Thus the undoubtedly non-Aryan Bhuiyas have in parts of Chota Nagpur been recognised as Jal-Acharani (able to give water to the higher castes) and it may be conjectured that the Kahars themselves only attained this privilege in virtue of their employment as palanquin-bearers." [67] The fact that Brahmans will take water from these castes does not in any way place them on a level with the cultivators; they remain menial servants, ranking, if anything, below such castes as Lohar, Teli and Kalar, from whom Brahmans will not take water; but these latter are, as corporate bodies, more important and prosperous than the household menial castes, because their occupation confers a greater dignity and independence.
On the other hand, one or two of the village menials, such as the Dhobi or washerman, are considered to some extent impure.

This is due to specially degrading incidents attaching to their occupation, as in the case of the Dhobi, the washing of the clothes of women in childbirth.

[68] And the Sungaria subcaste of Kumhars, who keep pigs, are not touched, because the impurity of the animal is necessarily communicated to its owner's house and person.

Still, in the village society there is little real difference between the position of these castes and those of the other village menials.
32.

Origin of their status The status of the village menial castes appears to be fixed by their dependent position on the cultivators.