The Chamars

The aim in writing this work has been to present an accurate and fairly complete account of the Chamars. The basis of this work has been the Chamars of the United Provinces, but the Chamars and the leatherworkers of other parts of India as well have been noted. The writings of Ibbetson, Crooke, Rose, Russell and others have been made use of, and Census Reports, both Imperial and Provincial, have been examined. Similarly, materials from the works of anthropology, ethnology, and animism have been made the basis of investigation. Men of many subcastes and of all sorts, living in villages and towns, have been interrogated, such as farmers, tanners, shoemakers, wizards, gurus, and servants. The single aim has been in all cases to record the Charmar point of view. The Charmars of the northwest have been influenced by the superstitions of Punjab, while those to the east reflect the peculiar beliefs of the Vindhyas.