Disposal of the booty. 16. Formerly they used always to take the stolen property home; but this has been in a great measure discontinued, since the police began to make searches and the tribe has come under special supervision. Some is [[215]]left with receivers in the chief places frequented by them. With some they come home after sunset, and keep it that night at their houses, and next day make it over to the Sahua for distribution. First a deduction is made of 3¾ per cent.—1¼ for Mahâbîr or Hanumân, 1¼ for Bâlapîr, 1¼ for Deviji. Out of the remainder, 28 per cent. is made over to the Barwâr who stole the property, and the balance is equally divided among the whole clan, including the thief himself. Out of the 28 per cent. paid to the thief, the Sahua appropriates half, and also receives his own share as a member of the gang. Thus the gains of the thief and Sahua are equal. It is also a rule that if a Barwâr returns with gold muhars the Sahua pays him Rs.12 for each, and retains them himself. The rate is the same whatever the value of the coin may be, and this Rs.12 is divided. Again, for silver bullion the Sahua pays only 10 annas for each rupee. Cloth and arms are the property of the thief. As to coral beads, one-sixth is given to the thief and five-sixths to the Sahua, who pays one anna for each bead; and this sum is divided among the clan, including the thief and the Sahua. For pearls, the Sahua pays Re.1–4–0 for each lot of 24, and the sum is divided. Then, when the spoils are divided, the Sahua produces his account and charges from Re.1–8–0 to Re.1–12–0 for each rupee he has advanced to the thief’s family during his absence. For any balance due the Sahua takes a bond for a year at 100 per cent. All Barwârs are always in debt to the Sahua. The zamîndârs of villages in which Barwârs live realise from them a poll-tax of Re.1–8–0 per head, known as subhâi, and 3 per cent. on the value of property known as chaunâi. They also get R1 per house known as mûnr-ginni. Besides this the zamîndâr gets presents after a successful raid, and on occasion of births, marriages, etc., in his family. This tribute is known as kavaila. In the same way the zamîndâr takes fees for bailing a Barwâr.
This account has been mainly taken from a report prepared shortly after the Mutiny on the methods of the Barwârs. Their criminality has much diminished since they have been brought under the Criminal Tribes Act; but the details are so interesting from an ethnographical point of view that they deserve reproduction.
Thieves’ patois of the Barwârs. 17. The Barwârs have an elaborate thieves’ Latin of their own. The following list has been prepared by M. Karam Ahmad, Deputy Collector of Gonda, with the assistance of the police officers at present in charge of the [[216]]tribe. It would be easy to show that many or most of the words are corrupted Hindi:—
- Sahua—the leader of a gang.
- Dhebra—the attendant of a gang.
- Kabkatta—a man who conceals part of the property.
- Khiliya, Nalhiya—a man who faithfully gives up all he steals.
- Jûsara—a rich Barwâr.
- Rih, Sajurha—one who works for wages.
- Roti khâha—one in ordinary circumstances.
- Langri bigâna—to tie a purse round the waist.
- Nal budâna—to fix a lucky day for a journey.
- Phânr chhûrna—to put on the Brâhmanical thread.
- Lût âi ao khankhur âte hain—clear out; the police are coming.
- Bhûnk âi âo—disperse.
- Langri lagâo—conceal the goods in your belt.
- Wahi tir mâl dabâva hai—let us go where there is much to gain.
- Akauti na kurais—don’t betray your companions.
- Murih ka asrâi deo—I am caught; give up hope for me.
- Mâti lai—roll on the ground.
- Chhâwa kuchâyo na nehti na kîno, nahîn tau uthai jâo gâi—do not reveal anything or you will be put to death.
- Anchari sahâike châns râg lâe—throw your sheet over the goods and escape.
- Pohina hai khâli lâi na—let us dig the property from the ground.
- Subâi—tax paid by the Barwârs to the zamîndâr.
- Chaunâi—tax paid on value of stolen property.
- Mûnr ginni—house-tax paid by Barwârs.
- Kavaila—presents given to zamîndârs at marriages.
- Namut—man.
- Bân—woman.
- Bahub—Barwâr man.
- Bahuban—Barwâr woman.
- Kiryâr—son.
- Chhâwa—grandson.
- Tiryâr—boy of another tribe.
- Dhûchar—old man.
- Dhûchari—old woman.
- Chhâi—Barwâr’s daughter.
- Kûsar—Brâhman.
- Tenwâr—Râjput.
- Phairu—Musalmân.
- Chorka—British officer.
- Baijarâi—a Râja.
- Sahâjan—a merchant.
- Muskâr—a Kâyasth.
- Sûgha—a goldsmith.
- Savat—a Bhât.
- Kitiha—a blacksmith.
- Lûdukha—a confectioner.
- Kârikha—a torch-bearer.
- Maskâta—a barber.
- Chipta—an oil-man. [[217]]
- Matiha—a potter.
- Leduha—a Kurmi or Lodha.
- Sisuha—a washerman.
- Bamâr—a sweeper; tanner; shoe-maker.
- Suldaha—a bearer.
- Guvaha—a cowherd.
- Benu—a tailor.
- Pûtaha—a liquor seller.
- Aluhya—a beggar.
- Satûrya—a dancing girl.
- Benâri—a prostitute.
- Lumit—a Kurmi or Barwâr.
- Bisni—valuable property.
- Guga—
- various kinds of Barwârs.
- Pachhâdha—
- Auhiriya—
- Udh—
- Ruh—a poor Barwâr.
- Siyâhi—a money-changer.
- Kula dhânsu—officer in charge of a police station.
- Nahkiar—a head police officer.
- Churga—a constable.
- Chuktahwa—a peon.
- Bingar—a slave.
- Pân—one acquainted with the Barwâr language.
- Bantikhar—a handsome woman.
- Karchhi—a cowry.
- Beng—pice; a Barwâr’s fees.
- Chikain—a gold muhar.
- Bikâsu—four annas.
- Telahi—eight annas.
- Kinâra—ten or fifteen rupees.
- Sût—twenty rupees.
- Bhîta bhâri—one hundred rupees.
- Audh durgani—fifty or five hundred rupees.
- Bajâr—a thousand rupees.
- Ganda—twenty-four rupees.
- Kajari—night.
- Kaira—a garden.
- Dîp—day.
- Nehâi—a fair; collection of people.
- Dari—a highway.
- Bepur—an unfrequented road.
- Butahar—simple, careless.
- Birah—wide awake.
- Mudhar—not on guard.
- Thûk—a gang.
- Tikhurki—valuable things.
- Ghavar—an army.
- Chhulu—be silent.
- Bel—head.
- Bûl—face.
- Chandrukh—eyes.
- Pâlu—hand.
- Sunghni—nose.
- Gavana—shoe, foot.
- Lutakha—breast.
- Thâru—grove, timber.
- Chanduph—wood.
- Sukhar—river.
- Laupju—water, fish.
- Keli—fire.
- Bhâbhi—box, well, pit.
- Sonra—chair, stool.
- Tinra—bundle.
- Basuth—book.
- Benâcha—looking-glass.
- Gudara—shrine, bathing place.
- Sunrhi—boat, elephant.
- Nât—temple.
- Pheru swâmi—Mosque.
- Belâcha—Hindu temple. [[218]]
- Songala—European bungalow.
- Mâr—dwelling-house.
- Chivâri—thatch, cot.
- Sullu—gate.
- Aijâpu—priest.
- Kalhâri—wheeled carriage.
- Dehânu—bribe.
- Chikâri—cattle.
- Putâi—lamp.
- Kunkhar—village watchman.
- Chânsu, Khalna, Milavi—theft.
- Lûni—plunder.
- Uthai dâlna—to murder.
- Tipaha—murder by poison.
- Khurkana—kidnapping of children.
- Kailiyâna—arson.
- Bumv—affray, riot.
- Jhumni—flogging.
- Chamgaya—imprisonment.
- Dîp—term of imprisonment.
- Benbi—cohabitation.
- Urso—comfortable sleep.
- Gudhana—to eat.
- Gânth—to drink.
- Dîb—to sit.
- Nusi—to plunder.
- Phona baikali—to dig property out of the ground.
- Lutiâna—to come hastily.
- Bhaunkana—to leave the road.
- Debidina—to conceal stolen property.
- Gainjai lâna—to call up the whole gang.
- Kachhana—to be afraid of.
- Patâkhu—a gun.
- Dharâr—a sword or other weapon.
- Khopuri—a shield.
- Unâva—corn.
- Churki—milk, butter.
- Pitâri—pepper.
- Phurvâni—garlic, onion.
- Lang—meal.
- Dutar—intoxicating liquor.
- Bhagâvati—meat.
- Chupra—butter, oil.
- Pharoti—pickles, vegetables.
- Rasosi—salt.
- Gurni—rice, bread, and pulse.
- Lingi—parched grain.
- Digna—to smoke and chew tobacco.
- Lurhi—a camel.
- Phûnk—bullock, a buffalo.
- Nikûlha, Dautâra—a horse.
- Chukarahwa—a mule or ass.
- Sûnha—a tiger, a wolf.
- Nemi—a sheep, a goat.
- Sithâi—sweetmeats.
- Bakalsithâi—coarse sweetmeats.
- Sethar—pearls, precious stones.
- Chuksar—silver.
- Rih—copper.
- Sul, Bakhil—bell metal.
- Dharârwâla—iron.
- Phoridata—corn.
- Kharâi dâlna—to sell stolen property.
- Nikra—gold and silver ornaments.
- Phûdiha—pearl or coral necklace. [[219]]
- Sunhi, Banthi—gold bead necklace.
- Tungani—nose ring.
- Betâl—gold necklace.
- Tevaki—a bangle.
- Gulchimni, Putpata—an ear ornament.
- Gûna—a wrist ornament.
- Bisendhi—metal plates, etc.
- Chunti—a lota.
- Bugna—a tub.
- Dagana—a huqqa.
- Ghaigha—a large metal vessel.
- Biguli—a metal dish.
- Kadenla—a vessel.
- Munhlagani—grass.
- Bhambhi—a bucket.
- Kaili—a lamp stand.
- Banauti—a metal box.
- Chihu—a large metal pot.
- Bijra—cloth.
- Lamaicha—apparel.
- Phutkan—a turban or waist-band.
- Chappar—a sheet.
- Dûna, Agasi—a cap.
- Tilauthi—a waist cloth.
- Sirki, Sulga—a small cloth worn over the head.
- Padangarer—trousers.
- Banri—a woman’s head dress.
- Salaicha—a woollen carpet.
- Datta—a handkerchief.
- Murghumana—a petticoat.
- Thâphu, baklas—a quilt.
- Tikhuri—rich clothes.
- Selva—a small bag.
- Kulahi—a large bag for cash.
- Basîth—a bundle of cloth.
- Davaiwâla—a carpet.
- Chîn—brocade.
- Bambu—tents.
- Sûnvi—a double shawl.
- Betachha—an umbrella.
- Rutika—gold and silver articles.
- Lugra—money offered to the gods.
| Guga— |  | various kinds of Barwârs. |
| Pachhâdha— | ||
| Auhiriya— | ||
| Udh— |
Distribution of the Barwârs according to the Census of 1891.
| District. | Number. |
| Sahâranpur | 11 |
| Mathura | 206 |
| Agra | 73 |
| Bareilly | 361 |
| Morâdâbâd | 664 |
| Shâhjahânpur | 190 |
| Cawnpur | 284 |
| Allahâbâd | 445 |
| Jhânsi | 145 |
| Hardoi | 6 |
| Faizâbâd | 42 |
| Gonda | 2,579 |
| Bahrâich | 76 |
| Total | 5,082 |
[[220]]
Barwâr.—A sept of Râjputs of whom Mr. Carnegy writes[108]:—“They are said to be an offshoot of the Bais, and to have come from Dundiyakhera, about three hundred years ago, under two leaders, Baryâr Sinh, from whom they take their name, and Châhu Sinh, whence the Châhu clan. These two brothers were imprisoned by the Emperor Akbar at Delhi. The elder of the two brothers, during his incarceration, had a dream by night, in which he saw a deity who announced himself as Kariya Deota, and promised them deliverance and future greatness, and at the same time pointed out the spot where his effigy was buried in the earth. Soon after, on their release, they sought for and found the effigy and carried it off to the village of Chitâwan in Pargana Pachhimrâth, where they set it up as the object of their domestic adoration, and where it is still worshipped by both branches. Their sacred place is Râmghât at Begamganj, which was selected by their chieftain, Dilâsi Sinh, in consequence of their being excluded from Ajudhya by the enmity of the Sûrajbansi Thâkurs. Another account makes them an offshoot of the Bais who came from Mûngipâtan or Pathânpur, south-west of Jaypur, where their Râja Sâlivâhana, had a fort. Thence they came to Chitâwan Kariya and expelled the Bhars. There is a romantic legend describing how ten heroes of the clan carried off Padmani, the lovely queen of Kanauj, and made her over to the Emperor of Delhi, who in return gave them rent-free lands fourteen kos in circumference. These Barwârs were notorious for the practice of infanticide. Two daughters of the chief of the family who were permitted to live have married, one the Janwâr ex-Râja of Gonda, and the other the Raikwâr Râja of Râmnagar Dhimari, in the Bârabanki District; the Barwârs generally selected wives from the Palwâr, Kachhwâha, Kausik, and Bais septs, which is curious, as they claim Bais origin. These Barwârs are probably of equivocal aboriginal descent, and the heroic legend given above has probably been appropriated from some other clan.” The Barwârs of Ballia are reported to take brides from the Ujjaini, Haihobans, Narwâni, Kinwâr, Nikumbh, Sengar, and Khâti, and to give girls to the Haihobans, Ujjaini, Narwâni, Nikumbh, Kinwâr, Bais Bisen, and Raghubansi. Their gotra is Kasyapa.
2. They are elsewhere known under the name of Birwâr and Berwâr. In Ghâzipur they say they first came from Delhi, and [[221]]take their name from Bernagar, their leading village. They are said to have come under the auspices of the Narauliyas, whom they helped to expel the Cheros.[109] There is a sept of them in the Chhapra District. In Azamgarh[110] they are said to be both Chhatris and Bhuînhârs, and not to rank high among either. “Each set ignores the origin of, or any connection with, the others. The Bhuînhârs can only say that they came from the westward. The Chhatris say they are Tomars, and were led from Bernagar, near Delhi, to Azamgarh, by a chief, Garak Deo, who lived between 1336 and 1455 A.D. The Chhatri and Bhuînhâr branches are of the same origin, as at marriages and other feasts they refuse to take from their hosts or offer to their guests broken cakes of pulse (bara). The origin of the custom is said to have been that at a feast to which a number of the Birwârs had been invited by another clan, their treacherous hosts, on the password bara khanda chalâo (khanda means “a sword” as well as “broken”), slaughtered the Birwârs. Their name is probably connected with this custom. The Brâhman ancestor of the sept is said to have come from Kanauj; but its different branches are not unanimous as to his name or pedigree, or how they came to Azamgarh.”