Paswan

The origin of the word, per the belief of the community, lies in their participation in the battle against Siraj-ud-daulah, the Nawab of Bengal at the behest of British East India Company, after which they were rewarded with the post of Chowkidars and lathi wielding tax collector for the Zamindars.

[3] The Paswans claim their origin from a number of folk and epic characters in order to seek upliftment in their social status.

Reports indicates that the Dusadh landless women were often subjected to undignified teasings like "pinching on breast" by their landlords who were primarily Rajputs.

[4] The Paswans have also been historically associated with martial pursuits[8] and many fought on behalf of the East India Company during the 18th century in the Bengal Army.

[13][8] Apart from Chauharmal Baba, some Dusadh also worship Gauriya Baba.This folk hero as per their oral traditions is contemporary of Mughal rule in India.

According to the folklores he used to ride a horse and protected not only his own castemen but also the other Hindus including the Rajputs from the onslaught of Mughal soldiers and forcible conversions to Islam.

Paswan floated the Lok Janshakti Party, which became an ally of Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal.

It is difficult to predict the actual data regarding the population of various caste groups but according to political analysts, this new bloc of RJD-Congress aided by LJP commanded huge support from Yadav, Muslim as well as Paswan community.

Ram Vilas Paswan was too in this fray, who aimed both to champion himself as the real face of this community as well as to gather the support for his newly formed organisation, Dalit Sena.

[21] In the 1990s in Senari, Jahanabad district, a Maoist communist centre (MCC) unit composed primarily of Paswans and Yadavs assassinated 34 Bhumihars.

[22][23] The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Paswan as a subgroup within the broader social group of Madheshi Dalits.