Dhuniya
This article is an extract from
THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. Ethnographic Glossary. Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. . |
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Dhuniya
This is the Sanskrit name for a carder of cotton, the followers of which trade are known in various parts of India by different names. In Bombay a carder is called Naddaf, or Pinji-yara;1 in Hindustan Bihna; in Gaya Dhuniya; south of the Sona, Mancur; and in Bengal Dhuniya, or Tula-walah. The class is undoubtedly of Hindu origin, and are still regarded by Muhammadans as out-castes, the reason usually given for this exclusion being that they eat flesh in a raw condition, which, however, is a baseless calumny.
In former days, before they were imbued with new religions ideas, the Dhuniyas worshipped their bow on the full moon of Sravan (July, August); and a feast was held at which cakes and goats' flesh were eaten, and large quantities of toddy drank. Even now they worship the carding implements before commencing the season's work. Of late years they have been told by their teachers that they are descended from Mancur-al-Hallaj,2 a
1 Sanskrit, Pinjana, a bow for cleaning cotton.
2 Abu Mugb, al Husain ibn Mancur al Hallaj, was a native of Al-Baida, in Fars. Having attained to Wacilah, the last stage of Cufism, he went to Baghdad during the reign of the Khalifa Al-Muqtadir. The following marvellous stories are told of him while there: He could produce summer fruits in winter, winter fruits in summer; he knew the secrets of families and the inmost thoughts of all he met; and having tasted a few drops of celestial nectar obtained from the heavenly Huris, he could no longer restrain himself, but went about shouting "An-al-haq! An-al-haq! I am God!" For this impiety he was put to death at the Bab-at-taq of Baghdad, on the 23rd Ziqa'dah, A.H. 309 {April, 922). His followers, however, assert that when taken to the place of execution the soldiers could not seize him, as his body eluded their grasp, and appeared composedly sitting at a distance. His soul was then in heaven, where it was accosted by Muhammad, who admitted that he was quite justified in proclaiming himself God; but that for the sake of practical religion, and for the welfare of mankind, it would be expedient to allow himself to be put to death. The soul accordingly returned to earth, reanimated his body, and he endured the cruel death to which he had been condemned. Muhammadans are still divided in opinion about him, one half repudiating him as an impostor, while his followers say that his likeness was given to one of his enemies, who suffered in his stead. Malcolm's "History of Persia," ii, 400; D'Herbelot sub Hallage, "Ibn-Khallikan," vol i, 423.
famous Cufi, the first person who taught mankind the use of the carding bow. The name Al-Hallaj was derived from the following story: Mancur, who used to sit at the door of a cotton carder's shop, one day asked the man to go on an errand. "But I myself am busy carding," answered the other. "Do my business," said Mancur, "and I will card for you." The man went as he was bid, and on his return found all his cotton carded. Such is the strange pedigree of these credulous converts.
Several families of Dhuniyas, now domiciled in Dacca, originally came from Tirhut and Bihar, and, as the Bengali Mussulman never follows this occupation, every year, towards the beginning of November, skilled workmen wend their way from Patna, Gaya, and other towns to Eastern Bengal.
Women of low Sudra castes card cotton with the "Phutki," but it is only the professional Muhammadan carder who uses the Dhunwi.
The Dhuniya, who resides permanently in Bengal, turns his hands to any trade during the hot, or slack season, often acting as a Bihisti, or water-carrier, or as a Pankha coolie.
The bow used in carding is known as the Dhunwi, or Ram Dhanuk, a name also given to the rainbow;l the dumb-bell shaped instrument, made of the heart of a tamarind tree, with which the bowstring is made to vibrate, being called "dasta."
The cotton-grower extracts the seeds (binaula), and feeds his cattle with them, while he sells the cotton to the carder. A skilful Dhuniya will prepare eight sers (16 Ibs.) of the best cotton, and from ten to twelve sers of the common, in a day. For a good day's work he earns at least eight anas. For carding the cotton of the Semal tree (Bombax heptaphylla), which is an excellent stuffing for pillows, half an ana for each ser is charged.
