306 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. (N.S., XIX, 
seems to be definitely inaccurate about one caste. The Thacoju 
group of Vaisyas mentioned by him are evidently the descen- 
dants of the Vais or Vaisya Thakuris of Nepal. Their rank was 
however of Ksatriyas.'' Hodgson’s confusion of these Thakuris 
with Vaisyas, is probably due to the fact that trade is followed 
by them as an occupation, instead of fighting. which is their 
proper profession, while the first part of their name Vaisya 
Thakuri is that of the third caste of the Brahmanic Sastras, 
whose hereditary work is agriculture and trade. The absence 
of this group from any other list must in view of the above 
fact, lead to the rejection of Hodgson’s statement on this 
point. 
It has already been said that the absence of the Gulcul 
division, who follow the same occupation as the Gaukaus. 
described by Oldfield, among the heterodox Buddhists (App. D), 
and the two groups are evidently one and the same. 
Hodgson has however mentioned that the Ghukoos are, in 
addition, burners of the dead of Banras, Udas and Jyapoos. 
it seems to suggest some connection between the Gulcul Achars 
or Gaoku Achars, and the Gaokus. The former are however 
Hindus and the latter mixed Buddhists, and in the absence of 
further information, it is best to agree with Oldfield and 
Hodgson that the Gaokaus are members of the third group of 
Bauddhamargis, not connected with the Hindu Achars. 
The Tiniacha of Earle are simply described as priests 
officiating at death ceremonies. They are evidently not the 
counterpart of those Brahmans of the plains who take death 
gifts, as these form a separate class in Nepal. the Bhat ; they 
are mentioned by Earle among his intermediate castes. Offi- 
ciating at death ceremonies may mean either at the actual 
funeral ceremonies or some such functions as that perform 
by the Gaoku Achar, In the former case, they would scarcely 
be ranked among Aigh castes (in Earle’s list). This is of 
course said from the experience of the position of castes in 
the plains; but the purity and impurity of castes among 
Hindu Newars does not show any marked divergence from 
that in the plains, except in the greater simplicity of its 
character. 1 am therefore inclined to consider the Tiniacha 
as et the same as Gulcul Achar, and not a separate 
cas 
The Siidras of Oldfield are ail domestic servants of 
different kinds. They are not |} j he 
| S$. Lévi: ibid., pp. 154-5. D. Wright: ibid., Chap. IIT. 




