Hela (caste)
The Hela are a Hindu Scheduled Caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Mehtar or Mestar. They are a sub-group within the larger Bhangi community of North India.
The Hela are a community of agricultural labourers. Their traditional occupation was that of a village sweeper. They are found mainly in the districts of Varanasi, Ghazipur and Mirzapur. They are divided into five sub-groups, the Supa Bhagat, Balmiki, Nourchinwa, Lalbegi and Shaikh-Hela. Traditionally, the community was hierarchical, with the Bhagat considering themselves superior to the other sub-groups.
The 2011 Census of India for Uttar Pradesh showed the Hela Scheduled Caste population as 52,314.
