History of Orissa from the Earliest Times to the British Period v1.c9.22

v1.c9.22

All over Orissa there are numerous castes which cannot be connected with the castes of other districts, while some are common to all districts of Northern Orissa. The Gaurās and Telis are common but the Kulta or Kolita are the chief cultivating class of Sambalpur. According to their own tradition they immigrated from the State of Baudh and their ancestors were water-carriers in the household of Rāmachandra. The Kultas, Sudhs and Dumals will take food together at the time of festivals. The Kewats are fishermen and boatmen and are to be found in most of the districts of Northern Orissa. The Bankas are a small caste found principally in the Kalahāṇḍi State. They consist of people of all castes from the Brāhmaṇa to the Kumhār and even the Marāṭha and became mixed together in military service. They are still permitted to carry a sword or a big knife without a license inside the State. The Bhulia is weaver by caste, also known as Bholia, Bhoriya, Bholwa, Mihir and Meher. They talk Hindi among themselves and are supposed to have immigrated to Orissa with the first Chauhan Chief of the Patna State. The Dumals are a sub-caste of the Gaurā or Āhir, but they have no connection with them at present. The Ghāsis are a very low caste who are said to have immigrated from Mayurbhañja. They are more common in the Gangpur State. They act as sweepers and grass-cutters and will eat swine and cattle. They are taken to belong to the Kāruā sub-caste of the Hāris. The Hāris or Hāḍis are a caste common to Western Bengal and Northern Orissa. According to their tradition, they were created after the four Varṇas by Brahmā from the dust of his arm. The Karans or Mahāntis of Orissa are said to correspond to the Kāyasthas of Bengal or the United Provinces. They are a fairly industrious and influential caste in Orissa. The Paiks of Orissa are the descendants of the ancient feudal militia of Orissa who were disbanded after the British conquest. They are generally regarded as being equal to the Chasā in social rank. They contain people of all castes, including Kindras, Pāns, Bāuris, Khoṇḍs and even Musalmans and Telugus. They were originally paid from Chākṛan or service-land. The Sudhās are another military caste who were formerly musketeers and therefore worship the gun. They are divided into four sub-castes : (1) the Barā or High Sudhās, (2) the Dehri or worshippers, (3) the Kabāṭkoniās or those holding the corners of the gate and (4) Butkā or forest Sudhās. According to their tradition they were descended from Ghaṭotkacha, the son of Bhīma and the she-demon Hiḍimbā. The Sansis are a caste of masons and navvies. They are really a branch of the great migratory Uḍ or Oḍḍe caste, who are weight-carriers all over India and are also found in Sindh. They enjoy a high position and are usually stone-workers and tank-diggers in Orissa. In the plains districts of Puri and Cuttack there are a few low castes who are either aboriginals or immigrants. The Malangis are salt manufacturers and live on sea-fish and a little rice they grow during the rains. The Nuḷiās or sea-fishermen of Puri speak Telugu and are recent immigrants from the South.