Kalwar
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(From People of India/ National Series Volume VIII. Readers who wish to share additional information/ photographs may please send them as messages to the Facebook community, Indpaedia.com. All information used will be gratefully acknowledged in your name.)
Kalwar
Synonyms: Kalal, Kalol [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Kalal, Konwar [West Bengal] Groups/subgroups: Bhojpuria, Kanaujia, Kanwar, Maga hiya [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Bihant, Jaiswal, Kharidaha [West Bengal]
- Sub-divisions: Byahut, Chauske, Daharia, Kanaujia, Lad, Malvi, Rai Kalars, Seohare [Russell & Hiralal]
- Subcastes: Ajodhiabasi, Awadhia, Ayodhya, Ayodhyab
asia, Banodhia, Bhojpuri, Biyahut, Deswar, Jaiswar, Jasar, Kalai, Khalsa, Kharidaha, Ranld [H.H. Risley] Batham, Golhere, Iraqi, Jaiswal, Kanaujiya, Mahur, Purabiya, Ranki, Rauki, Sewara [W. Crooke] Bhagat, Bhakat [West Bengal] Abkar, Bhakat, Bhatthidar, Chaudhri, Goldar, Lala, Modi, Sahu [H.H. Risley] Surnames: Chaudhury, Gupta, Jaiswal, Sahu, Shaw [Bi har and/or Jharkhand] Bhakat, Chowdhury, Gupta, Saha, Sau [West Bengal] Gotra: Kashyap [Bihar and/or Jharkhand] Kashyap [West Bengal]
- Sections: Abkahila, Ami(mul), Ardga Lakhia, Bachhv
aian, Bakat Panne Ke Panre, Baksaria, Baniya, Banraha, Baraha Ke Mahto, Barhaira Ke Panre, Baruar, Basundar, Bath uake Mahto, Bathuake Raut Battisi, Beruke Kisan, Beruke Panre, Bhadwaria, Bhojpuria, Bhutane, Bihia, Chanre Ke, Chaugain, Chaugain Ke Panre, Chausa, Datta Ke Raut, Dhakaich, Dhankharia, Dhobaha, Dhurfanda Ekauna, Ga dheyia, Gamel, Gandahia, Gareyia, Gharikarak, Goa, Gonr, Hardwar, Harnatar, Hazari Panre, Jagmanra, Jaintpur, Jamuaon, Kaithar, Kalanua, Kamalsar, Kamsar Ke Mahto, Kandh Pakar Kaneil, Kante Ke, Kante Ke Ras, Karjaba, Kasmal, Kates, Kateswar, Katharia, Kathera, Katsarwa, Kesarbani, Khan, Khapraha, Kharknake Ke, Khataia, Khereswarke Panre, Laksham Seria Lakshnewar, Lamgaria, Mahara, Mahuari, Mallik, Maneria, Mangaf, Rakmal, Raut [H.H. Risley] Anfi, Angi, Bandi, Bata, Kaldar, Panchambar, Qurais hi, Rafki, Rangi, Saua, Sediqi, Sheikh, Zangi [W. C rooke] Exogamous units/lineages (mul): [Bihar and/or Jhark hand]
Notes
Although often notorious drunkards themselves, each of the Mughal emperors issued on his accession an edict forbidding any person to make, or sell, wine or any intoxicating liquor. No Muhammadan could then personally retail spirits, but at present in Dacca six or seven men, natives of Mymensingh, are employed by Hindu Sahas as distillers. They are outcasts; and are not allowed by other classes of Muhammadans to eat, drink, or intermarry with them. If addressed as Kalwar, or "Sharab-walah," they are offended; but are satisfied if called Karigar or Mistari.
There are five licensed stills working daily in the city of Dacca, where the common "Bengala Sharab" is manufactured as follows: Rice and water are boiled, and a ferment, called "Bakhar,"1 imported from hill Tipperah, is added. After standing three days water and molasses are poured in, and the liquid, being placed in a covered jar (Matka), is put aside for twenty-five or thirty days. Afterwards it is heated in a copper still (Bhathi) leading from which are two pipes, or worms, kept cool by the frequent application of cold water. The cost of manufacture is small, and no capital is required for carrying on a distillery of this primitive character. Bakhar, sold in round white balls, only costs a rupee a thousand. Wholesale dealers charge fourteen anas for a quart of this spirit, but the retailer, by dilution with water, can afford to sell it for twelve.
It is not by the rich that this spirit is consumed, but by the dissipated idlers so numerous in old Muhammadan cities, and by the dissolute Dosadh and Chamar. The higher class of Muhammadans, who do indulge in the forbidden luxury, prefer English beer, brandy, or one of the strong liqueurs. Young Bengal fancies champagne, port wine, or brandy, much of which is undoubtedly manufactured by enterprising Babus in the back slums of Calcutta.
1 Bakhar is prepared with Atub rice steeped in water and strained. To this is added ginger, pepper, and the leaves of divers jungle plants, which grow on the hills of Tipperah. It is than made like the spongy cake Batasa and dried in the sun. See Buchanan's "Eastern India," vol. iii, ch. 2.
Natives point to the existence of these licensed distillers as the cause of the increased indulgence in spirits of the present day, but they overlook the fact that there are causes at work, throughout the length and breadth of the land, such as education and facility of locomotion, which are revolutionising the faiths, thoughts, and habits of the people, and which must be regarded as the temporary causes of the moral decadence of their countrymen generally, and of residents of towns in particular.
Under the Muhammadan Government a special officer, the "Muhtasib," was employed to take cognizance of drunkenness, and of the vending of spirituous liquors and intoxicating drugs, but he never succeeded in putting a stop to drinking, which was always a venial offence in the eyes of the Mughals.
