264 P. N. Bose — Chhattisgar : notes on its tribes, sects and castes. [No. 3, 
name is of Iliiidu origin, being corrupted from ‘ Bidur,’ which signifies 
the mixed descent of the caste. Amongst the peculiarities mentioned to 
me of the caste, one is that their marriage is consummated in one day, 
whereas that of the others takes several days. 
The Fardhdns form a small caste. Their social status is considered 
lower than that of the other Gonds. The Agarias, who are iron smel- 
ters, appear to form a subsection of them, as also the Pdthdris who 
correspond to the Bhdts of the Rajputs. 
The village ‘ Baiga ’ mentioned before not nnoften belongs to the 
Pardhan caste. The name Pardhan appears to be of Sanskritio origin, 
signifying ‘ chief ’ ; and it is rather strange that the caste should be held 
in such low estimation. “ About the Mahadeva hills ” observes Mr. His- 
lop* “ the higher Pardhans act as Pujaris, and the lower as rude musi- 
cians, the Koitors seeming to look down upon both offices as somewhat 
menial.” 
The members of the castes mentioned above belong to one or other 
of the following gots : — 
I. Worshippers of three Deities. 
(1) Markiim. 
(2) Sori. 
(3) Khosro. 
II. Worshippers of four Deities. 
(4) Tekam (a kind of tree, the teak). 
(5) Neitam. (Nei = a dog). 
(6) Kariam. (Charcoal ? or from kar, cock ?). 
(7) Singram (or Sindram ? after a variety of fish). 
(8) Malgam. 
III. Worshippers of five Deities. 
(9) Ghaoro. 
(10) Pureti. 
(11) Kibuaka. 
(12) Porte. 
(13) Puram. 
IV. Worshippers of six Deities. 
(14) Wikka. 
(15) Kattam (Kachlam ?) 
(IG) Karam. 
(17) Erkara. 
(18) Paoli. 
(19) Marrapoi. 
* Op. Cii. p. J8. 
