In social status the Barhais rank with the higher artisan
castes. Brahmans take water from them in some localities, perhaps
more especially in towns. In Betul for instance Hindustani Brahmans
do not accept water from the rural Barhais. In Damoh where both the
Barhai and Lohar are village menials, their status is said to be the
same, and Brahmans do not take water from Lohars. Mr. Nesfield says
that the Barhai is a village servant and ranks with the Kurmi, with
whom his interests are so closely allied. But there seems no special
reason why the interests of the carpenter should be more closely
allied with the cultivator than those of any other village menial,
and it may be offered as a surmise that carpentering as a distinct
trade is of comparatively late origin, and was adopted by Kurmis, to
which fact the connection noticed by Mr. Nesfield might be attributed;
hence the position of the Barhai among the castes from whom a Brahman
will take water. In some localities well-to-do members of the caste
have begun to wear the sacred thread.