Kumhar
Kumhar is a caste or community in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Kumhar have historically been associated with art of pottery. Etymology. The Kumhars derive their name from the Sanskrit word "Kumbhakar" meaning earthen-pot maker. Dravidian languages conform to the same meaning of the term "Kumbhakar". The term "Bhande", used to designate the Kumhar caste, also means pot. The potters of Amritsar are called "Kulal" or "Kalal", the term used in Yajurveda to denote the potter class. Mythological origin. A section of Hindu Kumhars honorifically call themselves "Prajapati" after Vedic Prajapati, the Lord, who created the universe. According to  a legend prevalent among Kumhars There is an opinion that this is because of their traditional creative skills of pottery, they are regarded as "Prajapati". Divisions. The potters are classified into Hindu and Muslim cultural groups. Among Hindus, inclusion of artisan castes, such as potters, in the Shudra varna is indisputable. They are further divided into two groups-clean caste and unclean caste . Among the Kumhars are groups such as the Gujrati Kumhar, Kurali ke Kumhar, Lad and Telangi. They all, bear these names after different cultural linguistic zones or caste groups but are termed as one caste cluster. Distribution  in India. Chamba (Himanchal). The Kumhars of Chamba are expert in making pitchers, Surahis, vessels, grain jars, toys for entertainment and earthen lamps. Some of these pots bear paintings and designs also. Maharashtra (Marathe). Kumhars are found in Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sholapur and Pune. Their language is Marathi. They use Devnagari script for communication. There are Kumbhars who do not belong to Maratha clan lives in Maharashtra and have occupation of making idols and pots. Madhya Pradesh. Hathretie and Chakretie (or Challakad) Kumhars are found in Madhya Pradesh. Hathretie Kumhars are called so because they traditionally moved the "chak" (potter 's wheel) by hands ("hath"). Gola is a common surname among Kumhars in Madhya Pradesh. They are categorised as a Scheduled Caste in Chhatarpur, Datia, Panna, Satna, Tikamgarh, Sidhi and Shahdol districts but elsewhere in the state they are listed among Other Backward Classes. Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, Kumhars (Also known as Prajapat) have six sub-groups namely Mathera, Kumavat, Kheteri, Marwara, Timria and Mawalia. In the social hierarchy of Rajasthan, they are placed in the middle of the higher castes and the Harijans. They follow endogamy with clan exogamy. Odisha and Bengal. In Bengal Kumhars are one among the ceremonially  pure castes. In Odisha they are two types (Odia Kumbhar and Jhadua Kumbhar) who provide vessels for the rice distribution to Jagannath temple. They are belongs to Other Backward Classes in the state of Odisha. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Kannuaja Kumhars are considered to be a decent caste in both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Although they sometimes use the term "Pandit" as their Surname. The Magahiya Kumhars are treated little inferior to the Kanaujias and the Turkaha (Gadhere). They belong to other backward classes. Gujarat. Kumhars are listed among the Other Backward Classes of Gujarat, where they are listed  with the following communities: Prajapati (Gujjar Prajapati, Varia Prajapati, Sorthia Prajapati), Sorathiya Prajapati.