The Boria, also known as Baurasi are a Hindu caste found in North India. Those in Uttar Pradesh have scheduled caste status.
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Origin
The Boriya are sub-group of the Pasi community. Although of Pasi origin, the two communities are now quite distinct and do not intermarry. They are found mainly in the Awadh region, mainly in the districts of Gonda, Faizabad and Barabanki districts. The Boria speak the Awadhi dialect.
Present circumstances
The Boria are strictly endogamous community, and prefer marrying close kin. Most Baria belong to the Kabirpanthi sect.
The Boria are mainly a community of landowners and cultivators. They grow wheat and pulses, with animal husbandry being an important secondary occupation. Historically, the community were mainly tenant farmers, working on land owned by Rajputs and Banias. They live in multi-caste and multi-religious villages, but occupy their own quarters. Each of their settlement contains an informal caste council, known as a biradari panchayat. The panchayat acts as instrument of social control, dealing with issues such as divorce and adultery.
The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh showed the Boria population as 4558.