Pendhāri.—Synonym of Pindāri.
Peng.—Subcaste of Parja.
Penthi.—(Sheep.) A totemistic sept of Bhulia.
Periki, Perki, Perka.—The Perikis are really a subcaste of the great Balija or Balji caste, but they have a lower position and are considered as a distinct group. About 4000 Perikis were returned in the Central Provinces in 1911 from the Nāgpur, Wardha and Chānda Districts. They derive their names from the perike or panniers in which they carried salt and grain on bullocks and donkeys. They were thus formerly a nomadic group, and like the Banjāras and Bhāmtas they also made gunny-bags and sacking. Most of them have now taken to cultivation, and in Madrās some Perikis have become large landholders and claim Rājpūt rank. In the Central Provinces the Balijas and Naidus deny that the Perikis have any connection with the Balija caste.
Peta.—(A trading Balija.) Subcaste of Balija.
Phal Barhai.—(A carpenter who only works on one side of the wood.) Synonym for Chitāri in the Uriya country.
Phānse.—(A Pārdhi who hunts with traps and snares.) Subcaste of Pārdhi.
Phānsigar.—(A strangler.) Synonym of Thug.
Pharsi.—(Axe.) A section of Uriya, Ahīr or Gahara.
Phopatia.—Title of the officer of the Andh caste who summons the caste committee.