Page:The tribes and castes of the Central Provinces of India (IA tribescastesofce01russ).pdf/42

 occurred to them that the census would be a good opportunity of advancing a step towards the desired end, and accordingly they telegraphed to the Commissioner of Jubbulpore before the cnumeration, and petitioned the Chief Commissioner after it had been taken, to the effect that they might be recorded and classified only as Rātlor and not as Tcli; this method of obtaining recognition of thcir claims being, as remarked by Sir Bampfylde Fuller, a great deal cheaper than being weighed against gold. On the other hand, a common occupation may sometimes amalgamate castes originally distinct into one. The sweeper's calling is well-defined and under the generific term of Mehtar are included members of two or three distinct castes, as Dom, Bhangi and Chuhra ; the word Mehtar means a prince or headınan, and it is believed that its application to the sweeper by the other servants is ironical. It has now, however, been generally adopted as a caste name. Similarly, Darzi, a tailor, was held by Sir D. Ibbetson to be simply the name of a profession and not that of a caste; but it is certainly a true caste in the Central Provinces, though probably of comparatively late origin. A change of occupation may transfer a whole body of persons from one caste to another. A large section of the Banjāra caste of carriers, who have taken to cultivation, have become included in the Kunbi caste in Berār and are known as Wanjāri Kunbi. Another subcaste of the Kunbis called Mānwa is derived from the Māna tribe. Tclis or oilmen, who have taken to vending liquor, now form a subcaste of the Kalär caste called Teli-Kalăr; those who have become shop- epers are called Toli-Bania and may in time become an infcrior section of the Bania caste. Other sitnilar subcastes are the Ahir-Sunars or herdsmen-goldsıniths, the Kāyasth- Darzis or tailors, the Kori-Chamārs or weaver-tanners, the Gondi Lohārs and Barhais, being Gonds who have become carpenters and blacksmiths and been admitted to these castes; the Mahār Mhälis or barbers, and so on,

It would appear, then, that no precise definition of a caste can well bc formulated to meet all difficulties. In classifica- tion, cach doubtful casc must be taken by itself, and it must be determined, on the information available, whether any body of persons, consisting of one or more endogamous