DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31218#0226
THE CASTE SYSTEM OF NORTHERN INDIA
Halwais claim to be Madhesiya Vaisyas; and in each
of these castes there is a subcaste of the appropriate name
at the present day. There is, perhaps, less improbability,
prima facie, in this than in any other similar claim. The
Kandu indeed is generally admitted to be one of the
‘Vaisya’ branches, formerly and incorrectly called
‘Baniya’.
The Khattris have long claimed to be Kshatriyas,
who have taken to trade; and the claim was admitted in
1901 to the extent of putting them in the same social
group as the modern Rajput clans. The fact that Saras-
wat Brahmans will eat either kachcha or pakka food
cooked by them, as their hereditary priests, points to a
very high and very pure descent. A complete list of the
claims advanced in 1911 and 1921 is added as an
appendix.1
In 1901 it was reported that the Baghban subcaste
had split off from the Mali caste; whilst
5. New castes Mr. Crooke mentions Baghbans, whom
(0 Baghban he connects with the Kachhis. It has
since been reported that they have four
exogamous groups, the Baramasi, Sani, Chhajarwar
and Karonia. ‘Baramasi’ in the western districts is
another name for Kachhi, and means ‘those who
cultivate their lands all the year round’. Sani is
given as a Baghban subcaste by Mr. Crooke : Karonia
is a Mali section. Clearly, Kachhi, Mali, and Baghban
are all closely akin; most probably the Mali is an offshoot
from the Ivachhi, and the Baghban from the Mali. The
levirate exists, but is not compulsory. The caste is served
by Gaur and Sanadh Brahmans.2
Mr. Crooke described the ‘Banmanus’ (which means
‘man of the forest’) as a Musahar sub-
caste : but in Sultanpur they are now a
6 00 Banmanus separate ancj entirely distinct caste. Their
legendary ancestor was Sewak, an Ahir,
whose family, save one pregnant woman, was slain
1 I am told by the Census Superintendent of 1931 that the number
of these claims on this occasion is over a hundred.
2 Cf. also Chapter VI, par. 13 (ii).
212
Halwais claim to be Madhesiya Vaisyas; and in each
of these castes there is a subcaste of the appropriate name
at the present day. There is, perhaps, less improbability,
prima facie, in this than in any other similar claim. The
Kandu indeed is generally admitted to be one of the
‘Vaisya’ branches, formerly and incorrectly called
‘Baniya’.
The Khattris have long claimed to be Kshatriyas,
who have taken to trade; and the claim was admitted in
1901 to the extent of putting them in the same social
group as the modern Rajput clans. The fact that Saras-
wat Brahmans will eat either kachcha or pakka food
cooked by them, as their hereditary priests, points to a
very high and very pure descent. A complete list of the
claims advanced in 1911 and 1921 is added as an
appendix.1
In 1901 it was reported that the Baghban subcaste
had split off from the Mali caste; whilst
5. New castes Mr. Crooke mentions Baghbans, whom
(0 Baghban he connects with the Kachhis. It has
since been reported that they have four
exogamous groups, the Baramasi, Sani, Chhajarwar
and Karonia. ‘Baramasi’ in the western districts is
another name for Kachhi, and means ‘those who
cultivate their lands all the year round’. Sani is
given as a Baghban subcaste by Mr. Crooke : Karonia
is a Mali section. Clearly, Kachhi, Mali, and Baghban
are all closely akin; most probably the Mali is an offshoot
from the Ivachhi, and the Baghban from the Mali. The
levirate exists, but is not compulsory. The caste is served
by Gaur and Sanadh Brahmans.2
Mr. Crooke described the ‘Banmanus’ (which means
‘man of the forest’) as a Musahar sub-
caste : but in Sultanpur they are now a
6 00 Banmanus separate ancj entirely distinct caste. Their
legendary ancestor was Sewak, an Ahir,
whose family, save one pregnant woman, was slain
1 I am told by the Census Superintendent of 1931 that the number
of these claims on this occasion is over a hundred.
2 Cf. also Chapter VI, par. 13 (ii).
212