Scavenging sweeping communities of north India a case study of Valmiki community of Punjab 1849 to 1950

Abstract

This study is not only a historical enquiry at the tremendous changes that ushered in the lives of the Balmikis but also a research document which brings the facts to the light in the spheres of historical reality, a developed fallacy and a political conspiracy in the lives of Balmikis. Application of anthropometry approved Balmikis the same race of the Aryans from whom the Brahmin belonged especially the Brahmans of Uttar Pradesh. During the British Raj a high rate of mortality among troops due to the prevalence of zymotic diseases augmented the demands of health workers in British India. Adding more riddle to social identity of the Chuhras, Congress and her allies (Arya-Samaj, Hindu Mahasabha and Gandhi s Harijan movement), sponsored the Cultural assertions of Hinduisation to proselytize theminto Balmikis/Valmikis to increase the chances of getting political benefits by increasing the Hindu population. This scholarly work would be considered worthwhile as not much meritorious scholarship exists on this subject presently. newline newline