Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s2.t2.1.3

c48.s2.t2.1.3

The sweeper, too, is the only caste which will convey the tidings of a death to those whom it may concern. In the Sikh tracts many Cūhṛā have joined that faith and after conversion continue to perform only the less offensive parts of their traditional duties. One of their subdivisions, the Rangrēta, has risen in position by taking to leather work exclusively. The Mazhabī, or Mazbī, as the Sikh Cūhṛā is called, makes a capital soldier, but has to be brigaded in separate regiments, as the other Sikhs, with their eye on the traditional calling, refuse to associate with the convert, even in religious ceremonies. Occasionally the Sikh intermarries with the Lāl Bēgī, or Brāhmanic Bhangī. In north Gujarāt, the Bhaṅgīō is one of the principal village menials, and does most of the unskilled labour. In spite of the Rājput titles of the subcastes, this community is one of long settlement on the land there. It is the Bhangiō, for instance who points out the boundaries; the sight of one of this caste carrying his basket brings luck for the day, and before crossing the Mahī river in a flood, the blessing of a Bhangiō tends to a safe passage. In this part of the country, as on the Ganges, the Bhangi is strict in his religious observances, but is only allowed, of course, to worship from the outside court of the temples. As in the north, too, this caste has the provision and control of the village music at times of festival.