Raz

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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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Raz

In Bengal, the mason, bricklayer, and plasterer are names of the same person, who generally belongs to the Kuti division, and though low in the social scale he will neither prepare mortar, nor act as hodman. The man or boy who prepares mortar, usually an apprentice, is called "Jogaria," while the hodman is known as the "Taghariya," from the hod which he carries. A woman occasionally takes the place of the latter, being designated the "Mihtarani." Ustadgar is the ordinary title of masons, a class of workmen who will put their hands to almost anything. As occasion offers, they become traders, day labourers, or brickmakers; but this last occupation is usually left to the Kumhars and Chandals. Moulds for making bricks were formerly unknown, but of late years have been universally adopted. By the older method, the bricklayer merely flattened the clay to the proper thickness, drew lines according to the size wanted, and then cut off the pieces of clay. Ornamental bricks, and small sized tiles, called, "Ja'fari" or "Mirza Ja'fari," are also manufactured by the Raz, and are employed in making cornices and eaves.

Traders in lime (Chuna-walah) belong to any caste or race, slaked lime being imported by them from Silhet.

At the present day skilled masons earn from nine to fifteen rupees a month; the hodman about six, and the "Jogaria" about four.