Page:A Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Description of the District, or Zila, of Dinajpur.djvu/112

100 ::5. Tontrovay, or Tangti, weavers,
 * 6. Malakar, makers of garlands.
 * 7. Kormokar, or Kamar, blacksmiths,
 * 8. Kumbhokar, or Kumar, potters.
 * 9. Napit, barbers.

The extreme variance, that is found in the arrangement of castes in different parts of India, appears to me a pretty convincing proof, that they did not proceed from any original general law; but were adapted to the prejudices of the various Indian nations respecting the ranks of different trades, when these nations were induced to receive the doctrine of caste from the Brahmins. In Bengal, for instance, the copper-smiths and blacksmiths are considered as distinct castes; whereas, in the south of India they are united, and conjoined with the carpenters, masons, and goldsmiths, who in Bengal are placed among the impure tribes, as the whole are in the south; probably because there they persisted in having Gurus of their own.

Nearly in the same rank with the nine most distinguished trades, and within the limits of pure Sudros, (Sot Sudro,) Bollalsen, according to tradition, has placed the following castes which are found in Dinajpúr,


 * 1. Teli, retailers of grain, salt, &c.
 * 2. Tamoli, of the same profession.
 * 3. Moyra, preparers of sweetmeats.
 * 4. Ahiri Gop, or Goyala, keepers of buffalos.
 * 5. Pollob Gop, or Goyala, keepers of kine.
 * 6. Kaiborto, cultivators.

This list of the professions, which were admitted into the limits of pure Sudros, by Bollalsen, seems to me curious; as it probably shows the degree of importance which each possessed in his time: and it is probably owing to the same circumstance, that the Kaibortos obtained a preference over the other tribes of cultivators in Bengal, all of which are reckoned impure. This I think will be confirmed, when it is considered, that the fishermen among the Kaibortos, who in Dinajpúr are called Jhalos, have been left among the impure tribes, as being of little importance; while the Vyasoktos, or priesthood common and peculiar to both Jhalos and Kaibortos, have been elevated to the title of Brahmin. Before the introduction of proper castes, the various tribes of India were probably like the ancient states of Greece and Italy; a Roman could only marry with a Roman, or an Athenian with an Athenian; for the same circumstance takes place among the rude tribes of India, although these have no proper distinction of castes. This circumstance no doubt greatly facilitated the introduction of proper caste, each tribe took its place among the pure or impure Sudros, according to its importance, and continued as before to confine its marriages within itself. I am persuaded, that the impure tribes, are not as commonly supposed the offspring of the four pure castes contaminated by illegitimate connection. The Baidyos, for instance, who are alledged to be descended of a Brahmin, by a Vaisyo woman, are placed at the very head of the pure tribes of Bengal. The same origin is assigned to the Daivoggnos, who hold a still higher station; but of this more hereafter.

The pure Sudros are distinguished from those below them by having pure Brahmins for their Gurus and Purohits; and by their abstaining from all food that is forbidden to Brahmins, from intoxicating drugs, from concubines, and from marrying widows. The Kulin Kayosthos are allowed to keep two wives, and can sell their daughters to the lower rank at a great price. The other pure Sudros can marry only one wife, unless the first proves barren. Whenever a man, whose birth is esteemed remarkably pure, gives his daughter to a lower person, he receives a