The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume 2

by R. V. Russell

---

[1] This article is mainly compiled from Sir E. D. Maclagan’s Punjab Census Report (1891), pp. 192–196, the article on Fakīr in the Rev. T. P. Hughes’ Dictionary of Islām, and the volume on Muhammadans of Gujarāt in the Bombay Gazetteer, pp. 20–24.

[2] Hughes, p. 116.

[3] Punjab Census Report (1891), p. 196.

[4] Hughes’ Dictionary of Islam, art. Fakīr.

Table of Contents

• [Contents of Volume II: Articles on Castes and Tribes of the Central Provinces in Alphabetical Order]
• [Illustrations in Volume II]
• [Pronunciation]
• [Articles on Castes and Tribes: Agaria—Fakīr]
  • [Agaria]
    • [1. Origin and subdivisions.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Birth and death ceremonies.]
    • [4. Religion and social customs.]
    • [5. Occupation.]
  • [Agharia]
    • [1. Origin.]
    • [2. Subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage customs.]
    • [4. Religious and social customs.]
    • [5. Occupation.]
  • [Aghori]
    • [1. General accounts of the caste.]
    • [2. Instances of cannibalism.]
  • [Ahīr]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Former dominance of the Abhīras.]
    • [3. Ahīr dialects.]
    • [4. The Yādavas and Krishna.]
    • [5. The modern Ahīrs an occupational caste.]
    • [6. Subcastes.]
    • [7. The Dauwa or wet-nurse Ahīrs. Fosterage.]
    • [8. Exogamy.]
    • [9. Marriage customs.]
    • [10. Birth customs.]
    • [11. Funeral rites. Bringing back the soul.]
    • [12. Religion. Krishna and other deified cowherds.]
    • [13. Caste deities.]
    • [14. Other deities.]
    • [15. The Diwāli festival.]
    • [16. Omens.]
    • [17. Social customs.]
    • [18. Ornaments.]
    • [19. Occupation.]
    • [20. Preparations of milk.]
  • [Andh]
  • [Arakh]
  • [Atāri]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Marriage customs.]
    • [3. Religion.]
    • [4. Social customs.]
  • [Audhelia]
    • [1. Origin.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Religion, birth and death.]
  • [Badhak]
    • [1. Introductory notice.]
    • [2. The Badhak dacoits.]
    • [3. Instances of dacoities.]
    • [4. Further instances of dacoities.]
    • [5. Disguise of religious mendicants.]
    • [6. Countenance and support of landowners.]
    • [7. Pride in their profession.]
    • [8. Caste rules and admission of outsiders.]
    • [9. Religion: offerings to ancestors.]
    • [10. The wounded haunted by spirits.]
    • [11. Pious funeral observances.]
    • [12. Taking the omens.]
    • [13. Suppression of dacoity.]
    • [14. The Badhaks or Baoris at the present time.]
    • [15. Lizard-hunting.]
    • [16. Social observances.]
    • [17. Criminal practices.]
  • [Bahna]
    • [1. Nomenclature and internal structure.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Religious and other customs.]
    • [4. Occupation.]
    • [5. Proverbs about Bahnas.]
  • [Baiga]
    • [1. The tribe and its offshoots.]
    • [2. Tribal legends.]
    • [3. Tribal subdivisions.]
    • [4. Marriage.]
    • [5. Birth and funeral rites.]
    • [6. Religion.]
    • [7. Appearance and mode of life.]
    • [8. Dress and food.]
    • [9. Occupation.]
    • [10. Language.]
  • [Bairāgi]
    • [1. Definition of name and statistics.]
    • [2. The four Sampradāyas or main orders.]
    • [3. The Rāmānujis.]
    • [4. The Rāmānandis]
    • [5. The Nīmānandis.]
    • [6. The Mādhavachāryas.]
    • [7. The Vallabhachāryas.]
    • [8. Minor sects.]
    • [9. The seven Akhāras.]
    • [10. The Dwāras.]
    • [11. Initiation, appearance and customs.]
    • [12. Recruitment of the order and its character.]
    • [13. Social position and customs.]
    • [14. Bairāgi monasteries.]
    • [15. Married Bairāgis.]
  • [Balāhi]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Other customs.]
  • [Balija]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Occupation and social status.]
  • [Bania]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. The Banias a true caste: use of the name.]
    • [3. Their distinctive occupation.]
    • [4. Their distinctive status.]
    • [5. The endogamous divisions of the Banias.]
    • [6. The Banias derived from the Rājpūts.]
    • [7. Banias employed as ministers in Rājpūt courts.]
    • [8. Subcastes.]
    • [9. Hindu and Jain subcastes: divisions among subcastes.]
    • [10. Exogamy and rules regulating marriage.]
    • [11. Marriage customs.]
    • [12. Polygamy and widow-marriage.]
    • [13. Disposal of the dead and mourning.]
    • [14. Religion: the god Ganpati or Ganesh.]
    • [15. Diwāli festival.]
    • [16. Holi festival.]
    • [17. Social customs: rules about food.]
    • [18. Character of the Bania.]
    • [19. Dislike of the cultivators towards him.]
    • [20. His virtues.]
    • [21. The moneylender changed for the worse.]
    • [22. The enforcement of contracts.]
    • [23. Cash coinage and the rate of interest.]
    • [24. Proprietary and transferable rights in land.]
    • [25. The Bania as a landlord.]
    • [26. Commercial honesty.]
  • [Bania, Agarwāla]
  • [Bania, Agrahari]
  • [Bania, Ajudhiabāsi]
  • [Bania, Asāthi]
  • [Bania, Charnāgri]
  • [Bania, Dhūsar]
  • [Bania, Dosar]
  • [Bania, Gahoi]
  • [Bania, Golapūrab]
  • [Bania, Kasarwāni]
  • [Bania, Kasaundhan]
  • [Bania, Khandelwāl]
  • [Bania, Lād]
  • [Bania, Lingāyat]
  • [Bania, Maheshri]
  • [Bania, Nema]
  • [Bania, Oswāl]
  • [Bania, Parwār]
    • [1. Origin.]
    • [2. Subdivisions.]
    • [3. Exogamy.]
    • [4. Marriage customs.]
    • [5. Religion: Hindu observances.]
    • [6. Disposal of the dead.]
    • [7. Social rules and customs.]
  • [Bania, Srimāli]
  • [Bania, Umre]
  • [Banjāra]
    • [1. Historical notice of the caste.]
    • [2. Banjāras derived from the Chārans or Bhāts.]
    • [3. Chāran Ranjārans employed with the Mughal armies.]
    • [4. Internal structure.]
    • [5. Minor subcastes.]
    • [6. Marriage: betrothal.]
    • [7. Marriage.]
    • [8. Widow remarriage.]
    • [9. Birth and death.]
    • [10. Religion: Banjāri Devi.]
    • [11. Mīthu Bhūkia.]
    • [12. Siva Bhāia.]
    • [13. Worship of cattle.]
    • [14. Connection with the Sikhs.]
    • [15. Witchcraft.]
    • [16. Human sacrifice.]
    • [17. Admission of outsiders: kidnapped children and slaves.]
    • [18. Dress.]
    • [19. Social customs.]
    • [20. The Nāik or headman. Banjāra dogs.]
    • [21. Criminal tendencies of the caste.]
    • [22. Their virtues.]
  • [Barai]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Caste subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage]
    • [4. Religion and social status.]
    • [5. Occupation.]
  • [Barhai]
    • [1. Strength and local distribution.]
    • [2. Internal structure.]
    • [3. Marriage customs.]
    • [4. Religion.]
    • [5. Social position.]
    • [6. Occupation.]
  • [Bāri]
  • [Basdewa]
  • [Basor]
    • [1. Numbers and distribution.]
    • [2. Caste traditions.]
    • [3. Subdivisions.]
    • [4. Marriage.]
    • [5. Religion and social status.]
    • [6. Occupation.]
  • [Bedar]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Subdivisions and marriage customs.]
    • [3. Funeral rites.]
  • [Beldār]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Beldārs of the northern Districts.]
    • [3. Odias of Chhattīsgarh.]
    • [4. Other Chhattīsgarhi Beldārs.]
    • [5. Munurwār and Telenga.]
    • [6. Vaddar.]
    • [7. Pāthrot.]
    • [8. Takāri.]
  • [Beria, Bedia.]
    • [1. Historical notice.]
    • [2. Criminal tendencies in the Central Provinces.]
    • [3. Social customs.]
  • [Bhaina]
    • [1. The tribe derived from the Baigas.]
    • [2. Closely connected with the Kawars.]
    • [3. Internal structure: Totemism.]
    • [4. Marriage.]
    • [5. Religious superstitions.]
    • [6. Admission of outsiders and caste offences.]
    • [7. Social customs.]
  • [Bhāmta or Bhāmtya]
    • [1. Occupation.]
    • [2. Subdivisions and marriage customs.]
    • [3. Religion and social customs.]
  • [Bharbhūnja]
    • [1. General notice]
    • [2. Social customs.]
    • [3. Occupation.]
  • [Bharia]
    • [1. Origin and tribal legend.]
    • [2. Tribal subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. Childbirth.]
    • [5. Funeral ceremonies.]
    • [6. Religion and magic.]
    • [7. Social life and customs.]
    • [8. Occupation.]
  • [Bhāt]
    • [1. Origin of the Bhāts.]
    • [2. Bhāts and Chārans.]
    • [3. Lower-class Bhāts.]
    • [4. Social status of the caste.]
    • [5. Social customs.]
    • [6. The Bhāt’s business.]
    • [7. Their extortionate practices.]
    • [8. The Jasondhis.]
    • [9. The Chārans as carriers.]
    • [10. Suicide and the fear of ghosts.]
    • [11. Instances of haunting and laying ghosts.]
    • [12. The Chārans as sureties.]
    • [13. Suicide as a means of revenge.]
    • [14. Dharna.]
    • [15. Casting out spirits.]
    • [16. Sulking. Going bankrupt.]
    • [17. Bhāt songs.]
  • [Bhatra]
    • [1. General notice and structure of the caste.]
    • [2. Admission of outsiders.]
    • [3. Arrangement of marriages.]
    • [4. The Counter of Posts.]
    • [5. Marriage customs.]
    • [6. Propitiation of ghosts.]
    • [7. Religion. Ceremonies at hunting.]
    • [8. Superstitious remedies.]
    • [9. Occupation.]
    • [10. Names.]
  • [Bhīl]
    • [1. General notice. The Bhīls a Kolarian tribe.]
    • [2. Rājpūts deriving their title to the land from the Bhīls.]
    • [3. Historical notice.]
    • [4. General Outram and the Khāndesh Bhīl Corps.]
    • [5. Subdivisions.]
    • [6. Exogamy and marriage customs.]
    • [7. Widow—marriage, divorce and polygamy.]
    • [8. Religion.]
    • [9. Witchcraft and amulets.]
    • [10. Funeral rites.]
    • [11. Social customs.]
    • [12. Appearance and characteristics.]
    • [13. Occupation.]
    • [14. Language.]
  • [Bhilāla]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Social customs.]
    • [4. Occupation and character.]
    • [5. Character.]
  • [Bhishti]
  • [Bhoyar]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Subcastes and sections.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. Occupation.]
    • [5. Social status.]
  • [Bhuiya]
    • [1. The tribe and its name.]
    • [2. Distribution of the tribe.]
    • [3. Example of the position of the aborigines in Hindu society.]
    • [4. The Bhuiyas a Kolarian tribe.]
    • [5. The Baigas and the Bhuiyas. Chhattīsgarh the home of the Baigas.]
    • [6. The Baigas a branch of the Bhuiyas.]
    • [7. Tribal sub-divisions.]
    • [8. Exogamus septs.]
    • [9. Marriage customs.]
    • [10. Widow-marriage and divorce.]
    • [11. Religion.]
    • [12. Religious dancing.]
    • [13. Funeral rites and inheritance.]
    • [14. Physical appearance and occupation.]
    • [15. Social customs.]
  • [Bhulia]
  • [Bhunjia]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. Religion.]
    • [5. Social rules.]
  • [Binjhwār]
    • [1. Origin and tradition.]
    • [2. Tribal subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. The marriage ceremony.]
    • [5. Sexual morality.]
    • [6. Disposal of the dead.]
    • [7. Religion.]
    • [8. Festivals.]
    • [9. Social customs.]
  • [Bishnoi]
    • [1. Origin of the sect.]
    • [2. Precepts of Jhāmbāji.]
    • [3. Customs of the Bishnois in the Punjab.]
    • [4. Initiation and baptism.]
    • [5. Nature of the sect.]
    • [6. Bishnois in the Central Provinces.]
    • [7. Marriage.]
    • [8. Disposal of the dead.]
    • [9. Development into a caste.]
  • [Bohra]
    • [1. Origin of the sect.]
    • [2. Their religious tenets.]
    • [3. The Mullahs.]
    • [4. Bohra graveyards.]
    • [5. Religious customs.]
    • [6. Occupation.]
    • [7. Houses and dress.]
  • [Brāhman]
    • [1. Origin and development of the caste.]
    • [2. Their monopoly of literature.]
    • [3. Absence of central authority.]
    • [4. Mixed elements in the caste.]
    • [5. Caste subdivisions.]
    • [6. Miscellaneous groups.]
    • [7. Sectarian divisions.]
    • [8. Exogamy.]
    • [9. Restrictions on marriage.]
    • [10. Hypergamy.]
    • [11. Marriage customs.]
    • [12. Polygamy, divorce and treatment of widows.]
    • [13. Sati or burning of widows.]
    • [14. Funeral rites and mourning.]
    • [15. Religion.]
    • [16. Daily ritual.]
    • [17. The sacred thread.]
    • [18. Social position.]
    • [19. Titles.]
    • [20. Caste panchāyat and offences.]
    • [21. Rules about food.]
    • [22. Dress.]
    • [23. Tattooing.]
    • [24. Occupation.]
    • [25. Character of Brāhmans.]
  • [Brāhman, Ahivāsi]
  • [Brāhman, Jijhotia]
  • [Brāhman, Kanaujia, Kanyakubja]
  • [Brāhman, Khedāwāl]
  • [Brāhman, Mahārāshtra]
  • [Brāhman, Maithil]
  • [Brāhman, Mālwi]
  • [Brāhman, Nāgar]
  • [Brāhman, Nāramdeo]
  • [Brāhman, Sanādhya]
  • [Brāhman, Sarwaria]
  • [Brāhman, Utkal]
  • [Chadār]
  • [Chamār]
    • [1. General notice of the caste.]
    • [2. Endogamous divisions.]
    • [3. Subcastes continued.]
    • [4. Exogamous divisions.]
    • [5. Marriage.]
    • [6. Widow-marriage and divorce.]
    • [7. Funeral customs.]
    • [8. Childbirth.]
    • [9. Religion.]
    • [10. Occupation.]
    • [11. The tanning process.]
    • [12. Shoes.]
    • [13. Other articles made of leather.]
    • [14. Customs connected with shoes.]
    • [15. The Chamār as general village drudge.]
    • [16. Social status.]
    • [17. Character.]
  • [Chasa]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Exogamous divisions.]
    • [3. Status and customs of the caste.]
  • [Chauhān]
  • [Chhīpa]
    • [1. Constitution of the caste.]
    • [2. Its origin and position.]
    • [3. Caste subdivisions.]
    • [4. Marriage and other customs.]
    • [5. Occupation.]
  • [Chitāri]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Social customs.]
    • [3. Birth and childhood.]
    • [4. The evil eye.]
    • [5. Cradle-songs.]
    • [6. Occupation.]
  • [Chitrakathi]
  • [Cutchi]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Origin of the caste.]
    • [3. Social customs.]
  • [Dahāit]
    • [1. Origin of the caste.]
    • [2. Internal structure: totemism.]
    • [3. Marriage and other customs.]
    • [4. Social position.]
    • [5. Former occupations: door-keeper and mace-bearer.]
    • [6. The umbrella.]
    • [7. Significance of the umbrella.]
  • [Daharia]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Sept and subsept.]
    • [3. Social customs.]
  • [Dāngi]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Caste subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. Religious and social customs.]
    • [5. Occupation and character.]
  • [Dāngri]
  • [Darzi]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Subdivisions.]
    • [3. Sewn clothes not formerly worn.]
    • [4. Occupation.]
    • [5. Religion.]
  • [Dewār]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage customs.]
    • [4. Religion and social practices.]
    • [5. Occupation.]
  • [Dhākar]
    • [1. Origin and subdivisions.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Funeral rites.]
    • [4. Occupation and social status.]
  • [Dhangar]
    • [1. Traditions and structure of the caste.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Religion.]
    • [4. Birth, death and social status.]
    • [5. Occupation.]
  • [Dhānuk]
    • [1. Original and classical records.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Social rank and customs.]
  • [Dhanwār]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Exogamous septs.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. Festivities of the women of the bridegroom’s party.]
    • [5. Conclusion of the marriage.]
    • [6. Widow-marriage and divorce.]
    • [7. Childbirth.]
    • [8. Disposal of the dead.]
    • [9. Religion.]
    • [10. Magic and witchcraft.]
    • [11. Social rules.]
    • [12. Dress and tattooing.]
    • [13. Names of children.]
    • [14. Occupation.]
  • [Dhīmar]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Subcastes.]
    • [3. Exogamous groups.]
    • [4. Marriage.]
    • [5. Childbirth]
    • [6. Disposal of the dead.]
    • [7. Religion.]
    • [8. Occupation: fisherman.]
    • [9. Water-carrier.]
    • [10. Palanquin-bearer and personal servant.]
    • [11. Other occupations.]
    • [12. Social status.]
    • [13. Legend of the caste.]
  • [Dhoba]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Exogamous divisions.]
    • [3. Marriage customs.]
    • [4. Funeral rites.]
    • [5. Caste panchāyat and social penalties.]
    • [6. Occupation and social customs.]
  • [Dhobi]
    • [1. Character and structure of the caste.]
    • [2. Marriage customs.]
    • [3. Other social customs.]
    • [4. Religion.]
    • [5. Occupation: washing clothes.]
    • [6. Social position.]
    • [7. Proverbs about the Dhobi.]
    • [8. Wearing and lending the clothes of customers.]
  • [Dhuri]
    • [1. Origin and Subdivisions.]
    • [2. Marriage.]
    • [3. Religious beliefs.]
    • [4. Occupation and social status.]
  • [Dumāl]
    • [1. Origin and traditions.]
    • [2. Subdivisions.]
    • [3. Marriage.]
    • [4. Religious and social customs.]
  • [Fakīr]
    • [1. General notice.]
    • [2. Principal orders.]
    • [3. Rules and customs.]

Colophon

Availability

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at [www.gutenberg.org].