THE TRIBES AND CASTES OF THE NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES AND OUDH. VOLUME II. Bhar.'-A caste of apparently Dravidian origin found in the eastern parts of the United Provinces. 2 They are also known as Râjbhar, Bharat, and Bharpatwa. The word Bhar is derived by the Pandits from the Sanskrit root bhri, to nourish, but this is improbable, and it is more likely to be of non-Aryan origin. Dr. Oppert indulges in some curious speculations on the subject. He suggests their connection with the Barrhai of Ptolemy (VII-2-20), and with the Bharatas, a mountain tribe mentioned in connection with the Sabaras and with the Barbara, Varvara, or Barbarian. The derivation of large numbers of local names in Upper India from the same source, such as Bihâr, Bahrâich, Bârabanki, Bareilly, Barhaj, Barhar, and even Varanasi or Benares, etc., must be accepted with the greatest caution. 2. This tribe has given rise to much wild speculation. In Gorakhpur they claim to be the descendants Traditions. of, and named from, an early Kshatriya Râja named Bharadwaja, whose sons strayed from the ancient way of life and took to the use of meat and wine. Their descendant Surha settled in the village of Surauli, and wishing to marry a high caste Rajput girl, was murdered by her relations, and became an evil spirit, who does much damage still if he is not duly propitiated. That they claim to have been once a dominant race in the eastern part of Oudh and the North-Western Provinces is certain. Thus Sir C. Elliott writes :-"The scene before us in Oudh at the fall of the historic curtain is an uninhabited forest country and a 1 Based on information collected at Mirzapur and notes received through Mr. H. E. L. P. Dupernex, C. S., Azamgarh, and from Munshi Chhedi Lâl, Deputy Inspector of Schools, Gorakhpur. 2 Original Inhabitants of Bharatavarsa, 37, sqq. VOL. II. |