he Gangapari
or those from the north of the Ganges; and the Pardeshi (foreigners)
and Desha or Deswar (belonging to the country), both of which groups
come from Hindustan. The Deswar Chamars of Narsinghpur [448] are now
all agriculturists and have totally abjured the business of working in
leather. The Mahobia and Khaijraha take their names from the towns of
Mahoba and Khaijra in Central India. The Ladse or Ladvi come from south
Gujarat, which in classical times was known as Lat; while the Maratha,
Beraria and Dakhini subdivisions belong to southern India. There are
a number of other territorial groups of less importance.

3. Subcastes continued.

Certain subcastes are of an occupational nature, and among these may be
mentioned the Budalgirs of Chhindwara, who derive their name from the
_budla_, or leather bag made for the transport and storage of oil and
_ghi_. The _budla_, Mr. Trench remarks, [449] has been ousted by the
kerosene oil tin, and the industry of the Budalgirs has consequently
almost disappeared; but the _budlas_ are still used by barbers to
hold oil for the torches which they carry in wedding processions. The
Daijanya subcaste are so named because their women act as midwives
(_dai_), but this business is by no means confined to one particular
group, being undertaken generally by Chamar women. The Kataua or
Katwa are leather-cutters, the name being derived from _katna_, to
cut. And the Gobardhua (from _gobar_, cowdung) collect the droppings
of cattle on the threshing-floors and wash out and eat the undigested
grain. The Mochis or shoemakers and Jingars [450] or saddlemakers and
bookbinders have obtained a better position than the ordinary Chamars,
and have now practically become separate castes; while, on the other
hand, the Dohar subcaste of Narsinghpur have sunk to the very lowest
stage of casual labour, grass-cutting and the like, and are looked
down on by the rest of the caste. [451] The Korchamars are said to be
the descendants of alliances between Chamars and Koris or weavers, and
the Turkanyas probably have Turk or Musalman blood in their veins. In
Berar the Romya or Haralya subcaste claim the highest rank and say
that their ancestor Harlya was the primeval Chamar who stripped off
a piece of his own skin to make a pair of shoes for Mahadeo. [452]
The Mangya [453] Chamars of Chanda and the Nona Chamars of Damoh are
groups of beggars, who are the lowest of the caste and will take food
from the