Chauharmal
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| Veer Chauharmal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Devnagari. | चौहरमल |
| Affiliation | Non-Brahmanical deity. |
| Weapon | Sword |
| Mount | Horse & Lion |
"Chauharmal" or "Chuharmal" or "Veer Chauharmal" was a folk hero who was later apotheosized by members of the Dusadh caste in India. The story of Chauharmal in Dusadh folklore is an empowering message which gives the Dalit community a sense of valor, resistance and social assertion, leading to him becoming an anti-caste symbol.[1][2]
Chauharmal was born in Anjani village, which is located in Patna district. He is described as a devotee of Goddess Durga.[3]
In the folklores of Bihar, various stories of Chauharmal exist. Some of these stories consider him a folk hero of Dusadh community, while other degrade him as an anti-hero. According to the most popular variant, he was a chivalrous man of Dusadh caste who used to study along with his raj friend, Ajab Singh. The father of Ajab Singh was a powerful landlord named Ranjit Singh and his sister was Reshma, who was in love with the Chauharmal who considered her as his sister. Annoyed by the attitude of Chauharmal, Reshma sends an army of his father to defeat Chauharmal and demoralise him. But, Dusadhs performed Rahu Puja and Chauharmal escaped due to the grace of Isht devi (folk goddess) of the Dusadh caste while Reshma was burnt into ashes. Though the story is not historically verified, the folklore had became popular among the Dalits, particularly among the Dusadhs.[1][4]
The Dusadhs of Mithila region however recognise Sahlesh as their hero, who is said to be uncle of Chauharmal. Sahlesh was able to take a job as a palace guard ("Mahapour") in the fort of "King of Morang".Chauharmal himself wanted that job and felt cheated. He decided to take revenge but was killed by Sahles. Thus, according to this tradition Sahles is the primary hero while Chauharmal is given secondary status.[1][4]
The Dalit community also praises Chauharmal and Sahles through various folk songs usually sung in the Bhojpuri language . One of the notable folk song sung in the praise of Chauharmal after Reshma's introduction in his life goes as follows : [5]
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