The Saorias of the Rajmahal Bills. 

 By R. B. Bainbridge 



[Read December 5th, 1906.] 



In endeavouring to illustrate the customs and ethnological peculiarities of the 

 Saorias, it is difficult to refrain from dwelling briefly on the climate and nature 

 of their habitat. Glancing at the old maps, the eye is attracted by the wide sweep 

 of the Rajmahal Hills, which rise to an altitude of 2,000 ft. above the level of the 

 sea. South of the Saoria tract runs the Bansloi River, a roaring torrent in the 

 rains, and, in the dry season, a sandy-bed with here and there a glistening pool to 

 mark its course. East and west the hills are met by the zemindari tract and the 

 a Damin-i-Koh," falling away in gentle undulations until they merge themselves into 

 the fat rice lands of Bengal. Northwards the hills stand out boldly, and stem the 

 Ganges, driving its waters with tremendous force against the piers and bastions of 

 the ancient city of Rajmahal. 



This remarkable tract has an average rainfall of 50 inches, and a thermometer 

 which frequently reaches 115 degrees (Farht.). In such a climate great muscular 

 development is not to be expected ; and the typical Saoria is short of stature, light 

 of build, wiry and capable of undergoing considerable fatigue. Pale complexions are 

 not uncommon ; but the characteristic colour is a chocolate brown, sometimes merg- 

 ing into black. The women are well favoured, robust, often elegantly proportioned, 

 and pleasing in feature. They move with that swing of the hips peculiar to those 

 habituated to weighty anklets, and toilsome marches up and down hills : a carriage 

 as far removed from the sweeping grace of the high-caste Hindu woman, as the roll 

 of the lugger is from the glide of the racing yacht. 



The measurement of the nasal index gives an average of 94*5. Turning to the 

 Brahman the figures are 70-4. In the Parisian the figures are 69-4. The difference 

 between the Aryan and the typical Dravidian is in marked contrast. In fact, the 

 figures of the Saoria correspond closely to those of the Negro. The head is, however, 

 dolichocephalic, and, in this respect, is similar to that of the Aryan. But the opinion 

 may be hazarded that a set of more extensive measurements would considerably 

 modify the figures 94- 5. The Saorias have, in bygone times, intermarried with Aryans, 

 and traces of the facial beauties of that commanding race have not been entirely 

 obliterated. In physique the Sonthal and the Uraon are typically Dravidian, whereas 

 in the Saoria, if the figures 94-5 be accepted as representative, the affinity only exists 

 in the proportions of the nasal index. The present speculation is, no doubt, opposed to 

 that of high authority (see H. H. Risley, Tribes and Castes of Bengal); but a pro- 

 longed course of observations leads to the conclusion that, the Saoria lacks the 

 characteristic squat and sturdy build of the typical Dravidian. It needs but a casual 

 observer to distinguish the Saoria from the Uraon or the Sonthal. They are dis- 

 similar, though the precise line of demarcation may not be easily definable. It would 



Mem. A.S.B. 35-5-07 



