The Kori caste, also referred to as Koli, Kol, Julaha, Mahour, Mahawar, Anuragi, or Kabirpanthi in different regions, is a Scheduled Caste community found predominantly in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Traditionally engaged in weaving, the Koris were once known for producing handwoven fabrics, but industrialization and declining demand for manual weaving have pushed many towards agriculture, farm labor, midwifery, and other occupations. They follow an endogamous social structure with various exogamous clans and observe customs such as arranged marriages, widow remarriage, and caste council governance for dispute resolution. According to the 2011 Census, Uttar Pradesh alone has over 2.29 million Koris, yet many still face challenges in obtaining caste certificates, which limit their access to government benefits, educational reservations, and employment opportunities. Despite these socio-economic hurdles, the community has achieved notable representation in politics, with figures such as former President Ram Nath Kovind hailing from the Kori caste, and various political parties actively seeking their support due to their significant population. Today, the Kori community continues to navigate the balance between preserving its cultural identity and advancing socio-economically in a changing India.
Sharad Chaudhary (Sat,) studied this question.