Dkhar

Dkhar is a term used by the Khasis to refer to non-Khasi people in Meghalaya. Though not the intention, it is generally perceived as derogatory by non-Khasi people. For Khasis any non-tribal is a dkhar and they address them by that term. Sometimes, the word has been collectively used with the term heathen (Non-believers), as most of the native Khasis are Christian, whilst non-tribals are mainly Hindu. In actuality, the term is mostly used for affluent Bengali Hindu settlers from British rule or the Bengali Hindu refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan It is sometimes abbreviated to ′Khar and may also denote a Khasi clan with the same name.