espectively. It is
probable that these groups are exogamous, marrying with each other,
but this is not stated. The third division, the Labhanas, may derive
their name from _lavana_, salt, and probably devoted themselves more
especially to the carriage of this staple. They are said to be Rajputs,
and to be descended from Mota and Mola, the cowherds of Krishna. The
fourth subdivision are the Dharis or bards of the caste, who rank
below the others. According to their own story [195] their ancestor
was a member of the Bhat caste, who became a disciple of Nanak,
the Sikh apostle, and with him attended a feast given by the Mughal
Emperor Humayun. Here he ate the flesh of a cow or buffalo, and in
consequence became a Muhammadan and was circumcised. He was employed
as a musician at the Mughal court, and his sons joined the Charans and
became the bards of the Banjara caste. "The Dharis," Mr. Cumberlege
continues, "are both musicians and mendicants; they sing in praise
of their own and the Charan ancestors and of the old kings of Delhi;
while at certain seasons of the year they visit Charan hamlets, when
each family gives them a young bullock or a few rupees. They are
Muhammadans, but worship Sarasvati and at their marriages offer up
a he-goat to Gaji and Gandha, the two sons of the original Bhat, who
became a Muhammadan. At burials a Fakir is called to read the prayers."

5. Minor subcastes.

Besides the above four main divisions, there are a number of others,
the caste being now of a very mixed character. Two principal Muhammadan
groups are given by Sir H. Elliot, the Turkia and Mukeri. The Turkia
have thirty-six septs, some with Rajput names and others territorial or
titular. They seem to be a mixed group of Hindus who may have embraced
Islam as the religion of their employers. The Mukeri Banjaras assert
that they derive their name from Mecca (Makka), which one of their
Naiks, who had his camp in the vicinity, assisted Father Abraham in
building. [196] Mr. Crooke thinks that the name may be a corruption
of Makkeri and mean a seller of maize. Mr. Cumberlege says of them:
"Multanis and Mukeris have been called Banjaras also, but have nothing
in common with the caste; the Multanis are carriers of grain and the
Mukeris of wood and timber, and hence the confusion may have arisen
between them." But they are now held to be Banjaras by common usage;
in Saugor the Mukeris also deal in cattle. From Chanda a different set
of subc