As already stated, the persons of the Charans in the capacity of bard
and herald were sacred, and they travelled from court to court without
fear of molestation from robbers or enemies. It seems likely that the
Charans may have united the breeding of cattle to their calling of
bard; but in any case the advantage derived from their sanctity was so
important that they gradually became the chief carriers and traders of
Rajputana and the adjoining tracts. They further, in virtue of their
holy character, enjoyed a partial exemption from the perpetual and
harassing imposts levied by every petty State on produce entering its
territory; and the combination of advantages thus obtained was such
as to give them almost a monopoly in trade. They carried merchandise
on large droves of bullocks all over Rajputana and the adjoining
countries; and in course of time the carriers restricted themselves
to their new profession, splitting off from the Charans and forming
the caste of Banjaras.