Brahmins: who traditionally enjoyed highest ritual status, are subdivided in Hamirpur mainly as Jajhotias and Kanyakubjas. Both groups are claimed to have come from the ancient city of Kannauj, located along the Ganga in Kanpur division.
Rajput: Also known as Thakurs, their main subdivisions in Hamirpur include Dikhit, Bais, Bundela, Panwar, Chauhan and Dhundera.Rajputs, or Thakurs, were the biggest landlords of Hamirpur.
Vaishyas: who traditionally formed the third-ranking caste group, are subdivided in Bundelkhand as Agarwals, Gahois, Parwars, Agraharis, and other groups.
Kayasths: traditionally scribes, were also in a good position to acquire land, as they were the first social group to understand the intricacies of the land ownership regime brought into force by the British. Of the 12 traditional subdivisions of Kayasths, Srivastavas form the majority.
All these caste groups, come under the 'general' category of castes and constitute around 10-15% of the rural population of Bundelkhand.
OBCcategory: Across Bundelkhand, as in most parts of India, OBCs form the largest proportion of the population.major OBC groups in Bundelkhand are Ahirs (Yadavs), traditionally cattle-breeders and milkmen; Gadariyas, who traditionally reared sheep; Koris (weavers), Kurmis (cultivators), Kachis (vegetable cultivators); Lodhis, who were traditionally landowners and cultivators aligned to ruling families; Arakhs, a martial tribe known for its hunting prowess, Telis (oil-pressers), Sonars (goldsmiths), Nais (barbers), Darjis (tailors), Dhobis (washermen) and Kumhars, or potters.
SC Category: scheduled tribes (STs) and other highly marginalised groups considered 'criminals' during British rule continue to be at the bottom of the social and economic ladder.As in the rest of the country, OBC and SC categorisation varies across MP and UP, and across districts. Dhobis are SCs in UP, but not so in MP, except in three districts. Kumhars are SCs in Chhatarpur, Datia, Panna and Tikamgarh, but not in the rest of Bundelkhand.
