A History of the Mahrattas v1.c18.42

v1.c18.42

¹ [The name of the Dhangar, or shepherd, caste is derived, according to Russell, from *dhan* meaning properly ‘wealth,’ and secondarily ‘small stock’ (cf. the two meanings of the word ‘stock’ in English). It is doubtful whether the secondary meaning of *dhan* is ‘small stock,’ i e. sheep and goats. Both in Marāthi and Kanarese it usually signifies ‘cattle.’ Dhangars are found to-day chiefly in the Khāndesh, Ahmadnagar and Nāsik Districts, and are cattle dealers and graziers of sheep and goats. The chief representative of the caste in Central India is the Mahārājā Holkar of Indore. (Russell, *T. and C.C.P.*, s.v. Dhangar.)]