Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s5.6

c48.s5.6

shipped accordingly at the annual caste gatherings. With the exception of the Tūrī of Bengal, who are a branch of the great Muṇḍā tribe, most of the cane-workers of eastern and northern India belong to the Ḍōm. But, as has been already mentioned, the subdivisions which have taken to this work are generally settled on the outskirts of villages, not wandering like the rest, and give themselves the name of Bansphōṛā, Basōr, or otherwise, in token of their profession. In upper India they admit outsiders into their community after payment of scot and submission to initiation. In Bengal, the Bansphōṛa are said to be derived from the Pāṭnī, or fishing tribe of the Ḍōm. The Tūrī just mentioned are practically a functional branch of the Muṇḍā, and keep up their tribal exogamous customs and divisions, worshipping the tribal gods under Brāhmanic auspices, and with some regard for Brāhmanic precepts as to feeding with other castes. The Dharkār of the south Ganges valley are also not far removed from the forest tribe, but have settled round villages, and employ the Baigā priests, or, at best, the Ōjhā, a degraded Brāhman of non-Āryan origin. They are considered a much less settled and civilised community than the Bansphōṛā Ḍōm, but are credited with similar descent. In the Dekkan and south the Burūḍ and Mēdar are similar castes, some of which are settled, others wander during the open season and settle near villages for the rains. The Mēdar are chiefly found in the eastern Telugu districts, and claim to be Oṛiya by origin. They have subdivisions which never wander, and are gradually asserting themselves to be Balija, employing Brāhmans and prohibiting their widows from remarrying. The Burūḍ also are of Telugu or Kanarese origin, and where settled in the Dekkan are often Liṅgāyats. In the Tamil country the corresponding caste is called Vedakkāran, and is probably an offshoot of the northern community.