Major-General Sir J. Malcolm on Ike Bliills. (J9 



in Candeish, where this race have been least disturbed, that we may expect 

 to find their usages most distinct from those of other classes. 



The extraordinary custom, common to almost all the countries that have 

 been mentioned, of the Hka, or mark that is put upon the forehead of the 

 Rajput prince or chief! when he succeeds to power, being moistened with 

 blood taken from the toe or thumb of a Bhill, may be received as one 

 among many proofs of their having been formerly in possession of the prin- 

 cipalities, where this usage prevails. 



The Minahs,* another degraded tribe, whose princes, till within the last 

 nine hundred years, ruled over the country oi Jeypur, are as tenacious, as 

 the BhillSy in maintaining a ceremony, which, though declaredly meant as 

 a pledge of allegiance, appears to be cherished as a memorial of former 

 power. The right of giving the blood for this ceremony is claimed by par- 

 ticular families ; and the belief, that the individual, from whose veins it is 

 supplied, never lives beyond a twelvemonth, in no degree operates to repress 

 the zeal of the Bhills to perpetuate an usage, which the Rajput princes f 

 are, without exception, desirous should cease. The feeling of the latter is 

 often accounted for by their fear of being polluted with the blood of an 

 impure person ; but it no doubt proceeds from a dislike, in some of these 

 proud rulers, of being reminded, by this recurring ceremony, of the short 

 date of their authority, and of the implied necessity of its being sanctioned 

 and confirmed by the lowest of their subjects. 



I found, on enquiry, that, though the above usage still existed in many 

 principalities, it had in several been discontinued for one, two, and three 

 generations. A minute investigation into the prevalence of it, or similar 

 customs, that recognise the possession of the rights of these degraded tribes, 

 would be useful in determining the degree of power they had formerly en- 

 joyed. 



There are many circumstances, which would authorise the conclusion, 



* The mode in which the present rulers of Jeypur gained possession of this great and rich 

 principality, is remarkable. An expatriated Rajput, of the Kaichiviara tribe, was adopted 

 as his heir by the reigning Minah Prince of Narviar, and from him the Jei/pur family is 

 descended. 



t The Princes of Udeypur are stated not to be desirous of the disdontinuance of this usage, 

 which they refer to a sense of gratitude to a Dhill, who saved the life of a prince of their family ; 

 a tradition, which prevents the pride of this high family being hurt, by a recollection, that the 

 throne, they now possess, had ever a meaner occupant. 



