History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v1.c9.20

v1.c9.20

The Gaṇḍās are an untouchable caste in the Sambalpur district, one section of which is called Pān, showing that they are of the same class as the Pāns or the Pānos of other districts. They eat beef and carrion. Among the aboriginal people the Goṇḍs are one of the principal tribes and they differ widely from the Kolian tribes in their language, which is Dravidian like those of the Orāons. They inhabit the Central Provinces chiefly, but are also to be found on the Eastern Ghats. They are of small stature and dark in colour. They are stoutly built but extremely ugly, as they have round heads, wide nostrils and mouths, thick lips, straight black hair and very scanty beards and moustaches. Goṇḍs are generally divided into two classes: (A) The Rāj Goṇḍs and (B) the ordinary Goṇḍs. The Rāj Goṇḍs are aristocrats and have become Hindus and wear the sacred thread. One family of Rāj Goṇḍ chiefs even became Musalman to save their kingdom. The ordinary Goṇḍs are called Dhut-Gonds or "Dust Gonds". They used to eat beef until recently.