80 Major-General Sir J. Malcolm on the Bhills. 



and Kdld, or while and black Bhills, are general terms ; not applying to a 

 difference in the shade of complexion, but in the habits of the tribes that 

 these terms distinguish; and the words (which are used metaphorically) 

 imply " pure" and " impure." Inileed, the word " Maild," which literally 

 means unclean, is often used to denote the latter tribe. The Ujjwala, or pure 

 Bhills, trace their descent from the Rajputs ; and are, in several parts, called 

 Bhilldlas. Many of these not only preserve the names of their forefathers, 

 but the clan name of the peculiar tribe, to which they belonged, before their 

 degradation. ^ In writing a list of the different tribes of Bltills, settled in the 

 principality of Jabuali, the names of many of the Hindu military caste 

 were found. This induced a query as to the cause of Bhilk being distin- 

 guished by family names, such as Rhalore, Chohdn, Sulanki, &c. The 

 answer from a chief, skilled in their legends, was the following short fable : 



" In former times, when Tahasu Rama (jlva/dro) declared a war of 

 " extirpation upon the Rajputs (in revenge for an offence against his father), 

 " numbers of that tribe were obliged to save themselves, by denying that 

 " they belonged to it, professing to be members of other classes of the 

 " community. To punish this evasion, Pahasu Rama insisted that every 

 " individual should eat the food of the tribe, to which he declared himself 

 " to belong. Tliose Rajputs, who did so, lost their caste, and were obliged 

 " to adhere to the tribes of their adoption, but retained their former name;" 

 and this (said tiie old man) accounts for your finding men who call them- 

 selves R/iatores, SulanHs, kc. amongst the Bhills, and many other low 

 castes,* with whom their ancestors, when in dread of extirpation, as- 

 sociated. 



The pure Bhilk (as they term themselves) pretend to keep up a distinc- 

 tion from others, on many points, and particularly in diet. They refrain 

 from carrion, and animals that have died a natural death, whicli impure 

 Bhills eat; and many families amongst tliein will not partake of the flesh of 

 the cow. The consequence of this abstinence is, that some Rajputs will 

 drink water from tlie vessels, and eat in the houses, of these Bhills ; and the 

 latter, flattered by this approximation, assume, as far as their condition per- 

 mits, the habits and customs of other Hindus. On these, therefore, it is 



• Some of these degraded Rajputs are found among the TZ/h, or oil-men, and the Baldya$, or 

 guides ; and even, I am informed, among the Chamdrs, or shoe-makers, who are deemed the 

 rilest and most unclean of the Hindu community. 



