The Rattal are a Hindu caste found in the Indian administered area of Jammu and Kashmir. They have been granted Scheduled Caste status. According to the 2001 Census of India, their population was 13,327.
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Origin
The Rattal are a community that were traditionally involved in the removal of carcasses and skinning for leather. An important subsidiary occupation was the weaving of baskets. The Rattal are grouped along with other similarly placed Hindus of Jammu. They live in the warm and temperate zones of Jammu province in the districts of Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi.
Present circumstances
The Rattal are strictly endogamous and practice clan exogamy. Their main include the Sargotra, Lakkotra, Mootan, Kath, Kulsota and Sundeh. They do not have an informal caste council, which distinguishes them from other Jammu Hindus who tend have elaborate caste councils.
The Rattal have now become landowners, as a result of the land reforms, and the bulk of them are small and marginal farmers. A small minority are still employed as agricultural labourers or involved the manufacture of baskets. The decades since independence in 1947 has seen major changes in their socio-economic status, but they socially they are still perceived as untouchables.