Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s2.13.3

c48.s2.13.3

The more prosperous Sadgōp are said to be dropping the plough and employing labour on their land, thus paving the way for a higher endogamous subdivision. The caste stands higher in rank than the Kaibartta, owing probably to the superior purity of their traditional occupation. Like other Bengal agriculturists, they are sometimes called Cāsa, a general term, like that of Kurmī or Kunbī. There is, however, a caste in Orissa to which the name of Cāsa is specially applied. It is of Kōl or Dravidian origin, and whilst admitting members of other castes to its lower ranks, passes in the upper into that of Karan or Mahant, mentioned above as the local writer caste, on the way to establishing touch with the Kāyasth. The Gāṅgauta is a small but respectable caste of north Bihār, much the same in position as the Kurmī, but ranking below them, and more lax in their diet. Round Calcutta is found the fishing and cultivating caste of the Pōd, lower than those above mentioned. Like the rest, however, it has its lower and upper endogamous subdivisions, the latter of which put in their claim to Kṣatriya lineage. Most of the caste are cultivators, but some have acquired considerable estates, whilst others have taken to trade and handicrafts. It appears to be considered to be of Deltaic origin, like the Caṇḍāl, as the Brāhmans who minister to it are avoided by their fellows, but those who only act as teachers remain unpolluted.