Note 4 — M (Continued)

In the North Arcot Manual, Mr, Stuart records that the term Marāthi is “usually applied to the various Marātha Sūdra castes, which have come south. Their caste affix is always Rao. It is impossible to discover to what particular Sūdra division each belongs, for they do not seem to know, and take advantage of being away from their own country to assert that they are Kshatriyas—a claim which is ridiculed by other castes. In marriage they are particular to take a bride only from within the circle of their own family, so that an admixture of the original castes is thus avoided. Their language is Marāthi, but they speak Telugu or Tamil as well, and engage in many professions. Many are tailors.4 Others enlist in the army, in the police, or as peons (orderlies or messengers), and some take to agriculture or trading.”