Distribution and relative concentration of scheduled caste population in Punjab (A study of inter-district and inter-caste differentials)

Among the states in India, Punjab has the highest share of scheduled castes population. In 2011, about 32.0 per cent of its total population belonged to this segment of population. However, there are wide sub-regional and local level differentials in their distribution in the state. The share ranged from a high of 42.5percent in Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshehr) district to a low of 21.7 per cent in S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali), giving a difference of hundred percent. In other words, the proportional share of scheduled caste population in Nawanshehr is almost double that of Mohali district. In fact, there is a high concentration of scheduled castes population in some district against highly disperse distribution in some others. Further, there are as many as 39 subcastes of scheduled castes in the state, but four subcastes namely Mazhabi, Chamar, Ad Dharmi and Balmiki, in combine, make about three-fourths in total scheduled caste population in the State. Mazhabi alone makes nearly 30.0 percent in total such population. All the above statement and facts give birth to a variety of research questions, needing a thorough research investigation. Some of such questions are listed in the following:

How is spatially distributed the scheduled caste population in Punjab and what factors control such kind of distribution?

Has there been any change in their spatio-temporal distribution, especially during 1971–2011. What factors are responsible for such a change in distribution?

Which sub-caste of scheduled castes dominant in which part of area and why?

Which are the first ranking scheduled caste in different districts of the state and

The present paper purports to answer all such questions with help of available data/information by making district as a unit of study. The study will be based on secondary data available from Census of India publication. The findings of the study shows that the distribution of scheduled caste population basically depend on their work or occupation. In particular, district particular caste dominates the district. Such as Ad Dharmi, Balmiki, Chamar, Mazhabi and Mahatam are first rank caste in districts of Punjab.