Bihari Mauritians

Bihari Mauritians are descendants of predominantly Bhojpuri-speaking migrants from the Indian State of Bihar who moved to Mauritius. A majority of Indo-Mauritians of which they are a subgroup of are of Bihari origin, and most Mauritians are Indo-Mauritian. Caste-wise, many Bihari Mauritians are Vaishyas, with notable groups including Bhumihars, Brahmins, Rajputs, Koeri, Chamars, Yadav, Kurmis, Banias, and Kayastha. Except for one, all Mauritian Prime Ministers have been of Bihari Vaishya descent.^[1][2][3]

Bihari Mauritians

Total population
A majority (85%) of Indo-Mauritians
Regions with significant populations
Majority in 7 out of 10 districts (Pamplemousses, Rivière du Rempart, Plaines Wilhems, Flacq, Moka, Grand Port & Savanne)
Languages
Mauritian Creole, Mauritian Bhojpuri, Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu), French and English
Religion
Hinduism (majority), Islam (minority)
Related ethnic groups
Bhojpuri people · Indian diaspora · Indo-Mauritians · Indo-Seychellois · Indo-South Africans · Indo-Surinamese · Indo-Guyanese · Indo-Trinidadians · Indo-Fijians · Biharis · Bihari diaspora

Bihari Mauritians primarily originated from the Bhojpur, Gaya, Chhapra (Saran), Gopalganj, East Champaran and West Champaran districts of Bhojpuri region in Bihar. During the early period of migration, the indentured labourers referred to Mauritius as "Marich". Amitav Ghosh's novel, Sea of Poppies, is set in this era and depicts the plight of impoverished Bihari migrants who undertook journeys to Mauritius and other distant colonies of the British Empire.

Social stratification

Though the island is divided on ethnic and religious grounds, 'Hindu' Mauritians follow a number of original custom and tradition, quite different from those seen in the Indian subcontinent. The Indian Brahminical caste structure is based on the varna system, which categorizes society into four main groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Within this system, Brahmins (referred to as Maraz), Kshatriyas (referred to as Babujee), and Vaishyas (referred to as Vaish) are classified as "grand nasyon" or high castes. These groups correspond to the Hindu concept of dvija, or "twice-born." In contrast, all other castes are classified as Shudras, also known as "ti nasyon" or low castes, which include groups such as the Ravived. This classification can apply to individuals, neighborhoods, or shrines. In certain contexts, Vaishyas may also be regarded as intermediary castes.^[4][5]