DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31218#0216
THE CASTE SYSTEM OF NORTHERN INDIA
Bhat, the Dafali, the Ghosi, the Gujar, the Iraqi, the
Kingariya, the Meo, and the Ranghar. The rules of
adoption amongst Iraqis and Dafalis, the rules of succes-
sion amongst Iraqis, Mukeri Banjaras, and Churihars,
are much more Hindu than Muhammadan. Many castes
have altered the divorce law of Islam, permitting it only
for infidelity, and as a rule only with the consent of the
panchayat; such are the Bhishti, Churihar, Dafali, Gan-
dhi, Iraqi, Kingariya, Kunjra, and Rangrez; whilst the
Bhand, if a wife is divorced for infidelity, does not allow
her to remarry. Most castes permit the remarriage of
widows, but in almost every case the Hindu custom of
the levirate also exists to modify it; whilst the Gandhi
forbids it altogether, and the Iraqi only allows remar-
riage, whether of a widow or of a divorced wife, with the
consent of the panchayat. The Kunjra permits a man
to marry two sisters at once, which the law of Islam for-
bids. In fact, most of these castes of Hindu converts
preserve some trace of their former marriage customs; and
many preserve a great deal.
But there are survivals of other Hindu customs too.
The Ghosi and Kingariya, for instance,
57. other customs wiU neither eat beef themselves, nor eat
of ex-Hindu con- in the company of any Musulman who
vert3i does. Many drink liquor, contrary to
the law of the Prophet, and some eat
forbidden food. Others maintain the Hindu taboos on
the occasion of a death. Many worship Hindu deities,
especially Kali, and observe Hindu festivals. The
Bhand worships a deified ancestor, Saiyid Hasan; the
Bhishti worships his mashk (waterskin). The Dafali
bathes in the Ganges in connexion with important cere-
monies. Finally, a distinctively Muhammadan religious
rite has been modified to resemble an equally distinctive
Hindu rite. The Shab Barat is a festival, when gifts
are made to the poor in the name of God, the prophet,
and all relations and descendants. But Indian Musul-
mans now hold that the ceremony confers direct spiritual
benefit on deceased ancestors; and even that its omission
would result in the barring of the gates of Paradise to
202
Bhat, the Dafali, the Ghosi, the Gujar, the Iraqi, the
Kingariya, the Meo, and the Ranghar. The rules of
adoption amongst Iraqis and Dafalis, the rules of succes-
sion amongst Iraqis, Mukeri Banjaras, and Churihars,
are much more Hindu than Muhammadan. Many castes
have altered the divorce law of Islam, permitting it only
for infidelity, and as a rule only with the consent of the
panchayat; such are the Bhishti, Churihar, Dafali, Gan-
dhi, Iraqi, Kingariya, Kunjra, and Rangrez; whilst the
Bhand, if a wife is divorced for infidelity, does not allow
her to remarry. Most castes permit the remarriage of
widows, but in almost every case the Hindu custom of
the levirate also exists to modify it; whilst the Gandhi
forbids it altogether, and the Iraqi only allows remar-
riage, whether of a widow or of a divorced wife, with the
consent of the panchayat. The Kunjra permits a man
to marry two sisters at once, which the law of Islam for-
bids. In fact, most of these castes of Hindu converts
preserve some trace of their former marriage customs; and
many preserve a great deal.
But there are survivals of other Hindu customs too.
The Ghosi and Kingariya, for instance,
57. other customs wiU neither eat beef themselves, nor eat
of ex-Hindu con- in the company of any Musulman who
vert3i does. Many drink liquor, contrary to
the law of the Prophet, and some eat
forbidden food. Others maintain the Hindu taboos on
the occasion of a death. Many worship Hindu deities,
especially Kali, and observe Hindu festivals. The
Bhand worships a deified ancestor, Saiyid Hasan; the
Bhishti worships his mashk (waterskin). The Dafali
bathes in the Ganges in connexion with important cere-
monies. Finally, a distinctively Muhammadan religious
rite has been modified to resemble an equally distinctive
Hindu rite. The Shab Barat is a festival, when gifts
are made to the poor in the name of God, the prophet,
and all relations and descendants. But Indian Musul-
mans now hold that the ceremony confers direct spiritual
benefit on deceased ancestors; and even that its omission
would result in the barring of the gates of Paradise to
202