Kacharu

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This article is an extract from

THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. By H.H. RISLEY, INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE, OFFICIER D'ACADÉMIE FRANÇAISE. Ethnographic Glossary. CALCUTTA: Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. .

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Kacharu

This small caste claims to be an offshoot of the Kayasth, and tell the following absurd story to explain the separation, and consequent debasement: A rich and aspiring Kayasth determined on celebrating the worship of Kali in his own house, contrary to the wishes of his brethren, and deaf to all arguments he performed the ceremony, but was punished by being excommunicated. This is a most improbable story, as the Kacharu caste is dispersed throughout Eastern Bengal, being very numerous at Madaripur in Farridpur, and it has a Purohit of its own. The Sudra barber and washerman work for them, although their water vessels are unclean. It is far more probable that, like the Chhota-bhagiya Tantis, they were expelled for adopting a new trade.

In Dacca the Kacharu are gradually relinquishing their caste trade, the manufacture of glass bracelets (Kacha), in which Muhammadans also engage, and are acting as traders, grocers, and shopkeepers.

The caste has three gotras, Aliman, Kasyapa, and Parasara. Their patronymics are Dutt, Das, and De. The principal festival kept is in honour of Visva-Karma in Bhadra (August-September).

1 J.A.S., vol. iii, 408.

2 Tomri. S. Tumba, a dried gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris). An epithet of Siva is Tumba-Vina, having a fourd for a lute. On the gourd mystic figures are usually engraved.

3 There ia a close cconnection between these Sanyas and the Kanphata Jogis. Both wear similar ornaments, and Siva is the patron deity. Wilson's "Essays on the Religion of the Hindus," i, 217.