Chobdar
The Chobdar are a Hindu caste found in the state of Rajasthan in India. They have been classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in Rajasthan. [1]
Origin
The word Chobdar means a stick holder from the Persian words "choob", meaning stick, and "dar" meaning holder. According to their own traditions, the Chobdar are by origin Rajput. After the defeat of Prithvi Raj Chauhan at the hands of Mohammad Ghouri, some members of Prithvi Raj’s army to save themselves took to the manufacturing of leaf cups and plates. As such they evolved into a community distinct from the Rajputs. The Chobdar are found mainly in north eastern Rajasthan, in the districts of Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Kota. They speak Braj Bhasha, although most Chobdar speak and understand Hindi.[1]
Social organization
The Chobdar are strictly endogenous, and like most North Indian Hindus practice clan exogamy. Their clans are known as kuls, and each of them are of equal status. Some of their major clans include the Badgujar, Bassi, Mora, Parmar, Sissodiya, Sisinwar, Tomar, Gahlot, Solanki Parihar and Naraniya.
The Chobdar are now mainly farmers, although a few still practice their traditional craft of manufacturing plates and cups from leaves. Their customs are similar to neighboring Hindu communities such as the Jats. They live in multi-caste villages, but they are residentially segregated, occupying their own distinct quarters. Each settlement contains a biradari panchayat or caste council, which enforces community norms and resolves disputes within the community. The Chobdar are Hindu, and they worship Jobner ki Devi, Ambika, Bheru, Ram and Krishna.[1]