olpur in A.D. 1504. [177] It seems
improbable, therefore, that the Banjaras accompanied the different
Muhammadan invaders of India, as might have been inferred from the
fact that they came into the Deccan in the train of the forces of
Aurangzeb. The caste has indeed two Muhammadan sections, the Turkia
and Mukeri. [178] But both of these have the same Rajput clan names
as the Hindu branch of the caste, and it seems possible that they may
have embraced Islam under the proselytising influence of Aurangzeb,
or simply owing to their having been employed with the Muhammadan
troops. The great bulk of the caste in southern India are Hindus,
and there seems no reason for assuming that its origin was Muhammadan.

2. Banjaras derived from the Charans or Bhats.

It may be suggested that the Banjaras are derived from the Charan
or Bhat caste of Rajputana. Mr. Cumberlege, whose _Monograph_ on the
caste in Berar is one of the best authorities, states that of the four
divisions existing there the Charans are the most numerous and by
far the most interesting class. [179] In the article on Bhat it has
been explained how the Charans or bards, owing to their readiness
to kill themselves rather than give up the property entrusted to
their care, became the best safe-conduct for the passage of goods
in Rajputana. The name Charan is generally held to mean 'Wanderer,'
and in their capacity of bards the Charans were accustomed to travel
from court to court of the different chiefs in quest of patronage. They
were first protected by their sacred character and afterwards by their
custom of _traga_ or _chandi_, that is, of killing themselves when
attacked and threatening their assailants with the dreaded fate of
being haunted by their ghosts. Mr. Bhimbhai Kirparam [180] remarks:
"After Parasurama's dispersion of the Kshatris the Charans accompanied
them in their southward flight. In those troubled times the Charans
took charge of the supplies of the Kshatri forces and so fell to their
present position of cattle-breeders and grain-carriers...." Most of
the Charans are graziers, cattle-sellers and pack-carriers. Colonel
Tod says: [181] "The Charans and Bhats or bards and genealogists are
the chief carriers of these regions (Marwar); their sacred character
overawes the lawless Rajput chief, and even the savage Koli and Bhil
and the plundering Sahrai of the desert dread the anathema of these
singular races, who conduct the caravans through the wi