DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31218#0220
THE CASTE SYSTEM OF NORTHERN INHlA
(b) The Bhishti caste is entirely Muhammadan; the
Hindu water-carrier is a Kahar. The caste,
however, is largely composed of converts.
The Bhishti is also known as ‘Saqqa’—an
Arabic word meaning ‘one who gives to
drink’, which has recently become pro-
minent, as a result of events in Afghanistan.
(c) The Iraqi is a curious caste to find in Islam.
Its special occupation is the sale of liquor,
the use of which is, of course, forbidden by
that religion. According to one theory,
they are Persian immigrants from Iraq
(Mesopotamia); whilst others derive the
name from araq, ‘liquor’. More probably
they are converted Kalwars. Some of them
ape Hinduism to the extent of buttoning
their coat to the left, and wearing no beard,
both in Hindu fashion; but this is merely
because it suits their Hindu customers
better.
(viii) The Malkana.—Malkana is the name given to a
group of miscellaneous converts residing mostly in the
Agra and Muttra districts. Little was known of this
caste till 1923, when enquiry disclosed the following facts.
The date of their conversion is unknown; it cannot be
later than the reign of Jahangir, for they possess docu-
ments of that period, and may be much earlier. The
name was originally a title; its meaning (malik -
king) shows that they were of high position. Most of
them seem to be of Rajput stock (Jadon, Sakarwar,
Chandel, Kachhwaha) : but some claim to be descen-
dants of Jat, Agarwal, and Brahman ancestors. Their
conversion has made very little impression upon them.
Most of their customs are Hindu; for instance, Hindu
priests perform a number of the preliminary marriage
ceremonies, and are followed by the qazi, who performs
the Muhammadan rite. Many of them also preserve the
Hindu exogamous restrictions. They worship Llindu
deities, observe Hindu festivals, and avoid commensal
relations with other Muhammadans. They even have
206
(b) The Bhishti caste is entirely Muhammadan; the
Hindu water-carrier is a Kahar. The caste,
however, is largely composed of converts.
The Bhishti is also known as ‘Saqqa’—an
Arabic word meaning ‘one who gives to
drink’, which has recently become pro-
minent, as a result of events in Afghanistan.
(c) The Iraqi is a curious caste to find in Islam.
Its special occupation is the sale of liquor,
the use of which is, of course, forbidden by
that religion. According to one theory,
they are Persian immigrants from Iraq
(Mesopotamia); whilst others derive the
name from araq, ‘liquor’. More probably
they are converted Kalwars. Some of them
ape Hinduism to the extent of buttoning
their coat to the left, and wearing no beard,
both in Hindu fashion; but this is merely
because it suits their Hindu customers
better.
(viii) The Malkana.—Malkana is the name given to a
group of miscellaneous converts residing mostly in the
Agra and Muttra districts. Little was known of this
caste till 1923, when enquiry disclosed the following facts.
The date of their conversion is unknown; it cannot be
later than the reign of Jahangir, for they possess docu-
ments of that period, and may be much earlier. The
name was originally a title; its meaning (malik -
king) shows that they were of high position. Most of
them seem to be of Rajput stock (Jadon, Sakarwar,
Chandel, Kachhwaha) : but some claim to be descen-
dants of Jat, Agarwal, and Brahman ancestors. Their
conversion has made very little impression upon them.
Most of their customs are Hindu; for instance, Hindu
priests perform a number of the preliminary marriage
ceremonies, and are followed by the qazi, who performs
the Muhammadan rite. Many of them also preserve the
Hindu exogamous restrictions. They worship Llindu
deities, observe Hindu festivals, and avoid commensal
relations with other Muhammadans. They even have
206