Hela (caste)

The Hela are a Hindu Scheduled Caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India.

The Hela are a community of agricultural labourers and musicians. Their traditional occupation was that of a village reaper. They are found mainly in the districts of Varanasi, Ghazipur and Mirzapur. They are divided into five sub-groups, the Bhagat, Nourchin and Shaikh-Hela. Traditionally the Hela were a community which incorporated elements of both Hinduism and Islam. They are now Hindu and have abandoned most Muslim practices. Traditionally, the community was hierarchical, with the Bhagat considering themselves superior to the other sub-groups.

The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh showed the Hela Scheduled Caste population as 52,314.