Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s6.15

c48.s6.15

§ 88. (c) **Sahyādri** (367,600). The three or four small tribes of the northern Sahyādri are almost contiguous to those just mentioned and possibly are connected with some of them, though they have no traditions as to their origin. The lowest of them, the Kāṭkarī or Kāthoḍī, which derives its name from the catechu it extracts in the forests, says it came from the north, by which it means the forests of south Gujarāt. The tribe resembles the lower class of Bhīl in appearance, but lacks the independence and joviality of the predatory communities. The Kāṭkarī stick close to the forests, and though they cultivate on a rude system, they never take up land on a permanent tenure. They have their own gods and forms of sacrifice, without reference to Brāhmans. The tiger is an object of special regard, as in Cūtiā Nāgpur. Other tribes steer clear of the Kāṭkarī, not only because the latter are foul-feeders and remarkably dirty, but also because of their reputation as sorcerers. It is worth noting that whilst the principal demon of the locality is worshipped by the other tribes it is reputed to be controlled by the Kāṭkarī, a difference implying the older settlement of the latter tribe. The Varlī (uplander), so called from being supposed to have come from the country above the Ghāṭs, are now resident along the coast, but still in the forest. They are superior in appearance to the Kāṭkarī, and are not adverse to permanent cultivation, generally as subtenants upon the half-share system. The bulk of the tribe also deal in jungle produce. They share some of the gods and ceremonies of the Kāṭkarī, with the addition of Vāghōbā, a tiger god recognised by the lower Brāhmanists. The latter, in turn, do not consider them as altogether impure and enter their houses, or, at least, those of the Vārlī who breed cattle. The third tribe, the Ṭhākūr, called for distinction, the Ghāṭ-Ṭhākūr, stands still higher in society, though except in being a little more cleanly, the members of it have a strong physical resemblance to the darker tribes of the north and east. They hold the same tribal beliefs, too, and worship the mountain and tiger gods, but in their domestic rites they make use of the Dēs'asth, or local Marāṭhā Brāhman. The Ṭhākūr are settled in their own villages and possess land and cattle, some of their community being fairly well-to-do. None of these three tribes strays beyond its native haunts.