_Dhoba._ [549]--A small caste belonging to the Mandla District and
apparently an offshoot from one of the primitive tribes. They have
never been separately classified at the census but always amalgamated
with the Dhobi or washerman caste. But the Mandla Dhobas acknowledge
no connection with Dhobis, nor has any been detected. One Dhoba has
indeed furnished a story to the Rev. E. Price that the first ancestor
of the caste was a foundling boy, by appearance of good lineage,
who was brought up by some Dhobis, and, marrying a Dhobi girl, made
a new caste. But this is not sufficient to demonstrate the common
origin of the Dhobas and Dhobis. The Dhobas reside principally in a
few villages in the upper valley of the Burhner River, and members
of the caste own two or three villages. They are dark in complexion
and have, though in a less degree, the flat features, coarse nose
and receding forehead of the Gond; but they are taller in stature
and not so strongly built, and are much less capable of exertion.