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ZEMINDAR OF DAGAR TRIBE.
(222)

Instances of tribes converted from Hindooism to the Mahomedan faith, but which have since preserved their original distinctive character, have been given in Nos. 178, 180, &c. (ante), and the present is another illustration of similar effect in a member of the Dagar tribe or clan, which is found on the borders of the Punjab, chiefly along the banks of the Sutlej river. The tradition of the clan, is, that they were originally Chohan Rajpoots, residing in the neighbourhood of Delhi; but they have no record of the period at which they were converted to Mahomedanism, or under what circumstances, forcible or otherwise. It is most probable, however, that, like the Pachadas, Ranghurs, and others,they were forcibly converted by one of the early Mahomedan emperors, after having been taken prisoners, and then located as a colony upon tracts that were then possibly uncultivated. Another tradition, is, that they migrated from their own country in Rajpootana, and settled at Pak Puttun, in the Googaira district, whence they have gradually spread along the banks of the Sutlej, reaching the Ferozepore district about one hundred years ago. 

Like other converted clans, the Dagars still retain ancient Hindoo customs, and in many respects are as little changed as the Ranghurs, Bhuttis, and others of the same classes. They are farmers and cultivators; but their work is of a very slovenly nature, and it does not seem that they have much real interest in the means by which they gain their livelihood - their farm work, the labour of ploughing and tilling the soil, being distasteful to them in a high degree. As a consequence they are improvident, and bad tax payers, generally in arrears of rent, or paying it under constraint. Local reports do not, however, give to this tribe the same character for lawles proceedings which has attached itself to others of similar origin. As Mahomedans, the Dagars are ignorant and bigoted; but they possess no distinctive features as to ceremonial observances worthy of remark. They rarely, if ever, marry out of their own clans, and in this respect the resemblance between them and the Ranghurs, Buttees, &c., is remarkable. Like the Pachadas,