Kandu
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Kandu
Synonyms: Kanu [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Halwai, Kanu [West Bengal] Groups/subgroups: Baltiriya, Kannujia, Koranch, Mad hesia, Maghahiya, Rai Sabha [Bihar and/or Jharkhand ] Gond Gonr, Kanojia, Madhya Deshiya [West Bengal]
- Subcastes: Ballamitiria, Bantaria, Bharbhunja, Dhu
ria, Gonr, Kanaujia, Koranch, Madhesia, Magahiya, R awani, Satmulia Maghaya, Thather, Thathera [H.H. Risley] Titles: Sah, Sahu, Saw [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Sahu [H.H. Risley] Surnames: Prasad, Sah [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Bhagat, Prasad, Saha, Sau [West Bengal] Gotra: Kashyap [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Kashyap [West Bengal] * Sections/clans (mul): Akan, Akhgaon, Ankuri, Arap, Baghakol, Barhi, Bere, Bharath, Bhater, Chaudiha, Chhitni, Datiyan, Gager, Ganrol, Hathiakan, Ichbaria, Jiarwar, Kanap, Kaneil, Karian, Kasiam, Katear Khadhnu, K okras, Mahuli, Maner, Masaur, Mehaus, Murti, Nenijor, Nepra, Pali, Parsautia, Pilich, Rajgiri, Raunia, Saraih at, Sausambar, Sira, Tindiha (Bantaria), Tisor, Toril, Uttardaha [ H.H. Risley]
Notes
The Kandus, or sugar boilers of Hindustan, happily called "frymen" by early English travellers, occupy about twenty-five houses in the city.
According to the Brahmans, the Kandu is descended from a Baidya, Kahar, father and a Sudra mother, but in Gorakhpur he is regarded as a Vaisya, and the Rajputs drink from their waterpots.1
The ordinary subdivisions found in Bengal are�
Kanaujiya, Madhya-desh, Maghaiya, Khurant. The majority of the Dacca Kandus belong to the two last, and are usually called "Bhar-bhunjas," from their parching and grinding grain, and preparing "Sattu," or flour. Another equally common designation is Panch Piriya Kandus, from the religious sect to which they all belong. The Dacca Kandus originally came from Damdaha, in Purneah; but having resided for several generations in Bengal are known as Khonta, or degraded, and Deswali, or alien, Kandus, by their Hindustani brethren, who decline all communication with them.
In Upper India Kandus are often cultivators, but they also parch grain, and use pack-bullocks, as the Banjaras do, for transporting merchandise and cereals. In Dacca the Kandus are confectioners, as well as watchmen, domestic servants, and coolies. Their lowly origin does not prevent their providing the only food that strict Hindus can eat with unwashed hands.2
In the month of Magh, Kandus, instead of worshipping Sarasvati, as most Hindus do, pay adoration to Sukha Siv Nath. At this festival a pot filled with "Ghi," flour, barley, and other articles of their trade, together with a large quantity of rosin (Dhuna), is set fire to, and the dense smoke is regarded as the symbol or manifestation of their patron deity.
The Dacca Kandus, although employing a Brahman as Purohit, follow the singular creed called Panch Piriya. Many observe the fast of Ramazan; wear the "baddhi," or sash, and the "Katni" or mendicant's garb; offer sweetmeats (Shirni) at Dargahs, and at the Shiah Husaini Dalan; and confide in amulets (Ta'wiz) given by the Khwand-Kar.
In their marriage and funeral ceremonies they follow the Sudra custom. Like the Panch Piriya Binds, and Kumhars, their Guru is the Mahant of the Nanak Shahi Akhara.
''1 Buchanan, ii, 465.
2 Vegetable products, such as Gur, or molasses, and any sweetmeat cooked by a Saha, or Muhammadan, without the addition of any other substance than sugar, is called "Jala," and may be eaten even by Brahmans without dishonour; but if even water, or milk be added, it is "Pakka," or dressed, and becomes impure.
