Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s5.t1.7.2

c48.s5.t1.7.2

They are all by heredity good trackers, and though foul in their diet, not badly looked upon by their neighbours when they are settled. Along the Jamnā, however, their character deteriorates, or more correctly perhaps, has not yet risen to the level it reaches further from its native haunts. It is, however, fairly well Brāhmanised, though it keeps to its own worship. The higher castes are, as usual, admitted on payment of the cost of a feast, or even by eating with the members of the tribe. One of the subdivisions, the Mōghiyā, is often considered a separate caste, but it seems to be no more than the Central Indian variety of the main body. The Bāvariyā of the eastern parts of the upper Ganges valley are apparently quite distinct. They assert Rājput origin and came from Baisvāra, and employ the Pāṇṛē Brāhman of their former residence. In spite of their dark complexion and non-Āryan appearance generally they are not connected by their neighbours with any of the local hill-tribes, and are received on terms of equality by the peasantry and others. The Ahēṛiyā, a tribe found both in the Panjāb and along the Jamnā, is similarly divided. In the north they are hunters and reed-workers and occasionally settle down to life in connection with, but outside, the village community, without any suspicion of criminal tendencies. Along the Jamnā, however, their reputation is that of potential burglars under the guise of mat-makers and collectors of jungle produce.