Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s2.13.2

c48.s2.13.2

The Kisān, again, belong to the same stock, but like the Kōërī, have long been formed into a separate caste, and are even more exclusive in their intercourse with outsiders. There is another community of the same name, though sometimes called Nagēsia, who have been combined with these in the Census return. They inhabit parts of Chuṭiā Nāgpur and the Central Provinces, and are of the Kōl race. The Lōdhā is a caste of inferior position and probably of earlier settlement than the Kurmī, from whom it differs in both physique and habits. The Lōdhā are specially addicted to the cultivation of rice, and are found nearly all over the Upper Provinces and a little way into Bihār. But the section which inhabits Bundēlkhand and its neighbourhood is probably nearer the original stock, assuming the latter to belong to the Central Belt, and takes a lower place in society accordingly. The cultivating classes of the Central Provinces are those of the Dekkan in the west, and of the south Ganges-valley in the north, with a large substratum of the more civilised forest tribes in most parts. In the Chattīsgarh districts, the Kavar is probably an offshoot of the last named group, though the fertility of the country has enabled it materially to improve its position. This caste, as well as the Kirār, claims Rājput origin, and there abandoned fishing, in favour of agriculture.