1890.] P. N. Bose — Chhatttsgar : notes on its tribes, sects and castes. 299 
a considerable time. They are, however, now taking to agriculture at 
places, as their hereditary occupation does not any longer pay, as it used 
to do a few years ago. 
At the last Census, the Banjaras numbered 8,518 in the Raipur 
district. They worship Banjari, a goddess represented by a piece of stone 
daubed with vermilion during Dewali. No priests are required except 
at marriage, when the services of a Brdhman are put into requisition. 
The Banjaras, I am told, make converts of Gonds and other tribes. 
For some time before, and during the Holi festival, the Banjard women, 
old and young, in gala di'ess, go about in batches from house to house, and 
village to village, dancing and singing, expecting, of course, presents of 
money or grain. 
The women put on a large peculiar, conical bonnet, by which they 
may be easily recognised. 
The Banjaras are divided into 18 Gots of which I could get names 
for ten only. Bhuktia, Urtia (Bartia ?), Rauria (or Lauria), Jhai’bola, 
Trie, Kent, Korra, Palthid, Mur, Badant. 
Keot or Kewdt. 
Numerous in the plain country ; at the last Census their number 
for the districts of Raipur and Bilaspur is given as 85,690. Fishermen, 
cultivators. Chief god — Devi or Durga (with four hands). They eat 
pork. 
Bhm. 
Allied to Keot, and very likely included in it at the last Census, as I 
do not find it separately mentioned. 
Mehrd. 
A large class, numbering 26,796, in the Raipur districts at the last 
Census. The Mehras act as kotwals (watchmen) of villages in the 
western portion of Chhattisgar. They also follow agricultural and other 
occupations such as weaving. 
Worship NSrdyana, and Mahadeo. Some are followers of Mdnbhdu. 
There is one class of Mehras calling themselves Beid who worship 
Bhagavdn or Sdrajnardyana, and are said to abstain from beef and in- 
toxicating drinks. They have no intercourse with the other Mehrd 
who will eat anything they can get hold of, carrion not excepted and 
who are considered very low in the estimation of the Hindus . 
The dead are buried with the head to the north. Some selected spot 
in the house is consecrated to the dead. Caste people are fed three 
days after death. 
Kdtia. 
A small caste of weavers. They are mostly followers of Manbhau. 
The dead are buried. 
