A Statistical Account of Bengal - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ...wear gerua-vastra or reddish cloth, and a head-dress of black ribbons, like the Sutarasdins, a sect of Sikhs or Ndnak-shdhis. The novice is kept closely confined in a house for forty days, when he is brought out and is made a perfect disciple. The Kdnphathds carry in their hands a mor-chhal or fan made of peacock's feathers, with which they make passes over the credulous for the purpose of exorcising evil spirits by which they may be possessed, and keeping imps and goblins at a distance. At death, the Kdnphathds are buried in their own houses. (2) Kshattriya. Though it is possible that descendants of this, the ancient warrior caste of India, exist in Bengal and in its eastern Districts, still it is alleged that none of the pure caste remains. The Khatrf caste of the Census returns is believed to be a section of the trading caste of Western Hindustdn, a belief that is borne out by the fact that the Khatrfs apply themselves readily to trade. Even when in zaminddri service, which they enter as messengers (piydda) and treasure guards (barkanddz), they usually carry on a private money-lending business with the surrounding peasantry, their capital being derived from largesses exacted from the same peasantry, principally at the time of rent-paying. The Rajputs, who claim to be of the Kshattriya caste, are returned by the Census of 1872 as numbering 3426 individuals in this District. (3) Ghdtwdl. This caste is found only in the police division of Sherpur. They originally come from the western highlands of Bengal, and claim to be Kshattriyas. Down to the first quarter of this century, their duty was to guard the hill passes and prevent hostile incursions of predatory hill clans on the plains. In return for this service they received grants of...
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