Caste and Race in India c6.10

c6.10

A few of the groups have names emphasizing a peculiarity which is somehow regarded as specific, or are of the nature of nicknames. Musahar, meaning mouse-eaters, is the name of a low aboriginal caste of the United Provinces. Bhangi, one who performs the useful function of removing night-soil, is a term probably applied to the caste simply as a token of contempt—those who are broken or outcast.¹ Bhulia, an Uriya caste of weavers, are so called merely because they are supposed to be a forgetful people—from "bhulna", "to forget".² Dangi, the name of a cultivating caste of the Central Provinces, means merely a hillman, perhaps referring to the former marauding activities of the now peaceful and once dominant people.³ The Panka of the Central Provinces are a caste of weavers and general labourers; but their name is believed to be derived from a certain incident in their conversion to the creed of Kabir and means those who are "from water", "pani ka".⁴ Dubla, one of the aboriginal tribes of Gujarat, are so called because they are weaklings⁵: "dubla" means weak. Naikdas of Gujarat are perhaps so designated in contempt, the term meaning "little Naik". Ramoshi, a thieving caste of the Deccan, is supposed to be a short form of Rama-Vanshi, i.e. descendant of Rama, the epic hero.⁶ Kallan, the name of a Madras caste, means in Tamil a "thief". Tiyan, the toddy-tapping caste of Malabar, means a "southerner", as the Tiyans are believed to have migrated from Ceylon. Pariah, the name of the great untouchable caste of Madras, is derived from a word for drum, which instrument is played by them.