Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s3.t2.5.3

c48.s3.t2.5.3

Recruited as they are from all castes, Brahmanic and Muslim, under a number of titles, honorific or the reverse, it is not worth while to dwell upon them here otherwise than cursorily, as an ancient and recognised grade in Indian society. In upper India, alongside the functional titles of Ṭavāif, Kasbī, Nāik, and so on, there are found the semi-religious designations of Rāmjani, Gandharp, Rās-dhārī and the lower ones of Kañcan, Besyā, Patūriya and so on. In the west, besides some of those above mentioned, there are the Naikin, of the semi-religious type, and the Kalāvant. The religious establishments referred to above are all in the south. In the Dekkan there are several of comparatively small renown and endowment, and only nine women have returned themselves under the specific name there given to them. Even in the Tamil country, where the accommodation for this class round the chief temples indicates the extent of the community in old times, the number returned is far below the actual, since many of the girls give the name of the caste in which they were born, instead of that to which they were dedicated when they wedded the god. It is the duty of the Dāsī to fan the god, present to him the sacred light, and to sing and dance before him when he is carried in procession. Owing to their Brāhmanic connection, they do not consort with the Kammālan, or artisans, who belong to the Left hand, nor, of course, with the impure castes.