ARCHIVES
VOL. 11, ISSUE 6 (2025)
The identity crisis of the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North Bengal in the twentieth century
Authors
Dr. Chandan Singha
Abstract
This writing explores the Identity of the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North
Bengal in the twentieth century. The Surjapuri Rajbanshi is a Hindu community
that is inhabited in the southern parts of North Bengal. They are culturally
and linguistically similar to the Kishanganjia people of Bihar. However, the
majority of Surjapuri Rajbanshi people of Purnea in the neighboring state of
Bihar belong to the same community, and locally, they are known as the
Surjapuri Rajbanshi. The ‘Surjapuri’ word came from the ‘Surjapur Pargana’.
They are commonly found in the present North Dinajpur district of West Bengal,
Katihar, Purnia, Araria, and Mithila of Bihar. In 1903, Grierson reported their
Mother Tongue as Siripuria or Kishangunjia during the Linguistics survey of India.
Interestingly, in the 1961 Census Siripuria was replaced by ‘Surjapuri’. The
majority of people of this community inhabited villages, and basically, they
were agriculturists. Their identity, socio-cultural life, and linguistics are
different from the other Rajbanshis of North Bengal. From childbirth to death,
they performed various unique customs. They have their own culture and
language, such as Surjapuri culture and Surjapuri language. Even they have
their own script called Hindi-Kaithi or Kaithi.
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Pages:143-144
How to cite this article:
Dr. Chandan Singha "The identity crisis of the Surjapuri Rajbanshis of North Bengal in the twentieth century". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 11, Issue 6, 2025, Pages 143-144
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