ABSTRACT
The Hindus of Bengal deny that they have any Dravidian, or Kolarian, blood in their veins, and disown any connection with these two aboriginal races; yet Colonel Dalton1 has arrived at the conclusion that aboriginal blood does form an important element in the constitution of the modern Bengali. It was most natural for the non-Aryan tribes to seek amalgamation with the civilised and enterprising foreigners, and this desire has always been encouraged by the Patita, or fallen, Bráhmans. The stages through which the mixed races passed before becoming Hindus can be ascertained by observing what is occurring at the present day. The Hill Garos, entering the plains, and intermarrying with Hindus, gave rise to the Hajong, a mongrel people, who, again, are kinsmen of the Doí, a caste having Bráhmans as Purohits. The same gradation is also observable in the case of the Ráj-van _sí Kochh, the Kochh Mandáí, and the Súrya-van_sí.
