(536 Coknel Harhiot on the Oriental Origin of the Cypseys. 



Extract of a Letter from Capt. J. T. Ellis, at Barodn, in Guzerat. 



" Koldti, Kanjari, Nat'. — At Baroda these people are stated to be of 

 very different castes, though their habits in some degree assimilate. The 

 Koldti come from Nagpur, and eat carrion ; the Kanjara and Nat' come 

 from Visiapur, near Wagur : the former eat meat, but not carrion ; the 

 latter eat no meat. At present at Baroda there are no Kanjaras or Nat's 

 and only (as reckoned by the natives) an inferior kind of Koldti, who 

 tumble on the ground, but do not dance on ropes, &c. 



" None of these three castes know the original country of their ancestors ; 

 all three dance, tumble on ropes ; and the Koldti and Kanjara make toys 

 with Kadjans for children, bamboo sieves, mats, &c. 



" A few of the Karijara are fortune-tellers and astrologers, and all of the 

 three castes are supposed to understand, or rather to be imbued with, jadoo 

 or witchcraft, the maila-ilam, without which it is supposed, indeed, they 

 cannot perform their feats of activity. The Nat' are famous for exhibit- 

 ing the deceptive growth of mango trees, &c. 



" The three great castes sometimes act as Wdgris, or are beggars, or 

 follow any other vagrant course of life. The Koldtis and Kanjaras never 

 engage in cultivation, but the Nat', when the summer excursion has 

 been unproductive, halt near a village or town, hire a spot of ground 

 for the monsoon, or till they can derive a crop from it ; after which they 

 give up the ground, and recommence their erratic life. It is only, however, 

 when labouring under great distress that they thus become temporary culti- 

 vators. 



" Every detachment of each caste has a head-man, or chief; and they 

 settle their disputes by Panchdyat. 



" It is said, at Baroda, that all three castes bury their dead. The Koldti 

 convey their baggage on asses ; the Kanjara, on buffaloes ; but the Nat* 

 in Guzerat move with carts." 



