pradhan |first=Atul Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSBuAAAAMAAJ |title=History, Culture, and Economy: Prof. Karuna Sagar Behera Felicitation Volume |date=2000 |publisher=Post-graduate Department of History (SAP), Utkal University |isbn=978-81-901303-0-1 |pages=173 |language=en |quote=The present day social structure divides society in to four castes. They are Brahmans, Kshatriya (Khandayat), Vaishyas and Sudras}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Paṭṭanāẏaka |first=Praphulla Kumāra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CzA-AAAAIAAJ |title=A Forgotten Chapter of Orissan History: With Special Reference to the Rajas of Khurda and Puri, 1568-1828 |date=1979 |publisher=Punthi Pustak |pages=69 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Behuria |first=N. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2EKAQAAIAAJ |title=Orissa State Gazetteer |date=1990 |publisher=Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa |pages=305 |language=en}}</ref>According to Bisomay Pati, they are the orissan variant of kshatriyas who along with Brahmins enjoyed power & dominance in past.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pati |first1=Biswamoy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XypuAAAAMAAJ |title=Negotiating India's Past: Essays in Memory of Partha Sarathi Gupta |last2=Sahu |first2=Bhairabi Prasad |last3=Venkatasubramanian |first3=T. K. |date=2003 |publisher=Tulika Books |isbn=978-81-85229-81-2 |pages=293 |language=en}}</ref>Praharaj in his Odia Bhasakosha mentioned them as, "A Kshatriya caste in Orissa" however he also opined that the word was a Title and people of other castes could enjoy it in Past. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Gopal Chandra Praharaj |url=http://archive.org/details/Purnachandra.Odia.Bhashakosha.Complete |title=Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha by Gopal Chandra Praharaj (Preface + All 7 Volumes) |date=1931–1940 |publisher=The Utkal Sahitya Press, Cuttack |others=Sabyasachi Mishra |pages=1919–1920 |language=Odia |quote=A Kshatriya caste in Orissa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Pani |first=Subas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=im1DAAAAYAAJ |title=Glimpses of History and Culture of Balasore |date=1988 |publisher=Orissa State Museum |language=en}}</ref>

They claim themselves to be of Kshatriya status but when they lost their power they fall to the Status of Shudras.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pradhan |first=Prasant |title=The Peasant Militias of Odisha,Khandayats |url=https://www.academia.edu/8308269}}</ref> {{Self-published source|27=June 2022|date=June 2022}}


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 16:43, 3 March 2023

Khandayat or Khandait is a landed militia caste from Odisha, East india.[1][2][3][4][5] They were feudal chiefs, military generals, zamindars, large land holders and agriculturalists.[6][7][8][9] During British raj, they ruled many tributary states in Odisha.[10] They are largest caste by population in Odisha.[11]

Khandayat
ReligionsHinduism
LanguagesOdia
Populated statesOdisha
Related groupsPaika,[12] Chasa

Etymology

The name Khandayat is originated from the word "Khanda" which means Sword and khandayat means sword wielding.[13][14]

According to G.Praharaj, in old days who came forward to save the native kingdom with their swords when it was in trouble were granted the title of "Khandayat". Since then people of Oda (Peasants) & Gauda (cowherds) castes enjoyed the title, it can be said khandayat is only a title.[15]

Origin

Rampant invasions took place in medieval period which prompted the Odia rulers to accumulate the large population of farmers and tribals into their army, such accumulation led to the emergence of Khandayat caste.[16] Khandayat title was used by people of various communities and classes in medieval period for their participation in military activities.[17] According to Das they originated from Oda & Gauda castes.[18]

Classification

Khandayats were considered Shudras by the Brahmins of medieval period however rich Khandayats associate themselves with Kshatriya varna for upward mobility.[19]

History

Medieval Odisha

Early mention of Khandayats as feudal chief and military personnel is found during the rule of Eastern Ganga Dynasty.[20][21] According to Odia historian K. N. Mohapatra, Khandayat strategies were established in Bhubaneswar and near by areas to protect the Lingaraja Temple.[22] During the mediaeval period Khandayats received good amounts of agricultural lands from the kings and became local zamindars.[23]

Fakir Mohan Senapati while Quoting Abul Fazal mentioned Khandayats as a landowning caste that dominated the politics and military of Gajapati Empire.[24] Mughal chronicle Ain-i-Akbari gave a clear picture of Odisha after the broke down of Gajapati Empire. It mentioned about different forts ruled by Khandayat Zamindars along with their King Mukund Dev.[25][26]

Modern Odisha

British conquered Odisha in 1803 and started new land reforms to increase tax revenue. Khandayats enjoyed tax free lands in Khurda Kingdom in return for military services. British abolished these tax free jagirs which led to the Paika Rebellion of 1817.[27][28] According to a land settlement report of 1897, they owned the highest number of Zamindaris in Odisha.[29]

During British rule, some rich Adibasis, Chasas, and Agharias started identifying themselves as Khandayats in order to gain social status and Zamindari land rights in some princely states of west Odisha. The number of Khandayats increased 45.4% from 1901 to 1921, the highest of any caste.[30]

Society and culture

Khandayats were the land-owning & Socio-economically dominant caste in most of the villages of Odisha.[31] In coastal Odisha Khandayats treat Brahmins as Priests, Service castes (washermen, barbers, herders etc.) as servants & untouchable castes as agricultural labourers.[32] Such age old customs & dominance often lead to violence against marginalized castes and seen as customary bondage system.[33][34]

References

  1. ^ Behuria, N. C. (1990). Orissa State Gazetteer. Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa.
  2. ^ Behura, Nab Kishore; Mohanty, Ramesh P. (2005). Family Welfare in India: A Cross-cultural Study. Discovery Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7141-920-3.
  3. ^ Patnaik, Nihar Ranjan (1997). Economic History of Orissa. Indus Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7387-075-0.
  4. ^ Pati, Rabindra Nath (2008). Family Planning. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-313-0352-8.
  5. ^ Regional Development Dialogue. United Nations Centre for Regional Development. 2009.
  6. ^ Bhola, Sudhira Chandra (1990). British Economic Policy in Orissa. Discovery Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7141-075-0.
  7. ^ Samal, J. K. (1990). Economic History of Orissa, 1866-1912. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-218-9.
  8. ^ Ernst, Waltraud; Pati, Biswamoy (18 October 2007). India's Princely States: People, Princes and Colonialism. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-11988-2.
  9. ^ Bailey, Frederick George (1970). Politics and Social Change. University of California Press. p. 132.
  10. ^ Samal, J. K. (1990). Economic History of Orissa, 1866-1912. Mittal Publications. p. 37. ISBN 978-81-7099-218-9.
  11. ^ Punjab Journal of Politics. Department of Political Science, Guru Nanak Dev University. 1986.
  12. ^ Pati, Rabindra Nath (2008). Family Planning. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-313-0352-8.
  13. ^ Ghosh, G. K. (2000). Legends of Origin of the Castes and Tribes of Eastern India. Firma KLM. ISBN 978-81-7102-046-1.
  14. ^ Pati, Biswamoy (2003). Identity, Hegemony, Resistance: Towards a Social History of Conversions in Orissa, 1800-2000. Three Essays Collective. ISBN 978-81-88789-04-7.
  15. ^ Pani, S.; Das, H.C.; Kar, I.B. (1988). Glimpses of History and Culture of Balasore. Orissa State Museum. p. 24. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  16. ^ Chaudhuri, B. B.; Bandopadhyay, Arun (2004). Tribes, Forest, and Social Formation in Indian History. Manohar. ISBN 978-81-7304-551-6.
  17. ^ Das, H. C. (1979). Resources and Responses in Two Orissan Villages: The Influence of the New State Capital, 1950-1970. Punthi Pustak.
  18. ^ Das, H.C. (1979). Resources and Responses in Two Orissan Villages: The Influence of the New State Capital, 1950-1970. Orissan studies project. Punthi Pustak. p. 45. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  19. ^ Congress, Indian History (1997). Proceedings. Indian History Congress.
  20. ^ Miśra, Kr̥shṇacandra (1990). Land system and land reforms. Himalaya Pub. House. p. 103. OCLC 555529354.
  21. ^ Sankar, Das, Binod (1978). Studies in the economic history of Orissa from ancient times to 1833. Firma KLM. p. 56. OCLC 251964827.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ The Orissa Historical Research Journal. Superintendent, Research and Museum, Orissa. 1975. p. 23.
  23. ^ Mohanty, Ramesh P.; Biswal, Durgesh Nandini (2007). Culture, Gender and Gender Discrimination: Caste Hindu and Tribal. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-8324-199-1.
  24. ^ Senapati, Fakir Mohan (1 February 2006). Six Acres And A Third: Chaa Mana Atha Guntha. Penguin Books Limited. ISBN 978-93-5118-251-1.
  25. ^ Mughal India According to European Travel Accounts: Texts and Studies. Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University. 1997. pp. 111–112.
  26. ^ Mubārak, Abū al-Faz̤l ibn (1997). The Ā-īn-i Akbarī. Low Price Publications. pp. 156–157. ISBN 978-81-86142-26-4.
  27. ^ Hayami, Yōko; Tanabe, Akio; Tokita-Tanabe, Yumiko (2003). Gender and Modernity: Perspectives from Asia and the Pacific. Kyoto University Press. p. 68. ISBN 978-4-87698-451-0.
  28. ^ Mansinha, Mayadhar (1976). Fakirmohan Senapati. Sahitya Akademi. p. 61.
  29. ^ Pati, Biswamoy (1993). Resisting Domination: Peasants, Tribals, and the National Movement in Orissa, 1920-50. Manohar Publishers & Distributors. p. 5. ISBN 978-81-7304-027-6.
  30. ^ Ernst, Waltraud; Pati, Biswamoy (18 October 2007). India's Princely States: People, Princes and Colonialism. Routledge. pp. 87–90. ISBN 978-1-134-11988-2.
  31. ^ Behuria, N. C. (1990). Orissa State Gazetteer. Gazetteers Unit, Department of Revenue, Government of Orissa. p. 287.
  32. ^ Berger, Peter (17 February 2015). Feeding, Sharing, and Devouring: Ritual and Society in Highland Odisha, India. Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-61451-363-6.
  33. ^ DAS, PRAFULLA. "Casteist terror". Frontline. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  34. ^ "In Puri, 'Lower' Castes Face Ostracism for Defying Customary Bondage System". thewire.in. Retrieved 28 April 2022.

Further reading

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