Kharot is a social group classified as a Scheduled Caste in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Historically, the community has been associated with the manufacture of rope and related cordage, a trade that has given the group its name. Members of the Kharot community are predominantly engaged in agricultural labour, small‑scale trade, and various forms of wage‑earning employment in contemporary contexts.
Etymology
The term Kharot is derived from the Hindi word “khar” (meaning “rope”) combined with the occupational suffix “-ot” or “-ot” indicating a practitioner. The name thus literally denotes “rope makers” or “people who work with rope”.
Distribution and Demographics
- Geographic concentration: Primarily in the districts of Banda, Chandauli, Azamgarh, and Jaunpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Smaller populations are reported in adjoining states such as Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
- Population figures: According to the 2011 Census of India, the Kharot Scheduled Caste population in Uttar Pradesh numbered approximately 50,000 individuals, though precise figures vary between sources.
Traditional Occupation
The Kharot community has traditionally been involved in the production of rope, twine, and related fiber products using locally sourced jute, hemp, or cotton. Their skills were historically utilized by agrarian societies for tasks such as binding agricultural bundles, constructing cattle‑hitching equipment, and making fishing nets. With industrialisation and the mechanisation of fibre processing, many Kharot have transitioned to alternate forms of livelihood.
Socio‑economic Status
- Scheduled Caste classification: The Indian Constitution recognises the Kharot as a Scheduled Caste, granting them eligibility for affirmative‑action measures in education, employment, and political representation.
- Education and employment: Government data indicate lower-than‑national‑average literacy rates within the community, with a substantial proportion engaged in daily‑wage agricultural labour and unskilled or semi‑skilled occupations in urban centres.
Cultural Practices
Kharot social life follows many of the broader cultural patterns of the Hindi‑speaking rural heartland. They observe Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Navratri, and maintain caste‑specific rituals related to marriage and death. Endogamy—marriage within the community—is the prevailing norm, though increasing urban migration has led to greater inter‑caste interaction.
Contemporary Issues
- Economic transition: The decline of traditional rope‑making due to synthetic alternatives has compelled many Kharot families to seek alternative income sources, often resulting in rural‑to‑urban migration.
- Affirmative action: Access to reservation quotas in educational institutions and public‑sector jobs remains a pivotal tool for socioeconomic mobility within the community.
References
The information presented summarizes data from the Census of India (2011) and ethnographic surveys of Scheduled Caste groups in Uttar Pradesh. No single comprehensive monograph on the Kharot exists, and the details reflect the current state of publicly available encyclopedic sources.