Members of other castes, as Chhatri, Kanjar, Rawat and others, who
have taken to stealing, are frequently known as Bhamtas, but unless
they have been specially initiated do not belong to the caste. The
Bhamtas proper have two main divisions, the Chhatri Bhamtas, who are
usually immigrants from Gujarat, and those of the Maratha country,
who are often known as Bhamtis. The former have a dialect which is
a mixture of Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati, while the latter speak
the local form of Marathi. The sections of the Chhatri Bhamtas are
named after Rajput septs, as Badgujar, Chauhan, Gahlot, Bhatti,
Kachhwaha and others. They may be partly of Rajput descent, as they
have regular and pleasing features and a fair complexion, and are well
built and sturdy. The sections of the Bhamtis are called by Maratha
surnames, as Gudekar, Kaothi, Bailkhade, Satbhaia and others. The
Chhatri Bhamtas have northern customs, and the Bhamtis those of the
Maratha country. Marriage between persons of the same _gotra_ or
surname is prohibited. The Chhatris avoid marriage between relations
having a common greatgrandparent, but among the Bhamtis the custom of
Mehunchar is prevalent, by which the brother's daughter is married to
the sister's son. Girls are usually married at ten and eleven years of
age or later. The betrothal and marriage customs of the two subcastes
differ, the Chhatris following the ceremonial of the northern Districts
and the Bhamtis that of the Maratha country. The Chhatris do not pay
a bride-price, but the Bhamtis usually do. Widow-marriage is allowed,
and while the Chhatris expect the widow to marry her deceased husband's
brother, the Bhamtis do not permit this. Among both subdivisions a
price is paid for the widow to her parents. Divorce is only permitted
for immoral conduct on the part of the wife. A divorced woman may
remarry after giving a feast to the caste _panchayat_ or committee,
and obtaining their consent.