Research Journal of Language, Literature and Humanities _____________________________E-ISSN

_____________________________ 2348-6252
Vol. 3(9), 1-4, October (2016) Res. J. Lang. Lit. Humanities

Short Communication
Socio-Economic
Economic and Cultural Identity of Kurmi
Kurmi-A
A Tea and Ex Tea Garden
Labour Community of Barak Valley in Assam,, India
Pradip Kurmi
Department of Economics, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India
[email protected]
Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me
Received 19th September 2016, revised 21st September 2016, accepted 10th October 2016
201
Abstract
During the British rule in India, especially at the time of tea plantation in Assam, huge number of labourers were imported
in Assam from different parts of India. Kurmi are one of the castes who were migrated in region of Assam. This paper tries
to focus on the socio economic and cultural as well as growth of Kurmi in Barak valley of Assam. Barak valley is located,
at the southern part of Assam. Researcher has analysed different factors in this paper that infinfluence
luence the socio economic
condition of Kurmi People.
Keywords: Kshatriya, Marwa, Jeutia, Holoowai, Sub caste, Samvat.

Introduction TAD/BC/268/75/37 dated 27th

‘Other Backward Class ‘vide No-TAD/BC/268/75/37
Nov.1975.
Kurmis are one of the predominant castes among the Bhojpuri
community living in Barak valley of Assam. The Kurmi are a Objective of the Study:: The paper aims to analyze the
Hindu agricultural caste1 in India and Assam as well. The term following objectives: i. To highlights the growth of Kurmis in
“Kurmi” is derived from the Sanskrit word Krishi meaning Barak Valley, ii. To study the socio economic condition of
‘cultivation’. However some authors tries to trace the divine Kurmis in Barak Valley. iii. To study the cultural pattern among
origin of the Kurmi from the tortoise (kurm) – believed to be an the Kurmis in Barak valley.
incarnation of Vishnu. These authors further relate the Kurmi to
the gods Rama and Indra, the established symbols of the Study Area:: The Barak valley of Assam Consists of three
Kshatriya (second level in caste hierarchy) and thereby attempt districts viz Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi is situated
to claim a higher caste origin. They are believed to be the direct between 2408’’ and 25015’’ N latitude and 92020” and 93015”E
descendants of the earliest Aryan tribes. longitude covering a geographical
graphical area of 6962 sq. Km. The
sample size mainly collected from the areas where Kurmis are
With the establishment of tea gardens in Assam, a large number found in greater section in Barak Valley.
of labour force from various linguistic and ethnic groups were
brought to Assam from different parts of India in the hope of Methodology
good earnings
nings and amazing life. During the said period,
different caste of people like Goala (Ahir), Kairi, Kamkar, The study is based on primary data and the target group
Nunia, Kanu (Haloowai) Kumar, Kohar, Sonar, Lohar, and population is people of Kurmi Caste in Barak Valley.
Va For data,
other caste like Bania, Barhi, Teli, Sahu, Kalwar, Baroi five (5) area/locality selected for the purpose where kurmis are
(Chowrasia) Ghatwar were brought in Assam for working in tea found in fairly concerted way. These areas are i. Clever house-
house
gardens2. Kurmis are also one of them who were brought in Bhorakhai area, ii. Joypur-Rajabazar,
Rajabazar, iii. Kashipur-Arkhatipur
Kashipur
Assam from different parts of India mainly hails from Bengal, are in Cachar district, iv. Dullavcherra area of Karimganj
Bihar, Orrisa (now Oddisa), and U.P., Central Province (C.P), District and v. Koiya area of Hailakandi Districts. As the total
present Chhatishgarh etc. These kurmis are later settled here number of population of Kurmis in Barak valley are not
both Brahmaputra Valley and Barak valley of Assam. In course available in the census of population. For the study a total one
of time these labourers along with others caste who were hundred (100) household (twenty from each locality) are
migrated here as labour, began to reside side by side in randomly
omly selected from each of the kurmi dominant locality. In
plantation area and beyond -developed
developed common composite total 100 number of household were interviewed with the help
culture known as ‘Tea tribe’ and Ex –Tea
Tea tribe. These Kurmis of well organized structure questionnaire so that appropriate
provides a significant contribution in shaping the socio information about Kurmis could be collected. Apart from these,
economic condition of the state. Office of the Tea Garden and oral interview
iew also have been made with the member of the
Ex tea Garden tribes, Government of Assam enlisted Kurmi as

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Research Journal of Language, Literature and Humanities___________________________________________E-ISSN 2348-6252
Vol. 3(9), 1-4, October (2016) Res. J. Lang. Lit. Humanities

household sample size of the locality who is aged more than 70 been identified by the researcher on the basis of field
to have an idea about the growth of Kumis in this valley. experience. Knowledge about the literacy level, family size,
Results and Discussion income level, occupation status, health condition, operation land
holding etc. will serve the purpose. In this section tabular
The researcher has analyzed the descriptive sample representation about the feature of household are described.
characteristics of the households of Kurmi in Barak Valley.
Different types of social indicator has been identified and Table-1
displayed in table form along with explaning the figure thereon. Sample Characteristics
Size of the No of
Growth of Kurmis in Barak Valley: The success of tea Male Female
Household Sample size
plantation experiment in upper Assam encouraged to the British
authorities to develop more tea business in other districts of 100 61 39 100
Assam. Barak valley was also viewed as important for the
British in the sense of commerce as because the climatic Table reveals that scholar has surveyed 100 household and
condition and soil of Barak valley was also suitable for tea collected 100 sample size, out of which 61 are male and 39 are
plantation like other parts of Assam. Captain Thomas Fisher, the female.
first superintendent of Cachar (Present Barak Valley) began to
plan to develop plantation like other parts of Assam. The first Economic enrichment and good earrings is the fundamental
tea plantation of Cachar district started at Barshangan (near means through which a civil society and civilization perfectly
present Kathal tea garden) in 1856 by G.Williamson, who had a achieved. Economic condition of any society depends on the
large number and flourishing tea plantation in upper Assam3. size of the family, earning of the family, health condition of the
family, literacy level etc. Family size is total number of family
The arrival of tea garden labourers into this valley was a member in the household of the each sample respondent.
historical and tragic incident, for they are treacherously brought Generally it is found that the size of the family have inverse
to work in tea plantation. Like the other tea garden labour, relationship with the socio economic status of the respondent.
Kurmis are also brought here as tea garden labour by ship. The The following table reflects distribution of the sample unit (area
kurmis were brought to Karim ganj and Silchar (Headquarter of wise) and the average size of the household.
Cachar) from Narayanganj, Calcutta (Present Kolkata) through
Goalundo ghat – a place near the confluence of Padma and the Table-2
Brahmaputra river4. Area wise distribution of sample size
Total Average
In course of time they abundantly scattered throughout the No of
Area Family size of the
valley beyond the tea plantation areas. They now identifies as Household
Member household
both Tea garden and Ex -tea garden labour community in Barak
Clverhouse-
Valley. The Kurmis who were imported from different district 20 112 5.6
Bhorakhai
and different state of India settled here for more than 150 years,
made Barak valley their permanent place of abode. This is their Joypur- Raja
20 96 4.8
fourth and fifth generation. Of the tea tribe inhabitant in Barak Bazar
valley, one greater section of it belongs to kurmi caste, who Kashipur-
speaks Bhojpuri dialect in this valley. 20 102 5.1
Arkhatipur

The Kurmi community appears to be a very dominating caste Dullav cherra 20 109 5.45
among the tea garden communities in Barak Valley. By an
interview with Mr Gopal Kurmi, aged about 76, it came to know Koiya 20 123 6.15
that their grand father migrated to Badarpur through Bangladesh
by ship from Baishali district of Uttar Pradesh by British to Total 100 542 5.42
work as tea garden labour in Dullavcherra tea garden. Similarly
in a conversation made with Mr Ram Shankar Kurmi aged about Table-2 reflects that average family size among kurmis
79 states that his ancestors were migrated from Kashi to serve as household is 5.42, it seems to be little higher. Larger the family
tea garden labour by British. size will hamper the economic life of the family.

Socio Economic Condition of Kurmi: Socio economic The range of monthly income of the sample households as
condition of Kurmi is not as so good as ought to be. To study shown in Table-3 reveals that majority 41 percent of the sample
the socio economic status and to identify the factors which households are tied up in the Monthly income range of Rs. 0-
influence the socio economic status of Kurmis in Barak Valley, 5000 range while 27 percent are in the monthly income range of
a few number of socio, economic and demographic variable has Rs. 5000-10000. While 14 percent household is under 10000-

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Vol. 3(9), 1-4, October (2016) Res. J. Lang. Lit. Humanities

15000 group. Only one household is found who earns more than Definite success of a community and state depend upon
40000 monthly income of the sample household. education and intellectual attainment. It evolves enlightenment
caused fairly civil society.
Table-3 Table-4
Monthly Income Distribution of Kurmi Households Occupational Break up of sample Kurmis in Barak Valley
Income Range (monthly) Number of Households Occupation Primary Secondary

0-5000 41 Agriculture and

21 16
allied
5000-10000 27 Tea Worker 56 6
10000-15000 14 Government
2 0
Service
15000-20000 6
Daily Wage 16 8
20000-25000 7
Private Jobs 3 1
25000-30000 0
others 2 0
30000-35000 2
Total 100 31
35000-40000 2
The greater section of Kurmi community in Barak Valley hardly
More than 40000 1
cultivate aforesaid phenomenon, for which they remain in the
realm of feudal, sustain acute poverty and backwardness. The
The Table-4 shows that pattern of occupational background of overall educational scenario among the Kurmis is not very
the Kurmis residing in survey areas. The Table reflects that satisfactory. The following table reflects the educational status
largest number of sample size engaged in tea garden as worker of Kurmis in Barak Valley.
as primary source of occupation. 56% of the household among
the sample size engaged in tea garden for their occupational The Table-5 shows that level of education is very poor among
livelihood. Similarly, 21%, 2%, 16%, 3%, 2% are engaged in Kurmi people among the sample size. Only 4% percent sample
agriculture and allied, government service, daily wage, private are above higher secondary level. Illiteracy rate is very high.
job and others respectively. Of course, a few household from the 21percent sample sizes are found to be illiterate, which is much
sample size also found that they are engaged in secondary higher than national as well as state level of illiteracy.
source of occupation too. Percentage of illiteracy among female is much acute than male
counterpart.
Table-5
Educational Profile of Kurmi in the sample size
Number of Number of Total
Category Percent Percent
men Women (Male+Female)

Illiterate 11 18.03279 10 25.64103 21

Primary(1-5) 21 34.42623 13 33.33333 34

Upper Primary (6-8) 12 19.67213 08 20.51282 20

Secondary (9-10) 09 14.7541 04 10.25641 13

Higher Secondary (11-12) 05 8.196721 03 7.692308 08

Above H.S 03 4.918033 01 2.564103 04

Total 61 100 39 100 100

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Research Journal of Language, Literature and Humanities___________________________________________E-ISSN 2348-6252
Vol. 3(9), 1-4, October (2016) Res. J. Lang. Lit. Humanities

25.64 percent female among the sample size are found to be recognized. It is highly restricted. Hardly it, can be seen in
illiterate, whereas 18.03 percent male sample size is found to be urban areas which however, get little social sanction.
illiterate.Further among the literate sample size, majority (34%)
of the respondents are found in primary level of education i.e. in Though there are several types of sub castes found in eastern
between class 1 to class 5. Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar e.g. Awadhiya, Ghamalia,
Konchasia, Yasawar or Joshwar, Chandel, Sindriya, Patel etc
Health is also an important source that reflects the socio but in Barak Valley only two type of Kurmi sub caste prevalent-
economic condition of any society. To improve the nutritional called as original Kurmi and Bangla Kurmi (Mahato). Further
status, World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that it inter dinning system is also not in vogue. Generally in the time
is essential to implement adolescent friendly health services5. of social functions like marriage, Shrradha and other social
According to WHO, “Health is state of complete physical significant function is provided in form of both pakki and
mental and social well being and not merely the absence of kachhi food and is prepared by the Holoowai(Specialist in
disease or infirmity.” In case of social issue, it depends on the Cooking) or by the the recognized high caste called ‘Panichal
society’s awareness, technology and distribution of resources. Jati’. People of Kurmi living in Barak Valley have great sense
Health has strong link with the development of any society. As of religious Belief. Religion fuction as they called ‘Tewhar’ like
the people of Kurmis are mainly hails from tea garden labour Dasherra, Dewali, Acadoshi, Siv Chaturdasi, Ram navami,
community, they have to live in quarter provided by the Sankranti, chhat etc are observed with great sincerity and
management. But mass of the kurmis house are found devotion. ‘Jeutia’-a fasting festival by the mother of Kurmis
unhygienic. Conditions of houses are very poor. Almost 63% observed for the sake of their children. The system of Burning
houses are found made of semi pucca, contains only one or two Samvat is also prevailing among kurmi culture along with the
rooms. Kitchen conditions are also very poor with bad smell. Bhojpuri caste on the eve of Holi.

To maintain a better healthy life good sanitation facilities should Conclusion

be available. But it is found that 76% of the respondent uses
Kachha Latrine and 12% go for open air defecation. It is also The major aim of this study is to investigate the socio economic
observed that though a few cases management allotted sanitary and cultural activities of kurmi caste in Barak valley of Assam.
latrine or got through rural sanitation programme launched by The study was based on the primary data and reflects that more
the government but they use it for keeping their goat, hen or use than 150 years time has passed living in Barak Valley but till
it as go-down. It is also found that due to lack of awareness and today their economic condition is very poor. They have limited
lack of local medical facilities they mostly suffered from lots of opportunity to run with the flow of present days of
disease. Further only 5% women of Kurmis know about family globalization. One of the leading reasons behind this is less
planning. For treatment they first stage move towards local scope of education and little scope of stress for education by the
‘ojha’. The mean BMI of the respondents found 18.75 i.e. their management, local intellectuals and administration that keeps
weight are low. them in a dark stage. It requires infuse substantial necessities
into their sphere of life.
Cultural Pattern of Kurmi: As earlier remarked that Kurmis
are migrated in Assam from different parts of India mainly from References
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local cultural activities or nontraditional festivals with great Development. EBH Publishers(India), 136 MLN Road
enthusiasm like Durga puja, Kali Puja, Subha Nababarsa etc. Panbazar Guwahati-781001.
keeping their own cultural programme intact.
3. Kumar Purnendu (2009). Socio Economic and Political
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As Kurmis are believed themselves to be the direct offshoot of
Assam. Mittal Publication, 89-99, ISBN:81-8324-306-1.
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Barak Valley. Adult marriages are becoming increasingly Social Scientist, 33, 5-6.
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