Madhu-Napit

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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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Madhu-Napit

The following story explains the origin of this caste. The Mahapurohit, Chaitanya, having ordered two of his servants to shave him, they obeyed, but realised that they were outcasted. Troubled in mind they pointed out that expulsion from caste privileges was the penalty incurred by executing his command. Chaitanya accordingly bade them become confectioners, and make comfits for him.

The descendants of the two servants have ever since been employed as confectioners, and their purity, according to Hindu ideas, is so excellent that even goddesses partake of the good things they prepare.

The Madhu-Napit is is not included in the Nava-Sakha, but the caste Brahman is the same as that of the clean Sudras; and the water pots are quite pure. In creed the caste is Vaishnava. They have two gotras, Aliman and Kasyapa. Madak is the common appellation, but Bengalis often address them as Kuri, or Saha-Ji; the latter, however, is a title given to any shopkeeper.

The Madhu-Napit is the most respected confectioner in Eastern Bengal, for the caste Mayara or Madak, is rarely met with, and the Halwai is usually a Ghulam Kayasth, a Khonta Brahman, or a Kandu. Only ten houses are occupied by the caste in Dacca, but more reside in villages. These confectioners assume great airs, neither intermarrying with other castes, not even with barbers, nor shaving themselves. In former days they would not fry sweetmeats in Ghi, or butter, but now are becoming less fastidious. The common comfits prepared by the Madhu-Napit are "Jalebi," "Amriti," "Khaja," "Chhena-pera," "Laddu," "Gojha," and "Shir-bhuja."

The delicacies offered to idols are "Pera," "Barfi," "Ilachi-dana," "Batasa," and "Sandesa."

The Madhu-Napit do not cultivate the soil, but are found employed as writers, goldsmiths, grocers, cloth-merchants, and policemen.