Chutia people
The Chutia people (Pron: /ˈsʊðiːjɑː/ or Sutia) are an ethnic group that are native to Assam and historically associated with the Chutia kingdom. However, after the kingdom was absorbed into the Ahom kingdom in 1523–24, the Chutia population was widely displaced and dispersed in other parts of Upper Assam as well as Central Assam. They constitute one of the core groups that form the Assamese people.
Chutia women preparing pithas during Bihu/Bisu. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 2 – 2.5 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Predominantly in Upper Assam, Central Assam and in districts of Arunachal Pradesh; urban areas across Assam, India | |
| Languages | |
| Assamese | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism (specifically Ekasarana Dharma) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Part of a series on the |
| Culture of Assam |
|---|
A 2004 genetic study has found that in the "tribal" and "caste" continuum, the Chutia people occupy an ambiguous position in the middle, along with the Ahoms and the Rajbanshis. The historic Chutias originally belonged to the Bodo–Kachari group with some suspected Shan admixtures; nevertheless, it is estimated that their ruling families were originally either matrilineal or not entirely patrilineal. The Chutia people experienced Sanskritisation when the Chutia kingdom was extant, and later from Ekasarana dharma. They have also assimilated with other groups especially the Ahoms.
The Chutia community is recognized as an Other Backward Class by the Government of India. Currently there is a political movement to include the Chutia community in the scheduled tribes list of India. During the colonial period, the Chutia community had the second largest population in Upper Assam (east of Kaliabor). Today, most of them reside in this region of Upper Assam.