OF BHARATAA'ARSA OE INDIA. 
239 
These facts seem to be conclusive evidence for the non- 
Aryan origin of the Kurmis and Kunbis. But what makes 
this tribe historically so interesting, is the circumstance that 
some of the chief Hindu dynasties of modern times such 
as the Eajas of Sattdra, the late Eajas of Tanjore, Scindia 
and others are of Kumbi extraction. The circumstance 
that the old Marathi dialect has preserved the term Kudumbi 
enables us to trace the connection of these Kunbis with the 
Xudumbas or Kurumbas. 
Considering the bravery and the fierceness of the ancient 
Kurumbas who were the dread and the bane of their neigh- 
bours, we need not be surprised if the fire of their martial 
disposition was not quite extinct in the otherwise plodding 
Kumbis, and that the genius of Sivaji and Ekoji could 
kindle the spark into a blazing flame. If Sir Greorge 
Campbell had suspected the origin of the Kumbis, he would 
468, 469 : " Next to the Akirs the Kurmis here (in Gorukhpoor) hold the 
highest place ; and ia Parraona they ohtaiaed the -whole property, although 
they were not able to secure the title of Raja. This, however, was bestowed 
on the family by the late Asfud-Doxilah, but it gave great offence to the 
Eajputs, and has been discontinued. 'The families most nearly connected 
with the chiefs of Parraona, and some others, who were Chaudkuris of Per- 
g-unahs, are reckoned Ashraf , and scorn the plough. While a great many of 
the Saithawar and Patanawar tribes have become ashamed of the term Kunni, 
and reject all additions to the names above-mentioned, although it is well 
known that they are Kurmis, and many of them are not ashamed of this 
name. On the right of the Sarayu this tribe is most commonly called Kunmi 
or Kunbi, which, in the account of Mysore, I have written Cunabi (see above 
p. 208 n. 109); for itis one of the most generally diffused andnumerous tribes in 
India ; and in Malawa has risen to great power by the elevation of Sindhiya 
to the government of Ujjain. This person was a Kurmi ; but I am told, 
that at his capital the Kurmis are now reckoned Rajputs, as they would have 
been here had the PaiTaona family been a little more powerful. There is 
some reason to suspect, that their claim is better founded than that of many 
who have had more success ; for it is alleged by many, that they are the 
same with the Tharus, whose claim to be descended of the family of the sun, 
is supported by many circumstances which must be allowed to have some 
weight, although 1 do not think them conclusive. If the Kurmis, however, 
are the same with the Tharus, they are at any rate descended of the most 
powerful, most civilized, and most ancient tribe, that has been sovereigns of 
the country since the time at least of the family of the sun. As the Tharus, 
however, are impure, the Kurmis strenuously deny the connection, they being 
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