________________
263
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[BBPTEMBER, 1907.
It is said that the thakurs or movannas, who were previously settled in the hills, were also Rajpûte, but their customs are quite different from those of the Rajpûts. It is further said that when Raja Saki Singh, who flourished some 2352 years ago (= 450 B. C.), introduced Buddhism, it began to spread from this direction, so that this religion is still found in Kanwar, Tibet, Labaul, etc. Much confusion has taken place among the Rajpûts for this very reason. The history of no tribe is trustworthy, nor can its genealogy be correctly traced. It is said that at the time of the great war of the Mahabharata the Rajputs were the rulers of the hill territories. There is mention of the ancestors of the Rajas of this region in the Bhagavat Gitd and the Mahabharata.
The Rawats and Rathis also come under the heading Rajpats. These people plough and cultivate land with their own hands. Their rites at marriage or death are not according to the Scriptures,
Sartiras are persons born of a Rajput father and Kanait or some other low caste mother. The Rajputs do not intermarry with them, nor eat food prepared by them,
Table of the sections of the Hill Vaibyas.
Original Caste.
Present Name of the Caste.
Real Home.
Time of Coming.
Bêbra...
Poona, Satâr a
(Deccan).
Bania
Plains
Sad
Bhabra
They are not the original inhabitants of the hill region, but came from the plains and settled there. Therefore nothing certain can be known of their history or genealogy. But the history of the Kangra District shows that the Bohrás came, in the beginning, with the Raja of Kângrå from Poona and Satâra in the Deccan, and gradually spread to other places. In the Hill States they were put in charge of the store houses and godowns.
It is said that Raja Nirapdar Chaudar died and left behind him a widow, who was with child. The widow, fearing lest she might soffer at the hande of her husband's heirs, went to her parents in the Deccan. While on the way she gave birth to Raja Shêr Chand, and taking him with her reached her paternal home at Poona. When the boy, who was brought up by his grandfather, became of age and learnt that Kângrâ was his inheritance, he determined to conquer his kingdom. He took an army of his grandfather's subjects with him, attacked Kangrâ, subdued those who occupied the throne, and succeeded to his paternal kingdom. Diwan Rûp LAI Bôhra, who was sent with the Râja by bis grandfather, was made the Minister. Then gradually some persons of the family of the Minister came and settled in Kangrå. Some of them went to Rápar. Then they went to other parts of the country for trade. These people knew Urdu, Hindi, and Nagari, and so they were respected everywhere and were honourably entertained.
The following is stated to be the origin of the Sads: - A man of low caste owed some money to a Bania. They settled their account after some years. The principal amount was paid by the debtor, but he would not consent to pay the interest, and the Baniê would not forego the interest. The debtor, instead of paying the interest, agreed to give his wife to the creditor. The children of this woman and the Baniâ became known as Sad (interest). In the course of time the Süds began to intermarry with the high castes. Now they are considered of high caste like the Baniâs, etc.
The Banias are generally divided into (1) the Aggarwals and (2) the Sardogis. The Sariogis are Jains. The Aggarwals are considered of high caste. They totally abstain from meat.
: [A rooollection of Sakyamuni = Buddha. -Ed.]
