Jogi (caste)

The Jogi (also spelled Jugi or Yogi) is a Hindu community found in North India. Jogi surname is associated with the ancient migrants of the southern Indian states Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Gujarat.

The word 'Jogi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "yoga", and there is a description of caste and its origin mentioned in Shiva Purana.

The four varna (castes) are perceived to be located in the nature of the individual, i.e. Brahmana in sadacara (righteous conduct), Ksatriya in saurya (valor and courage), Vaisya in vyavasaya (business), and Sudra in seva (service). A yogin experiences all men and women of all races and castes within himself. Therefore he has no hatred for anybody. He has love for every being.

— Gorakhnath, Siddha Siddhanta Paddhati III.6-8 (Translator: D Shastri)

They are Hindu by religion and have been claimed to have sacred thread on their body. They have been claimed to be descendants of the mendicants of India called Jogi as Sadhus and rishi.^{[citation needed]}

Jogis are classified as Other Backward Classes in most of India's States and Union territories, namely Assam, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Scheduled Caste in the state of Himachal Pradesh.