The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume 1

by R. V. Russell

Detailed List of Contents

Part I

[Articles on Religions and Sects]

The articles which are considered to be of most general interest are shown in capitals

• [Arya Samāj Religion] 201
• [Brahmo Samāj Religion] 208
• [Dādupanthi Sect] 215
• [Dhāmi Sect] 216
• [Jain Religion] 219
• [Kabīrpanthi Sect] 232
• [Lingāyat Sect] 244
• [Muhammadan Religion] 247
• [Nānakpanthi Sect] 277
• [Parmārthi Sect] 281
• [Pārsi or Zoroastrian Religion] 284
• [Saiva Sect] 302
• [Sākta Sect] 304
• [Satnāmi Sect] 307
• [Sikh Religion] 317
• [Smārta Sect] 325
• [Swāmi-Nārāyan Sect] 326
• [Vaishnava Sect] 330
• [Vām-Mārgi Sect] 333
• [Wahhābi Sect] 335

Articles on Minor Castes and Miscellaneous Notices Included in the [Glossary]

[Agamudayan]. [Alia]. [Arab]. [Are]. [Arora]. [Bahelia]. [Bahrūpia]. [Bānka]. [Bargāh]. [Bayar]. [Belwār]. [Besta]. [Bhānd]. [Bhātia]. [Bhima]. [Bhona]. [Bind]. [Birhor]. [Bopchi]. [Chenchuwār]. [Chero]. [Dāngur]. [Daraihān]. [Dhālgar]. [Dhera]. [Dohor]. [Gāndli]. [Girgira]. [Goyanda]. [Hatwa]. [Jasondhi]. [Jokhāra]. [Kāmad]. [Kāmāthi]. [Kamma]. [Kammala]. [Kandra]. [Kāst].

[Khadāl]. [Khadra]. [Kotwār]. [Kumrāwat]. [Kundera]. [Londhāri]. [Mādgi]. [Malyār]. [Mangan]. [Marori]. [Medara]. [Mīrdha]. [Mukeri]. [Mutrāsi]. [Nagārchi]. [Otāri]. [Pābia]. [Pahalwān]. [Panchāl]. [Pandra]. [Parka]. [Periki]. [Redka]. [Rohilla]. [Sais]. [Santāl]. [Sātani]. [Segidi]. [Siddi]. [Sidhira]. [Sikligar]. [Solaha]. [Sonkar]. [Tānti]. [Tirmale]. [Tiyar]. [Vellāla]. [Wakkaliga].

• [Agamudayan].
• [Alia].
• [Arab].
• [Are].
• [Arora].
• [Bahelia].
• [Bahrūpia].
• [Bānka].
• [Bargāh].
• [Bayar].
• [Belwār].
• [Besta].
• [Bhānd].
• [Bhātia].
• [Bhima].
• [Bhona].
• [Bind].
• [Birhor].
• [Bopchi].
• [Chenchuwār].
• [Chero].
• [Dāngur].
• [Daraihān].
• [Dhālgar].
• [Dhera].
• [Dohor].
• [Gāndli].
• [Girgira].
• [Goyanda].
• [Hatwa].
• [Jasondhi].
• [Jokhāra].
• [Kāmad].
• [Kāmāthi].
• [Kamma].
• [Kammala].
• [Kandra].
• [Kāst].

• [Khadāl].
• [Khadra].
• [Kotwār].
• [Kumrāwat].
• [Kundera].
• [Londhāri].
• [Mādgi].
• [Malyār].
• [Mangan].
• [Marori].
• [Medara].
• [Mīrdha].
• [Mukeri].
• [Mutrāsi].
• [Nagārchi].
• [Otāri].
• [Pābia].
• [Pahalwān].
• [Panchāl].
• [Pandra].
• [Parka].
• [Periki].
• [Redka].
• [Rohilla].
• [Sais].
• [Santāl].
• [Sātani].
• [Segidi].
• [Siddi].
• [Sidhira].
• [Sikligar].
• [Solaha].
• [Sonkar].
• [Tānti].
• [Tirmale].
• [Tiyar].
• [Vellāla].
• [Wakkaliga].

Part II—Vol. II

Articles on Castes and Tribes of the Central Provinces in Alphabetical Order

• Agaria (Iron-worker) 3
• Agharia (Cultivator) 8
• Aghori (Religious mendicant) 13
• Ahīr (Herdsman and milkman) 18
• Andh (Tribe, now cultivators) 38
• Arakh (Hunter) 40
• Atāri (Scent-seller) 42
• Audhelia (Labourer) 45
• Badhak (Robber) 49
• Bahna (Cotton-cleaner) 69
• Baiga (Forest tribe) 77
• Bairāgi (Religious mendicants) 93
• Balāhi (Labourer and village watchman) 105
• Balija (Cultivator) 108
• Bania (Merchant and moneylender) 111
• Subcastes of Bania
  • Agarwāla.
  • Agrahari.
  • Ajudhiabāsi.
  • Asāthi.
  • Charnāgri.
  • Dhūsar.
  • Dosar.
  • Gahoi.
  • Golapūrab.
  • Kasarwāni.
  • Kasaundhan.
  • Khandelwāl.
  • Lād.
  • Lingāyat.
  • Maheshri.
  • Nema.
  • Oswāl.
  • Parwār.
  • Srimāli.
  • Umre.
• Banjāra (Pack-carrier) 162
• Barai (Betel-vine grower and seller) 192
• Barhai (Carpenter) 199
• Bāri (Maker of leaf-plates) 202
• Basdewa (Cattle-dealer and religious mendicant) 204
• Basor (Bamboo-worker) 208
• Bedar (Soldier and public service) 212
• Beldār (Digger and navvy) 215
• Beria (Vagabond gipsy) 220
• Bhaina (Forest tribe) 225
• Bhāmta (Criminal tribe and labourers) 234
• Bharbhūnja (Grain-parcher) 238
• Bharia (Forest tribe) 242
• Bhāt (Bard and genealogist) 251
• Bhatra (Forest tribe) 271
• Bhīl (Forest tribe) 278
• Bhilāla (Landowner and cultivator) 293
• Bhishti (Water-man) 298
• Bhoyar (Cultivator) 301
• Bhuiya (Forest tribe) 305
• Bhulia (Weaver) 319
• Bhunjia (Forest tribe) 322
• Binjhwār (Cultivator) 329
• Bishnoi (Cultivator) 337
• Bohra (Trader) 345
• Brāhman (Priest) 351
• Subcastes of Brāhman
  • Ahivāsi.
  • Jijhotia.
  • Kanaujia, Kanyakubja.
  • Khedāwāl.
  • Mahārāshtra.
  • Maithil.
  • Mālwi.
  • Nāgar.
  • Nāramdeo.
  • Sanādhya.
  • Sarwaria.
  • Utkal.
• Chadār (Village watchman and labourer) 400
• Chamār (Tanner and labourer) 403
• Chasa (Cultivator) 424
• Chauhān (Village watchman and labourer) 427
• Chhīpa (Dyer and calico-printer) 429
• Chitāri (Painter) 432
• Chitrakathi (Picture showman) 438
• Cutchi (Trader and shopkeeper) 440
• Dahāit (Village watchman and labourer) 444
• Daharia (Cultivator) 453
• Dāngi (Landowner and cultivator) 457
• Dāngri (Vegetable-grower) 463
• Darzi (Tailor) 466
• Dewār (Beggar and musician) 472
• Dhākar (Illegitimate, cultivator) 477
• Dhangar (Shepherd) 480
• Dhānuk (Bowman, labourer) 484
• Dhanwār (Forest tribe) 488
• Dhīmar (Fisherman, water-carrier, and household servant) 502
• Dhoba (Forest tribe, cultivator) 515
• Dhobi (Washerman) 519
• Dhuri (Grain-parcher) 527
• Dumāl (Cultivator) 530
• Fakīr (Religious mendicant) 537

Agarwāla. Agrahari. Ajudhiabāsi. Asāthi. Charnāgri. Dhūsar. Dosar. Gahoi. Golapūrab. Kasarwāni.

Kasaundhan. Khandelwāl. Lād. Lingāyat. Maheshri. Nema. Oswāl. Parwār. Srimāli. Umre.

Ahivāsi. Jijhotia. Kanaujia, Kanyakubja. Khedāwāl. Mahārāshtra. Maithil.

Mālwi. Nāgar. Nāramdeo. Sanādhya. Sarwaria. Utkal.

Part II—Vol. III

• Gadaria (Shepherd) 3
• Gadba (Forest tribe) 9
• Gānda (Weaver and labourer) 14
• Gandhmāli (Uriya village priests and temple servants) 17
• Gārpagāri (Averter of hailstorms) 19
• Gauria (Snake-charmer and juggler) 24
• Ghasia (Grass-cutter) 27
• Ghosi (Buffalo-herdsman) 32
• Golar (Herdsman) 35
• Gond (Forest tribe and cultivator) 39
• Gond-Gowāri (Herdsman) 143
• Gondhali (Religious mendicant) 144
• Gopāl (Vagrant criminal caste) 147
• Gosain (Religious mendicant) 150
• Gowāri (Herdsman) 160
• Gūjar (Cultivator) 166
• Gurao (Village Priest) 175
• Halba (Forest tribe, labourer) 182
• Halwai (Confectioner) 201
• Hatkar (Soldier, shepherd) 204
• Hijra (Eunuch, mendicant) 206
• Holia (Labourer, curing hides) 212
• Injhwār (Boatman and fisherman) 213
• Jādam (Cultivator) 217
• Jādua (Criminal caste) 219
• Jangam (Priest of the Lingāyat sect) 222
• Jāt (Landowner and cultivator) 225
• Jhādi Telenga (Illegitimate, labourer) 238
• Jogi (Religious mendicant and pedlar) 243
• Joshi (Astrologer and village priest) 255
• Julāha (Weaver) 279
• Kachera (Maker of glass bangles) 281
• Kāchhi (Vegetable-grower) 285
• Kadera (Firework-maker) 288
• Kahār (Palanquin-bearer and household servant) 291
• Kaikāri (Basket-maker and vagrant) 296
• Kalanga (Soldier, cultivator) 302
• Kalār (Liquor vendor) 306
• Kamār (Forest tribe) 323
• Kanjar (Gipsies and prostitutes) 331
• Kāpewār (Cultivator) 342
• Karan (Writer and clerk) 343
• Kasai (Butcher) 346
• Kasār (Worker in brass) 369
• Kasbi (Prostitute) 373
• Katia (Cotton-spinner) 384
• Kawar (Forest tribe and cultivator) 389
• Kāyasth (Village accountant, writer and clerk) 404
• Kewat (Boatman and fisherman) 422
• Khairwār (Forest tribe; boilers of catechu) 427
• Khandait (Soldier, cultivator) 436
• Khangār (Village watchman and labourer) 439
• Kharia (Forest tribe, labourer) 445
• Khatīk (Mutton-butcher) 453
• Khatri (Merchant) 456
• Khojāh (Trader and shopkeeper) 461
• Khond (Forest tribe, cultivator) 464
• Kīr (Cultivator) 481
• Kirār (Cultivator) 485
• Kohli (Cultivator) 493
• Kol (Forest tribe, labourer) 500
• Kolām (Forest tribe, cultivator) 520
• Kolhāti (Acrobat) 527
• Koli (Forest tribe, cultivator) 532
• Kolta (Landowner and cultivator) 537
• Komti (Merchant and shopkeeper) 542
• Kori (Weaver and labourer) 545
• Korku (Forest tribe, labourer) 550
• Korwa (Forest tribe, cultivator) 571
• Koshti (Weaver) 581

Part II—Vol. IV

• Kumhār (Potter) 3
• Kunbi (Cultivator) 16
• Kunjra (Greengrocer) 50
• Kuramwār (Shepherd) 52
• Kurmi (Cultivator) 55
• Lakhera (Worker in lac) 104
• Lodhi (Landowner and cultivator) 112
• Lohār (Blacksmith) 120
• Lorha (Growers of san-hemp) 126
• Mahār (Weaver and labourer) 129
• Mahli (Forest tribe) 146
• Majhwār (Forest tribe) 149
• Māl (Forest tribe) 153
• Māla (Cotton-weaver and labourer) 156
• Māli (Gardener and vegetable-grower) 159
• Mallāh (Boatman and fisherman) 171
• Māna (Forest tribe, cultivator) 172
• Mānbhao (Religious mendicant) 176
• Māng (Labourer and village musician) 184
• Māng-Garori (Criminal caste) 189
• Manihār (Pedlar) 193
• Mannewār (Forest tribe) 195
• Marātha (Soldier, cultivator and service) 198
• Mehtar (Sweeper and scavenger) 215
• Meo (Tribe) 233
• Mīna or Deswāli (Non-Aryan tribe, cultivator) 235
• Mirāsi (Bard and genealogist) 242
• Mochi (Shoemaker) 244
• Mowar (Cultivator) 250
• Murha (Digger and navvy) 252
• Nagasia (Forest tribe) 257
• Nāhal (Forest tribe) 259
• Nai (Barber) 262
• Naoda (Boatman and fisherman) 283
• Nat (Acrobat) 286
• Nunia (Salt-refiner, digger and navvy) 294
• Ojha (Augur and soothsayer) 296
• Oraon (Forest tribe) 299
• Pāik (Soldier, cultivator) 321
• Panka (Labourer and village watchman) 324
• Panwār Rājpūt (Landowner and cultivator) 330
• Pardhān (Minstrel and priest) 352
• Pārdhī (Hunter and fowler) 359
• Parja (Forest tribe) 371
• Pāsi (Toddy-drawer and labourer) 380
• Patwa (Maker of silk braid and thread) 385
• Pindāri (Freebooter) 388
• Prabhu (Writer and clerk) 399
• Rāghuvansi (Cultivator) 403
• Rājjhar (Agricultural labourer) 405
• Rājpūt (Soldier and landowner) 410
• Rājpūt Clans
  • Baghel.
  • Bāgri.
  • Bais.
  • Baksaria.
  • Banāphar.
  • Bhadauria.
  • Bisen.
  • Bundela.
  • Chandel.
  • Chaubān.
  • Dhākar.
  • Gaharwār.
  • Gaur.
  • Haihaya.
  • Hūna.
  • Kachhwāha.
  • Nāgvansi.
  • Nikumbh.
  • Pāik.
  • Parihār.
  • Rāthor.
  • Sesodia.
  • Solankhi.
  • Somvansi.
  • Sūrajvansi.
  • Tomara.
  • Yādu.
• Rajwār (Forest tribe) 470
• Rāmosi (Village watchmen and labourers, formerly thieves) 472
• Rangrez (Dyer) 477
• Rautia (Forest tribe and cultivators, formerly soldiers) 479
• Sanaurhia (Criminal thieving caste) 483
• Sānsia (Vagrant criminal tribe) 488
• Sānsia (Uria) (Mason and digger) 496
• Savar (Forest tribe) 500
• Sonjhara (Gold-washer) 509
• Sudh (Cultivator) 514
• Sunār (Goldsmith and silversmith) 517
• Sundi (Liquor distiller) 534
• Tamera (Coppersmith) 536
• Taonla (Soldier and labourer) 539
• Teli (Oilman) 542
• Thug (Criminal community of murderers by strangulation) 558
• Turi (Bamboo-worker) 588
• Velama (Cultivator) 593
• Vidur (Village accountant, clerk and writer) 596
• Wāghya (Religious mendicant) 603
• Yerūkala (Criminal thieving caste) 606

Baghel. Bāgri. Bais. Baksaria. Banāphar. Bhadauria. Bisen. Bundela. Chandel. Chaubān. Dhākar. Gaharwār. Gaur. Haihaya.

Hūna. Kachhwāha. Nāgvansi. Nikumbh. Pāik. Parihār. Rāthor. Sesodia. Solankhi. Somvansi. Sūrajvansi. Tomara. Yādu.

Note.—The Gonds are the most important of the non-Aryan or primitive tribes, and their social customs are described in detail. The Baiga, Bhīl, Kawar, Khond, Kol, Korku and Korwa are other important tribes. The two representative cultivating castes are the Kurmis and Kunbis, and the articles on them include detailed descriptions of Hindu social customs, and some information on villages, houses, dress, food and manner of life. Articles in which subjects of general interest are treated are Darzi (clothes), Sunār (ornaments), Kachera and Lakhera (bangles), Nai (hair), Kalār (veneration of alcoholic liquor), Bania (moneylending and interest), Kasai (worship and sacrifice of domestic animals), Joshi (the Hindu calendar and personal names), Bhāt (suicide), Dahait (significance of the umbrella), and Kanjar (connection of Indian and European gipsies). The articles on Badhak, Sānsia and Thug are compiled from Sir William Sleeman’s reports on these communities of dacoits and murderers, whose suppression he achieved. For further information the Subject Index may be consulted.