Page:A Statistical Account of Bengal Vol 1 GoogleBooksID 9WEOAAAAQAAJ.pdf/83

68 of 1872 returned the number of Vaishnavs in the 24 Parganás at 36,563. See post, p. 72.

(2), cultivators.—Number in the 24 Parganás in 1872, 17,766.

(3), weavers.—One section of this caste, called the Aswiní Tántí, is held much higher in rank than the others, and a Bráhman will take water from their hands. The ordinary Tántís are held in low esteem. The origin of the caste is said to be from a Súdra father and a KshrattriyaKshattriya [sic] mother. Number in the 24 Parganás in 1872, 19,576; generally poor.

(4) or, goldsmiths and jewellers.—They were orginally equal in rank with the other artisan castes, such as blacksmiths, potters, etc., but are said to have become degraded on account of their habit of filching from the gold and jewels entrusted to them to make up. They are supposed to have sprung from the issue of a Baidya man and a Vaisya woman. Number in the 24 Parganás in 1872, 8195; mostly poor.

(5) or .—As already stated, this caste is merely a branch of the great Banik or trading caste. The story of their degradation is that, owing to their overbearing conduct, Ballál Sen, in order to overreach them, made the shell of a golden calf, which he filled with red water, and ordered the Sonárbaniás to test the gold. In doing so the thin shell was cut through, and some of the red water, resembling blood, trickled out. Upon this it was declared that the Sonárbaniás had killed the calf, and they were degraded. The caste, however, claims to be Vaisya, and denies any former connection with the Baniks. A movement was lately set on foot in Calcutta for the purpose of getting the caste invested with the sacred thread. They are said to be the issue of a Baidya father and a Vaisya mother. They numbered 27,615 in the District in 1872; generally wealthy, their employment being as bankers and goldsmiths.

(6) or, carpenters.—Said to be the offspring of a Karan (issue of a Vaisya man by a Súdra woman) father and a Vaisya mother. Number in the 24 Parganás in 1872, 8274; mostly poor.

(7), cultivators.—Although this is given as a separate caste in the Census Report, which returns them at 1539 in 1872, they are probably a mere branch of the Kaibarttas.

(8), vegetable-growers.—Number in the 24 Parganás in 1872, 325.