h water from Brahmans, Rajputs, Munda Gujars
and Tirole Kunbis. The last two groups are principal agricultural
castes of the locality and the Bhilalas are probably employed by them
as farmservants, and hence accept cooked food from their masters in
accordance with a common custom. The local Brahmans of the Nagar,
Naramdeo, Baisa and other subcastes will take water from the hand of
a Bhilala. Temporary excommunication from caste is imposed for the
usual offences, such as going to jail, getting maggots in a wound,
killing a cow, a dog or a squirrel, committing homicide, being beaten
by a man of low caste, selling shoes at a profit, committing adultery,
and allowing a cow to die with a rope round its neck; and further, for
touching the corpses of a cow, cat or horse, or a Barhai (carpenter) or
Chamar (tanner). They will not swear by a dog, a cat or a squirrel, and
if either of the first two animals dies in a house, it is considered to
be impure for a month and a quarter. The head of the caste committee
has the designation of Mandloi, which is a territorial title borne
by several families in Nimar. He receives a share of the fine levied
for the _Sarni_ or purification ceremony, when a person temporarily
expelled is readmitted into caste. Under the Mandloi is the Kotwal
whose business is to summon the members to the caste assemblies;
he also is paid out of the fines and his office is hereditary.

4. Occupation and character.

The caste are cultivators, farmservants and field-labourers, and a
Bhilala also usually held the office of Mankar, a superior kind of
Kotwar or village watchman. The Mankar did no dirty work and would not
touch hides, but attended on any officer who came to the village and
acted as a guide. Where there was a village _sarai_ or rest-house,
it was in charge of the Mankar, who was frequently also known as
zamindar. This may have been a recognition of the ancient rights of
the Bhilalas and Bhils to the country.

5. Character.

Captain Forsyth, Settlement Officer of Nimar, had a very unfavourable
opinion of the Bhilalas, whom he described as proverbial for
dishonesty in agricultural engagements and worse drunkards than any
of the indigenous tribes. [351] This judgment was probably somewhat
too severe, but they are poor cultivators, and a Bhilala's field may
often be recognised by its slovenly appearance. [352]

A century ago Sir J. Malcolm also wrote very severely of the Bhilalas:
"The Bhil