Chapter D (12)

[281] Panjâb Census Report, 112.

[282] J. W. McCrindle, Indian Antiquary, XIII, 378.

[283] Settlement Report, 89.

[284] Elliot, Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[285] In Central India a common name for them is Hatkar. The tale runs that a Dhângar of the Mughal Viceroy’s body-guard used to salute his master every day, but never to wait after he made his bow. In spite of remonstrances he continued the practice, and as a punishment the Viceroy ordered the door through which the Dhângar came to be closed with swords. The Dhângar regardless of wounds passed on and made his bow. The Viceroy was so pleased that he called him Hatkar or “stubborn.”—Berâr Gazetteer, 200; Bombay Gazetteer, XVI, 56.

[286] Descriptive Ethnology, 245.

[287] Tribes and Castes, I, 219.

[288] Central Provinces Gazetteer, 106.

[289] Ibid., 458.

[290] Ibid., 463.

[291] J. W. McCrindle, Indian Antiquary, XIII, 376.

[292] There is an account of these Bombay Dhângars in the Gazetteer, XIV, 259, sq.

[293] Ibid., I, 222: III, 225.

[294] For these people, see Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 466.

[295] Risley, Tribes and Castes, II, 227.

[296] Descriptive Ethnology, 254.

[297] Ibid., 254.

[298] Risley, loc. cit., I, 261. Descriptive Ethnology, 254.

[299] Risley, loc. cit., II, 322.

[300] Dalton, loc. cit., 254.

[301] Dalton, loc. cit., 250.

[302] Tribes and Castes, II, 139.

The Orâons of Bengal are found to be extraordinarily fertile. They have 7,704 children in every 20,000 persons of both sexes—Census Report, 175.

[303] Descriptive Ethnology, 247.

[304] According to the Bengal Returns the Orâon man marries earlier than any of the other Dravidians, nearly five years earlier than the Munda Kol. Thirteen and-a-half is the general marriage age for girls of the aboriginal tribes, but the Bhuiya, Orâon, Agariya, and Kurmi give their daughters in marriage a little under thirteen years.—Census Report, 200.

[305] Descriptive Ethnology, 262.

[306] Dalton, Descriptive Ethnology, 231.

[307] Dalton, Descriptive Ethnology, 251.

[308] Almost entirely based on notes by Bâbu Gopâl Prasâd, Naib Tahsildâr of Phaphûnd; and Chaudhari Darshan Singh, of Auraiya, Etâwah district.

[309] Eastern India, I, 166.

[310] Tribes and Castes of Bengal, I, 220, sqq.

[311] Buchanan, loc. cit.

[312] Based on enquiries at Mirzapur and a note by Bâbu Sânwal Dâs, Deputy Collector, Hardoi.

[313] Tribes and Castes, II, App. 42.

[314] Westermarck, History of Human Marriage, 390.

[315] The bamboo is worshipped by some of the Chittagong Hill Tribes, Dalton, Ethnology, 109; Lubbock, Origin of Civilisation, 290.

[316] See instances of this collected by Westermarck, loc. cit., 365, sq.

[317] The rural proverb runs, E gur khâyen, kân chhedâyen, “You must eat this sugar and have your ears bored,” doing a thing nolens volens. Christian, Behar Proverbs, 68.

[318] For which see Bhuiya, para. 14.

[319] For the respect paid to the cotton tree among the Khânds, see Tylor, Primitive Culture, II, 225.

[320] Kuri means “a pile,” and also the exogamous section of the tribe.

[321] For the significance of this ceremony, see Kol, para. 13.

[322] This represents the primitive blood covenant.

[323] See Lubbock, Origin of Civilisation, 149.

[324] Based to some extent on notes by Pandit Bhân Pratâp Tiwâri of Chunâr.

[325] Tribes and Castes, I, 233.

[326] Christian, Behar Proverbs.

[327] Maclagan, Panjâb Census Report, 1891, 144; also see Chhîpi, 5.

[328] Partly based on a note by Bâbu Ishan Chandra Banarji, Head Master, High School, Râê Bareli.

[329] Dowson, Classical Dictionary, s.v.

[330] Atkinson, Himalayan Gazetteer, III, 443.

[331] Settlement Report, 27.

[332] On the confusion between Dûsar and Dhûsar, see Dûsar.

[333] Nesfield, Calcutta Review, CLXVII, 266; Monier Williams, Brâhmanism and Hinduism, 360.

[334] Frazer, Golden Bough, II, 342, sqq.

[335] Elliott, Chronicles of Unâo, 34, sqq.

[336] Oldham, Memo., I, 58.

[337] Settlement Report, 57, 61.

[338] Quoted by Ibbetson, Panjâb Ethnography, para. 474.

[339] For the Eastern Doms the valuable note by Mr. J. Kennedy, C.S., has been largely used, and that of Pandit Juâla Dat Joshi for the Hill Doms. In addition to these, notes by Mr. H. D. Ferard, C.S., Bânda: M. Chhedi Lâl, Deputy Inspector, Schools, Gorakhpur, and the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Bijnor and Dehra Dûn, have been consulted.

[340] Institutes, III, 239.

[341] Grammar of the Dravidian Languages, 546, quoted by Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 240.

[342] Supplemental Glossary, s.v.

[343] Buchanan, Eastern India, II., 353: Archæological Reports, XXII, 65, sq.: Carnegy, Notes, 24.

[344] Races of the North-Western Provinces, 85.

[345] Hindu Tribes and Castes, I, 401.

[346] McCrindle, Indian Antiquary, VI, 337.

[347] Mullaly, Notes, 70, sqq.

[348] Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 248.

[349] Risley, loc. cit.

[350] On this see Tylor, Primitive Culture, I, 109.

[351] Hindu Tribes and Castes, I, 401.

[352] For a good account of this industry, see Hoey, Monograph on Trades, 72.

[353] Drew’s Jammu, 56.

[354] Himalayan Gazetteer, III, 277, sq.

[355] History of Human Marriage, 14.

[356] Loc. cit., II, 319.

[357] On this see Monier Williams, Brahmanism and Hinduism, 180, sqq.

[358] Prehistoric Antiquities, 272.

[359] Edinburgh Review, 1878, p. 140; Grierson, Indian Antiquary, XV. 14, sq. XVI. 35, sqq. Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th edition, article Gypsies: Leland, Academy, 19th June 1875.

In the life of Edward Henry Palmer by Walter Besant (p. 184), Mr. Leland writes—“Several times I interviewed, in his company in London, a native of India who had been a Rom, that is to say, a gypsy. Palmer examined the man long and closely in his native language, that is to say as a shrewd lawyer would examine a man whose assertions he wished to discredit. The result of the interview was that there is, in Palmer’s opinion, one distinctive race of gypsies, who call themselves Rom, who speak a language which is not identical with any Indian tongue, though much like Panjâbi, but which is identical with Romany. The man assured me subsequently that he would never have known from his language that Palmer was not a born Hindu.”

[360] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[361] Oldham, Memo., I, 63.

[362] Settlement Report, 29, 43.

[363] Annals of Rajasthân, I, 125.

[364] Aligarh Settlement Report, II.

[365] Census Report, North-West Provinces, 1865, I, App. 17; Râja Lachhman Sinh, Bulandshahr Memo., 147, 165; Bombay Gazetteer, XII, 67.

[366] Based on information supplied by Lt.-Col. W. P. Harrison, Deputy Commissioner, Kheri.

[367] Indian Caste, II, 56, sqq.

[368] Elliot, Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[369] Elliot, Supplementary Glossary, s.v.: Elliott, Chronicles of Unâo, 34; Partâbgarh Settlement Report, 95, Note.

[370] Based on enquiries at Mirzapur.

[371] Archæological Reports, VIII., 102.

[372] Writing of Bengal Mr. O’Donnel says: “In the upper castes, in which a girl is properly looked after and secluded from dangerous acquaintances within the female apartments, it is safe to leave her unmarried till, with Asiatic precociousness, she is an adult; but in the lower orders, particularly amongst the labouring classes for Bihâr, whose women go about openly and work in the fields, it is imperatively necessary to anticipate the period of budding womanhood. The practice of infant marriage among Dusâdhs, Musahars, and Chamârs is meaningless without this explanation. The sexes are in very even proportions. There is no lack of material for husbands and wives. At the same time people that allow their girls a great deal of liberty in the way of freedom from the personal restraint of the zenâna, but who may lose caste, which even to a Dom means a very great deal, by any vagaries in their connubial arrangements, must apply another safeguard against family disgrace. It is necessary to marry their daughters as children, and not to wait to a period when great risk would be inevitable.” Census Report, 208.

[373] At the last Census no less than 284,594 persons declared themselves worshippers of Gangaji.

[374] Introduction to Popular Religion and Folklore, 10.

[375] Tribes and Castes., I, 254, sqq. For walking through fire see Indian Antiquary II, 190; III, 6; VII, 126.

[376] Arabul is perhaps the same as ariband, the lotus. For more of these songs to Râhu see Grierson, Maithil Chrestomathy, 3, sqq.

[377] Based on notes by the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Bareilly: M. Niyâz Ahmad, Head Master, High School, Fatehpur, and a note from Jhânsi received through Mr. W. G. Jackson, C.S.

[378] Tribes and Castes, I, 271.

[379] Hindu Tribes, I, 338.

[380] Ibbetson, Panjâb Ethnography, section 498: Drew, Jammu, 108.

[381] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[382] Elliott, Chronicles of Unâo, 25: Williams, Oudh Census Report, 83.

[383] Indian Antiquary, XV, 988. In the Paurânik texts we find a people known as the Gahvara or Girigahvara, who are described as dwellers in caves. Wilson, Vishnu Purâna, 196.

[384] Hardoi Settlement Report, 89: Oldham, Ghâzipur Memo., II, 47, sq.: Farrukhâbâd Settlement Report, 13: Buchanan, Eastern India, II, 459: Oldham, loc. cit., I, 58.

[385] Cawnpur Settlement Report, 22.

[386] Annals, I, 90.

[387] Beames, Indian Antiquary, I, 276: McCrindle, ibid., VI, 342, note.

[388] Settlement Report, 12.

[389] Elliott, Chronicles, 53.

[390] Settlement Report, 34: Growse, Mathura, 464.

[391] Râja Lachhman Sinh, Memo., 115.

[392] Settlement Report, 22.

[393] Based on a note by Munshi Fasihuddîn, Deputy Collector, Benares.

[394] Classical Dictionary, s.v.

[395] For an example of this custom, see Tawney, Katha Sarit Sâgara, II, 102.

[396] Hindu Law, 171.

[397] For Kinnarâm, see under Aghori.

[398] Hoey, Monograph on Trade and Manufactures, 107.

[399] Hoey, Monograph on Trade and Manufactures, 107.

[400] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[401] Panjab Ethnography, Section 595.

[402] Indian Antiquary, XI, 42.

[403] Note by the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Bijnor.

[404] Elliott, Chronicles of Unâo, 589.

[405] Atkinson, Himalayan Gazetteer, III, 267, sq.

[406] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[407] Settlement Report, 213.

[408] Azamgarh Settlement Report, 29, 57: Sir H. M. Elliot.

[409] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.v. Garg, Chanamiya.

[410] Largely based on notes by Pandit Râmgharîb Chaubê, the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Bijnor: Chaudhari Dhyân Sinh, Morâdâbâd.

[411] Archæological Survey Reports, I, 327; also see a long discussion on the Dravidian origin of the term in Oppert, Original Inhabitants of Bharatavarsa, 114, sqq.

[412] Indian Castes, II, 159, sqq.

[413] Indian Caste, II, 117, 190.

[414] Annals, I, 124.

[415] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[416] Settlement Report, 13.

[417] Census Report, 1865, I, App. 84.

[418] Settlement Report, 100.

[419] Elliott, Chronicles, 52.

[420] Settlement Report, LII.

[421] Elliot, Supplementary Glossary, s.v.: Gazetteer, North-West Provinces, VI, 41.

[422] Growse, Mathura, 183, sq.

[423] Elliot, Supplementary Glossary, s.v.: Growse, Mathura, 12: Ibbetson, Panjâb Ethnography, para. 446.

[424] F. S. Growse, Indian Antiquary, XV., 260, sq.

[425] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[426] Elliot, Chronicles of Unâo, 34.

[427] Oldham, Ghâzipur Memo., I, 59: Azamgarh Settlement Report, 54, sq.

[428] Duncker, History of Antiquity, IV, 336 sqq.: Buchanan, Eastern India, II, 458.

[429] Oudh Gazetteer, III, 31.

[430] Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 277: Dalton, Descriptive Ethnology, 325.

[431] Central Provinces Gazetteer, 273.

[432] Ibid., 34.

[433] Jungle Life, 123.

[434] Descriptive Ethnology, 325.

[435] Ibid., 885.

[436] See the reference to Dr. Ball in para. 1.

[437] This is the modern representative of the buffalo demon Mahisha or Mahishâsura, who, according to various legends, was killed by Karttikeya, Skanda or Durga. The last Census records 13,141 persons as worshippers of Bhainsâsur.

[438] For this custom, see Biyâr, para. 17.

[439] This story of a tribe recruited from a single pregnant woman who escaped the general destruction is common; see the legend of Orandeo, the progenitor of the Chandel Râjputs, and that of the Chamar Gaur tribe.

[440] See Majhwâr, para. 3.

[441] Risley, Tribes and Castes, II, App. 46.

[442] For a similar custom among the Garos, see Dalton, Descriptive Ethnology, 64: Orâons, ibid., 248; Khandhs, ibid., 300. Gonds, Central Provinces Gazetteer, 277.

[443] On this see Westermarck, History of Human Marriage, 530.

[444] This power, it may be noted, is debarred to the Hindu wife. Manu, Institutes, V, 154.

[445] This is also the rule among the Birhors. Dalton, Descriptive Ethnology, 219.

[446] History of Human Marriage, 390.

[447] On this custom, see Biyâr, para. 14.

[448] For other examples of this see Spencer, Principles of Sociology, I, 153.

[449] This may perhaps be a relic of the ceremony described by the author from Elliott, Hoshangabad Settlement Report, 178, quoted by Frazer, Golden Bough, I, 172.

[450] Among Hindus this is solemnized on the last day of Mâgh.

[451] Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 278.

[452] Jungle Life, 563.

[453] Based on enquiries at Mirzapur and a note by Bâbu Badri Nâth, Deputy Collector, Kheri.

[454] Panjâb Ethnography, para. 497: Hoey, Monograph, 104.

[455] This account is almost entirely based on a note by Râja Lachhman Sinh, Retired Deputy Collector, Agra.

[456] Dasa and Bîsa, as we have seen in connection with some of the Banya tribes, mean “the tens” and “the twenties,” the latter claiming to be of blue blood.

[457] At the last Census 8,533 persons scattered all over the province recorded themselves as Sati worshippers.

[458] At the last Census, 119,139 persons recorded themselves as worshippers of Sîtala, and 9,539 of the cholera godling.

[459] Original Inhabitants of Bharatavarsha, 13.

[460] Papers, 4.

[461] Highlands of Central India, 156.

[462] Page 276, sq.

[463] Introduction to Popular Religion, 74.

[464] For whom see Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 294, sqq.

[465] Risley, loc. cit.

[466] Census Report, North-Western Provinces, 240.

[467] Based on notes received from Mr. F. W. Brownrigg, C.S., Sultânpur: Nawâb Muhammad Ali Khân, Bulandshahr: Bâbu Tarini Chandra Sanyâl, Head Master, High School, Sahâranpur: the Deputy Inspector of Schools, Meerut.

[468] Archæological Reports, II, 61.

[469] Loc. cit.

[470] Panjâb Ethnography, 481.

[471] Elliot, Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[472] Jammu, 109, sq.

[473] Râja Lachhman Sinh, Bulandshahr Memo., 175, sq.

[474] At the same time it is significant that at the last Census the Hindu Gûjars showed 160,573 males to 119,540 females.

[475] On this fraternal polyandry, see Westermarck, History of Human Marriage, 472, sqq.

[476] There is a good account of this saint in Calcutta Review, LVII, 207.

[477] Dowson’s Elliot, IV, 231–240.

[478] Ibid., IV, 477.

[479] Ibid., VI, 303.

[480] Leyden’s Bâbar, 294.

[481] Râjputâna Gazetteer, 1, 162.

[482] Indian Antiquary, March 1874.

[483] Indian Caste, II, 91, sq.

[484] Bombay Gazetteer, XX, 30.

[485] Ibbetson, Panjâb Ethnography, para. 513.

[486] Central India, II, 122.

[487] Indian Castes, II, 96.

[488] Forbes, Râsmâla, II, 258.

[489] Of special planet worshippers 45,962 were shown at the last Census.

[490] Based on a note by Bâbu Bâdri Nâth, Deputy Collector, Kheri.

[491] Imperial Gazetteer, VII, 106, sq.

[492] Based on enquiries at Mirzapur and notes by Chaubê Dhyân Sinh, Honorary Magistrate, Morâdâbâd; Munshi Chhuttan Lâl, Deputy Collector, Unâo; Munshi Mahâdeva Prasâd, Head Master, Zillah School, Pilibhît.

[493] Panjâb Census Report, 124.

[494] For the law on the subject see Genda Puri, v.s. Chhattar Puri, Indian Law Reports, Allahâbâd, IX, 1. The rule to be followed is that founded on customs and practice, which must be proved by evidence.

[495] Hindu Tribes and Castes, I, 256.

[496] Based on notes by Mr. F. W. Court, District Superintendent of Police, Aligarh, Bâbu Atma Râm, Head Master, High School, Mathura, and the Deputy Inspectors of Schools, Bijnor and Morâdâbâd.

[497] Selections from the Records of Government, N.-W. P., I, 420.

[498] Based on notes collected at Mirzapur and by M. Chhote Lâl, Archæological Survey, Lucknow.

[499] The word bâni may represent either Sanskrit varna, “colour,” “caste;” or vani “voice”, in allusion to the commemorative verses. The latter is the popular and possibly incorrect explanation.

[500] It has been judicially decided that a man who is a member of the Halwâi caste may contract a marriage in the sagâi form with a widow even if he has a wife living, provided in the latter case he is a childless man. Quere, whether a married woman may not contract a sagâi marriage, notwithstanding that her husband is living if the panchâyat has examined the case and reported that her husband is unable to support her.

Kally Churn Shaw versus Dukhu Bibee. Indian Law Reports, Calcutta, V, 692.

[501] Hoey, Monograph on Trade and Manufactures, 50: Risley, Tribes and Castes, I, 312.

[502] Buchanan, Eastern India, II, 461: Tod, Annals, II, 426.

[503] Classical Dictionary, s.v.

[504] Based on information received through Lieutenant-Colonel W. P. Harrison, Deputy Commissioner, Kheri.

[505] Elliott, Chronicles, 5, sq.

[506] Supplementary Glossary, s.v.

[507] Oldham, Ghâsipur Memo., I, 55, sq.

[508] Wilson, Vishnu Purâna, 373, sq.

[509] Annals of Rajasthân, I, 41.

[510] Loc. cit., 418, sq.

[511] Nesfield, Calcutta Review, CLXVII, 263, sq.

[512] Wilson, Indian Caste, II, 29, 134: Ibbetson, Panjâb Ethnography, para. 512: Azamgarh Settlement Report, 43A, app.