(to মাহিষ্য-সিদ্ধান্ত । superior to the Jaliks who belong to the submerged Tcnth of the IHindu population. Their (the Haliks') claim to high social rank is undoubtcdly a just one and I am bound to say that this claim has not been ignored by the Hindu legislators and sagcs and savans of the Past. According to traditions, injunctions of the Sastras as well as by the customs which have been current from time immemorial, I have not the least hesitation in saying that the I [alik kaivartas have a just right to call themselves Vaisyas and to be ministered unto in their pujas and domestic sacraments by the high class Rarhi or other Brahmins who have hitherto kept themselves aloof from all sects of the kaivarta Castc. In the districts of IIowrah, Murshidabad, Midnapore and Pubna’ the Halick kaivartas may be reckoned among Zemindars, Talookolars, pleaders
