{{Infobox ethnic group | group = Binjhal (Binjhwar) | image = | total = 256,758 (2011) | total_ref = <ref name="census 2011">{{cite web|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|publisher=Government of India|accessdate=23 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907212310/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html|archive-date=7 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | region1 = Odisha | pop1 = 137,040 | ref1 = <ref name="census 2011" /> | region2 = Chhatishgarh | pop2 = 119,718 | ref2 = <ref name="census 2011" /> | languages = Odia (Sambalpuri), Chhattisgarhi | religions = Animism, Hinduism | related = }}
The '''Binjhal''' (also known as '''Binjhwar''')<ref name="Danver 2015 p. 524">{{cite book | last=Danver | first=S.L. | title=Native Peoples of the World: An Encyclopedia of Groups, Cultures and Contemporary Issues: An Encyclopedia of Groups, Cultures and Contemporary Issues | publisher=Taylor & Francis | year=2015 | isbn=978-1-317-46400-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vf4TBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA524 | access-date=2019-10-25 | page=524}}</ref> is an ethnic group, and an offshoot of the Austroasiatic Baiga tribe, found mainly in many districts of Odisha, Chhatishgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in India.<ref name="Danver 2015 p. 524"/><ref name="scstrti-Tribe-Profile-Binjhal">{{cite web | last=SCSTRTI | first=scstrti | title=Binjhal| website=Home | url=http://www.scstrti.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155 | access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref> The 2011 census showed their population to be around 137,040. They are classified as a Scheduled Tribe by the Indian government.<ref name="census 2011"/>
==Etymology== There are multiple legends regarding the origin of the tribe's name. According to one legend the name is derived from the words ''Bin'' and ''Jhal'', meaning without sweat. The name Binjhal or Binjhwar is derived from the Vindhya Range hills (also known as Vindhyanchal) and they worship their patron deity ''Bindhyabasini'''.<ref name="Danver 2015 p. 524"/><ref name="scstrti-Tribe-Profile-Binjhal"/>
==History== Historically the tribe has been known for fighting spirit. It is said that the tribe gave shelter to the mother of Chauhan Dynasty king Ramai Dev in 14th century. They also fought on the side of Veer Surendra Sai & Madho Singh (Ghess) during the Paika rebellion.<ref name="Danver 2015 p. 524"/><ref name="Omalley 2007 p. 27">{{cite book | last=O'malley | first=L.S.S. | title=Bengal District Gazetteer : Sambalpur | publisher=Concept Publishing Company | year=2007 | isbn=978-81-7268-139-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KbZc3TjdmxgC&pg=PA27 | language=en | access-date=2019-10-30 | page=27}}</ref>
==Subdivisions==
The Binjhals are divided into a number of exogamous groups called Vansas, namely Amri, Nag, Khusal, Duguke, Kamati, Mahaiinga, Bagha, Marthi Endja, Bentakar, Majhi. These are further divided into patriarchal lineages such as Surya Bansi, Nag Bansi, Hillchip, Chauhan and Rajput.<ref name="scstrti-Tribe-Profile-Binjhal"/>
== Culture ==
Binjhal families are mostly nuclear. They follow paternal lineage and patrilocal traditions. Marriage with same exogamous ''vansa'' is prohibited. Monogamous marriages are common. Marriage by negotiation is the most common type of marriage. However cross-cousin marriage, junior levirate, junior sororate, marriage by elopement, and by capture are also allowed. Divorce, remarriage of widows, widowers and divorcees are also permitted. The groom has to pay the bride price in cash.<ref name="scstrti-Tribe-Profile-Binjhal"/>
They practice burial in cases of deaths.<ref name="scstrti-Tribe-Profile-Binjhal"/> However cremation is practised by the rich.<ref name="Omalley 2007 p. 79">{{cite book | last=O'malley | first=L.S.S. | title=Bengal District Gazetteer : Sambalpur | publisher=Concept Publishing Company | year=2007 | isbn=978-81-7268-139-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KbZc3TjdmxgC&pg=PA79 | language=en | access-date=2019-10-30 | page=79}}</ref>
They do not have any traditional village council. Elders of the village play a central dispute resolution.<ref name="scstrti-Tribe-Profile-Binjhal"/>
The tribe worship Hindu deities. Animist beliefs are also followed by the members.<ref name="Omalley 2007 p. 77">{{cite book | last=O'malley | first=L.S.S. | title=Bengal District Gazetteer : Sambalpur | publisher=Concept Publishing Company | year=2007 | isbn=978-81-7268-139-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KbZc3TjdmxgC&pg=PA77 | language=en | access-date=2019-10-30 | page=77}}</ref>
==See also== * Tribes of India
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commonscatinline}}
Category:Scheduled Tribes of India Category:Social groups of Odisha Category:Scheduled Tribes of Odisha Category:Social groups of Madhya Pradesh Category:Social groups of Maharashtra Category:Indian castes Category:Ethnic groups in India Category:Scheduled Tribes of Madhya Pradesh