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168
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JUNE, 1876.
Ahers (IEC)I-Hindus, generally cultiva- credit; and Båwå Savaigar was highly trusted tors. When there is no cultivation they main by the late Thakut of Bhåunagar. There are tain themselves by keeping a cars and a pair of three heads of the Atîts, who are called Pirs; bullocks, which they lend on hire. They are wor- one is the Pir of Kalya neś war, another shippers of Matâ, and Váchara-a Rajpût saint. that of Ajep ål, and the third of Koteswar. They are divided into five sub-tribes :-(1) Ma- The Atîts are also called Gosains. chhu â, from Machhukántâ, living about Dhori, Audich (stre).-These people are generKunariâ, &c.; (2) Prânthalia, in the district ally from Gohelwad, Halar, and Gujarât, and of Prânthal, in Kachh ; (3) Borich â, in Kanthi; appear to have come to Kachh at different times (4) Sorathiâ, who came from Sorath and within the last 250 years. Those living in Wagad are scattered over Wagad ; and (5) Chora da, cultivate land, smoke the huka, and allow refrom Chorâd, living about Adesar, Palanśwâ, marriage of widows; while the others are priests, Sanwa, Umiyu, Jatiwada, Belâ, &c. The other reciters of Puránas, beggars, cocks, &c. sub-tribes do not hold any intercourse with Balôchas (1)-Originally from Balathe Sorathi& s, because when the latter were chistân; chiefly found in the district of PÂvar. in political importance under Rao Naughan of Bâ phans ()-Miyânâ Muhammadans. Junagadh, one of them is said to have betrayed Bârâchas (ERT)-A branch of the earlier him to the Emperor of Dihli, who killed him. Ja dejas, descendants of one Båráchji, the son Family-names-Hápå, &c.
of Mulvaji. They are now regarded as mulgrásAjánis (troft)- A branch of the earlier sias, and live about Någrecha, Tehra, &c., chiefly JAdejás, and the descendants of Ajaji. They hold cultivating lands. lands in Sathri, Tappar, Tanwana, Kakdio, De- Bârads arts) --Originally Rajpûts, but salpur, &c.
wow degenerated into Kha vâs. Amars (TTT)-Descendants of Amarji, one Bhalotas (ET)-Degenerated Rajpûts, of the earlier Jadejâs.
almost like the Khavas; principally to be A tits (aa) -These people are known fonnd in the village of Bhalota. under many appellatives in Kachh. Some marry, Bhambhiyas (fr-Rajputs degeneand some do not, whence they are called Ghar- rated into Khavas. båris (family men) and Mathdhåris (ascetics or Bhandaris (5)- Muhammadans in monks). These are again divided into ten Bhuj. tribes :- 1 Gir, 2 Parvat, 3 Sagar, 4 Puri, 5 Bhâr- Bhansalis (Taro) were originally Rajthi, 6 Van, 7 Ara.., 8 Saraswati, 9 Tirth, 10 Ash- pûts of the Solanki race, but have long ago ceased ram. The Atît of any one of these sects attaches to have any intercourse with them. They put to his name the name of his sect as a termina- on the sacred thread and consider themselves tion, to make up his full name, as Karan-gar, ! Kshatriyas. Most of them cultivate lands, and Hira-púri, Chanchal-bhárthi, &c. By this he is are said to have come with the Ja dejâs and bedistinguished as a member of a particular sect. come their first rayats. Some of them are merA member of any of these sects can be a Ghar. chants. They are to be found in the southern bári or Mathờhari, who, again, may hold in- and western parts of Kachh. They are also tercourse with each other. Most of them called Vegus (y). are professional beggars, but they take up any Bhats (IT)-see Chárans. profession. They are found as ordinary si- Bhâtiâs (ICT|-- Originally Bhâţi Rajpâhis, bankers, or merchants, and also taking pûts, to which tribe the Chiefof Jesalmer belongs. a prominent part in the affairs of state at native Like the Jadejâs, they are said to be Y a davas. courts. Bawa Rewagar Kuvargar is one of the After their migration to Sindh they degenerated, greatest bankers of Kachh, and his firm is held it is said, into fishermen, but the Mahârâja of the in great repute throughout Hindustan for its Valabhacharyas gained them over to wear
Trans. Bom. Lit. Soc. vol. I. p. 287; vol. II. p232; Tod's Rajasthan, vol. II. p. 443; 7 raw. in W. India, Pp. 358, 421 ; Lassen, Ind Alt. (1st ed.) I. 539; Ind. Ant. vol II1. pp. 86, 227; Elliot's Races of N.W. P. vol. I. Pp. 2, 102, 186, 180, 388, 396.-ED.
$ J. R. As. Soc. vol. V. p. 268; Mrs. Postans's Cutch, p.
120; Trans. R. As. Soc. vol. III. pp. 570, 579, 587; H. H. Wilson's Rel. Sects, Works, vol. 1. pp. 18, 206, 213, 216 ff.
W Tod's Rajasthan, vol. I. pp. 85, 534, vol. II. pp. 186, 211, 213, 260; ind. Ant. vol. Ill. p. 74; Elliot's Races, vol. I p. 37; Trans. Bom. Lit. Soc. vol. II. p. 230 ff.-ED.
