Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s1.8.4

c48.s1.8.4

One division of the Balija, however, keeps itself apart, being descended from the Nāyak Chiefs of Madura. Though it wears no sacred thread, it claims to be Kṣatriya. As a whole, the Balija are probably an outgrowth of the great agricultural body of the Kāpu or Reḍḍi. Like the Kōmaṭi, they are in curiously close relations with the impure leather-workers and village menials of the locality. It might be inferred from this fact that the latter belong to a race preceding the present occupants of the soil, and like the Dasyu of the north, dispossessed of their heritage, but acknowledged to be influential with the gods of the village. The Banjiga is the Karnatic trader, and has no connection with his namesake the Baniyā. Generally speaking, the Banjiga, though much subdivided, is of the same stock as the Kanarese peasantry, whose proclivities towards the Lingāyat faith it largely shares. In the Tamil country the trader is usually a Ceṭṭi a title which is nearly as comprehensive as that of Baniyā. It covers several large and a vast number of small subdivisions. In most cases the marriage rules resemble in important particulars those of the surrounding peasantry of the better class. They worship the local goddesses and call in a carpenter by caste to bestow his blessing upon the bride and bridegroom, thus generally testifying to their local origin.