TABLE - XII
Population of the districts along the course of the Ganges/Padma
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) |
Rajshahye | 28762 | 60440 | 15660 | 8727 |
Pubna | 50126 | 19255 | 20553 | 35359 |
Dacca | 191162 | 32317 | 51632 | 102084 |
Noakhally | 12947 | 20263 | 7652 | 20878 |
Backergunge | 326775 | 29341 | 65261 | 125164 |
Moorshedabad | 21764 | 102517 | 38740 | 17077 |
Nuddea | 42062 | 111867 | 60026 | 39719 |
Fureedpore | 156223 | 13619 | 23294 | 57026 |
Total | 829821 | 389619 | 282818 | 406034 |
TABLE - XIII
Dacca division
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) |
Mymensign | 123262 | 77798 | 23414 | 105537 |
Dacca | 191162 | 32317 | 51632 | 102084 |
Fureedpore | 156223 | 13619 | 23294 | 57026 |
Backergunge | 326775 | 29341 | 65261 | 125164 |
Total | 797422 | 153075 | 163601 | 389811 |
TABLE - XIV
Dacca
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) |
Dacca | 191162 | 102084 | 51632 | 32317 |
Total | 191162 | 102084 | 51632 | 32317 |
| 191162 | 186033 | ||
Note. Chandals outnumber the combined population of Kayasthas, Brahmins and Kaibartas by 5129. Dacca was the capital of Vanga during the period of “Buddhist Sovereigns of the Chandals known as Pal Dynasty.” Census 1891, p.262). Dacca produced the finest of muslins of the world. |
TABLE - XV
Ganga-Padma, Brahmaputra and Megna Basin
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) |
Mymensign | 123262 | 77798 | 23414 | 105537 |
Bogra | 7647 | 14833 | 4263 | 5483 |
Pubna | 50126 | 19255 | 20553 | 35359 |
Jessore (incl. Khulna) | 271325 | 41001 | 51909 | 90610 |
Fureedpore | 156223 | 13619 | 23294 | 57026 |
Sylhet | 122457 | 128523 | 44244 | 90205 |
Dacca | 191162 | 32317 | 51632 | 102084 |
Tipperah | 81155 | 53866 | 31020 | 72804 |
Noakhally | 12947 | 20263 | 7652 | 20878 |
Backergunge | 326775 | 29341 | 65261 | 125164 |
Total | 1343079 | 430816 | 323242 | 705150 |
TABLE - XVI
Brahmaputra and Ganges/Padma Basin
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) |
Sylhet | 122457 | 128523 | 44244 | 90205 |
Mymensign | 123262 | 77798 | 23414 | 105537 |
Pabna | 50126 | 19255 | 20553 | 35359 |
Dacca | 191162 | 32317 | 51632 | 102084 |
Fureedpore | 156223 | 13619 | 23294 | 57026 |
Jessore (incl. Khulna) | 271325 | 41001 | 51909 | 90610 |
Backergunge | 326775 | 29341 | 65261 | 125164 |
Total | 1241330 | 341854 | 280307 | 605985 |
TABLE - XVII
The Population of districts north of the Ganges and north of East Bengal
in 1872
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) |
Mymensign | 123262 | 77798 | 23414 | 105537 |
Bogra | 7647 | 14833 | 4263 | 5483 |
Rungpur | 36148 | 35396 | 10623 | 10387 |
Rajshahye | 28762 | 60440 | 15660 | 8727 |
Pabna | 50126 | 19255 | 20553 | 35359 |
Dacca | 191162 | 32317 | 51632 | 102084 |
Total | 437107 | 240039 | 126145 | 267577 |
Table - XVIII
Gangetic Delta and North of the Ganges
DISTRICT | 'Chandal' (semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kaibarta (agriculture caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) | Kayastha (intermediate caste) |
Rajshahye | 28762 | 60440 | 15660 | 8727 |
Pubna | 50126 | 19255 | 20553 | 35359 |
Dacca | 191162 | 32317 | 51632 | 102084 |
Moorshedabad | 21764 | 102517 | 38740 | 17077 |
Nuddea | 42062 | 111867 | 60026 | 39719 |
Jessore (incl. Khulna) | 271325 | 41001 | 51909 | 90610 |
Fureedpore | 156223 | 13619 | 23294 | 57026 |
Backergunge | 326775 | 29341 | 65261 | 125164 |
24 Parganas | 46056 | 182180 | 120102 | 82803 |
Total | 1134255 | 592537 | 447177 | 558569 |
AT A GLANCE
| Chandal (Semi-Hinduised aboriginal) | Kayastha (interme-diate caste) | Kaibarta (agricultural caste) | Brahmin (superior caste) |
Eastern Gangetic Delta | 754323 | 272800 | 83961 | 140464 |
Gangetic Delta | 864205 | 412399 | 480525 | 359332 |
Centre of the Gangetic Delta | 271325 | 90610 | 41001 | 51909 |
Along the course of the Ganges/Padma | 829821 | 406034 | 389619 | 282818 |
north of the Ganges-Padma | 270050 | 146170 | 112012 | 87845 |
North and South of the Ganges | 490099 | 259992 | 340015 | 209905 |
North of the Ganges and North of East Bengal | 437107 | 267577 | 240039 | 126145 |
Gangetic Delta and North of the Ganges | 1134255 | 558569 | 592537 | 447177 |
Dacca division | 797422 | 389811 | 153075 | 163601 |
East Bengal | 1286891 | 733224 | 400420 | 321083 |
Central and Extended East Bengal | 1528682 | 936822 | 928020 | 594129 |
Central and East Bengal | 1456125 | 912225 | 817351 | 563583 |
Brahmaputra to Bay of Bengal | 1417215 | 728307 | 527764 | 352604 |
Ganga-Padma, Brahmaputra and Megna Basin | 1343079 | 705150 | 430816 | 323242 |
Brahmaputra and Ganges/Padma Basin | 1241330 | 605985 | 341854 | 280307 |
(Mahasthangarh and
surrounding areas)
Chandal (Semi-Hinduised aboriginal) 640719
Kayastha (Intermediate caste) 430586
Kaibarta (Agricultural caste) 4224428
Brahmin (Superior caste) 201409
Rajbansis (Semi Hinduised aboriginal) 371000
Kooch (Semi-Hinduised aboriginal) 137079
The foregoing demographic statistics definitely lead to the conclusion that the ancestors of the aboriginal ‘Chandals’ were the predominant people among the original inhabitants of Ancient Vanga and the country was known after them.
Since Mauryan Brahmi inscription of Mahasthan is the earliest evidence of the history of Vanga, it necessary to look at the inscription. It is a masterpiece on disaster-management. We see the compound word samvangiya (sam+vang+iya). Till today, this is perhaps the earliest mention of Vanga in stone which dates back to 400 B.C. Mahasthan is geographically located within the kingdom of Paundra-Vardhana where the aboriginal ‘Chandal’ were in significant majority.
“As noted elsewhere, the Pods and ‘Chandals’ were probably the dominant tribes in the kingdom of Paundra, Vardhana and to this day traces of the Buddhist faith can still be found in the working religion of the Pods. Amongst the Koches also, traces of Buddhist influence still survived when Ralph Fitch, visited the country in the 16th century. (J.A.S.B., 1873, Part -I, p. 240.)” - Muhammadan of Bengal, Extracts from ‘Census of India, 1901’ by E. A. Gait, F.S.S. (Vol – VI, Published in 1902, pp.165-181].
In ordinary course, our investigation would have concluded after this massive demographic data to identify the descendants of the Vangas; but we decided to collect more evidence.
ABORIGINALS/ABORIGINES/AUTOCHTHONS
In addition to the conclusive demographic statistics of 1872 census to prove that the ‘Semi-Hinduised Aboriginal ‘Chandals’ were the descendants of the Vangas of Ancient Vanga, there are more relevant and significant evidence to adduce that the ‘Chandals’ were the autochthons of East Bengal concentrating in the eastern part of the Gangetic delta and spreading all over in the swamps and fen districts. They were the’ denizens of the swamps.’
‘CHANDAL’ : SEMI-HINDUISED ABORIGINAL
1. "SEMI-HINDUISED ABORIGINAL” / “WERE ABORIGINAL TRIBES”— 1872: BEVERELY, H., 1872, CENSUS REPORT, P.181 STATEMENT OF NATIONALITIES, RACES, TRIBES AND CASTES, CXVI.
2. "SEMI-HINDUISED ABORIGINES” - 1887: HUNTER, W. W. S, A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF BENGAL, VOL – V, p. 39.
3. THE ‘CHANDAL’ OUTCASTE OF THE GANGETIC DELTA”- Census, 1891, Report, p.255.
4. "BANGA OR THE BARENDLA DESH AND WAS PEOPLED BY CHANDALS”- Census 1891,Report,262.
5. "ONE OF THE ABORIGINAL RACES WHOM THE ARYANS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF SOIL” - 1891: RISLEY, H. H., THE TRIBES AND CASTES OF BENGAL, VOL - I, P. P.183-189.
6. "DISTINCT ABORIGINAL RACE” - 1908: DUTT, R. C., CIVILIZATION IN BUDDHIST AGE P. P. 153-251.
7. “...the fact that a large proportion of the Hindus consist of castes of aboriginal descent, such as ‘Chandals’ and Pods, who are extremely, hardy, industrious and thrifty, while their habits, which are almost amphibious, specially qualify them for living in the fen country which forms so large a part of the districts. …
… there appears to be little doubt that this district was originally peopled by the ‘Chandals’ and Pods, the former occupying the eastern and the latter the western half of it. In all probability, they were originally hunters and fishermen, the Pods following the latter calling almost exclusively, while some of the ‘Chandals’ were hunters also.” (emphasis added) 1908:O’MALLEY, L. S. S., BENGAL DISTRICT GAZETTEERS, KHULNA, P.59.
8. “the outstanding feature of their geographical distribution is that they are denizens of the swamps. Their own tradition is that they sought a refuge there from the persecutions of the high caste Hindus. Another and more probable theory is that they are the autochthons of Eastern Bengal, aboriginals who found a refuge in the marshes, retreating there before the advance of more powerful races. Whatever their origin, they are a hardy and muscular race, capable of enduring much exposure and fatigue. They live by agriculture and fishing, and are expert boatmen”. (emphasis added) — 1925:O’MALLEY, L. S. S., BENGAL DISTRICT GAZETTEERS, FARIDPUR, P.48.
9. “THIS IS INDICATED BY THE FACT THAT INDIGENOUS TRIBES LIKE THE VANGAS, THE SUHMAS, THE SABARAS, THE PULINDAS, THE KIRATAS, AND THE PUNDRAS ……” – 1971: MAJUMDAR, R.C, HISTORY OF ANCIENT BENGAL,p.361.
10. PERHAPS THE ANCESTORS OF KOL, SABAR, PULIND, HADI, DOM, ‘CHANDAL RACE’, ETC WERE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF BANGA. ORDINARILY THEY LIVED MAINLY BY CULTIVATION AND LIVED IN VILLAGES. - 1973 : BHARATKOSH, BANGIYA SAHITYA PARISHAD, VOL -V, P. 4.
PROFESSION
The main profession of the Vangas of Ancient Vanga were boating and cultivation. They grew transplanted rice. In a land of rivers, canals, swamps and dotted with innumerable islands, many lived in boats. Boats were used for all activities of life. They used boats in war and excelled in nautical matters. The ‘Chandals’ developed amphibious habit to survive and thrive in a country of rivers, canals, streams and swamps. Principal professions of the ‘Chandals’ were boating and cultivation. Their amphibious habit especially qualified them to grow large varities of long- stemmed rice in the swamps and deep morasses. They developed a unique expertise in reclamation of lands in Sunderbans. They were excellent boat builders and none could match them in boating. They were expert in navigation and nautical matters. In fact, boating, shipping and maritime trade and commerce were in their blood. The Ancient non-Aryan Buddhist Vangas were masters of the seas.
“The testimony that history bears to the military, religious, and maritime enterprise and achievements of the ancient Buddhist Bengali in the earlier centuries of the Christian era now scarcely wins belief and acceptance. Yet it is an incontrovertible fact that Bengal of old gave birth to men who marched armies beyond the frontiers of modern India and ruled for a time as the paramount power in the land; who braved the perils of the deep in armed galleys, and carried home foreign itinerants in their ships.” (Mookerji, R.K; Indian Shipping, 1912, p.155) Their geographical location indicates that they were denizens of swamps. Living in such a fen country, they had to develop a self- sufficient economy. They excelled in all trades. Next table gives a reliable account of their profession.
‘Dissident groups Parent caste or Traditional New
or present name original caste occupation occupation
of the caste name
Sadgop Gop Cattle-grazing Agriculture and
Trade
Tili Teli Oil-pressing Trade and
Agriculture
Madhunapit Napit Barber Confectioner
Phulnapit Napit Barber Agriculture
Mahisya Bhuia-Khandait- (Fighting-agricultre Agriculture
Kaibartta-Chasi- and fishing- (land-
Kaibartta agricluture (land- holding and
holding and cultivating
cultivating and but never
also sometime selling the
personally selling products
the products in personally the market) in the
market)
Saha Sundi Manufacturer and Trade and
sale of liquor agriculture
Jogi Jugi Weaving Agriculture
and
miscellaneous
Chasadhoba Dhoba Washing Agriculture
Padmaraj Pod Fishing and Agriculture boating
Namasudra Chandal Boating Agriculture
and cultivation
(Source: This table has been prepared on the basis of information collected from the following sources: Census of India, 1891, Vol III, The Report; Census of India, 1901, Vol. VI, Part I; Census of India, 1911, Vol V, Part I; W. W. Hunter, A Statistical Account of Bengal, (Reprint, Delhi, 1973), Vol-I-VI; H. H. Risley, The Tribes and Castes of Bengal, (Reprint, Calcutta, 1981), Vol-I & II; N. K. Bose, The Structure of Hindu Society, translated from Bengali by Andre Beteille, (New Delhi, 1975); N. K. Dutt, Origin and Growth of Caste in India, (Calcutta, 1969), Vol II, Hitesranjan Sanyal, Social Mobility in Bengal, (Calcutta, 1981).' [Bandopadhyay, Sekhar, Caste and Social Mobility in Caste, Politics and the Raj, Calcutta]
Thus the traditional occupation of the ancestors of the present day Namasudras are identical with the professions of the Vangas of Vanga. They carried the tradition of their ancestors of Ancient Vanga.
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