this day, though in very much diminished splendour and position. As
they themselves relate, they were originally five brethren, Rathor,
Turi, Panwar, Chauhan and Jadon. But fortune particularly smiled on
Bhika Rathor, as his four sons, Mersi, Multasi, Dheda and Khamdar,
great names among the Charans, rose immediately to eminence as
commissariat transporters in the north. And not only under the
Delhi Emperors, but under the Satara, subsequently the Poona Raj,
and the Subahship of the Nizam, did several of their descendants rise
to consideration and power." It thus seems a reasonable hypothesis
that the nucleus of the Banjara caste was constituted by the Charans
or bards of Rajputana. Mr. Bhimbhai Kirparam [186] also identifies
the Charans and Banjaras, but I have not been able to find the exact
passage. The following notice [187] by Colonel Tone is of interest
in this connection:

"The vast consumption that attends a Maratha army necessarily
superinduces the idea of great supplies; yet, notwithstanding this,
the native powers never concern themselves about providing for their
forces, and have no idea of a grain and victualling department,
which forms so great an object in a European campaign. The Banias
or grain-sellers in an Indian army have always their servants ahead
of the troops on the line of march, to purchase in the circumjacent
country whatever necessaries are to be disposed of. Articles of
consumption are never wanting in a native camp, though they are
generally twenty-five per cent dearer than in the town bazars;
but independent of this mode of supply the Vanjaris or itinerant
grain-merchants furnish large quantities, which they bring on
bullocks from an immense distance. These are a very peculiar race,
and appear a marked and discriminated people from any other I have
seen in this country. Formerly they were considered so sacred that
they passed in safety in the midst of contending armies; of late,
however, this reverence for their character is much abated and they
have been frequently plundered, particularly by Tipu."

The reference to the sacred character attaching to the Banjaras a
century ago appears to be strong evidence in favour of their derivation
from the Charans. For it could scarcely have been obtained by any body
of commissariat agents coming into India with the Muhammadans. The
fact that the example of disregarding it was first set by a Muhammadan
prince points to the same conclusion.

Mr. Ir