Criminal classes in India

Despite the tall talk of man's having attained dizzy heights of material, scientific and cultural achievements, crime continues to be an inalienable and inseparable part of the edifice of human society. It is because the monkey in him continues to be more mischievous and dominant than the angel that he was supposed to be. The governing principle of dictators like Napolean, Hitler and Mussolini, throughout the ages; has been: If I steal your cow it is legal but if you steal my cow it is criminal. This kind of attitude has been the rootcause of all major crimes of history, including the First and Second World Wars.
At the lower rung of society, the criminals continue to be the headache of all Governments and established institutions. The vast machine of Home Depart ments of all countries and their gigantic Police Organisations have been an utter failure in controlling the anti-social activities of criminals and crime inues to thrive as ever. In the present volume continues to the author, a senior Police Official of Old Bombay Presidency, made a minute study of the crimes and anti-social practices indulged into by members of various criminal classes of India who made Bombay, Gujarat and Sind as their happy hunting ground
Among the vast array of criminal classes which came within the purview of his study may be listed as Banjaras, Bhamptas, Rajput Bhamptas, Bhils Chhapparbands, Kaikadis, Katkaris Kolis including Mahadev Kolis and Gujarat Kolis, Mangs, Mang Garudis, Mianas. Pardhis, Ramoshis, Vaghris or or Baghris, Waddars, Bowris or Bauriahs, Marwar Baoris or Gujarat Baoris, Ujle Minas, Maile Minas, Oudhias, Pathans, Sansis and Berias, Jadua Brahmins and others.
Then the author describes the social habits, set-up, modus operandi, area of operation and the crimes to which each criminal class is addicted. For example about Banjaras, he says, "..... the more serious forms of crime to which the (Banjara) class is addicted are highway robbery and dacoity both on roads and in dwelling places, usually buts but chiefly on roads. These and cattle lifting are their specialities. In house-breaking the Banjara does not excel but in crop and cattle thefts he is expert. Illicit distillation of liqour is a weakness with all Banjaras ", Regarding Banjara women, the author says, "The women are mostly of superior physique and not without claims to good looks. In parts of the Presidency they are bold and talkative, in others shy and retiring ". When taken unawares, the Banjara females deposit small articles of stolen jewellery in their utensils in which cooking is in progress.