Bhangī
/ˈbʱəŋɡiː/noun
A historical term for a member of a South Asian sanitation-working caste, now often regarded as derogatory and replaced by more respectful terms such as Valmiki or sanitation worker.
Did you know?The term is connected with the Sanskrit root bhañj-, “to break,” while its association with sanitation work reflects a historically imposed caste occupation rather than an inherent identity.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰreg-
“To break or crack; a reconstructed root connected with later words for breaking.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
bhañj- / bhaṅga
“To break, break apart; bhaṅga could mean breaking, a broken condition, and in other contexts hemp or an intoxicating preparation.”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Prakrit/Apabhraṃśa
bhaṅgī
“A derived form associated with a breaker or one connected with breaking; the precise development of the caste name is debated.”
Early Modern Period
Hindi
भंगी (bhaṅgī)
“A caste name applied to communities traditionally forced into sweeping and removing human waste.”
Modern English
English
bhangi
“A South Asian caste label found in colonial and modern writing; it is commonly treated as offensive when used for a person today.”