Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924073057345).pdf/386

378 The following is a list of all Hindu castes found in Lucknow, with their trades:—

Religion.—The religion of the Hindus of Lucknow does not materially differ from that prevalent in the rest of the province; the high-caste Brahmans, Khattris, Banians, and Rastogis are worshippers of Shiva or of Vishnu, and very rarely of Debi; the total abstinence of the worshippers of these tribes keeps them aloof from professing the worship of a goddess whose chief food is flesh and whose drink is wine. The Káyaths, on the other hand, are mostly worshippers of Debi, The Kashmíri Brahmans are generally devotees Shiva, and not of Vishnu or Debi, The low-caste Hindus mostly worship Debi; but Pásis and Chamárs are said by those who object to their practices to profess no religion. There are a good many professors of the Nanakshahi Creed.

Musalmans.—The Moslems who live in Lucknow are divided into the following classes:—