Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s3.t1.1.2

c48.s3.t1.1.2

The Gaṇak, again, of the Brahmaputra valley, are said to have been cast out by their Bengal fellows for undertaking the duties of family-priest to the carpenter caste. The Gaṇak moved into Assam, where, through the influence they acquired as court astrologers to the Kōch and Āhōm Chiefs, they settled down into a rank inferior to that of the Brāhman alone. A distinction must be drawn between the Jōsi of the plains of upper India and the same caste as found in the Kumāon hills. In the latter tract the Jōsi, whatever his position before his migration, has acquired the status of Brāhman in his present home, and intermarries with the Kanaujiyā and other sub-castes. This may be due in part to his worldly success, as for many generations the Jōsi has almost monopolised the sweets of State appointments in Kumāon, and flourished on them. In the Dravidian country, the profession of exorcist is widely spread, owing to the prevailing demonolatry, which requires variety of treatment. The determination of a lucky day, too, probably falls to the priests of the different communities of the lower classes, and to the Brāhman in the upper. On the Malabar coast, however, there are a few small castes which appear to be somewhat specialised in these arts. The Kaṇiśan, Pāṇan and Vēlan combine exorcism not only with devil-dancing, which is the usual twin calling, but with herbalism also.