The Baheliya are a tribal community of hunters and bird catchers, and the origin of their name is from the Sanskrit vyadka, meaning one who pierces, . They are mainly involved in bird catching, extracting honey from beehives and picking peacock feathers for the manufacture of fans. They are divided into a six groups, the Aheria, Gehlot, Sissodia, Karaul, Pasi and the Muslim Baheliya. Other minor clans include the Chandel and Srivastav. Each of these groups claim a Rajput origin, with the Sissodia claiming to be superior over the other groupings.
How the mighty have fallen Baheliya Rajpoots! In past we were once high in the Hindu caste system and part of a powerful Rajput army. After a key defeat, we had to hide in the jungles, where we survived by catching birds and animals, honey extraction, all considered inferior jobs. Taking such jobs led to them losing our favorable caste status. Usually landless, many work as day laborers, though we have a tradition of making fans with peacock feathers and selling the birds they catch.
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