A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.156

Language: English

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¹ The following are the twelve Balowtay, and twelve Alowtay, according to the general, but not universal opinion of the Mahrattas;—First, Balowtay.—The head of the twelve Balowtay is the carpenter [Sutār]. Second, the blacksmith [Lohār]. Third, the shoemaker and currier [Chamār.] Fourth, the Mhar, or Dher. This is a person of the very lowest order of Shunkerjatee, except the Mang; but on the village establishment his duties are very important. The Mhar acts as scout, as guide, frequently as watchman; he cleans travellers' horses, and is obliged, if required, to carry the travellers' baggage; he is a principal guardian of the village boundaries, and in Maharashtra, the Mhars are a very active, useful, and intelligent race of people. Fifth, the Mang, makes all leather ropes, thongs, whips, &c., used by the cultivators; he frequently acts as watchman; he is by profession a thief and executioner; he readily hires himself as an assassin, and when he commits a robbery, he also frequently murders. The Mangs are not so intelligent as the Mhars: both the one and the other eat the carcases of cattle that have died of disease, and are exceedingly filthy in many respects. Sixth, the potter [Kumbhār]. Seventh, the barber [Nhāvī]. Eighth, the washerman [Dhobī]. Ninth, the goorow [Gurav], who is a Shooder employed to wash, ornament, and attend the idol in the village temple; and on occasions of feasting, to prepare the patrowlee or leaves, which the Hindoos substitute for plates.

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They are also trumpeters by profession, and in this capacity are much employed in Mahratta armies. Tenth, the joshee [Joshī] or astrologer, is a Bramin who calculates nativities, foretells lucky and unlucky days, &c. Eleventh, the Bhat or bard. Twelfth, the Moolana, so called by the Mahrattas, is the Moolla [Mullah], or Mahomedan priest; and it is very strange how he is found ingrafted on the Balowtay establishment of a Hindoo village; if the Alowtay, which some say he ought to be, it would have been less unaccountable, especially, if we admit, as is frequently done, that the institution of the Alowtay must have been at a period long after that of the Balowtay; but this seems little more than mere conjecture.—The Moolana has charge of the mosques and burial places of Mahomedan saints, and manages the affairs of Enam, or free-hold lands attached to them. He performs the ceremony at Mahomedan marriages, and ought to be competent to all the duties of a Moolla; but he is very often found where there is no Mahomedan family except his own, and is known to the Mahratta population as the person who kills their sheep and goats when offered as a sacrifice trades and professions, necessary as artisans and public servants, at temples, or in their fields, to propitiate the deities presiding over the different *stulls*, or great divisions of the village lands.

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The Moolana, likewise, kills the sheep for the Katik, who, although frequently mistaken for the butcher, is, in fact, the person who cleans and exposes the meat for sale. The Moolana is entitled to two pice (small copper coin), and the heart of every animal he kills for the Katik. Some of the Mahrattas are unmindful of the ceremony, but in general they profess not to eat flesh, unless the *neyt* has been pronounced by the Moolana, or some Mussulman, capable of repeating what renders the flesh of any animal *hullal*, or lawful to be eaten. To account for this extraordinary adoption of Mahomedan observance puzzles the Hindoos. The Moolana has the same kind of allowances as the other Balowtay. Second, the *Alowtay* are: First, the Sonar, or goldsmith, he is assayer of coins, as well as the maker of gold and silver ornaments for the richer inhabitants. Second, the Jungum [Jangam], or Gooroo of the Lingait sect. Third, the tailor [Shimpi]. Fourth, the Kolee [Koli], or water-carrier. Fifth, the Tural, or Yeskur, is a Mhar; but the Alowtay rights, which constitute the Tural’s emoluments, are distinct from the Balowtay of the Mhars. It is the duty of the Tural to remain in the village, and never to quit its boundary. He is at the constant call of the Patell, but his particular duty is to attend strangers, and take care of all travellers from the moment of their entering the village; of which, if walled, the Tural is porter.

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He furnishes all necessary information, as well as supplies to strangers, and is often extremely useful to them. His duties are very numerous. Sixth, the gardener [Mālī]. Seventh, the Dowree Gosawee [Daurē Gosāvī], a religious personage who beats the *Dour*, a species of small tambourin. Eighth, the Gursee [Ghadshī], or piper. The Gursees, as already noticed, are said to be descended from the aborigines of Dhund Karinya the forest, or country between the sources of the Beema and Cavery. Ninth, the Ramoosee, or Bheel. These, although their office is the same when employed on the village establishment, are different casts of people, but they resemble each other in many of their habits; both are professed thieves. The Ramoosees belong more particularly to Maharashtra. The Bheels, in the Mahratta country, are only found in Candeish, and along the Syhadree range, north of Joonere. In villages, they generally hold the office of watchman; and when a country is settled, they become useful auxiliaries in the police; but under a weak government, or when anarchy prevails, they quit their habitations, and become thieves and robbers. The Ramoosees use the sword and matchlock; the Bheels more commonly the bow and arrow; the latter are less domesticated than the former. Bheels abound to the north of the Nerbuddah, and over the greater part of Guzerat.

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When employed on the village establishment, they are, in that province, called *Burtinneas* [Wilson (*Glossary*) gives *Bartanis*, Gujarāthi, ‘a village-watchman; a police-peon; a guard armed with sword and shield, or with bows and arrows, never with firearms.’ The derivation is obscure]. Tenth, the Telee [Teli], or oil seller. Eleventh, Tambowlee [Tāmbulī], or pawn leaf vendor. Twelfth, the Gonedullee [Gondhalī], or beater of the *tambhut*, a double kettle-drum.