Such was the certainty attaching to the Charan's readiness to forfeit
his life rather than prove false to a trust, and the fear entertained
of the offence of causing him to do so and being haunted by his ghost,
that his security was eagerly coveted in every kind of transaction. "No
traveller could journey unattended by these guards, who for a small
sum were satisfied to conduct him in safety. [302] The guards, called
Valavas, were never backward in inflicting the most grievous wounds
and even causing the death of their old men and women if the robbers
persisted in plundering those under their protection; but this seldom
happened, as the wildest Koli, Kathi or Rajput held the person of a
Charan sacred. Besides becoming safeguards to travellers and goods,
they used to stand security to the amount of many lakhs of rupees. When
rents and property were concerned, the Rajputs preferred a Charan's
bond to that of the wealthiest banker. They also gave security for good
behaviour, called _chalu zamin_, and for personal attendance in court
called _hazar zamin_. The ordinary _traga_ went no farther than a cut
on the arm with the _katar_ or crease; the forearms of those who were
in the habit of becoming security had generally several cuts from the
elbow downwards. The Charans, both men and women, wounded themselves,
committed suicide and murdered their relations with the most complete
self-devotion. In 1812 the Marathas brought a body of troops to impose
a payment on the village of Panchpipla. [303] The Charans resisted the
demand, but finding the Marathas determined to carry their point, after
a remonstrance against paying any kind of revenue as being contrary to
their occupation and principles, they at last cut the throats of ten
young children and threw them at the feet of the Marathas, exclaiming,
'These are our riches and the only payment we can make.' The Charans
were immediately seized and confined in irons at Jambusar."
As was the case with the Bhat and the Brahman, the source of the
Charan's power lay in the widespread fear that a Charan's blood
brought ruin on him who caused the blood to be spilt. It was also
sometimes considered that the Charan was possessed by his deity,
and the caste were known as Deoputra or sons of God, the favourite
dwelling of the guardian spirit.