Statistical Beport on the 



[No. 35, 



and reaping seasons are their busy times, but the hot weather ia 

 by no means spent in sloth, they then cut down wood for the re- 

 pair or renewal of their implements, burn for charcoal, make 

 straw ropes and collect thorns. The women are truly their hus- 

 bands' help-mates, they prepare his food, weed, plant grain, 

 clean cotton, grind corn, and, in the absence of other employment, 

 ply busily the wheel and spindle. Old age is respected among 

 them and carefully tended, and if we have to blame that invete- 

 rate practice of uttering ^^'ithout remorse the most unblushing 

 falsehoods respecting their condition, there is much to laud in 

 their industry, patience, and good nature. They are not so active 

 or physically strong as the Mahrattas, but in intelligence they are 

 much on a par A^ith them, and in politeness superior to that rude 

 and unmannerly people. The principal item of their extraordina- 

 ry expenses is their marriages, seldom defrayed for less than a 

 hundred rupees, though it is possible to be got over for half 

 the sum. At births a rupee, or its equivalent in grain, is given 

 to the dhobee, the same to the midwife, and from two to four 

 annas to the Brahmin who casts the nativity. The purification 

 feast cost them a couple of rupees. The Deshmookhs of this caste 

 veil their women. 



Beljewars. — Also cultivators, especially about PurcuU, where 

 they are to be found in the greatest numbers. But they are also 

 shopkeepers, sell xirugs and tobacco, have property in cattle, and 

 practise medicine. They are all Lingayets ; Jungums are very fre- 

 quently from this caste. 



Dhungurs. — Of these are twelve sub-castes — 1st. Yerrah Walle- 

 roo, 2d. Pakenat, 3d. Futra, 4th. Pooja, 5th. Paddameeta, 6th. Peya^ 

 7th. Gumpa, 8th. Came, 9th. Mittee, 10th. Moodeta, 11th. Mooda. 

 There is yet another ; they are distinguished by the difference of 

 the ornaments of their women and by their dress, and, like the dif- 

 ferent sub-castes of Coonbees, do not eat or intermarry with each 

 other. The Yerrah looks on himself as the best caste Dhungur. 

 The Dhungurs are reckoned among the rent-payers in the larger vil- 

 lages. Their contribution to Government varies much according 

 to season and locality. When hired by Zemindars to tend their 

 cattle the Dhungur gets ten rupees a season, a cumlee, some to- 

 bacco, a pair of sandals, and the milk of a cow. 



The breed of cattle of this part of Telingana is peculiar. They 



