The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22010

Title

The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India, Volume 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This ethnographic volume documents the diverse castes and tribes of India's Central Provinces, offering detailed insights into their origins, occupations, social customs, and religious beliefs. Written with scholarly precision, it serves as a vital historical record of early 20th-century Indian society.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume II of *The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India*, R. V. Russell presents a meticulous ethnographic survey of the region's diverse communities, blending factual observation with cultural analysis. The text delves into the lives of distinct groups such as the Agarias, Ahirs, and Badhaks, exploring their unique dialects, rituals, and deities. Russell contrasts the traditional reverence held by iron-smelting Agarias for their profession and the pastoral Ahirs for their Diwali celebrations with the evolving social landscape among educated Brahmins who are increasingly discarding rigid caste restrictions. The work highlights how English education and interaction with Europeans are fostering liberalization, particularly among youth who now partake in foods previously considered impure and adopt Western dress. Russell also examines the complex moral standards of various groups, noting the stark differences in behavior between regions; for instance, while Gujarati Vaghri women are noted for their chastity, their counterparts in northern India often live separate from their official husbands. A significant portion of the volume addresses the suppression of dacoity, detailing the historical efforts to dismantle armed gangs of criminals like the Badhaks and Baoris. Russell describes their methods, including the use of omens from jackals and sun gods, and their distinctive markings used for identification. Through these detailed accounts, the book offers a rich, factual portrait of the Central Provinces' cultural landscape, capturing both the persistence of ancient traditions and the rapid pace of social change in the early 20th century.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Ethnology
• Religion
• Caste
• Scheduled Tribes