He would therefore have been supported by contributions from the cultivators like the other village menials and have ranked below them, though on account of the purity and sanctity of his occupation Brahmans would take water from him.

The Mali has now become an ordinary cultivator, but his status is still noticeably below that of the good cultivating castes and this seems to be the explanation.

With the Mali may be classed the Barai, the grower and seller of the _pan_ or betel-vine leaf.

This leaf, growing on a kind of creeper, like the vine, in irrigated gardens roofed with thatch for protection from the sun, is very highly prized by the Hindus.

It is offered with areca-nut, cloves, cardamom and lime rolled up in a quid to the guests at all social functions.