09-03-061

61

CHRA.

　The Chras are a wandering tribe in the Bombay Presidency. Chra has been returned as a separate dialect only from the Panch Mahals and Thana.

　In the Panch Mahals they wander about in Halol and Kalol and are said to have immigrated from Kathiawar.

　In Thana they are found in Vada, Murbad, Karjat, Bhiwndi, Salsette and Panvel. They are said to have come from Malegaon in Nasik.

　The estimated numbers of speakers are-

　No specimens have been received from Thana. The Chra of the Panch Mahals is of the same kind as the various dialects spoken in the neighbourhood, and can most properly be styled a form of Gujart Bhl. We shall only note a few characteristic points. L and n are interchangeable. Thus, ma-n and m-l, to me; m-l, my; t-l, thy. In such cases is sometimes written; thus, m- or m-l, my.

　With regard to pronouns we may note the forms ly, he; ly, they; tm-n, their. The present tense of finite verbs is formed by adding the verb substantive to the present participle, and not to the conjunctive present. Thus, h mrt chh, I strike.

　In most respects, however, Chra closely agrees with Gujart Bhl as will be seen from the beginning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son which follows.

[No. 18.]

INDO-ARYAN FAMILY.

CENTRAL GROUP.

BHL OR BHIL.

CHRA DIALECT.

(THE PANCH MAHALS.)

k mnah-n bn dkr hut; n t-m-n nn bh

One man-to two sons were; and them-in-of the-younger by-brother

b-n bhay k, 'b, my-n bhg ma-n

the-father-to it-was-said that, 'faher, the-property-of share me-to

vhs dy.' N tn ly-n my vhs

having-divided give.' And by-him them-to property having-divided

ddh. N th dy-m nn dkr badh bhu

was-given. And a-few days-in the-younger son all together

karn bj malak-m g, n is mj-maj uhvn

having-done another country-into went, and there pleasures having-made

my wpr nkh. N tn badh kh

property having-spent was-thrown. And by-him all having-spent