Mal (caste)
| Mal | |
|---|---|
| Religions | Hinduism |
| Languages | Bengali, Assamese, Maithili, Hindi |
| Populated states | West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bangladesh |
| Population | 205,000 (West Bengal, 1981 census) 273,641 (West Bengal, 2001 census) 306,234 (West Bengal, 2011 census) |
The Mal is a Hindu caste found in the state of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Mal and Malla are derived from the Sanskrit word malla, meaning wrestler.
Paharia Mal or Mal Paharia is considered as Scheduled Tribe while the other Mal groups are considered as Scheduled Castes by the Government of West Bengal.