ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Women Education of Chain Somaj: A Study on Malda District in West Bengal

The Chain is a little known ethnic community of India. They are also present in Bangladesh and Nepal in large numbers. In India, they are mostly settled in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. In West Bengal, the Chain Community mainly lives in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North and South Dinajpur, Birbhum, Burdwan and Medinipur districts. Malda has the largest Chain population than any other district in West Bengal. In Malda district, they mainly live in Manikchak Block, Kaliachak 2nd and 3rd Block, Old Malda Block, Gajol Block, Harishchandrapur 1st and 2nd Block, Ratua 1st and 2nd Block. The total population of the Chain community in West Bengal is approximately 50 million. The Chain people traditionally live on the banks of the Ganges or some other river. Due to the change in the course of the river, they are still found in large numbers in some rural areas away from the river. Known as Chain-Mandal, the community now belongs to the Scheduled Castes list in the entire state of West Bengal. This Chain community is currently showing remarkable progress in education and economic fields. Various policies of the government have played a helpful role in the progress of this community. Especially the women of the Chain community are leaving the shackles of the society and getting enlightened by the light of education. They are moving towards cities, getting modern education in keeping with the current situation. Getting modern education in various private schools, nursing homes, and shopping malls in the city gives them the opportunity to work.