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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
mostly belonged to the aboriginal primitive tribes? who were unaware of the civilizedtways of life. The various untouchable castes and the wild tribes mentioned in the NC. are as follows:
(i) Bhilla--The primitive tribe of the Bhillas or Bhils has been frequently mentioned in the NC. as residing in the forests or hills.' They had their own forts or habitats knows as bhillakotta or bhilla-pall7.3 Because of their uncivilized and barbarious habits, their existence was a grave danger (väghāya) to the caravans passing through the dense forests.* The existence of their caste in the neighbouring regions of Gujarat is evident from the fact that the Bhils or Kolis were supposed to have been the earliest traditional rulers of Gujarat.6.
(ii) Bodhita—Bohiga or Bodhita was a caste of the Mecchas who resided in the hilly areas serrounding the Malwa region. They are mentioned as a class of the professional robbers or thieves who kidnapped and robbed the people of their belongings.?
(iii) Candala-The lowest position in society was assigned to the Cāņdālas. In the feasts organized for all the sections of society, from the highest to the lowest (yāvantiga-samkhaď7), the Candālas can be seen occupying the lowest status. The Cândālas, Mātamgas and śvapākas were condemned and illreputed as they observed no restrictions on matters relating to
1. According to Rhys Davids, the hina jatis of the Buddhists also were
the aboriginal tribes.Buddhist India, p. 54. 2. NC. 3, p. 219; NC. 1, p. 144. 3. NC. 4, p. 151. 4. NC. 1, p. 144. 5. Majumdar, op. cit., p. 35. 6. asett arma#=51, à qatarde fal HTUATU ETA-NC. 4, p. 124; also
Brh. V!. 3, p. 880. 7. a&TAT E T =31, Alucarft ata a alertato afouifà---NC. 1, p. 100. 8. Ca fa grafator at, han afecaferri Tricic fassfa---NC. 2,
p. 207.
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