What is "mahishya"

Mahishya, also spelled Mahisya, is a Bengali Hindu agrarian caste. It is believed that the Haliya Kaibarttas or Chasi Kaibarttas, whose traditional occupation was agriculture, formed a separate caste under the name of Mahishya. Members of this caste are traditionally found in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha. Mahishyas are one of the predominant castes in West Bengal, especially in the southern districts of Howrah, Paschim Medinipur, Purba Medinipur, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas.Some members are now employed in the business and service sectors as well.