_Bania, Charnagri, Channagri, Samaiya._--The Charnagris are a small
Jain subcaste which numbered about 2500 persons in 1911, residing
principally in the Damoh and Chhindwara Districts. They are the
followers of one Taran Swami, who is said to have lived about five
centuries ago. He preached against the worship of the images of the
Jain Tirthakars, and said that this should be abandoned and only
the sacred books be revered. The chief sacred place of the sect
is Malhargarh in Gwalior State; here the tomb of their prophet is
situated and there is also a large temple in which the Jain scriptures
are enshrined. In the month of Phagun (February) a fair is held here,
and Charnagris dance in the temples, holding lighted lamps in their
hands. Nowadays the Charnagris also visit the ordinary Jain temples
when their own are not available. They are practically all derived from
Parwar Banias, and formerly would sometimes give their daughters to
Parwars in marriage, but this practice is said to have stopped. Like
other Bania subcastes, they are divided into Bisa and Dasa, or twenty
and ten sections, the Dasa being of irregular descent. Intermarriage
between the two sections occasionally occurs, and the Dasa will take
food from the Bisa section, but the latter do not reciprocate except
at caste feasts.