Traditionally the Behiliya economic activity revolved around bird catching and selling honey. In addition, there main economic activity remains manufacturing fans from peacock feathers. These fans are then sold to Bania middlemen, who sell them on in cities such as Kolkata and Delhi. As a Dalit community, they often suffer from societal discrimination. Each of their settlement contains an informal caste council, known as a biradari panchayat. This consist of five members who are elected by community members. The panchayat acts as instrument of social control, dealing with issues such as divorce and adultery.[1]
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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