What is "gorchha"

The Gorchha are a caste found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. They are also known as Gurcha and Gurchhiya. They are a small tribe confined to Lakhimpur Kheri District in northern Uttar Pradesh. According to their traditions, the Gorchha are by origin Kalhans Rajputs, who immigrated from Gorakhpur to Kheri, and were known as Gorakhiya, or someone hailing from Gorakhpur. Over time this was corrupted to Gorchha. Their ancestors are supposed to have left Chittor in Rajasthan, and settled in Awadh to escape from Delhi Sultanate forces. Their earliest settlement was at Gorakhpur, from where they emigrated to Kheri.

The Gorchha are now completely distinct from their parent community, the Kalhans Rajputs, and now form a distinct endogamous caste. There customs are similar to other Awadhi Hindus, speaking the Awadhi language and practicing clan exogamy. The Gorchha are divided into three gotras or clans, the Kalhans, the Kanaujiya and the Subhan. All of these are of equal status and intermarry. They are and have been small and medium-sized cultivators, occupying their own villages.