Dafadar

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This section has been extracted 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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Dafadar

A low class of Maho-modans in Eastern Bengal; also known as N alwah from their using the nat grass to make baskets. They are said to be an offshoot of the Hajjam, but they claim a higher position than the par¬ont stock by reason of their having adopted a di:f;J'erent occu-pation.

This name, properly given to a sergeant of police, is in Eastern Bengal the designation of a low class of Mussulmans who, chiefly found along the banks of the Hilsamari river, are also known as "Nalwah" from using the Nal grass in the manufacture of baskets.

They are undoubtedly an offshoot from the Hajjam division, and having adopted a new occupation, as a natural consequence, claim a higher position than the parent stock. The Hajjams eat with the Dafa'dars, but the Dafa'dars decline to deal with the Hajjams on a footing of equality.

The men and women make rice bins and coarse mats, called "chatai," with Nal grass, brought from the Sunderbuns by themselves, or by traders.

Though a despised community they do not permit their women to appear in public, and still cling, uninfluenced by the preaching of the modern doctors, to their old ancestral beliefs and customs.

Their headman is styled Mu'tabar, but he does not receive, as is usual, a present of a turban at weddings. Furthermore, an annual subscription to the Panchait is not levied, but the Mulla gets a fee at weddings and funerals.