Joshi: Deccan
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Joshi
This article is an extract from THE CASTES AND TRIBES OF H. E. H. THE NIZAM'S DOMINIONS BY SYED SIRAJ UL HASSAN Of Merton College, Oxford, Trinity College, Dublin, and Middle Temple, London. One of the Judges of H. E. H. the Nizam's High Court of Judicature : Lately Director of Public Instruction. BOMBAY THE TlMES PRESS 1920 Indpaedia is an archive. It neither agrees nor disagrees |
Joshi — a class of professional astrologers and fortune-tellers, originally recruited from the Marathas. but now consolidated into an independent caste. They lead a life of periodical wandering, leaving their homes in the beginning of November and returning before the rainy season sets in. In their peregrinations they vjsit not only places in Maharashtra, but penetrate far into Telingana. The name ' Joshi ' is said to be derived from the Sanskrit word " Jyotishi ' — an astrologer.
Internal Structure
The Joshis embrace three classes : Sahadeva, Amrapurkar and Sarvade, who neither intermarry nor inter- dine. (1) The Sahadeva Joshis, also known as Huseni Brahmans, claim descent from the famous astrologer Sahadeva, the grandson of the great poet Kalidas, and the son of Devidas and his wife Bhadali. They earn a livelihood by deciphering panchangs (almanacs), telling fortunes by palmistry and casting nativities. Wearing a long robe and a turban, after the fashion of the Maratha Brahmans, they go from village to village and from house to house, explaining to the villagers their future destinies. They are much respected by the simple folk, who are ever anxious to have a peep into futurity. Ordinarily, they are dressed like Brahmans and wear the sacred thread. Socially, they rank higher than the other sub-castes. (2) The Amrapurkar Joshis take their name from the ancient village of Amrapur, the precise site of which is unknown at the present day. They collect alms in the name of the goddess Bhavani of Tuljapur. When on their rounds, they wear a long oily gown of patches, reaching to the ankles, a wreath of cowrie shells around their neck, and a turban after the Maratha fashion, and carry a bag slung on their shoulders. They sing songs in honour of their patron deity, to the music of the tttntm, a one-stringed fiddle. The house-holders first pour oil on their bodies and then gfve them alms. In Telingana they are known by the name of 'Teli Rajas.' (3) The Sarvade Joshis are mostly found in the Maratha Districts of Aurangabad, Bir and Parbhani. The etymology of the word 'Sarvade' is uncertain. They are fortune-tellers and astrologers. They wear a long coat and a Maratha turban, and beg by beating a hudki, a sort of drum. Their prophecies are not believed in and they are driven away from door to door.
The caste is broke^i up into exogamous sections of the Maratha type of surnames. A few of them are noticed below : —
(1) Sonune. (10) More.
(2)Gajkesar. (11) Jadhava.
(3) Panchange. (12) Shinde.
(4) Bhise. (13) Ghadage.
(5) Bhagawat. (14) Mitrak.
(6) Lambkane. (15) Samsari.
(7) Vaidya. (16) Mahajan.
(8) Pote. (17) Sasane. (?) Renukadas. (18) Ghogre.
Exogamy is regularly practised and is supplemented by the same rules as are in vogue among the Maratha Kunbis. Girls are married either before or after they have attained the age of puberty. Girls that are offered to the goddess Bhavani, in fulfilment of vows, are called Aradhinis. Such girls are enjoined not to marry but to lead a religious life begging in the name of Ambabai and subsisting on alms. The Aradhinis dress like the Maratha women, and set out, for begging, with cowrie wreaths round their necks and torches m their hands.
Marriage
The marriage ceremony is a copy of the ritual followed by the other Maratha castes. Deva devak, or the marriage guardian deity, is represented by an axe, a bundle containing mango leaves and a wheaten cake ; and it is installed on the muhurta- medha, or milk-pillar. The essential portions of the ceremony are (1) Kanydddn, or the formal gift and acceptance of the bride, and the seven rounds taken about the sacrificial fire. A girl taken in adultery with a casteman is degraded and the couple are looked down upon as akarmasi, or bastards. Intrigue with an outsider is punished by instant expulsion from the caste. A widow is allowed to many again and divorce is permitted on the ground of adultery. Failing any male issue an Aradhini inherits her father's property.
Religion
All Joshis pay devotion to the god Shani (the planet Saturn), whom they regard with special reverence. A horse shoe, obtained from the foot of a black horse, is set up to represent the deity and is worshipped daily by males and females with offerings of black flowers. On Shani Amdwds^d (the 30th lunar day falling on Saturday), Shani Poumima (the full moon day falling on Saturday) and Shani Pradosha, the image of the god is smeaj^d with oil. bathed with warm water, and worshipped by all the house-holders with offerings of flowers. The Kanfati Jogis act as their gurus or spiritual advisers and whisper in their ears the guru mantra, or mystic formula, which the devotees are enjoined to repeat several times daily. Departed ancestors receive attention from the members of the caste. Silver images are made in their names and worshipped by house- holders on every full moon and new moon day. Muhamipadan pirs and saints are revered in the form of black images set up among the house gods.
The Amrapurkar Joshis are devotees of the goddess Bhavani. whose temple at Tuljapur, in the Usmanabad District, they visit every year on the Dassera festival (Aswin 10th, or middle of October). On this occasion they offer to the goddess their dress, the string of cowries they wear, and the torch they carry. Deshastha Brahmans are engaged for religious and ceremonial observances.
Disposal of the Dead
The Joshis bury their dead in a sitting posture, with the face turned towards the east. A Kanfati Jogi is said to officiate at their funerals and to whisper a mantra into the ear of the corpse before it is lowered into the grave. The chief mourner walks three times round the grave and lowers an earthen vessel of water into it, after which the grave is filled in. A platform is sub- sequently erected upon the place. On the 1 0th day after death, Sradha is performed and pindas, or balls of ricfj^are offered to the deceased person. Deshastha Brahmans are .^.igaged as priests and conduct their maniage services.
Occupation
As has been already stated, the characteristic occupation of the Joshis is begging. Many of them have now settled down to other pursuits and beg only on Saturdays, from house to house, and accept oil in the name of Shani and other grahds (planets). They accept charity in the form of clothes and grain bestowed by pious Hindus on eclipse days. They are also engaged in preparing horoscopes.
Social Status
The social standing of the caste is low and they will accept food from all Maratha castes, except the barber and the washerman, and it is said that only Mahars and Mangs will eat from their hands.'* .They eat the flesh of goats, sheep and fowls and drink liquor, but not the leavings of other castes.
