Note 81 — B (continued 2)

Barai, Baraiya.—(Sanskrit vritti, “occupation, maintenance.”)—The caste engaged in the cultivation of the piper betel, usually known as pân (Sanskrit, parna), the leaf par excellence. The distinction generally made between the Barai and the Tamboli is that the former grows the plant, while the latter sells the leaves. But this distinction does not seem to be always observed. It would seem that the Barai hardly ever sells the leaves, while the Tamboli sometimes cultivates the plant. Mr. Sherring denies that the distinction prevails in Benares, and says that there the Tamboli sells betel-nut as well as pân, and appears to be more of a wholesale dealer than the Barai.81 The Barais are replaced in the Meerut, Agra, and Rohilkhand Divisions by the Tambolis.