Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s2.t2.1.2

c48.s2.t2.1.2

The great differences in the physical appearance of sections of the caste do not indicate a different origin of the respective communities, but a varied recruitment from higher castes of "broken men"; and, also, the impregnation of the sections undertaking domestic service with the blood of their employers through illegitimate connections, the Mihtarani sharing the reputation of the Camārī for good looks. She is also called in, like the wives of several of the low castes, to perform duties connected with childbirth which no higher class will undertake. In the west, where there is no question of a lower caste, the Bhangī will handle a corpse, kill a stray dog, and act as hangman. Further east, he finds that these functions can be thrust upon the Dōm, a tribe of probably quite as early origin, but later enslavement to Brāhmanic supremacy. In the Central Panjāb the Cūhṛā does much the same work that the Camār does where the latter is in full strength, and resents the title of Bhangī. In the west of the province the Muslim sweeper known as Kuṭānāh or Musallī, digs graves but will not touch night-soil. Further to the south, the Cūhṛa is called Jaṭ like many other menial castes. In the east, the caste is a recognised member of the village staff and belongs to the Bhangī community of the Gangetic region. Amongst other duties may be mentioned one of great importance in a land where fuel is scarce, that is, the collection, drying and storing of cowdung for burning.