Some of the lower classes of Bhats have become religious mendicants
and musicians, and perform ceremonial functions. Thus the Jasondhis,
who are considered a class of Bhats, take their name from the _jas_
or hymns sung in praise of Devi. They are divided into various
sections, as the Nakib or flag-bearers in a procession, the Nazir or
ushers who introduced visitors to the Raja, the Nagaria or players on
kettle-drums, the Karaola who pour sesamum oil on their clothes and
beg, and the Panda, who serve as priests of Devi, and beg carrying
an image of the goddess in their hands. There is also a section of
Muhammadan Bhats who serve as bards and genealogists for Muhammadan
castes. Some Bhats, having the rare and needful qualification of
literacy so that they can read the old Sanskrit medical works, have,
like a number of Brahmans, taken to the practice of medicine and are
known as Kaviraj.