Thatia caste is last name of many people in Indian subcontinent. Thatia caste definition is A subtribe of Gonds also called Gaiki or Mahato in Betul. The Gandlis are divided into the Reddi Chetti and Telkala subcastes and the last are generally oil-pressers It is probable that the Reddis are the same as the Redu-eddu or Rendu-eddu subcaste of Madras who derive their name from the custom of using two bullocks to turn the oil-press like the Do-baile Telis of the Central Provinces But it has been changed to Reddi a more respectable name as being a synonym for the Kapu cultivating caste Chetti really means a trader and is Mr Francis says35 One of those occupational or titular terms which are largely employed as caste names The weavers oil-pressers and others use it as a title and many more tack it on to their names to denote that trade is their occupation Marriage is regulated by exogamous groups the names of which are said to be derived from those of villages Girls are generally married during childhood A noticeable point is that the ceremony is celebrated at the bridegrooms house to which the bride goes accompanied by her party including the women of her family The ceremony follows the Maratha form of throwing fried rice over the bridal couple and Brahman priests are employed to officiate Widow-marriage is permitted The dead are both buried and burnt and during mourning the Gandlis refrain from eating khichri or mixed rice and pulse and do not take their food off plantain leaves in addition to the other usual observances They have the shantik ceremony or the seclusion of a girl on the first appearance of the signs of adolescence which is in vogue among the higher Maratha castes and is followed by a feast and the consummation of her marriage They now speak Marathi fluently but still use Telugu in their houses and wear their head-cloths tied after the Tulugu fashion36. Thatia caste is one of the many castes subcastes of India.
India has thousands of castes and subcastes, they are in existence and practice since the Vedic times. They were created to solve the problem of division of labor. Thatia caste name could indicate the type of work people belonging to the Thatia caste do or did in earlier times. Many last names in India indicate the place the person originally belongs to. All castes sub castes are primarily divided into 4 categories:
1.Brahmins – The learned or priestly class
2.Khastriyas – The warrior class or those with governing functions
3.Vaishyas – The trader, agriculturalists or cattle rearers class
4.Shudra – The class that serves other three categories
Thatia caste belongs to one of the above 4 categories. Indian caste system is the best system to solve the problem of division of labor. In earlier times there was no rigidity in caste system. Indian caste system is still the best solution for the problem of division of labor, the only change that is needed as per changed times is that rather than having a vertical hierarchical system with Brahmins on top and Shudras at bottom, it would be good to have a horizontal socialist system with Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras all at same level.
The caste system of India is in ruins at present. It is also cause of bloody quarrels in certain parts of the rural India. People of backward castes have reservations in government jobs, this facility is widely misused in India. Many of the backward caste people have become rich and still use the facility for their benefit. Many in India believe reservation in jobs should be given on the basis of poverty rather than caste because there are many poors in upper castes as well.
Many foreginers and followers of Abrahmic religions criticize the Indian caste system because of bad material condition of lower castes but if they observe in an unbiased way they would find that there are many in upper castes with bad material conditions. The problem lies in power not in castes, power can corrupt anyone be it from upper caste or lower caste.
Secondly I have seen Abrahmic religions especially Muslims and Christians claiming that they have no caste system – It is an utter lie. All cultures, all countries, all religions have caste system in one form or the other. Christians have different churches depending on the region or language or skin color of people. Muslims have a priestly class that tries to control everything. Arab Muslims before the oil boom were so much divided among tribes that if you drank water from a well of a different tribe you could be shot dead. Tribal divisions still exists among Muslims. You can also see the caste system in a different form in your corporate companies. I had seen different food and drinking facilities for people at different levels.
Thatia caste is also known as Thatia Gotra.
Caste situation is quiet different in urban India, people in urban areas especially youngsters don’t bother about castes. Inter caste, inter religious, inter lingual marriages are quiet common in urban India. Inter caste, inter religious and inter lingual marriages in rural areas attract severe criticism and many times people are expelled from community for not marrying as per religious and caste rules.
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