54. Oaths and Ordeals of the Geharas (Kanjars) of the 
Delhi District. 
By W. KirKPATRICK. 
In a paper on the Folk-song and Folk-lore! of these people, 
Maharani Daya, the Great Queen Mother, is mentioned as 
their supreme deity, her male counterpart being Khetrpal. 
Khetrpal, whose special sanctuary is said to be “‘ near Calcutta,’ 
is invoked when an oath is made to someone outside the 
tribe, when in fact it is premeditated that the asservation shall 
not be binding. Within the tribe Khetrpal is sometimes con- 
Hinduism, will account for Khetrpal’s name being put to the 
inglorious use of franking counterfeit oaths. 
‘“‘ Maharani !’’ is, on the other hand, the most binding 
oath known to the Geharas, and I believe to all Ka anjars. 
Curiously it is also used eae as the strongest possible 
oath in the sense of a ‘swear word.’’ In a quarrel, the worst 
abuse or the greatest curse one Gehara will hurl at another 
is ‘‘ Maharani!’’ u a sneering tone indicative of great 
disgust. Maharani saa! is the full title of the goddess 
‘“‘Qh! Mother Great Queen, >? and besides Maharani the ex- 
pression Daya by itself is used to indicate extreme annoyance. 
Maharani and Daya are both used in very much the same 
way as the name of the Deity is resorted to in English 
blasphemy. 
The Kanjar will also swear by his pote or spear. The 
aidéldé, or spud, Mr. Crooke® describes as the “ national im- 
g 
plement of the Sansiyas.’’ It is used by ete and allied 
k. th wonderful accuracy and effect on jackals, and 
on a running deer. The gaiddld is also the principal 
implement in a curious form of inter-tribal trial by ordeal, to 
w men or women of the tr ibe Fe eel. of infidelity are 
1 Fol ke-song and Folk-lore of “the ‘Odare Kanjars, see = ASE B., 
vol. ” no. 7, p. 437. 
3 Crooke’s Tribes and Castes, vol. iv, p. 28% 
