Suthra-Shahis

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This article is an extract from

THE TRIBES and CASTES of BENGAL. By H.H. RISLEY, INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE, OFFICIER D'ACADÉMIE FRANÇAISE. Ethnographic Glossary. CALCUTTA: Printed at the Bengal Secretariat Press. 1891. .

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Suthra-Shahis

This is one of the seven subdivisions of the Nanak Shahi faith, and it is a remarkable thing to find it existing in a remote town like Dacca. There is only one Akhara belonging to the body in Chuhra Bazar, where formerly many cenobites dwelt, but now it is occupied by a solitary Mahant. The sect is a very disreputable one, the members being usually drunkards, or Ganjha smokers. The Mahant supports this character admirably, wandering about on the look out for rich men's houses, before which he commences howling Hindustani songs in praise of Nanak, and beating time with two pieces of wood. At weddings and other domestic rejoicings he appears uninvited, and by his importunity and shamelessness generally carries off alms ia some shape.

The chief objects of worship with this society are Nanak Shah, and the Grantha, or sacred book of the Sikhs, to which on certain occasions flowers and other articles are offered, as is also done by the Nanak Shahis. Suthra Shahis are often Brahmans, who do not discard the sacred cord on becoming Udasis. They eat with Brahmans of their own tribe, but not with all grades of Sikhs. No Sikh, on the other hand, will refuse to partake of "Prasad," or consecrated food, from them. The Sutthra Shahis observe all the great Hindu festivals, and pay special adoration to the "Salagram."