1890.] P. N. Boso — Ghhattisgar ; notes on its tribes, sects and castes. 281 
Physical appearance, character, ^o . — The physical features of the hill 
Gonds are distinctly Mongolian. I found the Mongolian characters most 
pronounced in the wild country on the borders of Ghhattisgar and 
Mandla — thick lips, scanty hair, compressed nose, and short stature. 
But in the plain country, it is often difficult to tell a Gond from a Hindu, 
the former having approximated to the latter not only in habits, but also 
in appearance. The men are slim, well built, and active (on occasions), 
dexterous in the use of the hatchet, and in the jungles, of the bow. Like 
most other aboriginal tribes, the Gonds are very strongly addicted to 
intoxicating drinks. When not under the influence of fear, they are 
lively, frank, and truthful. One could not wish to have more agreeable 
and more useful companions in the jungles than they are. The clothing 
of the men is of the scantiest possible dimensions ; but the women are 
as a rule decently clad. Both are very fond of ornamenting themselves 
with trinkets. 
Deities . — Budha Pen is the great god of the Gonds. He is univer- 
sally worshipped, even by those who have become Hinduised. Two 
grand festivals appear to be held in his honour, (iu the months of 
Magh P and Bhadra ?) W'hen the usual offerings of cocoanut, betelnut 
&c., are made, and cows, goats, and fowls are sacrificed. The sacrifice 
of the cow is considered an essential part of the worship by the hill 
Gonds. A few stones daubed with vermilion represent the god. Ser- 
pent worship is prevalent to some extent. There are images of serpents 
at Sahuspur, in Sahuspur-Lohara zamindari, and at Arabagar in Chauki 
zamindari. I was told at one place, that the serpent is worshipped every 
three yeai-s when a vessel of milk is left for him. Lingo is hold in great 
veneration in some parts ; but, elsewhere, the very name is unknown. 
Dulha Deo, who is the great god of another aboriginal tribe, the Baigas, 
is also greatly esteemed in some places, as also the Hindu god, Maha- 
deo. 
Besides these, there appear to be special minor deities for each got. 
The Gonds are divided into 5 gots. One of these gots comprises wor- 
shippers of three deities, another of four deities, a third of five deities : 
and so on. The three deities of the first of these gots are, I was told, 
the bull, the tiger, and the crocodile ! These animals are considered 
sacred by, and would not contribute towards the food of, those who 
belong to this particular g'ot ; but the members of the other grots would 
not scruple to eat the flesh of any of these animals ! I cannot, however, 
vouch for the correctness of this information ; I often inquired about the 
g'ot-gods, but never got any satisfactory answer. The four deities of 
the four-god got are, I was informed at one place, the Budha Deo him- 
self and his three brothers, Agiukumar, Rausarna, and A'udia Singha; at 
