f
a Muhammadan is given. [58] The Badhaks were often known to the
people as Siarkhawa or jackal-eaters, or Sabkhawa, those who eat
everything. And the Muhammadan in question was given jackal's flesh
to eat, and having partaken of it was considered to have become a
member of the community. This indicates that the Badhaks were probably
accustomed to eat the flesh of the jackal at a sacrificial meal,
and hence that they worshipped the jackal, revering it probably
as the deity of the forests where they lived. Such a veneration
would account for the importance attached to the jackal's cry as an
omen. The fact of their eating jackals also points to the conclusion
that the Badhaks were not Rajputs, but a low hunting caste like the
Pardhis and Bahelias. The Pardhis have Rajput sept names as well as the
Badhaks. No doubt a few outcaste Rajputs may have joined the gangs and
become their leaders. Others, however, said that they abstained from
the flesh of jackals, snakes, foxes and cows and buffaloes. Children
were frequently adopted, being purchased in large numbers in time
of famine, and also occasionally kidnapped. They were brought up to
the trade of dacoity, and if they showed sufficient aptitude for it
were taken out on expeditions, but otherwise left at home to manage
the household affairs. They were married to other adopted children
and were known as Ghulami or Slave Badhaks, like the Jangar Banjaras;
and like them also, after some generations, when their real origin had
been forgotten, they became full Badhaks. It was very advantageous to
a Badhak to have a number of children, because all plunder obtained was
divided in regularly apportioned shares among the whole community. Men
who were too old to go on dacoity also received their share, and all
children, even babies born during the absence of the expedition. The
Badhaks said that this rule was enforced because they thought it an
advantage to the community that families should be large and their
numbers should increase; from which statement it must be concluded
that they seldom suffered any stringency from lack of spoil. They
also stated that Badhak widows would go and find a second husband
from among the regular population, and as a rule would sooner or
later persuade him to join the Badhaks.

9. Religion: offerings to ancestors.

Like other Indian criminals the Badhaks were of a very religious
or superstitious disposition. They considered the gods of the Hindu