A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.157

v1.c7.157

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. 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