46. Occupation

The Kurmi is the typical cultivator. He loves his land, and to lose it is to break the mainspring of his life. His land gives him a freedom and independence of character which is not found among the English farm-labourers. He is industrious and plodding, and inured to hardship. In some Districts the excellent tilth of the Kurmi’s fields well portrays the result of his persevering labour, which he does not grudge to the land because it is his own. His wife is in no way behind him; the proverb says, “Good is the caste of the Kurmin; with a hoe in her hand she goes to the fields and works with her husband.” The Chandnāhu Kurmi women are said to be more enterprising than the men, keeping them up to their work, and managing the business of the farm as well as the household.

Appendix

List of Exogamous Clans

Sections of the Chandnāhu subcaste:

Chānwar bambar Fly fan.
Sandil Name of a Rishi.
Gaind Ball.
Sadāphal A fruit.
Sondeha Gold-bodied.
Sonkharchi Spender of gold.
Kathail Kath, wood, or kaththa, catechu.
Kāshi Benares. The Desha Kurmis are all of this gotra. It may also be a corruption of Kachhap, tortoise.
Dhorha Dhor, cattle.
Sumer A mountain.
Chatur Midalia Chatur, clever.
Bhāradwāj After the Rishi of that name; also a bird.
Kousil Name of a Rishi.
Ishwar God.
Samund Karkari A particle in an ocean.
Akālchuwa Akāl, famine.
Padel Fallow.
Bāghmār Tiger-slayer.
Hardūba Green grass.
Kānsia Kāns, a kind of grass.
Ghiu Sāgar Ocean of ghī
Dharam Dhurandar Most charitable.
Singnāha Singh, a lion.
Chimangarhia Belonging to Chimangarh.
Khairagarhia Belonging to Khairagarh.
Gotam A Rishi.
Kāskyap A Rishi.
Pandariha From Pandaria, a village.
Paipakhār One who washes feet.
Bānhpakhār One who washes arms.
Chauria Chaurai, a vegetable.
Sānd Sathi Sānd, bullock.
Singhi Singh, lion or horn.
Agra—Chandan Sandalwood.
Tek Sanichar Saturday.
Karaiya Frying-pan.
Pukharia Pond.
Dhubinha Dhobi, a caste.
Pāwanbare Pāwan, air.
Modganga Ganges.

Sections of the Gabel subcaste:

Gangajal Ganges water.
Bimba Lohir Bearer of a lāthi (stick).
Sarang Peacock.
Rāja Rāwat Royal prince.
Singūr Beauty.
Bānk pagar With a thread on the arm.
Samundha Ocean.
Parasrām, Rishi
Katārmal Katār, dagger.
Chaultān Sept of Rājpūts.
Pātan Village.
Gajmani Elephant.
Deori Sumer Village.
Lahura Samudra Small sea.
Hansbimbraon Hans, goose.
Sunwāni Purifier.

Sections of the Santora subcaste:

Narvaria Narwar, a town in Gwalior State.
Mundharia Mundhra, a village.
Naigaiyan Naogaon, a town in Bundelkhand.
Pipraiya Piparia, a village.
Dindoria Dindori, a village in Mandla District.
Baheria A village.
Bāndha Bāndh, embankment.
Ktmūsar Wooden pestle.

Sections of the Tirole subcaste:

Baghele Bāgh, tiger, or a sept of Rājpūts.
Rāthor Clan of Rājpūts.
Panwār Clan of Rājpūts.
Solanki Clan of Rājpūts.
Aulia Aonla, a fruit-bearing tree.
Sindia Sindi, date-palm tree.
Khusia Khusi, happiness.
Sanoria San, hemp.
Gora Fair-coloured.
Bhākrya Bhākar, a thick bread.

Sections of the Gaur subcaste:

Bhandāri Storekeeper.
Dudhua Dūdh, milk.
Patele A headman.
Lonia Salt-maker.
Kumaria A potter.
Sionia Seoni town.
Chhaparia Chhapāra, a town.
Bijoria A tree.
Simra A village.
Ketharia Keth, a fruit.
Usarguiyan Perhaps a village.
Bhadoria Village.
Rurgaiyan Village.
Musrele Mūsar, a pestle.

Sections of the Usrete subcaste:

Shikāre Hunter.
Nāhar Tiger.
Gursaraiyan Gursarai, a town.
Bardia A village.
Sandia Sānd, a bull.
Sirwaiyan Sirwai, a village.
Itguhān A village.
Sengaiyan or Singaiyan Sengai, a village.
Harkotia Harkoti, a village.
Noria Norai, a village.
Larent Lareti, a village.
Rabia Rabai, a village.
Lakhauria (Lakori village. It is said that whoever utters the name of this section early in the morning is sure to remain hungry the whole day, or at least will get into some trouble that day.)
Dhandkonya Dhandakna, to roll.
Badgaiyan Badagaon, a large village.
Kotia Kot, a fort
Bilwār Billi, cat
Thutha Stump of a tree.

Sections of the Kanaujia subcaste:

[1] In this article some account of the houses, clothes and food of the Hindus generally of the northern Districts has been inserted, being mainly reproduced from the District Gazetteers.

[2] Tribes and Castes of Bengal, art. Kurmi.

[3] Indian Folk Tales, p. 8.

[4] Crotalaria juncea. See article on Lorha for a discussion of the Hindus’ prejudice against this crop.

[5] There are several Chaurāsis, a grant of an estate of this special size being common under native rule.

[6] Boswellia serrata.

[7] Eugenia Jambolana.

[8] 2 lbs.

[9] Elliot, Hoshangābād Settlement Report, p. 115.

[10] The custom is pointed out by Mr. A. K. Smith, C.S.

[11] Central Provinces Census Report (1911), p. 153.

[12] C.P. Census Report (1911), p. 153.

[13] Or his big toe.

[14] C.P. Census Report (1911), p. 158.

[15] In Indian Folk Tales.

[16] Ficus R.

[17] He is also known as Katia or Kattaha Brāhman and as Mahāpātra.

[18] Indian Folk Tales, p. 54.

[19] Sorghum vulgare, a large millet.

[20] Dr. Jevons, Introduction to the History of Religion, p. 365.

[21] A measure of 400 lbs.

[22] Butea frondosa.

[23] A measure containing 9 lb. 2 oz. of rice.

[24] Ficus glomerata.

[25] From Ganga, or the Ganges, and āla a pot.

[26] Cajanus indicus.

[27] Phaseolus mungo.

[28] Phaseolus radiatus.

[29] Bombax malabaricum.

[30] Acacia arabica.

[31] Cassia tora.

[32] Punjab Census Report (1881), p. 340.