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 BALLIA.

20

as privileged tenants holding at favourable rates.

has

Each Rajput clan

well-defined location, owTiing and cultivating that

its

which

portion of

conquered from the aboriginal tribes, or reclaimed from the waste. Thus, pargand Lakhneswar is held by the Sengars (population 17,139); Kopachit is divided between the Karcholias (10,410), the Kansiks (4955), and the Bisens the

District

their

forefathers

The Birwars (7143), Naraunis (5707), Kunnwars (4587), and Nuikumbhs (3849) divide Kharid between them. The Donwars (7574), Bais (8108), and Barahias (7314) predominate in Sikandarpur, the Lohtumias (3742) in Doaba, the Harihobans (2464) in Ballia. Most of the other clans, except those of small number, which are com(6352).

posed of recent scattered immigrants, hold their separate village or group of villages. Altogether, 69 clans were reckoned in the Census of 1881, excluding those

number

population than

composed of

forming

102,300, is

rather

To

common.

less

a

than 100 persons.

larger

proportion

a minor extent, the

this District are a land-holding class, but generally they

at privileged rates rather than as proprietors.

and customs they are scarcely

to

of

Brahmans the

total

Brahmans of

hold as tenants

In manners, appearance,

be distinguished from the Rajputs.

Bhuinhars, a caste peculiar to the Benares Province, number 26,033. They are a kind of cross between Rajput and Brahman, and, like them, are a predominant high caste and land-holding tribe.

Of low castes, although Chamars (87,554) are the most numerous, the Bhars (58,147) are the most noteworthy, for they represent the indigenous population prior to Hindu colonization. Though classed Hindus, the Bhars are outside the pale of Hinduism, and have own peculiar traditions and religious rites modified, but not

as

their

absorbed, by Brahmanism.

who have almost

Another noteworthy caste

is

the Dosadhs,

a monopoly of the post of village watchmen.

This Doaba, and was notorious for the predatory habits of its members, who used to form gangs of dacoits for the purpose of raiding into Eastern Bengal ; and The other Hindu castes this habit they have not yet left off entirely. present no particular feature of number or predominance calling for

caste

is

most numerous

in

the eastern pargand

special mention.

The towns

of the District containing over 5000 inhabitants, accord-

—

Ballia (8798), Bansdih (9617), Reoti Maniyar (8600), Turtipar (6307), Rasra (11,224), Sahatwar (11,024), Bairia (9160), Sikandarpur (7027), Baragaon (10,847). Agriculture The land revenue of the District is permanently settled, and the settlement was made with the land-holding clans of Rajputs, Brahmans, and Bhuinhars. In the communities which engaged for

ing to the Census of 1881, are



(9933),

.

the

—

Government revenue, the proprietary right rapidly became much away altogether by auction sale for arrears of

sub-divided, or passed