Bihari Mauritians

Bihari Mauritians are descendants of predominantly Bhojpuri-speaking migrants from the Bihar State of India who moved to Mauritius. A majority of Indo-Mauritians of which they are a subgroup of are of Bihari origin, and most Mauritians are Indo-Mauritians. Caste-wise, many Bihari Mauritians are Vaishyas, with notable groups including Bhumihars, Brahmins, Rajputs, Koeris, Chamars, Yadavs, Kurmis, Banias, and Kayasthas. Except for one, all Mauritian Prime Ministers have been of Bihari Vaishya descent.
Bihari Mauritians primarily originated from the Bhojpur, Gaya, Chhapra (Saran), Gopalganj, East Champaran and West Champaran districts of Bhojpuri region in Bihar. During the early period of migration, the indentured labourers referred to Mauritius as "Marich". Amitav Ghosh's novel, Sea of Poppies, is set in this era and depicts the plight of impoverished Bihari migrants who undertook journeys to Mauritius and other distant colonies of the British Empire.

Notable people

Though the island is divided on ethnic and religious grounds, Hindu Mauritians follow a number of original custom and tradition, quite different from those seen in the Indian subcontinent. The Indian Brahminical caste structure is based on the varna system, which categorizes society into four main groups: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. Within this system, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas are classified as high castes. These groups correspond to the Hindu concept of dvija, or "twice-born." In some contexts, Vaishyas may also be considered intermediary castes. The low castes are classified as Shudras and Dalits, the latter referred to in Mauritius as Ravived. This classification can pertain to individuals, neighborhoods, or religious shrines.