_Brahman, Naramdeo._--A class of Brahmans who live in the Hoshangabad
and Nimar Districts near the banks of the Nerbudda, from which river
their name is derived. According to their own account they belong to
the Gurjara or Gujarati division, and were expelled from Gujarat by a
Raja who had cut up a golden cow and wished them to accept pieces of it
as presents. This they refused to do on account of the sin involved,
and hence were exiled and came to the Central Provinces. A local
legend about them is to the effect that they are the descendants
of a famous Rishi or saint, who dwelt beside the Nerbudda, and of
a Naoda or Dhimar woman who was one of his disciples. The Naramdeo
Brahmans have for the most part adopted secular occupations, though
they act as village priests or astrologers. They are largely employed
as village accountants (_patwaris_), clerks in Government offices, and
agents to landowners, that is, in very much the same capacity as the
Kayasths. As land-agents they show much astuteness, and are reputed
to have enriched themselves in many cases at the expense of their
masters. Hence they are unpopular with the cultivators just as the
Kayasths are, and very uncomplimentary proverbs are current about them.