The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.10

v2.c17.10

A glance at this table at once shows the nature of the population of the city. Out of a total of 4029, no less than 697, or nearly one-sixth are professional priests, and if we add to that 165 of non-professional Brāhmaṇs we get a total of 862 or considerably over one-fifth of the priestly caste. Then the temple servants constitute over one-fourth of the population (1078); and the two together represent nearly one-half of the community to be connected with the religious establishments of the place; and the other half live to minister to their wants and enjoyments. The number of potters may at first sight appear to be too large for so small a population, but if we bear in mind that the offerings in the different temples are all made in fresh earthen pots, and that they are subsequently sold in small quantities in other fresh earthen pots, no pot being allowed by the S'āstras and the custom of the country to be twice used, the demand for pottery, we shall find, must be considerably greater than what would be deemed reasonable for a similar number of men elsewhere. The number of washermen is also large; but such of them as do not get opportunities for carrying on their caste profession, take to agriculture. Most of the goldsmiths are filigrains, and they send the produce of their industry and art for sale to Cuttack. There are no Muhammadans except round about the suburbs.